Cimarron Transitional Conversion gunsmith in the Wichita, KS area

[SlowJack]

Long story but I picked up 3 guns from an FFL at the same time and neglected a check of the cycling and action on a .38 5.5".  At home it was locked up tight and the only tight screw was the ejector housing screw and the screws were a bit buggered.  Barrel would not come off.  I have another transitional model is .45 and have delt with sticking barrel before.  I called Cimarron and talked with Greg and he was convinced that the gun was ok and just needed heat and the barrel would come off and i could take it apart and put it together.  So I used my oven to heat and was able to knock the barrel off after a few hours work and found a buggered arbor end.  I started to clean it up with emery cloth and noticed it was bent at the section the wedge passed through.  So I called Greg back and sent it to them.  This was back on Oct 11th.  Just received it back today and it seems the bolt is not releasing when I move the hammer back on 3-4 of the chambers.  On 2 or so it works fine.  The barrel comes off easy and there is a new arbor.  Work order states they also replaced the wedge, cylinder, and hand.  The cylinder goes on very tight and appears to drag on something when first trying to remove it and kind of pops into place that last little bit when putting it back on. 

I really do not want to send it back and wait another 2 + months to be able to shoot it.  I am not able to do repairs and full disassembly and spring replacement are about the extent of my abilities.  I can either just shoot it like it is and see if the parts wear in or take to a local smith.  I would prefer to take it to a local smith that is really good to have it working properly but I do not know of any.  Seem to recall an ad on Armslist a year or so ago but I cannot find anything using the search function now.  Thanks in advance for any help with this.

[RoyceP]

If I use google it comes up with 6 gunsmiths in the Wichita Kansas area. Have you talked to those guys?

[SlowJack]

I can call around again tomorrow.  Much more call for semi auto pistol and AR and such work.  I have dealt with well-known smiths that specialize in 1800's firearms out of state but was hoping to get someone within driving distance.  Just thought it was worth the time to post to see if someone had a recommendation. 

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[Professor Marvel]

If I use google it comes up with 6 gunsmiths in the Wichita Kansas area. Have you talked to those guys?

Here's a problem
once they getthe correct FFL ANYBODY can put u a sign and advertise that they are a gunsmith.
few can provide bona fides pertaiing to any sort of training that we require.

especially C&B and conversions.

Interview the possible smiths first, ask how many SAA and C&B and conversions they have worked
on and require contact info for all of them. that will weed out a lot.
Then go through the hundreds of posts here on CAS ( esp those by Goon and Coffin and Larsen Pettyfogger)
about tuning. Ask the smiths some "hard questions" that these guys already answered.

Like "What are the Problems with Uberti that Piettas dont have?
What are the three things an open top HAVE TO have done?

throw in some "wringers" like "how do you lengthen the cylinder bolt stop?"
how often should you replace the wedge?

that oughta weed out a lot

this is why we have the plethora of self-help articles here and on the former Open Range and the SASS websites.

I myself would rather trust Mike at Goons' Gunwerks than anyone in my 5 state area.
that's cuz Coffin is waaaaaay over the other side of the Mississippi ( and retired).

My soultion to these problems was to buy the Kunnhausen and a whole carload of cheap C&B basket cases
and work on themuntil I could do it myself. And I am still no where near as good as Mike at Goons or Coffinmaker

BTW it actually sounds like your gun should go back under warrenty until it is right....

yhs
prof marvel

[DeaconKC]

Aaaaaand, most GOOD gunsmiths are already busy. so expect a several month wait to get your gun back form someone well known. It is worth the wait if you have other guns to run. I would send it back to the factory, it will probably be quicker and hopefully no charge. I would add Boomstick Jay to the list of smiths to consider, while he has only done rifle work for me, he has a very good reputation for open tops as well.

[Coffinmaker]

  PLUS ONE fer the Perfesser 

I understand your frustration.  You sent it back once and it still isn't right.  The Open Top design guns are finicky to say the least.  I you can't DIY, you need to write a letter outlining the problems still present in the gun and ship it back to Cimarron.  Include what you sent it back for the first time.  And by the way, don't talk to "Greg" again as he obviously knows nothing and just wants to get you off the phone and avoid having the gun sent back.

None of the problems you describe are acceptable.  They (Cimarron) should be replacing ALL the screws as well.  None of the screws should be "buggered."

Just as a "quickie," buy a Spring Clothes Pin and take it apart.  Turn the two halves back to back in the gap between the Cylinder Face and the Barrel Lug.  Tap 'em together and the wedging action will remove a stubborn barrel toot sweet.

[SlowJack]

Thing is to send the revolver back again I have to contact Greg.  I sent him an email 2 days ago and waiting for a reply.  When I received the revolver back was the first time I could cycle the revolver.  I have not even fired a round through it and it's going on 3 months since I bought it.  I was hoping there was a really good smith close that would be willing to do the work.  There are a number of SASS clubs in the state and I think I will check the web sites to see if I can find a smith advertising.  If not send some e-mails to the clubs for a decent CAS smith in the state.  Right now it is just an expensive paper weight I have.  Guess what bothers me the most is that the revolver was sold and shipped to me in that condition.  That is not acceptable on any level and others had to know of it's condition.  And not just the first time but the second.

Thank you for all the replies.  I may end up shipping it one of the smiths recommended.  If anyone does have a recommendation of a very good smith in Kansas I will keep checking back.  I just don't know if the problem is with the cylinder, arbor, or something else.