Frontier .357 magnum

Froogal · September 15, 2022, 01:39:18 PM

Frontier .357 magnum from Cimarron. 7 1/2" barrel. I didn't like it very much right from the start, so it hasn't been fired very much. Today I discovered that it mis-fires about 1/2 of the time, and after examination of the spent rounds, it is very evident that the cylinder does not always index properly and then the hammer strikes the primer way off center. I may dig into it, or I may just take a loss and let someone else own it.

45 Dragoon · September 15, 2022, 02:23:34 PM

Uberti or Pietta?

Mike

Abilene · September 15, 2022, 03:26:49 PM

Cimarron Frontiers are Pietta.

Sounds like it is probably over-rotating. Does it only do it when you cock it fast? I've heard of Pietta not doing a good job of fitting the bolt head to the cylinder notch. That could be part of it. A weak or cracked bolt spring could also.

Froogal · September 15, 2022, 04:22:08 PM

Quote from: Abilene on September 15, 2022, 03:26:49 PM
Cimarron Frontiers are Pietta.

Sounds like it is probably over-rotating. Does it only do it when you cock it fast? I've heard of Pietta not doing a good job of fitting the bolt head to the cylinder notch. That could be part of it. A weak or cracked bolt spring could also.

Makes no difference if I cock it fast or slow, and yes, it is a Pietta. Didn't realize that until I got it home. I saw "Cimarron" on the box and that was good enough for me. Lesson learned.

45 Dragoon · September 15, 2022, 06:41:45 PM

Yes, Frontier's can be either/or. Mine is a Pietta as well. When on half cock, do the "clicks" get really soft when you roll the cylinder?
Mine had a rather out of spec hand window that prevented the hand from protruding far enough to fully engage the ratchet. I installed a new hand (since I had "worked on the original before realizing it was the opening) and a new bolt as well. After a ton of mods it is now quite the "pistola" !! It's in 45C and I added a 45acp cyl. All that said, I wouldn't go out of my way for another one!! The Uberti Cattleman can be made into a "top o the line" SA for less. An El Patron is an even better base to start with.

Mike

Coffinmaker · September 16, 2022, 09:41:16 AM

PLUS ONE for Abilene!!

Other than the Great Western II, Pietta can get spotty. The fit of the Bolt Head to the Cylinder notches is ALWAYS suspect. With Pietta Cap Guns, it's not if the Bolt doesn't fit, I KNOW it doesn't fit. First thing to check on your Frontier is the fit of the bolt to cylinder notches then go from there.

Let's Play Safe Out There

DeaconKC · September 20, 2022, 11:39:42 AM

If you bought it new, contact Cimarron and have them fix it under warranty.

Froogal · September 20, 2022, 03:32:36 PM

I may have discovered the problem. Even though the base pin seemed to be securely locked in place, it may not have been all the way in. The base pins on those Piettas leaves a bit to be desired.

Abilene · September 20, 2022, 10:33:44 PM

Quote from: Froogal on September 20, 2022, 03:32:36 PM
I may have discovered the problem. Even though the base pin seemed to be securely locked in place, it may not have been all the way in. The base pins on those Piettas leaves a bit to be desired.

That would be great if that fixed it. Keep us informed.

Yes, the Pietta base pin is crappy. First (and only) thing I did to my Frontier was slap an Uberti base pin in it!

Froogal · September 21, 2022, 08:46:45 AM

Quote from: Abilene on September 20, 2022, 10:33:44 PM
That would be great if that fixed it. Keep us informed.

Yes, the Pietta base pin is crappy. First (and only) thing I did to my Frontier was slap an Uberti base pin in it!

Never thought of using a Uberti base pin. I'll do some experimenting.

Froogal · September 22, 2022, 04:24:15 PM

Quote from: Froogal on September 21, 2022, 08:46:45 AM
Never thought of using a Uberti base pin. I'll do some experimenting.

The base pin from my .45 Colt Uberti cattleman is a perfect fit in the Pietta Frontier. Now all I gotta do is find a Uberti base pin.

Abilene · September 22, 2022, 06:08:01 PM

VTI / Cimarron / Taylors / Dixie etc. Should be easy to find a base pin, even these days. But if possible, try to get a one-position base pin. The new 3-click guns use the old standard one-position pin, so those should be in stock somewhere. Otherwise, you could shorten a 2-position pin if you want.

Froogal · September 23, 2022, 09:16:18 AM

Quote from: Abilene on September 22, 2022, 06:08:01 PM
VTI / Cimarron / Taylors / Dixie etc. Should be easy to find a base pin, even these days. But if possible, try to get a one-position base pin. The new 3-click guns use the old standard one-position pin, so those should be in stock somewhere. Otherwise, you could shorten a 2-position pin if you want.

Thank you! I did a search on Midway. They have several parts for the Uberti, including a base pin bushing, but NOT the base pin itself. I may check with my local gunsmiths.

45 Dragoon · September 23, 2022, 10:59:42 AM

Any reason you won't cut the one you have? I always shorten the one that came with the revolver. I hate that "notion " of a notch as well and can't believe that is what Pietta gets away with.
Anyway, I don't believe I've ever bought a base pin.

Mike

Froogal · September 23, 2022, 12:14:40 PM

Quote from: 45 Dragoon on September 23, 2022, 10:59:42 AM
Any reason you won't cut the one you have? I always shorten the one that came with the revolver. I hate that "notion " of a notch as well and can't believe that is what Pietta gets away with.
Anyway, I don't believe I've ever bought a base pin.

Mike

The base pin from my Uberti cattleman fits the Pietta perfectly, but then my Uberti would not have a base pin and I won't rob Peter to pay Paul.

Abilene · September 23, 2022, 12:23:39 PM

Quote from: 45 Dragoon on September 23, 2022, 10:59:42 AM
Any reason you won't cut the one you have? I always shorten the one that came with the revolver. I hate that "notion " of a notch as well and can't believe that is what Pietta gets away with.
Anyway, I don't believe I've ever bought a base pin.

Mike

Speaking for myself, it is not the extra notch and length that is a problem, because as you mentioned the pin is easily shortened. It is the little notches on just one side instead of all the way around the pin. Very easy to get it jammed in the gun if not perfectly aligned. I dislike the Uberti base pins for the small frame lightning and Model P Jr. guns for the same reason.

45 Dragoon · September 23, 2022, 12:25:27 PM

Precisely my point, why not cut the Pietta pin that came in the revolver?

Mike

45 Dragoon · September 23, 2022, 12:45:39 PM

Oh, hey Abilene!!
Yes, you're right. I just chuck it up in a drill and "complete" what they started. I also add a groove near the end so the cross pin will catch the base pin before it comes completely out. It's a convenient little feature so you don't have a pin in one hand, a revolver in the other and a cylinder about to hit the floor !! Lol

Mike

Abilene · September 23, 2022, 12:52:38 PM

Well I don't have any sort of machine shop and a minimum of tools, so trying to create a smooth properly sized groove all the way around the pin is beyond my ability.

Froogal · September 23, 2022, 03:34:01 PM

Quote from: Abilene on September 23, 2022, 12:52:38 PM
Well I don't have any sort of machine shop and a minimum of tools, so trying to create a smooth properly sized groove all the way around the pin is beyond my ability.

I have SOME machine shop experience, but I no longer have access to any of the equipment or machinery. I did shop for a used engine lathe several years ago, but I couldn't (wouldn't) pay that much for something I would use only occasionally.