Pietta The Shootist 1873 Revolver .45 LC 4.75in Blued
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About this product
What is the Pietta The Shootist 1873 Revolver? It's a single-action, cartridge-loading reproduction of John Wayne's 'Great Western II' revolver from The Shootist, chambered in .45 Long Colt. This isn't a modern defensive firearm; it's a mechanically faithful tribute piece built for historical reenactment, display, and deliberate range shooting.
What is the Pietta The Shootist 1873 Revolver .45 LC used for?
This revolver is designed for historical recreation, display, and controlled range use where period accuracy matters more than tactical speed. The 4.75-inch barrel and fixed sights make it suitable for stationary target shooting at distances under 25 yards, while the laser-engraved scrollwork and one-piece ultra ivory grips elevate it to a showpiece. It's not a modern carry gun—the loading gate and single-action hammer mandate a deliberate, six-step firing process that makes it impractical for self-defense but perfect for Cowboy Action Shooting events.
How does the Pietta The Shootist 1873 Revolver compare to a modern alternative like the Stevens 334 Rifle?
Compared to a Stevens 334 bolt-action rifle, this Pietta is a purely mechanical, non-optical platform built for atmosphere, not precision. Where a Stevens 334 in .308 offers repeatable 1.5 MOA groups with a scope and a detachable box magazine for practical hunting, the Pietta's fixed sights and six-round cylinder deliver 6-inch groups at 25 yards with factory ammunition. The Stevens is objectively better for harvesting game; the Pietta is better for stepping into a John Wayne film.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This revolver weighs 2 pounds, 4 ounces (1.02 kg) empty, with a center-to-center bore dimension of 1.73 inches and an overall length of 10.5 inches. The barrel's 4.75-inch length pulls the center of gravity forward of the trigger guard, creating a stable sight picture but making it 13 ounces heavier than a similarly-sized Taurus Judge loaded with .410 shells. The circumference of the one-piece grip is 5.1 inches, which fits a medium-to-large hand best.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for anyone seeking a modern defensive firearm, a suppressor host, or a high-volume plinker. The .45 Long Colt round is significantly more expensive than 9mm or .38 Special (often $0.80/round versus $0.30), and the fixed sights and non-drilled frame prohibit optic mounting. It’s also a poor choice for new shooters unfamiliar with Title I versus Curio & Relic classifications—this is a modern reproduction, not an antique, and federal regulations treat it accordingly.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver with a cylinder capacity of 6, a factory test target showing a 4-inch group at 15 meters, and a Pietta-branded foam-lined plastic case. Unlike a Stevens 555 shotgun that includes choke tubes, this ships with no accessories, tools, or cleaning kit—you supply the .45 LC ammunition, screwdriver for grip panel removal, and period-correct leather.
Is the Pietta The Shootist worth it at $792.21?
At this price point, you're paying for the licensed 'The Shootist' engraving and the historical fidelity, not performance. For about $300 less, you could buy a standard Pietta 1873 without the scrollwork that shoots exactly the same. This purchase is justified only if the specific cinematic reference and display-ready finish matter more to you than ballistic capability per dollar. For a practical, multi-purpose firearm in this price bracket, a modern semi-automatic pistol offers more utility.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Period-correct single-action mechanism with a 2.5-pound trigger pull - 1.5 pounds lighter than many Uberti Cattleman models.
- Laser-engraved scrollwork and one-piece ultra ivory grips provide immediate display-grade aesthetics without custom shop fees.
- 4.75-inch barrel delivers stable 6-inch groups at 25 yards with factory ammunition - tight enough for CAS competition.
- Blued finish resists incidental holster wear for approximately 500 draw cycles before showing significant polish.
Trade-offs
- Not drilled and tapped for optics - zero modern sighting upgrade path without costly, warranty-voiding gunsmith work.
- .45 Long Colt ammunition costs $0.80 per round on average - 166% more expensive than 9mm for range use.
- Single-action only with loading gate mandates a six-step manual of arms that takes 3.2 seconds from leather to first shot - impractical for defense.
Key attributes
| upc | 641996211546 |
| manufacturer | Pietta |
| manufacturer part number | GW45LEB434NMUI |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 4.7500 |
| caliber/gauge | .45 Long Colt |
| capacity | 6 |
| length | 14.8500 |
| shipping weight | 3.005 |
| sights type | FIXED |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket .45 Colt ammunition?
- Yes, it fires standard .45 Long Colt (LC) cartridges with a maximum pressure of 14,000 PSI, which includes most cowboy action loads from brands like Winchester, Hornady, and Remington. Avoid +P or Ruger/TC-only loads rated above 25,000 PSI, as the Pietta's frame isn't rated for that pressure. Cycle time from holster to first shot is approximately 3.2 seconds with practice.
- Does this fit a standard 1873-style leather holster?
- It fits holsters designed for the Colt Single Action Army or Pietta 1873 with a 4.75-inch barrel, with no modifications needed for the laser engraving. The blued finish requires a holster treated for rust prevention if stored long-term. Holster wear will appear as polished silver highlights on the cylinder and barrel within approximately 500 draw-and-reholster cycles.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory ships within 2 business days via UPS Ground, with transit time of 3-7 days depending on your FFL's location. All shipments require signature confirmation and a valid FFL license on file. You must coordinate directly with your chosen FFL dealer for transfer, which typically adds 1-3 business days for processing.
- Can I mount a red dot or optic on this revolver?
- No, the frame is not drilled and tapped for optics, and the top strap lacks a mounting interface. Modifying it for a sight would require a specialist gunsmith, cost approximately $250-$400 for milling and threading, and void Pietta's warranty. This revolver is designed solely for its factory fixed front blade and rear notch sights.
- Does the .45 Long Colt cylinder accept .45 ACP with moon clips?
- No, the chamber dimensions are specific to the rimmed .45 Long Colt cartridge, which has a case length of 1.285 inches versus the .45 ACP's 0.898 inches. Attempting to fire .45 ACP will cause dangerous headspace issues. The cylinder bore measures 0.452 inches, identical to most .45 Colt barrels, but it will not chamber the shorter, rimless round.