This is my first “cowboy pistol to test and review. I think it is one of the first ones that Taylor & Co., Inc. has shared as well. I am honored to give this firearm a twirl. The Virginia company which is almost thirty years old specializes in “Keeping the Legend Alive, “ by providing historically correct 1840’s-1911 firearms and accessories.
There is a segment in the gun community that appreciates, collects and shoots the guns of the Old West. Cowboy action shooting (CAS), is a competitive shooting sport that according the Wikipedia, originated in California, in ‘80s. Cowboy action shooting is now practiced in many places with several sanctioning organizations including the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS), Western Action ShootistAssociation (WASA), and National Congress of Old West Shooters (NCOWS), as well as others in the US and in other countries. Competitions are often “three gun” utilizing a combination of pistol(s), rifle, and/or shotgun in a variety of “old west themed” courses of fire for time and accuracy. A part of the fun is that participants dress in appropriate theme or era “costume” as well as use gear and accessories.
Maryland
After the deal was made, I chose to have a modernized replica of the 1873 Cattlemen in .357 to try out. As I live in Maryland I had to provide a federal firearms licensed dealer to receive and transfer the pistol to me. What was required in addition to a fee, was to show that I have had the Maryland Handgun Qualification license allowing me to legally purchase a firearm in Maryland, an additional federal background check, and the state police instant background check, filling out of several forms to include the 4473 was to wait ten days. And before I could take possession of the firearm I had to purchase a locking device chosen by the store. For some strange reason all of this, this time made me question myself as to why I live here and why I do this.
I took possession of the firearm and couldn’t wait to try it out. I went home, inspected it and did what you are supposed to do. I read the instruction and safety manual. There were features on this revolver that I was unfamiliar with.
The Gun
At first look the revolver has a blue finish with a case-hardened frame and steel trigger guard and backstrap. It has been manufactured with a forged frame. Unlike revolvers I am familiar with his one had no rear sight to speak up but a very high fixed front sight. It has oblong ejector-plunger grip, and a spring loaded cylinder retainer pin that can be used as a type of safety. None of these features would have been on the gun in 1873. But I ain’t mad at it.
It actually feels good. I don’t know how folks can twirl this thing like Johnny Ringo but I want to learn. It weighs 2.27 lbs., and has a 4 ¾ “ barrel. It is single action. You can’t use a speed loader or strip as you would with a police type revolver to load.
This Peacemaker style revolver was made by Uberti in Italy. Uberti is part of the Benelli USA family of brands, and this one came from Taylor & Co, Inc. In 1959, Aldo Uberti started making replicas of Civil War-era cap and ball revolvers. As his skills increased the company started producing different types of replicas like this one with actual improvements using modern equipment and materials.
Home on the range.
After I familiarize myself with the nuances of this firearm, I took it to the range near my house before my wife came home. I could go on a bit about that but I will save that for later. I shot about 150 rounds through it which took longer than it would with a semi-automatic. I used a 125 grain bullet from Remington. I liked the flame, the rapport and the accuracy of the gun. After I got used to the sights, the recoil and how you have to load it, cock it to fire and then be as gentle as a whisper on the trigger, I started making the target look pretty. There were several women learning how to shoot on either side of me. I felt bad that I made have been a distraction. The .357 was noticeably louder than the 9mm they were firing. During my reload I got a thumbs up and smile. I think it was from my target and shooting. The fact that my target group looked like a group made me feel better.
Now what.
I think I will have to purchase this gun, if Taylor will sell it to me and then buy a Old West style holster as well. It has walnut grips but I will have to find some custom ones because I am Kenn Blanchard and …Life is too short to stay stock.
Because it is so nostalgic, I could probably open carry it in a state the recognized the right. And if I represented myself correctly, nobody would think it was threatening. I gotta move. Tactically though, I’d have to make sure that there was some type of retention for this gun, I had more than six rounds on me and practiced how to reload like my life depended on it before I did. Competition would help with that so you might see me at a local SASS event soon if I keep this thing.
Historically there are a number of black cowboys, Native Americans, lawmen, and outlaws in the Old West that I could model myself after.
This is the Black Man With A Gun and I approve on this firearm from Taylor & Co.
by Kenn Blanchard
Kenn Blanchard owns the site, Black Man With A Gun
