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Anyone have first-hand experience with the Iver Johnson Cattleman Buckhorn .44 Magnum?

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WVGunman

WVGunman

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I'm talking about the gun pictured below, which I may buy. From what I've been able to dig up online, this was made by Uberti and imported by I.J. in 1973-78. (It has both names stamped on it, along with "Cattleman.") I have also read the following:
  • This was the "worst piece of crap .44 magnum ever sold" (an actual quote)
  • Uberti makes good guns
  • The Ubertis made in the 1970s sucked
  • This model is well made, has great timing, is accurate, washes and folds your laundry, etc.
Can anyone shed some light on the situation? To be clear: This is the model sold under the Iver Johnson name, NOT the "Target Callahan" Uberti sells now.

pix182863999.jpg
 
I had a Cattleman imported by Iver Johnson, in .44 Magnum, which except for sights is the same as your gun. My gun had two flaws, poorly sighted (it was fixed sighted) and the firing pin threw up a crater in the frame when fired. This caused the gun to tie up from primer flow back. Once I stoned that down I experienced no more trouble from that. I did break a bolt spring that I replaced. After I corrected these issues I experienced no more trouble other than the sights. I considered having adjustable sights installed, but had a chance to trade the gun off which I did. The next owner of the gun reported being very satisfied with it the way it was. Guess I worked out all the gremlins.

Bob Wright

P.S. This happened around 1975 or 1976.

P.P.S. My gun was a beauty in fit and finish.
 
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BobWright said:
I had a Cattleman imported by Iver Johnson, in .44 Magnum, which except for sights is the same as your gun. My gun had two flaws, poorly sighted (it was fixed sighted) and the firing pin threw up a crater in the frame when fired. This caused the gun to tie up from primer flow back. Once I stoned that down I experienced no more trouble from that. I did break a bolt spring that I replaced. After I corrected these issues I experienced no more trouble other than the sights. I considered having adjustable sights installed, but had a chance to trade the gun off which I did. The next owner of the gun reported being very satisfied with it the way it was. Guess I worked out all the gremlins.
Bob Wright
P.S. This happened around 1975 or 1976.
P.P.S. My gun was a beauty in fit and finish.
Click to expand...
Hmm, thanks Bob. This fits with other things I've heard, especially the cratering around the firing pin. Apparently the early models were made without a replaceable bushing there, but this was later corrected. So if I great a later gun, I'll be fine, if an earlier one I need to check the recoil shield. The adjustable sights should solve the other problem.
Did these isses seem minor, and the gun a good shooter otherwise, or did the gun "feel" low quality? Sometimes fit and finish is lipstick on a pig!
 
WVGunman said:
Hmm, thanks Bob. This fits with other things I've heard, especially the cratering around the firing pin. Apparently the early models were made without a replaceable bushing there, but this was later corrected. So if I great a later gun, I'll be fine, if an earlier one I need to check the recoil shield. The adjustable sights should solve the other problem.
Did these isses seem minor, and the gun a good shooter otherwise, or did the gun "feel" low quality? Sometimes fit and finish is lipstick on a pig!
Click to expand...

As to fit and finish, it sure wasn't lipstick on a pig! The gun was solid in the hand, locked up tighter than most other Single Actions revolvers, and, with the exception that I couldn't hit anything with it, it was a fine shooter. As I said I must have worked out the few kinks, as the next owner of the gun was mighty pleased with it. I shot just about 300 rounds through it, loads just under full power .44 Magnum loads, and it compared favorably to my Super Blackhawk. If the price is right, I don't believe you can go wrong.

Here is a photo of mine, this before guns were made in color:

Cattleman%20%20cocked_zpshmztoqke.jpg

Bob Wright
 
BobWright said:
I shot just about 300 rounds through it, loads just under full power .44 Magnum loads, and it compared favorably to my Super Blackhawk. If the price is right, I don't believe you can go wrong.
Click to expand...
This sounds pretty good. The gun in my original post is the exact gun I'm looking to buy. As you can see, it's had very little wear, maybe not even enough to have the cratering around the firing pin hole problem. And I won't be firing full-power .44 mag through it; I'm buying a rifle for that. I will be handloading some stuff down to .44 Special levels, mostly for target shooting. This seems like the perfect gun for that.
 
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