First introduced back in January at the 2026 edition of SHOT Show, the new Chiappa Firearms 1873 SA Black Thunder line of single-action revolvers is finally available: two models, built around the tried-and-true techical layout of the classic Colt 1873 SAA, that push the quintessential western-era gun to the limits of modernization and ergonomics.

The result is a duo of variants – respectively featuring a 14 cm / 5.5" and a 19 cm / 7.5" barrel – boasting a steampunk, borderline futuristic aesthetic and bringing the 1873 SAA platform to a new level, more in line with the demands and taste of modern-day sport shooters (particularly silhouette target competition shooters) and hunters, chiefly in the US where the use of big-bore handguns for mid-to-big-size game hunting is allowed and popular in many States.

The new Chiappa Firearms 1873 SA Black Thunder revolvers are chambered for the powerful .44 Magnum cartridge and feed through six-shots blued steel cylinders that are uniquely lightened at the front to reduce overall weight, while retaining quintessential SAA features such as a loading gate and a spring-loaded manual ejection rod.

The frame of the Chiappa Black Thunder revolvers are also manufactured out of blued steel; the hammer is slightly bent downwards and knurled at its extremity for easier cocking, and must be slightly pulled back to allow the cylinder to rotate and the loading gate to open for reloading.

A transfer bar safety system prevents the hammer from impacting on the firing pin if accidentally dropped during reload, arming, or if the gun is cocked; this makes the Chiappa Firearms 1873 SA Black Thunder revolvers completely safe to carry cocked with absolute peace of mind.

The steel barrel is inserted in a frontally serrated, hexagonal black anodized aluminum protective shroud that prominently features a top machined MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail for optical sights.

Iron sights-wise, the Chiappa Black Thunder series revolvers come from factory with a fixed red fiber optic front sight and a fully adjustable green fiber optic rear sight. The black rubberized ergonomic slip-proof grip installed from factory is provided by Hogue and can be replaced with any aftermarket Ruger Super Blackhawk compatible grip.

Standing at 28 cm / 11" or 33 cm / 13.¼" in overall length, and tipping the scales at 1,19 kg / 2.64 lbs or 1,35 kg / 2.97 lbs depending on barrel length, the new Chiappa Firearms 1873 SA Black Thunder revolvers are available through Chiappa Firearms distributors at a suggested retail price that starts at approximately 975 € in Europe and $1,135.00 in the United States.

For additional information, visit the official Chiappa Firearms website; all inquiries concerning local availability and exact local pricing are to be addressed to the authorized Chiappa Firearms distributor for your Country.