Description
The Cimarron El Malo 2 Thunderer 357 is a 3.5-inch, six-shot single action revolver in .357 Magnum with a case-colored pre-war style frame, a blued octagon barrel and a one-piece checkered walnut birdshead grip. Cimarron model PP340MALO2.
Cimarron El Malo 2 Thunderer 357 Overview
Cimarron built the original El Malo, Spanish for “the bad,” on the 1873 Colt Single Action Army pattern, and the El Malo 2 refines it with a smoother action, a crisp trigger and a low, wide competition-style hammer that is easier to cock quickly. Like most Cimarron revolvers it is made in Italy by Pietta. This short-barrel version pairs the El Malo 2 action with the rounded Thunderer grip frame, giving it the look of a gunfighter’s belly gun while still firing modern .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition.
The Thunderer Grip and Short Barrel
The Thunderer grip is a rounded birdshead shape that tucks into the palm and carries comfortably. It does not have the long hook of a traditional plow-handle grip, so recoil with full-power .357 Magnum loads rolls more into the hand. The 3.5-inch octagon barrel makes the revolver quick to draw and easy to carry, though the short sight radius demands careful sight alignment. For most owners, .38 Special loads are the sweet spot for range work in this revolver.
Single Action Operation and Safety
This is a traditional single action. To load, bring the hammer to the loading notch, open the side loading gate and insert cartridges one at a time while rotating the cylinder. To fire, the hammer must be cocked by hand for each shot. Like the original Colt design, it has no transfer bar, so the safe practice is to load only five rounds and lower the hammer on the empty chamber. Never carry it with the hammer resting on a live round.
Fit, Finish and Action
The frame wears color case hardening and the barrel and cylinder are blued, a classic combination. The El Malo 2 upgrades focus on how the gun feels: a slicked-up action, a lighter and cleaner trigger break and that low, wide hammer spur. The one-piece walnut grip is finely checkered and carries Cimarron’s laser-carved rider logo. Sights are fixed, a groove rear and blade front, so expect to choose a load that hits close to point of aim rather than adjusting the sights.
Ammunition and Use
The revolver is chambered for .357 Magnum and also fires .38 Special. Standard .38 Special lead loads are popular with cowboy action shooters, while .357 Magnum gives more power for trail use. Full-power Magnum loads are loud and snappy in a 3.5-inch revolver, and cleaning lead residue from the chamber mouths after shooting .38s helps Magnum rounds chamber easily. Avoid hot handloads; a Pietta single action is made for factory-pressure ammunition.
Who It Is For
The El Malo 2 Thunderer suits collectors and cowboy action shooters who want a short, nimble Old West revolver with a better action than a standard clone, and anyone who wants a handsome single action for trail carry. It is not a modern defensive revolver: it reloads slowly and should be carried with five rounds. As a range and heritage piece, it is a lot of fun to shoot.
State Laws and Ownership
Handgun purchase permits, rosters and waiting periods vary by state, and some states do not allow single action revolvers that are not on an approved list. Check your local law before ordering. We ship firearms only to licensed FFL dealers, and we do not ship to Massachusetts or Oregon. Your receiving dealer completes the background check and transfer.
Specifications
- Brand: Cimarron
- Model: El Malo 2 Thunderer, model PP340MALO2
- UPC: 814230101402
- Caliber: .357 Magnum, also fires .38 Special
- Action: Single action revolver
- Capacity: 6 rounds, carry with 5
- Barrel: 3.5 in. octagon, blued
- Frame: Case-colored, pre-war style
- Grip: One-piece checkered walnut, Thunderer shape
- Sights: Fixed blade front and groove rear
- Hammer: Low wide competition style
- Weight: About 37.6 oz
- Maker: Pietta, Italy
Before You Buy
Federal law requires you to be 21 or older to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer, and the revolver must ship to an FFL for transfer and a background check. Read the manual before loading, and practice the single action loading sequence with dummy rounds first.
Who It Is For
The Cimarron El Malo 2 Thunderer 357 is a great fit for cowboy action shooters, collectors and single action fans who want a short, smooth .357 Magnum revolver with Old West styling.
Buy the Cimarron El Malo 2 Thunderer 357 at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Cimarron El Malo 2 Thunderer 357 online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more revolvers. For factory details, visit Cimarron Firearms.
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