Cimarron Thunderstorm 357 parts problems

[Mountain man Jim]

I have been trying to work with Cimarron and Taylors to replace a broken "hand" in my Cimarron Thunderstorm 357. Both have sent me the same part, Part number: SAA5281, which is not the correct part and significantly larger than the piece that broke. I suspect that it is for a 45lc model as I have found in my online research that the current Thunderstorm models were made for mounted cowboy action shooting. Based on more online searching it looks like my revolver was manufactured around the same time as the 357 models seem to have been discontinued in 2015. (https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/fyi-updated-italian-proof-house-date-codes-table.133886/) As evident by the Italian date code "CN".

 

Does anyone have any spare hands laying about for this? Or know a better parts source? Where is a good spot to look for discontinued model parts? 

 

Appreciate the help.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I never knew the Thunderstorms to have any difference in the hands or bolts.  Is that a Pietta or Uberti?  Cimarron had both making them.

[Sedalia Dave]

Contact VTI

[Mountain man Jim]

10 hours ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

I never knew the Thunderstorms to have any difference in the hands or bolts.  Is that a Pietta or Uberti?  Cimarron had both making them.

Its marked as a Pietta. Both the hands I've ordered from Cimmaron and Taylors had the same part number, but both are marked for a Pietta 1873. They were both, as you can see from the photo of the broken hand and the one I got, significantly different in size and more specifically the pin section that inserts into the hammer assembly is. The piece that broke has a pin that is 0.119" diameter and the new ones were 0.155".

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Since the gun is a Pietta, my only suggestion would be to order a Hand for a 357 Great Western II.  Although, I am with Abilene.  I have never seen a difference in Pietta Hands/Bolts.

 

The solution may well turn out to be replacing both the Hand and the Hammer together.  Regardless, some fitting may be required for correct timing.

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

I have never seen a hand with as much curve as the upper one in your photo.  However, if my memory is correct I do recall that some older Piettas did have a small hand pin and those have been out of production for a number of years.  If it was me I would clamp the hammer to a milling table, indicate the hand hole, and drill it to the new size.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

12 minutes ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

I have never seen a hand with as much curve as the upper one in your photo.  However, if my memory is correct I do recall that some older Piettas did have a small hand pin and those have been out of production for a number of years.  If it was me I would clamp the hammer to a milling table, indicate the hand hole, and drill it to the new size.

I didn't know that about Piettas, although the older Ubertis (over 20 yrs I think) also had a smaller pin hole for the hand.  

[Brushy Creek Bill, SASS # 49466]

What you have is a Pietta short stroked Thunderstorm.  I have two, acquired back in 2016.  I ordered them at the SASS convention when it was held in San Antonio.  In fact, the serial numbers on mine are right next to the one of yours shown in the picture.  I'm not sure how long they were offered.  I had to order a new hand for one, it broke right at the pin.  I have one replacement that I'm not willing to give up because my wife still uses them for practice. The one I have matched your dia. of 0.119 and has the curve in it.  Unfortunately, I do not have a part number to give you.  You need to contact Cimarron again and tell them the part you need is for the short stroked Thunderstorm.  Maybe Abilene would be able to tell you who to talk to direct when calling.

 

Good luck,

Brushy  

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Great info, Brushy!  I've been away too long, don't know who knows parts there.  I had assumed the OP would have mentioned it if they were short stroked, but that's what I get for assuming.   Hopefully they will have it, otherwise Jim might need to try Pietta directly.  I think if Allesandro hears about it he will send you some parts.

[Mountain man Jim]

1 hour ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

Great info, Brushy!  I've been away too long, don't know who knows parts there.  I had assumed the OP would have mentioned it if they were short stroked, but that's what I get for assuming.   Hopefully they will have it, otherwise Jim might need to try Pietta directly.  I think if Allesandro hears about it he will send you some parts.

I should've mentioned that it was a short stroke model. I am working with Cimmaron currently, they are a bit slow on the response rate, but I am hopeful they will have some parts left over for the discontinued models.

[Mountain man Jim]

4 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

I have never seen a hand with as much curve as the upper one in your photo.  However, if my memory is correct I do recall that some older Piettas did have a small hand pin and those have been out of production for a number of years.  If it was me I would clamp the hammer to a milling table, indicate the hand hole, and drill it to the new size.

I have considered this, however I worry that it could cause major malfunctions. 

[Mountain man Jim]

1 hour ago, Brushy Creek Bill, SASS # 49466 said:

What you have is a Pietta short stroked Thunderstorm.  I have two, acquired back in 2016.  I ordered them at the SASS convention when it was held in San Antonio.  In fact, the serial numbers on mine are right next to the one of yours shown in the picture.  I'm not sure how long they were offered.  I had to order a new hand for one, it broke right at the pin.  I have one replacement that I'm not willing to give up because my wife still uses them for practice. The one I have matched your dia. of 0.119 and has the curve in it.  Unfortunately, I do not have a part number to give you.  You need to contact Cimarron again and tell them the part you need is for the short stroked Thunderstorm.  Maybe Abilene would be able to tell you who to talk to direct when calling.

 

Good luck,

Brushy  

Thank you for the help. I should have mentioned that they were the short stroke model. I will be sure to mention this in my next email to Cimarron. I am pleased to hear there are others out there as I have had great difficulty finding any information on them even existing lol. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

55 minutes ago, Mountain man Jim said:

I should've mentioned that it was a short stroke model

Well yeah that is a vital piece of information.  Pietta quit making that short stroke.   They are suppposedly starting with a new model soon.  I do not know if the new short stroke parts will interchange with the old ones.  I have had Uberti short stroke parts on order for a year and they are supposedly still in production.

[Mountain man Jim]

16 hours ago, Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 said:

Well yeah that is a vital piece of information.  Pietta quit making that short stroke.   They are suppposedly starting with a new model soon.  I do not know if the new short stroke parts will interchange with the old ones.  I have had Uberti short stroke parts on order for a year and they are supposedly still in production.

Looks like you were correct. I updated my contact at Cimmaron support with the fact that my model is the short stroke version and she is arranging for me to return the incorrect part and have the correct part sent.

[Mountain man Jim]

Got it all sorted out. The hand did need a bit of fitting and polishing in order to function correctly. Thank you for all the help and assistance. 

 

For those who might need it the order info. The part number from Cimarron is: SAA5281/SHS.