Cimarron US Finish vs. Standard Finish

[Virginia Gentleman]

I am debating whether or not to buy another US Finish Cimarron or just go with the standard finish as the price point is much highier.  I admit comparing the two, the casehardening is much better on the US Finish, but the bluing/polishing looks the same on both models.  For $200.00 more, do you all think it is worth it over the standard model.

[Silver Creek Slim]

$200 is half the price of another pistol. 

Slim

[Virginia Gentleman]

I guess it is a matter of which gun we are talking about and here is my dilemma.  I US Firearms SAA is another $450-500 more than the US Finish Cimarron, but the difference is only $200 when compared to their standard finish.  It is kind of like deciding should I save and get the Ferrari, or the Corvette over the Mustang?  The US Finish Cimarron is very close to the US Firearms in terms of quality, looks and almost the feel.  The Cimarron even offers some extras like fire blued screws that are not standard on the US Firearms.  I have a US Firearms that I really like and don't want to shoot much and that is why I am getting Cimarrons to keep the miles off the USFA gun.  The USFA gun is still superior overall, but the price tag is much highier.  I guess it is a matter of how close to the USFA gun the Cimarron needs to be and that is what I am getting at, is the US Finish gun that much better for the extra $200?  I'm guessing the first response was "no".

[Major 2]

Interesting analogy, Ferrari, or the Corvette over the Mustang? or Ferrari over Corvette &/or Mustang ,as a car nut I understand.

As a a shooter too, I can see your delima....

I just bought a Cimarron Open top . If they could have made it nicer in fit and finish I don't see where.
The Blue is flawless , I see no machine marks, and the Walnut grips are as fancy figured and fitted as some custom grips I've seen.
I did not order any US finish or know of it being offered, so I am extremely pleased.

Now with your other point, USFA are very nice ( I wasn't that impressed with early Rodeo's a few years back)
But they are very nice now....
But I ask myself, am I buying to shoot or collect.... and if I'm collecting for whom am I keeping these for, me or the next owner ?

[Virginia Gentleman]

I find myself somewhere in between in some cases, but I do shoot them all at some point.  To elaborate, the US Finish Cimarrons are stripped down, are hand tuned by having some of the springs and small parts modified or replaced, then the frame and hammer is sent to Turnbull for his color case hardening.  The blue parts are repolished and reblued here as well.  I have an example of both and yes, I do see a slight difference in the color and polish of the blue on the US finish version and the Turnbull case colors are superior to the European case colors, but is the extra money worth it?  The action of the US finish Cimarron is a bit better too. What I may end up doing is having a set of each, plus a Bisley for good measure.  I am also thinking about a standard finish Cimarron in .357 Magnum 5 1/2" barrel.  Has anyone shot .357 out of a SAA, not Ruger and how did it hold up and handle with full house .357 ammo?

[Major 2]

If I understand you the extra $ 200 covers an action Job & Turnbull refinish ( which is top drawer ) ...sounds reasonable to me.
I have seen both a orginial Spencer & a "73" finished by Doug & both of jobs were more than that.

I  know of a 357 Uberti Cattleman that has seen many years of hard use. The owner uses it for CAS now,
but when it was new (I thinking 1988 or so) he shot the same 357's as his on duty Python.
That gun is about the sweetest shooter, and promped him to buy a Uberti Cavalry Model five or six years back ,as It's mate for CAS.

[Virginia Gentleman]

I guess it isn't too bad considering if one was to send the gun to Turnbull and get an estimate it would probably be more.  The Cimarrons with the standard finish don't look bad either, although the European case colors will not approach the beauty of Turnbull period correct case colors.  The .357 Bisley Cimarron interests me since they have a more recoil absorbing designed grip which might be better for this cartridge.  Full house loads is what I want to shoot in it.

[Galloway]

I think so freind, a Turnbull job on any revolver is something you'll be proud of years from now long after you forgot how much you paid for it. Regarding the Bisley, I dont think you'll have any problems with recoil of the 357 in a SAA. I've shot very warm loads of 45 through a Stampede without discomfort. But I will say the Bisley does an exellent job of taming recoil. I'd like to get a 7.5 45lc for hunting

[Virginia Gentleman]

You make an excellent point that a couple of hundred more $ will look like peanuts 20 years from now, so I think I will get the 5 1/2" US Finish Cimarron Model P.  For the .357 I might just go with the Bisley since it may feel more comfortable with that cartrigde. 

[Wolfcamp Hill]

howdy,

regarding the bisley,  i handled one of the uberti bisley models and was surprised to find that the grip feels different than the colt bisley i have, and not near as comfortable for my hand.  so if the basis for you wanting a bisley is the feel of the colt bisley you might oughta check the uberti to see what you think before ordering one.

[Galloway]

Yes sir, I believe the original Colt Bisley's used a different frame, and the Uberti's are just SAA's with a Bisley grip frame bolted on.