The 1873 Cattleman El Patron NM is a single-action revolver chambered in .38 Special/.357 Magnum, with a blued finish and case-hardened accents. It follows the classic 1873 Colt Single Action Army pattern that Uberti has been reproducing for decades, updated with a New Model transfer bar mechanism that allows safe carry on all six chambers. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 1873 Cattleman El Patron NM 
• Caliber: .38 SPECIAL/.357 MAGNUM 
• Action: Single Action 
• Capacity: 6 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 5.5 inches 
• Weight: 2.3 lbs. 
• Finish: Blued with Case-Hardened accents 
• Frame Material: Steel 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The single-action mechanism requires manually cocking the hammer before each shot. That slows follow-up shots compared to double-action revolvers, but it also gives a clean, light trigger break that single-action shooters specifically seek out. The ability to shoot both .38 Special and .357 Magnum from the same cylinder is practical — .38 Special for practice or lighter loads, .357 Magnum when you want full power. One-piece checkered walnut grips sit comfortably in the hand and are replaceable if you want a different profile. Sights are fixed open sights designed for fast target acquisition. 
 
At 2.3 lbs it's light for a steel-framed revolver, which helps during long cowboy action shooting stages. 
 

Usage 

 
The El Patron NM is well-suited to cowboy action shooting (SASS) competition, where single-action revolvers are the core equipment. It also works for range plinking and recreational shooting for anyone who enjoys the manual process of single-action fire. It can serve in a home defense role, though the single-action-only mechanism and the need to manually eject spent cases make it slower to deploy than a modern double-action or semi-auto.

Uberti El Patron owners appreciate the classic look and the quality of the blued/case-hardened finish. The craftsmanship gets consistent positive mentions — fitting and finish are noticeably better than budget single-action reproductions. Accuracy and smooth action are the most frequently praised performance attributes, which is why it's popular in cowboy action shooting circles.

Weight sometimes comes up as a consideration for extended use; at 2.3 lbs it's manageable, but a full day of SASS stages can add up. The lack of modern features like adjustable sights or double-action capability is simply the nature of the platform rather than a flaw, but buyers expecting more from a contemporary revolver occasionally mention it. Overall the sentiment is positive, with the nostalgia and quality of the single-action experience being the main draw.