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Plenty of folks love the 1873 single action but find the standard Navy-size grip a little cramped, especially with bigger hands. Taylor's & Company fixed that with the Gunfighter Defender. It takes the longer, slightly wider 1860 Army grip frame, wraps it in checkered walnut, and mounts it on a New Model Cattleman frame. The result is a six-gun that settles into a full-size hand the way a proper sidearm should, with checkering that keeps things planted when the .45 Colt starts talking.
The other big change is up top. Taylor's borrowed the lowered hammer spur from their popular Runnin' Iron, which sits flatter and closer to the frame than a traditional spur. That makes cocking quicker and smoother, whether you run it two-handed or thumb it one-handed like the old timers. It also keeps the hammer out of your sight picture, so getting back on the fixed blade front and notch rear sights happens faster between shots. A retractable firing pin adds a modern touch of peace of mind to the classic design.
The frame is forged steel with a color case hardened finish that gives each revolver its own character, matched up with blued steel parts and a blued trigger guard. The 4.75 inch round barrel carries a 1:16 twist that pairs nicely with the .45 Colt cartridge, and the half-fluted cylinder holds six rounds. At about 2.45 pounds with a 10.35 inch overall length, it balances well on the hip and points naturally, which is exactly what you want in a gun built for fast handling.
This one is a natural for cowboy action matches, ranch carry, or anyone who wants a traditional single action that fits a larger hand without feeling clubby. It shoots the round that made the Peacemaker famous and handles it with old-school style and thoughtful modern updates. If the standard Cattleman grip has always felt a touch small to you, this is the fix.
Two main things set it apart. It uses a lowered Runnin' Iron style hammer spur that sits flatter for faster, easier cocking and a cleaner sight picture, and it wears the larger 1860 Army-size grip instead of the smaller Navy grip found on most 1873 models. That combination makes it noticeably better suited to bigger hands and quick handling.
Very much so. The low-profile hammer speeds up cocking, the checkered Army grip gives you a solid hold under recoil, and .45 Colt is one of the most popular cartridges in the sport. It runs light cowboy loads comfortably and points fast, which is exactly what the game rewards.
Yes, it uses a retractable firing pin system, which is a modern update over the original 1873 design. It keeps the traditional look and feel while adding an extra layer of security. As with any single action of this style, following standard safe handling practices is always the smart move.
Stick with standard pressure .45 Colt loads, which is what this platform was built around. Traditional 250 grain lead loads and lighter cowboy action ammo both run great through the 4.75 inch barrel with its 1:16 twist. Avoid the heavy so-called Ruger-only loads, as those are meant for beefier modern frames.
| UPC | 810012512114 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 555168 |
| Shipping Weight | 3.2 |
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