Cimarron Frontier Hammer Roller Don't Roll

[CatBacker88]

I disassembled my new Cimarron Frontier today for cleaning and just to check it over.  FWIW, I've had it out to shoot just once, 100 uneventful rounds.  I noticed the hammer roller simply will not roll more than perhaps 1/8 or 1/16th of a turn, when it'll budge at all.  I see it's supposed to spin on a tiny little pin, but I'm not sure if there's a proper way to address the problem, or whether it's really a problem at all.  I'm sure it's not a good thing, but is it apt to become a big problem eventually?

[Cap'n Redneck]

If the roller is left stuck it will eventually develop a flat-spot where it grinds against the mainspring.  This will cause the cocking of the hammer to feel heavier, and might cause misfires as the hammer-fall is slowed down...
You can dodge the problem for a while by applying oil or grease to the contact points.

The permanent fix would be to contact Cimarron for a warranty repair.

If they won't repair it I'd suggest contacting a local gunsmith / gunshop if you don't feel you can fix it yourself.
My guess is that there is a burr in the mortise where the roller rides, or the pin has been bent during installation.

[Coffinmaker]

   A BIG Ol' PLUS ONE for Cap'n Redneck.

I would suggest you first grip the "roller" with Needle Nose pliers and start working it around, then drive out the pin and see what is what in its slot.  Or, if it's new, call Cimarron for Warranty.  Long term, it's bad JuJu.

[CatBacker88]

  A BIG Ol' PLUS ONE for Cap'n Redneck.

I would suggest you first grip the "roller" with Needle Nose pliers and start working it around, then drive out the pin and see what is what in its slot.  Or, if it's new, call Cimarron for Warranty.  Long term, it's bad JuJu.

Thank you both.  This, then, will be the second one of these Cimarron Frontier revolvers, bought new, I'll have to return under warranty.  The first was improperly timed.  Both these problems could easily have been caught in-house with adequate quality control measures.  Just bad luck, I guess, but gives me reason to pause my plan to buy a third when the model I want comes back into stock.   

[Abilene]

Thank you both.  This, then, will be the second one of these Cimarron Frontier revolvers, bought new, I'll have to return under warranty.  The first was improperly timed.  Both these problems could easily have been caught in-house with adequate quality control measures.  Just bad luck, I guess, but gives me reason to pause my plan to buy a third when the model I want comes back into stock.   

When you say they should have been caught "in-house" I guess you are referring to the Pietta factory.  I don't recall what your timing issue was, but guns are not disassembled at the importers before shipping to customers.  I can't speak for the other importers/distributors, but the people in the shipping department take each gun out of its plastic bag to give it a quick visual check, then the action is worked to make sure it functions, then it is shipped.

My 9 year old Frontier has only been shot in one match, and the new one hasn't been shot yet.  I guess I ought to check the hammer rollers in them!  I do know the timing was fine on both.

[CatBacker88]

1. When you say they should have been caught "in-house" I guess you are referring to the Pietta factory. 

2. I don't recall what your timing issue was, but guns are not disassembled at the importers before shipping to customers. 

3. I can't speak for the other importers/distributors, but the people in the shipping department take each gun out of its plastic bag to give it a quick visual check, then the action is worked to make sure it functions, then it is shipped.

1.  That's exactly what I'm referring to.  I would not expect anyone on this side of the ocean to disassemble and check that particular item, but one would think sub-assemblies like a hammer would be function checked before they are assembled to a gun.  Don't take long to roll a thumb over a roller to see if it rolls or not.

2. My first Cimarron Frontier (less than two years ago) out of the box would not lock into battery, hammer back or down, on four of six chambers.  It took very little hand applied torque to rotate the cylinder out of battery.  Cimarron took it back under warranty and fixed it six weeks) so no hard feelings, but good grief that was an obvious problem on BOTH sides of the ocean.

3.  Evidently not on the first gun, unless working the action to check function doesn't include anything about whether or not the thing locks into battery on all six chambers.

So, now this second gun gets to go back too.  My life is not ruined, but it's certainly annoying.

[45 Dragoon]

Wow!
  I think I would remove the hammer,  punch the roller pin out, clean up the sides of the roller (320 sandpaper  on a flat surface), clean out the cut in the hammer  (file) and reinstall the roller. 
Time - less than it would take to box up the revolver, take it to (wherever) and wait  .  .  . 

[CatBacker88]

Wow!
  I think I would remove the hammer,  punch the roller pin out, clean up the sides of the roller (320 sandpaper  on a flat surface), clean out the cut in the hammer  (file) and reinstall the roller. 
Time - less than it would take to box up the revolver, take it to (wherever) and wait  .  .  . 

I'm quite tempted to do exactly that, but I just got off the phone with a fine fellow at Cimarron.  He agreed the problem needs addressed, but given their gunsmith turnaround time is currently upwards of three months, offered to send a new hammer.  I asked him to try to make it one with the knurling Pietta has been known to use rather than their more common serrations.  He said he would.   

[Abilene]

That is mo' betta!