Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L
CAS TOPICS => Gun Reviews => Topic started by: Froogal on September 15, 2022, 01:39:18 PM
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Frontier .357 magnum from Cimarron. 7 1/2" barrel. I didn't like it very much right from the start, so it hasn't been fired very much. Today I discovered that it mis-fires about 1/2 of the time, and after examination of the spent rounds, it is very evident that the cylinder does not always index properly and then the hammer strikes the primer way off center. I may dig into it, or I may just take a loss and let someone else own it.
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Uberti or Pietta?
Mike
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Cimarron Frontiers are Pietta.
Sounds like it is probably over-rotating. Does it only do it when you cock it fast? I've heard of Pietta not doing a good job of fitting the bolt head to the cylinder notch. That could be part of it. A weak or cracked bolt spring could also.
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Cimarron Frontiers are Pietta.
Sounds like it is probably over-rotating. Does it only do it when you cock it fast? I've heard of Pietta not doing a good job of fitting the bolt head to the cylinder notch. That could be part of it. A weak or cracked bolt spring could also.
Makes no difference if I cock it fast or slow, and yes, it is a Pietta. Didn't realize that until I got it home. I saw "Cimarron" on the box and that was good enough for me. Lesson learned.
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Yes, Frontier's can be either/or. Mine is a Pietta as well. When on half cock, do the "clicks" get really soft when you roll the cylinder?
Mine had a rather out of spec hand window that prevented the hand from protruding far enough to fully engage the ratchet. I installed a new hand (since I had "worked on the original before realizing it was the opening) and a new bolt as well. After a ton of mods it is now quite the "pistola" !! It's in 45C and I added a 45acp cyl. All that said, I wouldn't go out of my way for another one!! The Uberti Cattleman can be made into a "top o the line" SA for less. An El Patron is an even better base to start with.
Mike
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:) PLUS ONE for Abilene!! ;)
Other than the Great Western II, Pietta can get spotty. The fit of the Bolt Head to the Cylinder notches is ALWAYS suspect. With Pietta Cap Guns, it's not if the Bolt doesn't fit, I KNOW it doesn't fit. First thing to check on your Frontier is the fit of the bolt to cylinder notches then go from there.
Let's Play Safe Out There
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If you bought it new, contact Cimarron and have them fix it under warranty.
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I may have discovered the problem. Even though the base pin seemed to be securely locked in place, it may not have been all the way in. The base pins on those Piettas leaves a bit to be desired.
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I may have discovered the problem. Even though the base pin seemed to be securely locked in place, it may not have been all the way in. The base pins on those Piettas leaves a bit to be desired.
That would be great if that fixed it. Keep us informed.
Yes, the Pietta base pin is crappy. First (and only) thing I did to my Frontier was slap an Uberti base pin in it!
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That would be great if that fixed it. Keep us informed.
Yes, the Pietta base pin is crappy. First (and only) thing I did to my Frontier was slap an Uberti base pin in it!
Never thought of using a Uberti base pin. I'll do some experimenting.
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Never thought of using a Uberti base pin. I'll do some experimenting.
The base pin from my .45 Colt Uberti cattleman is a perfect fit in the Pietta Frontier. Now all I gotta do is find a Uberti base pin.
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VTI / Cimarron / Taylors / Dixie etc. Should be easy to find a base pin, even these days. But if possible, try to get a one-position base pin. The new 3-click guns use the old standard one-position pin, so those should be in stock somewhere. Otherwise, you could shorten a 2-position pin if you want.
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VTI / Cimarron / Taylors / Dixie etc. Should be easy to find a base pin, even these days. But if possible, try to get a one-position base pin. The new 3-click guns use the old standard one-position pin, so those should be in stock somewhere. Otherwise, you could shorten a 2-position pin if you want.
Thank you! I did a search on Midway. They have several parts for the Uberti, including a base pin bushing, but NOT the base pin itself. I may check with my local gunsmiths.
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Any reason you won't cut the one you have? I always shorten the one that came with the revolver. I hate that "notion " of a notch as well and can't believe that is what Pietta gets away with.
Anyway, I don't believe I've ever bought a base pin.
Mike
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Any reason you won't cut the one you have? I always shorten the one that came with the revolver. I hate that "notion " of a notch as well and can't believe that is what Pietta gets away with.
Anyway, I don't believe I've ever bought a base pin.
Mike
The base pin from my Uberti cattleman fits the Pietta perfectly, but then my Uberti would not have a base pin and I won't rob Peter to pay Paul.
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Any reason you won't cut the one you have? I always shorten the one that came with the revolver. I hate that "notion " of a notch as well and can't believe that is what Pietta gets away with.
Anyway, I don't believe I've ever bought a base pin.
Mike
Speaking for myself, it is not the extra notch and length that is a problem, because as you mentioned the pin is easily shortened. It is the little notches on just one side instead of all the way around the pin. Very easy to get it jammed in the gun if not perfectly aligned. I dislike the Uberti base pins for the small frame lightning and Model P Jr. guns for the same reason.
