cylinder base pin problems

campingnights · September 22, 2014, 10:52 PM

Took my Cimarron Frontier 357 to the range today. It was very frustrating to shoot as the cylinder base pin keptcreeping forward from recoil. I am sure the pin was lined up right. I still love thegun. Any suggestions?

45 Dragoon · September 23, 2014, 11:14 PM

Maybe it wasn't in all the way or far enough for the latch to be engaged?
My El Patron got its pin shortened as soon as it got home from the store! I don't like the looks of a too long pin so that is the first of many things done when they come home with me. I keep it in the so called "safety " position all the time ( cause it looks right). I use the solid block safety that's in the hammer (and engaged when in the safety notch ) and carry six. But, that's just me and I'm comfortable with that set up.

campingnights · September 24, 2014, 03:08 PM

I intended to shorten the pin Dragoon, but that won't solve the problem of it creeping forward. Research on the net shows that this is not as rare a problem as I would have imagined. Looks like a Beltmountain cylinder pin might be the fix. They have two sizes .2495 or .2515. I hate to spend $40 for a micrometer just for this, does anyone else have a Cimarron Frontier by Pietta in .357 and know the diameter of the base pin? I have emailed Beltmountain, but their only listed phone number is a Fax line?

45 Dragoon · September 24, 2014, 03:47 PM

Havent had that prob. with mine. Fixed the coil spring and wire combo spring probs. and now its one of my fav. shooters!

campingnights · September 24, 2014, 05:40 PM

I'm sure I will prize this gun too. Once this blasted base pin problem is fixed. I'd send it back to Cimarron but I'd rather just buy a replacement base pin instead of paying return postage.

Fingers McGee · September 24, 2014, 07:35 PM

The cross pin spring is not strong enough to keep the base pin from sliding out. Take the cross pin apart, stretch the spring, and reassemble. Make sure the cross pin is fully engaging the notch/cut in the base pin.

45 Dragoon · September 24, 2014, 08:57 PM

Thanks Fingers!!

campingnights · September 24, 2014, 11:25 PM

Hmmm, perhaps. Thanks Fingers, might just try that.

Mk VII · September 25, 2014, 04:17 PM

This is why many people prefer the original idea of a screw retaining the pin.

campingnights · September 26, 2014, 12:31 AM

[color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color]! Now I can't get the base pin catch back in. Was talkin to someone when I took it out, figured to use the exploded diagram to slap it together. The diagram can't possibly be right! It shows the base pin latch sliding into the spring and being inserted from the NON loading gate side. That hole ain't deep enough. If the spring was on the other side then the base pin would be directly riding on the spring. Sheesh how many ways can 3 parts be assembled.

campingnights · September 26, 2014, 01:00 AM

Figured it out. Note to self....never reassemble new guns at 1 AM.

campingnights · September 27, 2014, 08:28 PM

Thanks Fingers. I stretched the base pin retention spring and it was rock solid at the range tonight. That problem is solved, but the ammo I'm using seems to freeze the cylinder rotation? I wonder if the LAX 357 reloads are too hot for my Cimarron? Rotates fine before shooting, then the empty casings seem to catch somehow. The primers look normal. I wonder if the reloads are stretching the brass when fired? Is that possible? A couple of times the loading gate was knocked open from the recoil? Too hot ammo maybe?

45 Dragoon · September 27, 2014, 08:46 PM

Take a close look at the recoil shield and you may need to relieve some machining edges that may be a little proud. The edges of some of the fired cases may catching some sharp edges and putting on the brakes. I had that issue with the above gun. It will smooth out for ya.

September 22, 2014, 10:52 PM	#1
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	cylinder base pin problems Took my Cimarron Frontier 357 to the range today. It was very frustrating to shoot as the cylinder base pin keptcreeping forward from recoil. I am sure the pin was lined up right. I still love thegun. Any suggestions?

September 23, 2014, 11:14 PM	#2
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 657	Maybe it wasn't in all the way or far enough for the latch to be engaged? My El Patron got its pin shortened as soon as it got home from the store! I don't like the looks of a too long pin so that is the first of many things done when they come home with me. I keep it in the so called "safety " position all the time ( cause it looks right). I use the solid block safety that's in the hammer (and engaged when in the safety notch ) and carry six. But, that's just me and I'm comfortable with that set up.

September 24, 2014, 03:08 PM	#3
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	I intended to shorten the pin Dragoon, but that won't solve the problem of it creeping forward. Research on the net shows that this is not as rare a problem as I would have imagined. Looks like a Beltmountain cylinder pin might be the fix. They have two sizes .2495 or .2515. I hate to spend $40 for a micrometer just for this, does anyone else have a Cimarron Frontier by Pietta in .357 and know the diameter of the base pin? I have emailed Beltmountain, but their only listed phone number is a Fax line?

September 24, 2014, 03:47 PM	#4
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 657	Havent had that prob. with mine. Fixed the coil spring and wire combo spring probs. and now its one of my fav. shooters!

September 24, 2014, 05:40 PM	#5
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	I'm sure I will prize this gun too. Once this blasted base pin problem is fixed. I'd send it back to Cimarron but I'd rather just buy a replacement base pin instead of paying return postage.

September 24, 2014, 07:35 PM	#6
Fingers McGee Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2008 Location: High & Dry in Missouri Ozarks Posts: 2,113	The cross pin spring is not strong enough to keep the base pin from sliding out. Take the cross pin apart, stretch the spring, and reassemble. Make sure the cross pin is fully engaging the notch/cut in the base pin.

September 24, 2014, 08:57 PM	#7
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 657	Thanks Fingers!!

September 24, 2014, 11:25 PM	#8
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	Hmmm, perhaps. Thanks Fingers, might just try that.

September 25, 2014, 04:17 PM	#9
Mk VII Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2000 Location: England Posts: 457	This is why many people prefer the original idea of a screw retaining the pin.

September 26, 2014, 12:31 AM	#10
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	[color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color]! Now I can't get the base pin catch back in. Was talkin to someone when I took it out, figured to use the exploded diagram to slap it together. The diagram can't possibly be right! It shows the base pin latch sliding into the spring and being inserted from the NON loading gate side. That hole ain't deep enough. If the spring was on the other side then the base pin would be directly riding on the spring. Sheesh how many ways can 3 parts be assembled.

September 26, 2014, 01:00 AM	#11
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	Figured it out. Note to self....never reassemble new guns at 1 AM.

September 27, 2014, 08:28 PM	#12
campingnights Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2014 Location: Frozen North Posts: 272	Thanks Fingers. I stretched the base pin retention spring and it was rock solid at the range tonight. That problem is solved, but the ammo I'm using seems to freeze the cylinder rotation? I wonder if the LAX 357 reloads are too hot for my Cimarron? Rotates fine before shooting, then the empty casings seem to catch somehow. The primers look normal. I wonder if the reloads are stretching the brass when fired? Is that possible? A couple of times the loading gate was knocked open from the recoil? Too hot ammo maybe?

September 27, 2014, 08:46 PM	#13
45 Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2013 Posts: 657	Take a close look at the recoil shield and you may need to relieve some machining edges that may be a little proud. The edges of some of the fired cases may catching some sharp edges and putting on the brakes. I had that issue with the above gun. It will smooth out for ya.