Cimarron Firearms, a premier name in authentic Old West firearm replicas, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Founded by Mike and Mary Lou Harvey in 1984, the company has become highly regarded in the firearm community and is known for its meticulous attention to historical detail as well as craftsmanship and innovation. It holds several patents and was the first to offer antique finishes on modern-made guns.
Mike was captivated by the guns carried in the old west, so he began collecting, trading and selling genuine antique firearms. He and his wife opened a retail store in Houston, Texas, in the 1970s to support that growing collection and customer base.
Recognizing the demand for affordable, modern-made replicas of historic firearms, the couple established partnerships with several renowned Italian gunmakers, including Uberti and Pietta. Together, they produced authentically crafted old west firearms with meticulous attention to detail— each designed from an original in Mike Harvey's collection. Looks that were as close to the original as possible wasn’t enough, though. Each was required to pass rigorous fit, form and function tests before being offered to the public. Demand from enthusiast grew and Cimarron Firearms was born.
“The test of any company in its ability to last 40 years and still go strong is a mix of making a superior product above the competition and being an innovator,” said Bryce Wayt, Cimarron Firearms vice president of media and operations. “That’s what Cimarron has been doing since it first opened its doors in 1984.”
Without Harvey being such a stickler when it comes to historically accurate firearms, many innovations found in Cimarron guns would not exist. He designed and incorporated the Cowboy Comp Action in several single-action revolvers being used in competitions today. It incorporates the Cimarron—made in the USA—competition hammer and trigger/bolt springs, which are lighter and smoother. The firm’s gunsmiths in the United States perform the installation, then finely tune to a crisp, no-creep trigger pull.
Cimarron Firearms have appeared in a variety of movies, including True Grit, Back to the Future Part III, Unforgiven, Lonesome Dove and many others. Today the company is headquartered in Fredericksburg, Texas.