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Precisely my point, why not cut the Pietta pin that came in the revolver?
Mike
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Oh, hey Abilene!!
Yes, you're right. I just chuck it up in a drill and "complete" what they started. I also add a groove near the end so the cross pin will catch the base pin before it comes completely out. It's a convenient little feature so you don't have a pin in one hand, a revolver in the other and a cylinder about to hit the floor !! Lol
Mike
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Well I don't have any sort of machine shop and a minimum of tools, so trying to create a smooth properly sized groove all the way around the pin is beyond my ability.
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Well I don't have any sort of machine shop and a minimum of tools, so trying to create a smooth properly sized groove all the way around the pin is beyond my ability.
I have SOME machine shop experience, but I no longer have access to any of the equipment or machinery. I did shop for a used engine lathe several years ago, but I couldn't (wouldn't) pay that much for something I would use only occasionally.
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Well, my question was to Froogal ( I think Abilene and I posted at the same time).
Again, is there any reason you can't finish a groove in the original Pietta pin and then cut it to length? If you get a new Uberti pin, you still have to shorten it ( unless you're going to use the notches).
Mike
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I have one of these, bought it a few years ago
I've made some firing pins out of drill bits, turning the main pin would be a snap.
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Uberti base pins are available that have only one groove and are the correct length so no shortening needed.
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Okay. I had some time today so I took the Frontier to the backyard range. The first 5 rounds went off without a hitch. The second 5 rounds not so good. Behaved just like before. Loaded up a third time and still the same. I packed up and came back to the house.
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I took the gun apart. Found no real issues other than some funky knicks and burrs on the hand. I smoothed them as best I could using a whet stone. Put it all back together, grabbed a box of ammo and headed out. The results were promising, but then it misfired again a couple of times, due to what seemed to be light hammer strikes.
This gun has that floating firing pin, and close examination reveals that the pin does not always enter straight through the firing pin hole. Sometimes it appears to be canted slightly upwards.
Is there any fix for this? I must confess that I had never been quite that deep into ANY gun before this, but I have done considerable mechanic work.
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I removed the firing pin from the hammer, placed a "shim" into the hole and put the firing pin back in. Actually a bit more complicated than that, but it worked. Fired off 40 rounds without a hitch.
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This is a really late reply; have been "gone" for a while.
I had basically the same problem with a Cimarron Pistolero model. Talked with Cimarron and explained the base pin was "jumping" loose and working itself to the point where the cylinder wobbled. And with some experiment I realized the pin just was being held firmly enough. The pin have a smooth groove where the latch was supposed to hold.
Long story short; a NOTCHED base pin supplied by Cimarron fixed the problem.
Had lots of vibration with the 255 grain 45 Colt rounds, got some 185 grain and 200 grain and pistol shoots like it's supposed to shoot.
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I have one of these, bought it a few years ago
I've made some firing pins out of drill bits, turning the main pin would be a snap.
Money well spent. I plan on buying one myself, along with the table top milling machine to go along with it.
;)
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I removed the firing pin from the hammer, placed a "shim" into the hole and put the firing pin back in. Actually a bit more complicated than that, but it worked. Fired off 40 rounds without a hitch.
Sadly, the second time I took that pistol out it was right back to mis-firing. I parked it on a bottom shelf in the safe. Might mess with it again sometime, might not.
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Sadly, the second time I took that pistol out it was right back to mis-firing. I parked it on a bottom shelf in the safe. Might mess with it again sometime, might not.
O.K., I messed with it again. No joy. The gun is now in pieces. Small parts, screws etc., are in plastic bags, sealed up tight and everything placed back into the original box. I need a complete hammer and firing pin assembly. Hopefully with firing pin that does not float.
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:) Froogal ;)
Actually if your Pistola is of the New and Improved Special Safety Uberti, you will also need the trigger to go with the Hammer assembly.
OR: Part that sucker out on eBay and source a nice new Pietta GW II (my choice)
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Oh, hey Abilene!!
Yes, you're right. I just chuck it up in a drill and "complete" what they started. I also add a groove near the end so the cross pin will catch the base pin before it comes completely out. It's a convenient little feature so you don't have a pin in one hand, a revolver in the other and a cylinder about to hit the floor !! Lol
Mike
What he said. A drill, a rat-tail file and you're set to go.
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:) Froogal ;)
Actually if your Pistola is of the New and Improved Special Safety Uberti, you will also need the trigger to go with the Hammer assembly.
OR: Part that sucker out on eBay and source a nice new Pietta GW II (my choice)
NOT Uberti. Cimmaron Frontier. Made by Pietta. I'll never own another Pietta.
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I acquired this little lathe (this one from Harbour Freight)
but there are several importers of the very same unit... Jet (white) Grizzley. (Green)
I think Northern tools is blue and even another in yellow same same.
The price ranges between $550 and $650 depending on whom you get it from.
Granted, buying one just to do your Pin is a fool's errand... but sending it to me and I'll do it gratis
with postage on you might be an option.
Point being, it be short work to cut the OAL or groove.