Anyone have firsthand experience with one? In other words how do they stack up to the actual Colts.
Howdy
Yes, I have had two Uberti Cimarron Cattlemen. I also have two 2nd Gen Colts and two 1st Gen Colts. So I feel I am qualified to comment on this question.
The bit about Cimarrons being extra special tuned is a lot of hooey. I have been hearing that myth for years. In point of fact, the first Cimarron I had had the absolutely worst trigger I have ever experienced on any Single Action revolver, and I have had a bunch of them over the years. In addition, the front sight leaned over to one side, because the barrel had not been properly screwed in. So much for the myth about Cimarrons being made with extra care. I did not have the tools necessary to torque the barrel in correctly and eventually I unloaded that one and used the money as a down payment on a Ruger Vaquero.
A few years later I came across another used Cimarron Cattleman at a reasonable price, so I took a chance and bought that one. Much better than the first one, the trigger was fine, but when I took it apart I found there was a small void in the hammer just under the cam. That would have put some nasty wear on the bolt and it took some serious stoning to smooth out the void. Of course Cimarron hammers are cast and Colt hammers are forged and machined, so you won't see that type of casting flaw on a Colt hammer.
For what they cost, Uberti single action revolvers are fine, but you do not get Colt quality for that kind of money. As far as extra care being taken at the Uberti factory for the Cimarron importer, it's a lot of hooey. That applies to their rifles too. Remind me to tell you about all the burrs I found inside an Uberti/Cimarron replica of the Winchester Model 1873. Those burrs would never have left the Winchester factory.
