Cimarron 1911: I was initially impressed!

[SharpsDressedMan]

I just handled a beautifully bright blued finish Cimarron 1911 (made in the Phillipines, so probably a Cimarron enhanced RIA type 1911). Man, was it nicely done. The early style "walnut" stocks were a little off, but attractive. The price was $679, which was $150 more than the Cimarron parkerized version, but for all the nice polishing, and the fit and finish, it was was probably worth it. Anyone else discovered these hitting the market, or have one to report on?

 

[1KPerDay]

For that price I'd personally wait for the Ruger. Or just get a RIA to begin with.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I actually picked my High Polish Blued Cimarron 1911 on Monday. I was looking for a basic 1911 and Cimarron had what I was looking for...I'll try to post some pics but I have to find my digital camera first...haha. So far I've been very please with it. The finish is beautiful and the fit is decent (no real rattle on mine). I also like the rollmarks (not real flashly and close in appearance to original rollmarks).

I haven't had a chance to do much shooting through it yet but I was impressed by the accuracy (I only put about FMJ 50rds through it...more coming tomorrow via UPS). It's worth checking out the gunblast article by Jeff Quinn. The only thing I'd comment on is that I did not have the same luck with HP rounds (ie HP feeding was unreliable). I think with a little work on the feed ramp, it'll have no trouble (though I may try a different brand of HPs as well). FMJs worked with no trouble at all. It's a fairly close reproduction of the early 1911s so I wasn't surprised by this...I'm a fan of FMJ anyways...I'll save my HPs for the XD.

I got mine from Philip J. Rezac LLC and he' currently selling the blued version for $635...I'd highly recommend buying from him (great communication and WAY cheaper than the $800 Cabela's priced the Cimarron).

All in all, it was exactly what I'd been looking to find and I'm very happy with it. The price was right for me and I'm considering using it as my EDC (it disappear with my MTAC IWB holster). It's worth taking a look.

Still can't find the darn digital camera but here are a few taken by my cell phone:


The package comes with a hard case, 2 ACT mags (1 7rd with lanyard loop and 1 8rd with bumper pad), and a leather holster (belt loop on the back).


Just the pistol...it's hard to tell because of the cell phone but the finish is a dark blue with a high polish (I can easily see my face in it). Check out the gunblast article for some clearer pictures of the finish.


One more picture with a little less lighting.

Awesome signiture SharpsDressedMan...I love my Garand and I was very happy to add a 1911 to the collection to keep the Garand company.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

It was just an initial impression, but they look very, very nice. Considering that you can buy TWO of them for a little more than ONE Colt retro 1911, and they even look more like the original 1912 (first production) guns, due to the fine bluing.

 

[Trad Archer]

I think the Wild Bunch category in Cowboy Shooting (SASS) is STUPID.

Obviously the 1911 is a GREAT gun, but explain to me why SASS allows a gun designed in 1911 to be shot, but not an 1877,1878, or 1892 Colt.

Cimmarron introduced this gun because of SASS.

NCOWS is a MUCH better organization. They are truely appreciative of history and authenticity. Both organizations require firearms replicating pre 1899. Only NCOWS adheres to it because SASS is a comercialized sell out who is also in bed with Ruger (I don't recall any famous gunman or lawman of the 19th Century using Ruger Vaqueros).

Although the Cimmarron may be a good gun on a great design, I won't be buying one.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Cimarron may have introduced the gun because of SASS but that's not what I'll be using mine for (it trades off with my XD45 as my EDC and keeps my M1 Garand company at the range)...for me it was a great looking, accurate, back-to-basics, affordable 1911. Seems a little silly to me to categorically decide never to purchase a firearm because of what sporting purposes other owners may use theirs for, such as SASS.

If you're looking for a traditional 1911, I do recommend it (just be aware that it may have trouble with HPs without some feed ramp polishing..which is simply due to the original 1911 design). So far it's done great with any ball ammo I feed it and I'm really happy with it.

 

[royal barnes]

Trad Archer,
Wild Bunch is a stand alone segment. It is not cowboy action shooting and the two are not co-mingled. The other guns you mentioned are not allowed in either venue because..........they just aren't. By the way, NCOWS also allows the Ruger Vaquero. So much for historical accuracy.

 

[Trad Archer]

royal barnes,

If they have side matches for the 1911, it makes no sense for SASS to not have venues for other other period guns like I have mentioned.

As far as NCOWS allowing Rugers, yes they do. However, they didn't strike up a deal with Ruger to have NCOWS Vaqueros like SASS did. Most (not all), that participate in NCOWS don't shoot Roogers anyway. They are allowed just to get folks to participate knowing that many will eventually get Colts or true replicas.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

Trad archer, we get it, you don't like SASS for whatever reason (I'm happy they're enjoying the shooting hobby like the rest of us and in my opinion how/what they want to shoot is totally their choice). It's not really pertinent to this thread though, so really unless you've got some personal experience with the Cimarron 1911 (which you pretty clearly don't), keep it off this thread and find somewhere else to rant.