A dilema

Mossyrock · March 23, 2007, 02:36:00 PM

Gents,

I recently purchased a used Cimarron '51 Richards-Mason conversion in .38 Special. Now, here's the odd part... The guy I bought it from sold it as used, but unfired. I see no evidence that he ever shot it. He sold it because he didn't like the action. It is pretty rough with some timing and over-rotation problems. I suspect that someone tried to do a home "action job" on it, although the factory springs seems to be intact. I really love the gun, but I am not sure it would be covered under warranty if I sent it to Cimarron. Cimarron has a minimum $35 "bench fee". Adding that to the $60 or so it would cost me to ship it to them, it gets expensive pretty quick. Should I give it to a local gunsmith for repair or get in tough with Cimarron? Whatcha think?

Mossyrock

Halfway Creek Charlie · March 23, 2007, 05:12:44 PM

I don't know where you are but $60.00 is way to much to pay to ship the gun. I ship UPS and pay Ins. and have yet to pay $60.00 for the priviledge. I just in a gun to repair and that came Priority Mail insured for close to $1000.00 and the tariff was $17.50 You can send the pistol to Cimaron yourself, they will have to send it back to a FFL. Doesn't have to go FFL both ways...unless you live in N.J.

Mossyrock · March 23, 2007, 06:25:11 PM

Quote from: Halfway Creek Charlie on March 23, 2007, 05:12:44 PM
I don't know where you are but $60.00 is way to much to pay to ship the gun. I ship UPS and pay Ins. and have yet to pay $60.00 for the priviledge. I just in a gun to repair and that came Priority Mail insured for close to $1000.00 and the tariff was $17.50 You can send the pistol to Cimaron yourself, they will have to send it back to a FFL. Doesn't have to go FFL both ways...unless you live in N.J.

Fed-Ex and UPS both require that cartridge handguns be shipped via Next Day Air. This is where things get expensive. Sure, I could not tell them it is a handgun and ship it Ground, but if anything happens to it, they won't pay. That $60 figure is based upon having shipped several expensive handguns to various gunsmiths for custom work.

If I ship it to a manufacturer for repair, no FFL need be involved; they can ship directly back to me.

Fox Creek Kid · March 23, 2007, 07:38:59 PM

Mossyrock, I don't know where you live but wherever it is there are few gunsmiths who can time & index a SA revolver CORRECTLY. I would try to find a COMPETENT CAS gunsmith near you. It can probably be fixed fairly quickly with a new hand & possibly a bolt (if the previous owner monkeyed with them). Cimarron farms out their work. I used to know who did it years ago but that fellow died. I don't know about you but I like to know who is working on my guns. Warranty is out of the question as you're the 2nd owner + it may have been fooled with. Good luck.

Dusty Morningwood · March 24, 2007, 07:50:47 AM

Sadly, I think you just need to eat whatever it costs to get a proper job done. This ain't exactly an economy sport, but still cheaper than some. I balance the good deals I get on some used guns with cost of additional work. All balances out and I still feel that I am on the winning end with a better gun.

Mossyrock · March 26, 2007, 10:53:12 AM

I went to a gun show this weekend and found a semi-local gunsmith who is well-respected by local CAS guys. I will contact him later this week. Thanks!

Kidd Krystin · March 27, 2007, 10:26:21 AM

Mossy,
My three 1872 Open-Tops needed work: aligning the holes in the cylinder with the ejector rod, slicking up the action, etc. I took them to Joe Alves (willshootem@pioneergunworks.com). Since the action of the Richard-Masons are identical to the Open-Tops I'm sure he'd do a good job for you.

The Avocado Kid · March 30, 2007, 11:29:30 PM

Here is a tip: Have the gun pro packed by the shipper,either UPS or FeDex because if you do it yourself and something bad happens in shipment neither of these two shippers will pay the insurance claim-I learned this the hardway on a $2000 claim. USP service I have had no dealing with as far as shipping. Hope this helps,Mickey66

Riot Earp · March 31, 2007, 07:45:26 AM

Quote from: Seth Hawkins on March 28, 2007, 06:06:15 AM
Try Rowdy Yates at Lee's Gunsmithing in CA.

I heard that Rowdy closed his business.

The Avocado Kid · March 31, 2007, 05:44:26 PM

Mossyrock,does your 1851 RM conversion have an Oct Barrel or a round Barrel? Does Cimarron only sell round barrel "51" Navys? I guess what I'm getting at here is some people have "51"Navys with the oct barrel and some don't,do the people that have oct barrels are they a self conversion? Anybody? Mickey66 PS: if this is a bonehead question please forgive me.