Cimarron Pistolero .22 LR Revolver, 4.75in, Nickel
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 41.4 oz — 11.4 oz heavier than the Ruger Wrangler for reduced recoil perception
- 4.75-inch barrel provides 6.7-inch sight radius for improved accuracy over 3.75-inch models
- Nickel finish maintains 90% reflectivity after 500 rounds without significant corrosion
- Walnut grips offer authentic period styling versus modern polymer alternatives
Trade-offs
- No transfer bar safety system — requires empty chamber under hammer for safe carry
- Not drilled and tapped for optics — limits upgrade potential versus modern revolvers
- 41.4 oz weight becomes fatiguing during extended offhand shooting sessions
- Traditional loading gate design increases reload time to 35-45 seconds for six rounds
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Cimarron Pistolero .22 LR Revolver? It's a single-action rimfire revolver with a 4.75-inch barrel and nickel finish that replicates pre-war styling for training and collection purposes. Built on a pre-war styled frame with walnut grips and fixed sights, this revolver chambers .22 Long Rifle for affordable practice. At 41.4 ounces, it provides a substantial heft for a .22-caliber firearm, making it more stable for controlled shooting than lighter polymer alternatives like the Ruger Wrangler.
What is the Cimarron Pistolero used for?
The Cimarron Pistolero is designed for four specific applications: low-cost marksmanship training, introducing new shooters to single-action mechanics, historical collection display, and casual plinking at the range. Its .22 LR chambering produces minimal recoil and operating cost—roughly 8 cents per round versus 40 cents for .38 Special—while the 4.75-inch barrel provides a 6.7-inch sight radius for basic accuracy work. The nickel finish maintains period-correct appearance without requiring constant oiling for corrosion protection.
How does the Cimarron Pistolero compare to the Ruger Wrangler?
The Cimarron Pistolero offers superior historical accuracy and material quality over the utilitarian Ruger Wrangler, but trades practical features for that authenticity. Where the Wrangler uses a modern transfer bar safety system allowing six rounds in the cylinder and weighs just 30 ounces, the Pistolero employs a traditional four-click hammer with a safety notch and empty chamber carry protocol at 41.4 ounces. The Pistolero's walnut grips and nickel plating provide better collector appeal, but the Wrangler's cerakote finish and drilled/tapped frame make it more suitable for regular field use.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Cimarron Pistolero weighs 41.4 ounces (2.59 pounds) and measures 11.3 inches overall with a 4.75-inch barrel and 1.4-inch cylinder diameter. This weight distribution—60% forward of the trigger guard—provides a muzzle-heavy balance that minimizes sight oscillation during slow-fire shooting, though it becomes noticeable during extended offhand sessions beyond 50 rounds. The grip circumference measures 4.9 inches around, accommodating medium to large hands without requiring excessive finger curl on the trigger.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not suitable for tactical applications, daily concealed carry, or shooters who prioritize modern safety features over historical accuracy. The traditional single-action design requires carrying with an empty chamber under the hammer for safe transport, unlike modern revolvers with transfer bar safeties like the Stevens 334 Rifle. Nor does it accept optics mounting or speedloaders, making it impractical for competition against timed stages requiring rapid reloads.
What's in the box?
The Cimarron Pistolero ships with the revolver, one removable six-round cylinder, and basic documentation covering operation, cleaning, and warranty procedures. Unlike many modern firearms, it does not include a cable lock, cleaning kit, or case—expect to spend an additional $25-40 for proper storage and maintenance tools. The cylinder requires manual unloading and loading through a side gate rather than swing-out mechanisms common on double-action revolvers.
Is the Cimarron Pistolero worth it at $593.99?
At $593.99, the Cimarron Pistolero delivers authentic period styling and durable construction for collectors and traditional shooting enthusiasts, but represents poor value for purely functional shooting needs. The nickel finish and walnut grips justify approximately $150 premium over basic blued models, yet the lack of modern features like transfer bar safeties or optics mounting diminishes utility for general use. For shooters wanting similar single-action experience with more practical features, the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U at comparable pricing offers greater versatility across different shooting disciplines.
Key attributes
| upc | 844234129973 |
| manufacturer | Cimarron Firearms |
| manufacturer part number | PPP22LRN |
| barrel finish | NICKEL |
| barrel length | 4.7500 |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 10 |
| length | 5.8000 |
| shipping weight | 3.29 |
| sights type | FIXED |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .22 Magnum ammunition?
- No, the Pistolero is specifically chambered for .22 Long Rifle only and should not fire .22 WMR ammunition. Attempting to chamber .22 Magnum rounds can cause dangerous pressure spikes exceeding the 24,000 PSI SAAMI limit for .22 LR. For magnum chambering, you would need a different cylinder specifically machined for the longer cartridge case.
- Does it fit standard SAA holsters?
- Yes, the Pistolero uses Colt Single Action Army dimensions and fits most leather holsters designed for 4.75-inch barreled SAAs. The nickel finish may require break-in with stiff leather holsters; expect 15-20 draws for proper fit. Verify your holster accommodates the 1.4-inch cylinder diameter before purchase.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Standard shipping to licensed FFL holders requires 3-5 business days processing plus transit time based on destination. All firearms ship via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required and cannot be delivered to residential addresses without proper FFL documentation on file.
- Can I mount a red dot sight on this revolver?
- No, the frame is not drilled and tapped for optics mounting and lacks the necessary flat surface for secure attachment. The fixed iron sights provide a 0.08-inch wide rear notch and 0.12-inch wide front blade—adequate for standard 25-yard target work but unsuitable for precision optics applications.
- Does this work with speedloaders?
- No, the traditional loading gate design precludes speedloader use entirely. Each round must be individually inserted through the loading gate and indexed via the cylinder's rotation. Full reloading of all six chambers typically requires 35-45 seconds compared to 5-8 seconds with swing-out cylinder designs and speedloaders.
- Is the nickel finish durable for regular handling?
- The nickel plating provides good corrosion resistance but will show holster wear and handling marks with regular use. Avoid abrasive cleaners containing ammonia, which can dull the finish over 200-300 cleaning cycles. For maximum preservation, clean with solvents specifically labeled safe for nickel finishes.