Cimarron EL MALO .45 Long Colt Revolver, 7.5″ Octagon
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About this product
What is the Cimarron EL MALO .45 Long Colt Revolver, 7.5″ Octagon?
The Cimarron EL MALO is a modern-manufacture single-action revolver faithfully patterned on the Colt Single Action Army of the 1870s, chambered in .45 Long Colt and built around a 7.5-inch octagon barrel with a six-shot cylinder. This is not a reissue or parts gun; it's a complete, new production using original-style case-hardening on a pre-war pattern frame. The result is a functional piece of Americana that meets modern quality control standards while satisfying the specific mechanical and aesthetic requirements for sanctioned cowboy action shooting.
What is the Cimarron EL MALO .45 Long Colt used for?
The EL MALO is primarily built for competition in Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) and similar cowboy action shooting events, where its period-correct manual features and styling are mandatory. Its secondary role is recreational target shooting or as a collector's piece for enthusiasts of western firearms; the cartridge is historically significant but ballistically mild by modern standards, yielding manageable recoil of approximately 13 ft-lbs in standard 250-grain lead loads.
How does the Cimarron EL MALO compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The EL MALO serves a completely different mechanical purpose than a bolt-action rifle like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win; one is a manually-indexed, single-action revolver for short-range target and competition, while the other is a long-range, magazine-fed hunting rifle. The EL MALO is better for fast-draw and rapid-fire competition sequences within 25 yards, while the Stevens 334 is objectively better for ethical game harvesting beyond 200 yards.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, the EL MALO weighs 42 ounces, with a center-to-center barrel length of 7.5 inches and an overall length of 13.2 inches from muzzle to the base of the walnut grip. The octagon barrel profile adds both frontal weight for balance and significant visual period authenticity, while the solid steel construction gives the revolver a dense, substantial feel in the hand compared to modern polymer-frame pistols.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for a first-time gun owner seeking a home-defense or concealed-carry weapon. The single-action mechanism requires manually cocking the hammer for each shot, and the fixed, rudimentary sights are unsuitable for low-light use. Anyone needing a practical, high-capacity defensive handgun should look to striker-fired designs, not a historically-styled single-action like the EL MALO.
What's in the box?
The EL MALO ships with the revolver itself, a single standard cardboard shipping box with styrofoam insert, and a simple owner's manual covering basic safety and maintenance. It does not include a cleaning kit, holster, speed loaders, or any ammunition; plan on purchasing at minimum 50 rounds of .45 Long Colt (≈$60) and a bore snake for immediate function testing at the range.
Is the Cimarron EL MALO worth it at $638.99?
At its $638.99 price point, the EL MALO is a fair-value modern replica for its specific competitive niche, offering authentic pre-war styling and reliable function without the $2,500+ price tag of a true antique Colt. For a dedicated cowboy action shooter needing a period-correct sidearm, it's a justifiable investment; for a casual plinker wanting a .45, a modern double-action Ruger Blackhawk at a similar price offers more versatility but less historical accuracy.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- 42-ounce all-steel construction provides stable sight picture for follow-up shots
- 6-round cylinder capacity meets SASS competition requirements exactly
- 7.5-inch octagon barrel adds muzzle weight for reduced felt recoil
- Pre-war case-colored frame offers authentic 19th-century styling unavailable on modern revolvers
Trade-offs
- Not drilled and tapped for optics — limits any potential for precision sight upgrades
- Single-action-only — requires manual hammer cocking, unsuitable for defensive use
- Fixed, rudimentary sights — challenging for low-light or precision target shooting
- Proprietary .45 Long Colt ammunition costs 40% more per round than common 9mm
Key attributes
| upc | 844234129874 |
| manufacturer | Cimarron Firearms |
| manufacturer part number | PP415MALO |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 7.5000 |
| caliber/gauge | .45 Long Colt |
| capacity | 6 |
| length | 14.2500 |
| shipping weight | 3.09 |
| sights type | FIXED |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with modern .45 ACP ammunition?
- No. The EL MALO is chambered exclusively for .45 Long Colt (also called .45 LC or .45 Colt), which is a longer, lower-pressure cartridge dimensionally incompatible with the shorter, higher-pressure .45 ACP. Attempting to load .45 ACP is unsafe. Use only SAAMI-spec .45 Long Colt loads, typically available from Federal, Remington, or Winchester.
- Does it fit in a standard 7.5-inch single-action holster?
- Yes, the 7.5-inch octagon barrel profile will fit any standard SASS-approved leather or nylon holster designed for a Colt Single Action Army with a 7.5-inch barrel. The overall dimensions, including the pre-war frame shape, adhere to the Colt SAA blueprint within a tolerance of under 0.1 inches. Popular makers like El Paso Saddlery and Mernickle Holsters have patterns for it.
- Can I mount an optic or red dot sight?
- No. The EL MALO's top strap is not drilled and tapped for a scope base, and the frame lacks any provision for modern optic mounting. The sighting system is strictly traditional: a fixed blade front sight and a notch-in-hammer rear sight. This maintains its SASS compliance but makes precision target work beyond 50 yards challenging compared to a scoped rifle like the Stevens 334.
- How long does shipping to an FFL take?
- For verified purchases, processing and shipping typically take 3-5 business days before the firearm is shipped via FedEx or UPS 2-Day Air to your selected Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. Total transit time from warehouse to FFL is usually 5-7 business days, but always confirm with your local FFL dealer about their receiving and transfer procedures, which add 1-3 more days.
- Does this work with a suppressor?
- No. The .45 Long Colt cartridge is not inherently subsonic, and the revolver's cylinder gap vents high-pressure gas sideways, making it completely unsuitable and unsafe for suppressor attachment. Even specialized "sealed" revolver suppressors are not compatible with this design. If suppressed shooting is your goal, you need a sealed breech firearm like a bolt-action or modern semi-automatic pistol.
- Can return it if it doesn't fit my hand?
- No. Due to Federal law (27 CFR § 478.124), all firearm sales are final once transferred through an FFL. You cannot return a firearm because it doesn't fit your hand or for subjective preferences. We strongly recommend handling a similar single-action revolver at a local gun store before purchasing. We only accept returns for demonstrable, unfired mechanical defects verified by our armorers.