Taylors and Company Gunfighter .357 Mag 5.5″ Revolver
About this product
The Taylors and Company Gunfighter .357 Mag 5.5″ Revolver is a single-action, six-shot revolver chambered in .357 Magnum with a 5.5-inch barrel and traditional steel frame and walnut grip construction. It revives the handling characteristics of a 19th-century SAA-pattern service revolver while accommodating modern .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition. With an overall length of 11.10 inches and a weight of 2.5 pounds, it balances historical aesthetics with serious ballistic capability beyond most period-accurate replicas.
What is the Taylors and Company Gunfighter .357 used for?
The Gunfighter is primarily used for recreational target shooting, formal single-action competition, and as a field companion for hunting small game or dispatching vermin. Its 5.5-inch barrel provides a longer sight radius than 4.75-inch models, aiding precision, while the .357 Magnum chambering offers more than enough energy for ethical take of coyote-sized game within responsible distances. It is not a defensive tool for modern threats—its single-action design and six-round capacity are functionally obsolete for that role compared to modern semi-automatics like our stocked Stevens 334 in .243 Win.
How does the Taylors Gunfighter compare to a Uberti Cattleman?
The Taylors Gunfighter is mechanically superior to the standard Uberti Cattleman in its ignition system reliability and barrel-to-cylinder gap consistency. Where the Cattleman uses a traditional flat mainspring, the Gunfighter incorporates a coil-spring equipped hammer system that reduces the risk of mainspring failure during dry-firing and provides a more consistent trigger pull averaging 3.25 pounds. Both are built on Pietta frames in Italy, but Taylors & Company performs additional hand-fitting and timing checks stateside, resulting in a tighter average barrel-cylinder gap of 0.004 inches versus Uberti's 0.006-inch spec.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver has an unloaded weight of 2.5 pounds (40 ounces) and an overall length of 11.10 inches from muzzle to grip heel. Its 5.5-inch barrel provides a sight radius of 7.25 inches, measured from the rear notch to the front blade—a full 0.75 inches longer than the common 4.75-inch SAA configuration. The cylinder has a diameter of 1.73 inches and a width of 1.60 inches across its chambers, making it a compact yet substantial handful, comparable in bulk to a modern duty-sized semi-auto like a Glock 17.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for anyone seeking a modern defensive firearm, a plinker for high-volume .38 Special training, or a collector focused solely on historical accuracy. The single-action mandate means you must manually cock the hammer for every shot, which slows follow-up fire to approximately one aimed round every two seconds even with practice. It lacks any modern sight adjustment system—the fixed blade and notch are zeroed at the factory for 25 yards with 158-grain ammunition and cannot be drifted or replaced without machining. For hunters wanting more versatility, our Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge offers faster target acquisition.
What's in the box?
The gun ships with one six-shot cylinder, a single-piece walnut grip, and a generic plastic hard case. There is no cleaning kit, lock, or bore snake included—buyers must supply their own .36 caliber cleaning rod and patches sized for a .357 bore diameter. Some distributors may include a basic owner's manual and a warranty card, but you should verify contents with the specific retailer at the point of sale, as packaging has been inconsistent over the past 18 months.
Is the Taylors Gunfighter worth it at $795.99?
At $795.99, the Gunfighter represents fair value for a hand-fitted, Italian-made single-action with a superior ignition system, but it demands you value traditional mechanics over modern features. You are paying approximately $150-$200 over the price of a base Uberti Cattleman for the improved timing, coil-spring hammer, and stateside quality control—justifiable if you plan to compete or carry it regularly. For a shooter who just wants a period-accurate wall-hanger, the premium is harder to justify against a $650 Pietta-made replica with similar external fit and finish.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Coil-spring hammer system reduces mainspring failure risk versus traditional flat springs
- Hand-timed action provides consistent barrel-to-cylinder gap of 0.004 inches
- 5.5-inch barrel offers a 7.25-inch sight radius for improved precision over 4.75-inch models
- Steel frame and walnut grip withstand .357 Magnum pressures for long-term durability
Trade-offs
- Single-action only—requires manual hammer cocking for every shot, limiting defensive utility
- Fixed sights are factory-zeroed for 158-grain at 25 yards—no adjustment for different loads
- Walnut grip lacks modern contouring or checkering—can be slick with sweaty or gloved hands
- No accessory rail or optics mounting capability—purely traditional sighting system
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 810012512053 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 555165 |
| action | Single Action |
| barrel length | 5.5" |
| atf type | Revolver |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 8.0 |
| shipping weight | 3.4 |
| sights | Fixed Blade | Notch Rear |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| product type | Revolver |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the Gunfighter is fully compatible with .38 Special ammunition due to the shared parent case dimensions. You can safely fire .38 Special, .38 Special +P, and .357 Magnum rounds through the same cylinder without modification. However, expect a significant point-of-impact shift of approximately 3-4 inches at 25 yards when switching between the two cartridges due to different bullet weights and velocities.
- Does this fit a standard SAA holster?
- Yes, the frame dimensions correspond to a Colt Single Action Army 'Second Generation' pattern, meaning it will fit most generic SAA holsters designed for a 5.5-inch barrel. Confirm the holster's internal length is at least 12 inches to accommodate the 11.10-inch overall length. For a secure fit, look for makers like El Paso Saddlery or Triple K that list compatibility with 'Modern Pietta/Taylors 5.5-inch' specifically.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Standard shipping to a validated FFL dealer takes 3-7 business days from warehouse departure, assuming your FFL's license is on file and the transfer is processed. Expedited 2-day air service is available for an additional $35. Delivery timelines do not include the mandatory 4473 background check and state-mandated waiting period, which can add 1-10 business days depending on your jurisdiction.
- Can I return it if there's a mechanical defect?
- Yes, Ironclad Armory accepts returns for verified mechanical defects within 30 days of the FFL transfer date. The firearm must be unfired and in original packaging with all included materials. You will need an RMA issued by our compliance team, and return shipping must be arranged through a licensed carrier with overnight service—typically UPS or FedEx—at an average cost of $85-120 depending on your location.
- Does this work with a Gunslinger/Quick-Draw rig?
- Yes, the revolver's 5.5-inch barrel and 2.5-pound weight make it suitable for most 'Gunslinger' or competition quick-draw rigs, provided the holster is built for a steel-frame SAA. The balance point is 1.25 inches forward of the trigger guard, which promotes a smooth, consistent draw from a properly tensioned leather holster. Avoid nylon or hybrid rigs—they lack the reinforced mouth needed for consistent indexed presentation.