Cimarron Firearms: The Unsung Heroes of the Modern Wild West

There's something about the weight of a single-action revolver in your hand. The click of the hammer. The smell of gun oil mixed with leather. Close your eyes, and you're standing on a dusty street in Tombstone, the Arizona sun beating down, spurs jingling as tumbleweeds roll past weathered storefronts.

That feeling: that connection to the rugged days of the American frontier: isn't just a daydream for those of us who carry the spirit of the Old West in our hearts. It's real. And for over four decades, one company has dedicated itself to keeping that spirit alive: Cimarron Firearms.

If you've ever wondered who's behind those gorgeous replica revolvers and lever-action rifles at cowboy action matches, reenactments, and collector's displays across America, you're about to meet the unsung heroes of the modern Wild West.

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A Vision Born From Passion

Back in 1984, a man named Mike Harvey looked at the replica firearms market and saw something missing. Sure, there were reproductions out there. But authenticity? Historical accuracy down to the last roll mark and grip angle? That was harder to find than an honest poker game in Deadwood.

Harvey didn't just want replicas. He wanted time machines: firearms so meticulously crafted that holding one would transport you back 150 years. So he did something bold. He took original Colt Single Action Army revolvers to the Uberti factory in Italy and got to work.

He modified grip shapes. He adjusted frame contours. He developed period-correct markings and even figured out how to hide those pesky Italian proof marks that screamed "modern reproduction." The result? Revolvers that couldn't be distinguished from originals without a magnifying glass and a trained eye.

And that's how Cimarron Firearms was born: not as a manufacturer, but as something arguably more important: a curator of authenticity.

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More Than an Importer: The Cimarron Difference

Here's what sets Cimarron apart from everyone else in the replica game: they don't just slap their name on someone else's work and call it a day.

Cimarron works hand-in-hand with manufacturers to develop firearms built to Mike Harvey's exacting specifications. We're talking precise requirements for:

✔ Metal hardness and durability ✔ Period-accurate polishing and finishing ✔ Authentic case-hardening that looks like it came straight from 1873 ✔ Historical markings that match original 19th-century details

This collaborative approach has led to innovations like the Cowboy Comp® Action: a competition-tuned action that's smoother than a silver-tongued snake oil salesman. It's designed specifically for the demands of cowboy action shooting, where speed and reliability can mean the difference between first place and eating dust.

The attention to detail is almost obsessive. And for those of us who live and breathe the Old West? That obsession is exactly what we want.

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The Stars of the Cimarron Lineup

Let's talk iron. Cimarron's catalog reads like a greatest hits album of frontier firearms, and here at Western Gun Store, we're proud to feature these beauties in classic calibers that would make any trail boss proud.

The Model P: A Peacemaker for the Modern Age

The Cimarron Model P is their flagship single-action revolver: a faithful recreation of the legendary Colt Single Action Army that tamed the West. Available in calibers like .45 Colt, .357 Magnum, and .44-40, the Model P delivers that iconic look and feel with modern metallurgy and reliability.

Whether you're running stages at a SASS match or displaying it proudly above your mantle, the Model P earns its place as the go-to six-shooter for serious enthusiasts.

The 1873 Lever-Action Rifle

They called the original Winchester 1873 "The Gun That Won the West." Cimarron's reproduction captures every ounce of that legacy. Smooth lever action, gorgeous walnut stocks, and that unmistakable profile make this rifle a dream for cowboy action competitors and collectors alike.

Chambered in classics like .45 Colt and .357 Magnum, it pairs perfectly with your Cimarron revolver for that authentic "same caliber" frontier setup our cowboy forebears favored.

Specialty Models for Every Shooter

Beyond the icons, Cimarron offers an impressive range:

✔ Thunderer – A bird's head grip variant for those who prefer a different feel ✔ Frontier – Pre-war style frame with old model screw placement ✔ El Malo – A "bad hombre" model with rougher, more rugged aesthetics ✔ 1872 Open Top – For the purists who want pre-Peacemaker history

Each model tells a different story. Each one connects you to a different chapter of the American frontier.

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Why Cowboy Action Shooters and Re-Enactors Love Cimarron

Walk into any Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) match, and you'll see Cimarron firearms everywhere. There's a reason for that: actually, several reasons.

Authenticity matters in competition. SASS rules require period-correct firearms, and Cimarron's attention to historical accuracy means their guns aren't just allowed; they're preferred. When you're competing in a sport that celebrates the Old West, carrying a firearm that looks like it stepped out of a time machine adds to the experience.

Reliability under pressure. Cowboy action shooting is fast. You're drawing, shooting, holstering, and transitioning between firearms in seconds. Cimarron's Cowboy Comp® Action and quality control mean fewer malfunctions and smoother stages.

The story factor. Ask any reenactor, and they'll tell you: the gear matters. When you're portraying a Texas Ranger, a frontier lawman, or a grizzled mountain man, the firearm in your holster tells part of your story. Cimarron guns look the part because they are the part.

If you're curious about getting started in cowboy action shooting, check out our guide on The Spirit of the Old West: A Guide to Cowboy Action Guns for more insight into this incredible community.

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Finding Your Cimarron at Western Gun Store

Here at Western Gun Store, we understand the passion that drives Old West enthusiasts. That's why we're proud to carry Cimarron firearms alongside other legendary names in the cowboy action world.

Whether you're looking for your first single-action revolver, upgrading your competition rig, or adding a showpiece to your collection, we're here to help you find the right iron for your journey.

Need ammunition to feed your new Cimarron? Our guide on Cowboy Action Ammo: What You Need to Know Before You Hit the Range covers everything from caliber selection to load recommendations.

And if you're building out a complete cowboy action setup, don't miss The Ultimate Lever-Action Rifle for Cowboy Action Shooting and The Top 10 Revolvers for Cowboy Action Shooting.

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Keeping the Legend Alive

Forty years. That's how long Cimarron Firearms has been preserving the spirit of the American frontier. Four decades of refusing to cut corners. Four decades of demanding authenticity when others settled for "close enough."

In a world that moves faster every day, there's something powerful about holding a piece of history in your hands. About feeling that connection to the men and women who built this country one dusty mile at a time.

Cimarron Firearms doesn't just make replica guns. They make time machines. Memory keepers. Connections to a legacy that still captures hearts today.

Saddle up, partner. Your next adventure is waiting: and so is the perfect Cimarron to ride along with you.