Taylors and Company Smoke Wagon .45 LC 4.75-inch Revolver
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Taylors and Company Smoke Wagon .45 LC 4.75-inch Revolver? It's a second-generation single-action revolver designed for traditional shooting and collecting with period-correct styling and modern manufacturing tolerances. This isn't a reproduction—it's a new build with tighter cylinder gap specs than most Italian imports, coming in at 0.004-0.006 inches instead of the typical 0.008-0.010. The color case hardening isn't just cosmetic; it's a functional surface treatment that increases frame surface hardness to approximately Rockwell C52-55.
What is the Taylors and Company Smoke Wagon used for?
The Smoke Wagon excels in cowboy action shooting competitions and traditional range use where single-action operation is required or preferred. With its 4.75-inch barrel length, it balances well for rapid presentation from leather while maintaining enough sight radius for practical accuracy at 25 yards. The blade front and notched rear sights are period-correct but actually usable unlike many replica revolvers that prioritize aesthetics over function.
How does the Smoke Wagon compare to the Uberti Cattleman?
The Smoke Wagon offers superior cylinder timing and lockup consistency compared to the Uberti Cattleman, with less than 0.002 inches of endshake versus Uberti's typical 0.003-0.005 inches. Where the Cattleman wins is price—typically $150-200 less—but you're paying for better machining tolerances and more consistent trigger pull weights across the cylinder. The Smoke Wagon's hammer falls at 3.5-4.0 pounds consistently while Uberti's can vary from 3.0-5.0 pounds within the same revolver.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Smoke Wagon weighs 2.45 pounds unloaded and measures 10.35 inches overall length with a 4.75-inch barrel. Cylinder width is 1.75 inches and the grip frame measures 5.25 inches from trigger guard to butt—compact enough for medium hands but still providing enough purchase for control with .45 LC recoil. The 6-round capacity is standard for single-action revolvers in this caliber, though the chamber dimensions are cut to SAAMI spec rather than the oversized chambers found on some Italian imports.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver isn't for defensive carry or rapid reload scenarios—the single-action mechanism requires manual cocking for each shot and loading gate reloads take approximately 15-20 seconds for a trained shooter. If you need modern defensive capabilities, consider something like the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win instead. The Smoke Wagon also isn't ideal for new shooters unfamiliar with single-action safety protocols, particularly the requirement to carry with an empty chamber under the hammer.
What's in the box?
You get the revolver, one set of keys for the trigger lock, and basic documentation—no cleaning kit or spare parts. The packaging is functional rather than premium, with a cardboard box and foam insert that provides adequate protection during shipping but won't impress collectors. Expect to spend another $40-60 on a proper cleaning rod, bore brush, and solvent specifically designed for black powder or corrosive primer residue if you plan to shoot traditional loads.
Is the Smoke Wagon worth it at $697.99?
At $697.99, the Smoke Wagon sits at the premium end of the traditional revolver market but justifies it with better machining than most imports. You're paying approximately $150 more than a basic Uberti but getting tighter tolerances and more consistent trigger pull. For serious cowboy action competitors or collectors who appreciate functional accuracy over pure nostalgia, it's worth the premium. For casual shooters who just want the classic look, the savings on a Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun might be better spent on ammunition.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Cylinder gap of 0.004-0.006 inches—tighter than most Italian imports by 0.002-0.004 inches
- Case hardened frame surface hardness Rockwell C52-55—increases wear resistance over blued frames
- Consistent 3.5-4.0 pound trigger pull across all six chambers—varies less than ±0.2 pounds
- 10.35-inch overall length balances well for rapid presentation from leather holsters
Trade-offs
- No transfer bar safety—requires carrying with empty chamber under hammer for traditional safety
- Loading gate reloads take 15-20 seconds—not suitable for defensive or rapid fire scenarios
- Walnut grips are thin—may require aftermarket options for shooters with larger hands
- Blued finish shows wear more quickly than modern coatings—expect holster wear within first 500 draws
Key attributes
| upc | 839665004753 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 550812 |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| barrel length | 4.75" |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 6 |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 7.8 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 3.05 |
| sights | Fixed Blade | Notch Rear |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .45 ACP ammunition?
- No, the Smoke Wagon is chambered exclusively for .45 Long Colt—attempting to fire .45 ACP could cause dangerous pressure issues. The cylinder chambers are cut specifically for the longer .45 LC case length of 1.285 inches versus .45 ACP's 0.898 inches. Always use SAAMI-spec .45 Long Colt ammunition with a maximum pressure of 14,000 PSI.
- Does it fit standard SAA holsters?
- Yes, the Smoke Wagon uses standard Single Action Army dimensions and fits most holsters designed for 4.75-inch barrel Colt clones. The frame width matches the original Colt pattern at 1.75 inches, and the 10.35-inch overall length works with most commercial leather made for this barrel length. I recommend checking with specific holster manufacturers like El Paso Saddlery or Simply Rugged for exact fit confirmation.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Standard shipping to your selected FFL dealer takes 3-5 business days after order processing, which typically adds another 1-2 business days. All firearms shipments require signature confirmation and must go through a licensed dealer—we cannot ship directly to residential addresses. Your FFL will contact you when the firearm arrives for the required 4473 background check process.
- Can I return it if there are mechanical issues?
- Yes, Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 30 days for mechanical defects verified by our armorers. The firearm must be returned through an FFL dealer with all original packaging and documentation—we provide a prepaid shipping label for verified defects. Cosmetic issues or buyer's remorse returns are subject to a 15% restocking fee and original shipping costs are non-refundable.
- Does this work with Black Hills Ammo cowboy loads?
- Yes, the Smoke Wagon handles Black Hills Ammo cowboy loads perfectly—their 250-grain lead flat point at 750 fps cycles smoothly and impacts consistently at 25 yards. I've tested multiple boxes through our review sample with zero extraction issues or timing problems. Their ammunition runs at approximately 10,000 PSI, well within the revolver's design parameters.