Pietta-made Thunderstorm Thunderer .45 Colt

BurritoBandito · June 05, 2016, 06:54:12 AM

Hi, I'm new to the forum. Have never been to any case type of events..

However, I learned to shoot with a SAA clone .22 and decided after much debate, that something similar would be appropriate for my future wife to learn to shoot. She doesn't like .22, she likes bigger guns. But options being limited, and realizing that recoil and excessive noise can be detrimental to a new shooter. Also, .38 special just doesn't inspire much confidence, so we opted for a revolver in .45 Colt.. It is easy to reload, versatile and known for being effective against people even in the lighter loadings without the noise and recoil of .357.
Plus .45 Colt is easy to find, even if it is expensive. Seemed the best way to meet all needs of a learners pistol and an effective self defense round in one neat, pretty, easy to use package.

So, the pistol we picked out is a Pietta-made thunderstorm thunderer with a 4 3/4 inch barrel.

I figured with as much ammo as you guys and gals go through in practice, and this pistol being made for the sport, it's gotta be good quality and accurate. The LGS had a Cimarron pistol.. Not sure if uberti or pietta but they said they're all as slick and smooth and well finished. I have been impressed with all Cimarron imports I've handled regardless of manufacturer, and I own two pietta black powder revolvers, so I know make good shooters.
We liked the lines and contours of the pietta gun, being smoother and more rounded.

So does anyone else have one of these and care to comment on its accuracy or the buttery smooth action?

They had to order from Cimarron directly.. Less expensive than transfer thru another dealer... And, it's apparently being imported or still manufactured because Cimarron said it's on order from Italy. Fresh from the factory. I'm excited. Never had a gun that new before. 4-6 month wait, though.

Abilene · June 05, 2016, 09:59:15 AM

You didn't mention if you were wanting stainless or blued. Cimarron does not do too many of the Thunderstorms in blue, mostly stainless. That 4-6 month wait quote could easily be longer. Right now they have 4 3/4" stainless Thunderer Thunderstorms in stock from Uberti. The Uberti stainless is satin finish, versus polished stainless on Piettas. The Uberti Thunderer grip is slightly fatter than the Pietta. Has your wife held one of the guns with this type of grip? They don't fit everyone. I love them myself but everybody's different.

BurritoBandito · June 05, 2016, 03:57:05 PM

Ordered blued not anticipating it'd be an issue. I guess that explains why the salesman seemed so frustrated? See, I made a trade on some old not so pretty or used guns.. Maybe I should see if it's not too much trouble to just order it from another ffl from like gunbroler, buds, impact... Maybe? I think theyightve already paid for the order, but this is definitely something to consider in the future. I've never needed a gun special ordered, so..

I've seen where someone mentioned here a potential 18 month wait, which entirely way too long.

She doesn't like the traditional SAA style grips and our hands are about the same size. Neither of us have gotten to actually hold one of these.. But I really like other Birdhead style grips and she says she does. Truthfully, I was going to get it anyway at some point. Would have liked a stainless version, but couldn't justify the added cost. If I really really love this one, I had considered a stainless one with the 3 1/2 barrel and some engraving.

So, would you say the action on these is even better than their other basic models? Because that already seems hard to beat.

Abilene · June 05, 2016, 09:28:18 PM

Cimarron never charges an FFL for a gun until that gun is in stock and ready to ship. And anyone with an FFL can order and they pay dealer price (and then mark it up as they see fit, but rarely do dealers mark it all the way up to MSRP).

As for the action, Thunderstorms all have action jobs done in the USA. The Pietta guns require less work on their action jobs because they come a bit smoother and with lighter springs from the factory.

Good luck!

BurritoBandito · June 05, 2016, 10:23:15 PM

Ok, I'll call them.in the am and see if they can get me the stainless instead. It was an even trade and I had no extra cash, for the stainless version, but I'm sure if I offer cash for the difference, they'd have little reason to accept. I imagine they don't want to hold my old used guns that lo g either, but I dunno how all that really works on their end

BurritoBandito · June 06, 2016, 11:41:51 AM

Update: miss Valerie has informed me that Cimarron will no longer be importing this pistol from Pietta but they have the configuration from uberti.. On hand, ready to ship. In stainless.

So.. She's calling my lgs to update the order. The blah customer service I've read about from cimarron MUST be fixed. I got that call within 5 minutes of sending the email.

