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The 1873 single action never really went out of style, and the Great Western II Californian is one of the easier ways to put a proper 1873 pattern sixgun in your hand without chasing down a vintage original. Pietta builds these in Italy for EMF, and this one comes chambered in the classic .44-40 Winchester with a 5.5-inch blued steel barrel and matching blued cylinder. The frame is color case hardened alloy steel, the grips are solid walnut, and the whole package carries that unmistakable Colt Peacemaker silhouette that put these on the map in the first place.
The recipe here is pretty straightforward. The barrel is hammer forged steel, and the frame starts life as a drop forging before getting finished on CNC machinery, so you get period correct looks with consistent, modern dimensions. Like the original Colts, the Californian runs a floating firing pin in the hammer rather than a transfer bar, which means you get that satisfying four click draw when you thumb the hammer back. Pietta also fits these with a slightly larger front sight and a wider rear sight channel, which makes lining up a shot a good deal easier than the squinty notches on a lot of old originals.
The .44-40 Winchester, also known as the .44 WCF, dates back to 1873 and armed a whole lot of the frontier alongside the Model 1873 rifle and the Single Action Army. These days it has found a genuine second life in cowboy action shooting and metallic silhouette, where its moderate recoil and historical authenticity make it a favorite. Most factory loads run around a 200 to 205 grain lead or soft point bullet at mild velocities, so it is comfortable to shoot over a long string of stages and easy to keep on target.
At 5.5 inches, this barrel length splits the difference nicely between the quick handling 4.75-inch gun and the longer sight radius of the 7.5-inch model. It balances well in the hand and points naturally, which is exactly what you want whether you are running a match or just ringing steel on a Saturday.
F.LLI Pietta manufactures these revolvers in Italy, and EMF imports and distributes them in the United States under the Great Western II name. It is the same Pietta built gun with a hammer forged steel barrel and CNC machined parts either way. The partnership between the two companies has been running since the early 2000s.
This is a period correct 1873 pattern revolver, so it uses a floating firing pin in the hammer rather than a transfer bar system. That gives you the authentic four click hammer action that cowboy action folks look for. As with any traditional single action, the old habit of loading five and keeping the hammer down on an empty chamber is worth following.
Absolutely. The .44-40 Winchester has strong roots in the Old West and has become a popular choice for cowboy action and metallic silhouette competition. Factory loads typically run a 200 to 205 grain bullet at mild velocities, giving you moderate recoil and comfortable shooting across a long day of stages.
The Californian comes in 4.75-inch, 5.5-inch, and 7.5-inch barrel options. The 5.5-inch sits right in the middle, offering a bit more sight radius than the short gun while still handling quickly. It is a classic all around length that balances nicely in the hand.
| UPC | 641996211423 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | HF4440CHS512NM |
| Action | |
| Barrel Finish | Blued |
| Barrel Length | 5.5" |
| Caliber/Gauge | .44-40 Winchester |
| Capacity | 6 |
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