Italian manufacturer Chiappa makes an interesting mix of historical cartridge and black powder designs, modern innovative firearms and guns that combine both of those elements into one. In the latter category is the S.A. 1873 Black Thunder .44 Magnum revolver.
As the “S.A. 1873” part of the name implies, the Black Thunder is based on the classic Colt Single Action Army revolver, with a solid frame with a swingout loading gate and a barrel mounted ejector rod. From there, the revolver goes in a unique direction that only Chiappa could engineer.
The original design has been modernized with things like a transfer-bar safety system that allows carry with a round under the hammer. Like a traditional six-shooter, the cylinder holds six rounds but is given a unique hexagonal profile borrowed from the company’s Rhino revolver that “reduces weight while maintaining structural strength and balance in the hand.”
It has a tensioned barrel system that uses a steel inner liner within an aluminum housing, which the company claims “helps reduce overall weight while maintaining rigidity and consistency in the barrel assembly.” Barrels are available in 5.5-inch and 7.5-inch lengths, and both have a Picatinny optics rail machined into their alloy sleeve. The front and fully-adjustable rear iron sights have fiber-optic inserts.
The grip frame is compatible with the vast aftermarket of Ruger Super Blackhawk grips and comes with a Hogue OverMolded rubber grip. An enlarged trigger guard allows ease of use when wearing gloves. Steel parts are given a blued finish, and aluminum components are black anodized. With a 5.5-inch barrel, the gun weighs 42 ounces and has an MSRP of $1,135. The 7.5-inch barrel version weighs 48 ounces and has an MSRP of $1,155. For more information on the Chiappa S.A. 1873 Black Thunder, see the company’s website.
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