New 1878 double hammer

[Logan]

Just received my new Cimarron 1878 double hammer with 26" barrel.  (waited about 6 months for it) I've not worked much with shotguns and wanted to know what work should I ask for when I take it to our local gunsmith.  I can do a lot of the polishing of parts but am not sure where they all are yet.  The rebound hammers are set fairly far from the nipples so I was going to move them closer in.

In addition to shooting it in matches I would like to use it for hunting so I will probably keep two sets of springs for it. 

Recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Coffinmaker]

Well, I hate to tell you this, but there just isn't much to do.  Leave the main springs ALONE.  They are about as light as practical to insure reliability as they come out of the box. 
I do not understand moving the hammers closer to the firing pins??  You'd want to do that why??  How??  The only modification to the hammers I have ever done is/was to remove the stylish little horns on the top of the hammers.  The're swell little meat slicers.
A nice cushey recoil pad would be nice.
Switch Triggers is cool for the really fast guys.
Breaking the sharp edges on the chambers is a good idea.  Funneling, not so much.

I may not have helped much, but honestly, beyond a little rubbin and buffin of the mating/contact surfaces, there just isn't much to do.

Coffinmaker

[Pettifogger]

+1 to what Coffinmaker said.  If you haven't taken off a side plate and looked at the lock work you should do so.  Once you do and look at how the rebound function works, it should become apparent why you should not mess with the rebounding hammers.

[Mean Bob Mean]

I have one in 26" and have done nothing to it.  I intend to polish the chambers so the empties will fall out more easily, that is all. 

Best of luck with it!

[Logan]

Thank you for the input.  As I had heard, the new Cimarron is built heavy like a tank.  The hammer springs are strong which is nice for hunting.  However, I'm not sure that I can sweep with my left hand and cock them.  At the moment I cocking both hammers at the same time with my right thumb as I'm reaching for shells.   Unless I lighten the hammer spring I'll feel limited on how I can reload.  Though I know lightening the springs to much can cause problems with the primer hit.

Thanks
Logan

[Pettifogger]

Before you try to lighten the ones you have.  Make sure to order replacements from Cimmarron.  The 1878 is not new its been offered by different importers for years.  But, the parts are often hard to get.  Good to have a spare set of springs even if you don't modify the ones you have.  Just to make sure everyone is talking about the same gun do you have a photo or a website that shows your model?

[Mean Bob Mean]

Thank you for the input.  As I had heard, the new Cimarron is built heavy like a tank.  The hammer springs are strong which is nice for hunting.  However, I'm not sure that I can sweep with my left hand and cock them.  At the moment I cocking both hammers at the same time with my right thumb as I'm reaching for shells.   Unless I lighten the hammer spring I'll feel limited on how I can reload.  Though I know lightening the springs to much can cause problems with the primer hit.

Thanks
Logan

I cock it with my thumb as well, load it with my left.

[Logan]

The Cimarron 1878 that I have is the one they presently advertise on their website.

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/shotguns-1/1878-hammered-shotgun/1878-coach-gun-12-ga-26-in-1878cg26.html

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/media/catalog/product/cache/6/image/688x218/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/1/8/1878cg-26-1878coachgun-26-12ga.jpg

[Pettifogger]

Yep, we are on the same page.  That's what most people (erroneously) call the TTN.  TTN was the first importer and there have been several importers since.  Most of the current batch have light hammer springs already in them.  About the only thing you need to do to get them ready for competition is to grind off the thumb shredders on the tops of the hammers and polish and cone the chambers a bit.

[Logan]

Thank you for all the input.  I took the shotgun completely apart to clean rust from shipping and gunk from the factory.  The engineering in these old guns with the levers and springs is really amazing.  I was amazed to see that the lock plate for the hammers are just the same as the locks on my flintlocks. I guess it is tried and true.  Some of the machining is a bit rough so will be doing some polishing of the parts.

Logan

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Logan
Your 1878 shotgun is a Great choice for cas or Vintage Hunting . I have used my 26 inch 1878 for Turkey Hunting with BP ammo . These are real Turkey KILLERS .