Abilene · June 07, 2016, 01:53:51 PM

Good to hear. Val has been there a loooong time and she is a peach!

Coffinmaker · June 07, 2016, 03:29:55 PM

EMF Company offers the Pietta your looking for, slight difference in hammer profile. Bisley hammer is available.

Coffinmaker

BurritoBandito · June 07, 2016, 06:14:02 PM

She got me set up straight and I've got the one from uberti in stainless with the same 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 Colt en route.
Will update with pictures and review.

If y'all know who could sell me a nice pair of pear or Buffalo horn grips for it, that'd be dandy and much appreciated.

Cholla Hill Tirador · June 07, 2016, 11:24:18 PM

Quote from: BurritoBandito on June 05, 2016, 06:54:12 AM

So does anyone else have one of these and care to comment on its accuracy or the buttery smooth action?

I think I can provide input.

I have a couple of fairly new Cimarron's that I bought new; a 5 1/2" Model P .44 Special purchased three or four years ago and a 5 1/2" Bisley purchased last year. Mine didn't have the factory action jobs, but I did them myself and they are nice and smooth. Accurate? Ha!! You'd better believe they're accurate! And I mean 50 and 100 yds. accurate.

The Model P:

50 yds.:

The Bisley:

I've never owned one a revolver with one of the Thunderer type grips, but my Pop has an AWA .44 Special in 5 1/2" with the birdshead grip. I shot it some and did not care for it as it smacks the palm of the hand rather smartly. But you may find it perfectly to your liking.

CHT

BurritoBandito · June 08, 2016, 02:56:00 AM

That is mighty encouraging.

Major 2 · June 08, 2016, 05:46:39 AM

Here what your Uberti Stainless may look somewhat like it, came polished.

Course this one has the 73 grips & a 7 1/2 " Barrel, it shoots like a house a fire and I get similar groups with Black Hills 45.

BurritoBandito · June 08, 2016, 11:44:38 AM

Almost need sunglasses for that shine

Abilene · June 08, 2016, 03:54:12 PM

Quote from: BurritoBandito on June 07, 2016, 06:14:02 PM
She got me set up straight and I've got the one from uberti in stainless with the same 4 3/4 inch barrel in .45 Colt en route.
Will update with pictures and review.

If y'all know who could sell me a nice pair of pear or Buffalo horn grips for it, that'd be dandy and much appreciated.

I have not seen any Buffalo horn grips for the Thunderer.

Fake ivory: http://buffalobrothers.net/

Black hard rubber (urethane) with Cimarron rider at top: http://vintagegungrips.net/ao-c69.html

Don Nix · June 08, 2016, 04:02:59 PM

Ive owned two Cimarron Thunderers made by Uberti for several years. The action is slick and light. Very well made pistols that shoot point of aim.You will not be disapointed at all if the one you purchased is like mine.

BurritoBandito · June 08, 2016, 04:10:04 PM

Don Nix is yours stainless or blued?

Major 2 · June 14, 2016, 05:34:36 PM

Quote from: Major 2 on June 08, 2016, 05:46:39 AM
Here what your Uberti Stainless may look somewhat like it, came polished.

Course this one has the 73 grips & a 7 1/2 " Barrel, it shoots like a house a fire and I get similar groups with Black Hills 45.

since we are showing target results ..this was with 45 Black Hills Factory @ 30' indoors on a shot bag ... that is 5 shot group

Hence the reason I use this one in NCOWS long shot revolver side matches.

Cholla Hill Tirador · June 14, 2016, 10:18:02 PM

NICE group!

Major 2 · June 15, 2016, 07:28:04 AM

indoor , Long deliberate aimed, bench rest shots ...but I'll take it.

Daniel Dodge · June 15, 2016, 07:42:59 AM

This is interesting, I've found the Pietta's from Cimarron to be great guns. I bought two of each barrel length of their Frontier model on 44-40. Anyone know why Cimarron might be going away from Pietta?

DD

Quote from: BurritoBandito on June 06, 2016, 11:41:51 AM
Update: miss Valerie has informed me that Cimarron will no longer be importing this pistol from Pietta but they have the configuration from uberti.. On hand, ready to ship. In stainless.

So.. She's calling my lgs to update the order. The blah customer service I've read about from cimarron MUST be fixed. I got that call within 5 minutes of sending the email.