My New Ruger Old Army

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Hello. Today I took possession of one of Bill’s finest creations, a mint new in the box Ruger’s Old Army black powder revolver. I fashioned this photograph of it:

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What a handsome piece. I look forward to firing it at giving a detailed range report soon. Take care and have a safe weekend.

-J.C.F.
 
Make sure the loading lever/rammer/base pin assembly is completely and securely locked in place with the locking bolt just in front of the cylinder before seating a ball in a chamber. If the base pin pulls out while seating a ball you can bend or break it, and Ruger does not have replacement parts.

From someone who learned the hard way.

Beautiful revolver! You are gonna have fun!

:thumbup:
 
Well I don’t really get that sentiment honestly?

If I had wanted that, I would have gotten a Blackhawk Convertible (which I already own in fact).

Cap and ball is a hoot in its own right, and cheaper to shoot and mess with these days over centerfire.

You would if you couldn't shoot bp in the county you live in. All my "cap guns" are cartridge guns and thanks to Kirst and Howell, I still enjoy my favorite revolvers!!

Mike
 
Make sure the loading lever/rammer/base pin assembly is completely and securely locked in place with the locking bolt just in front of the cylinder before seating a ball in a chamber. If the base pin pulls out while seating a ball you can bend or break it, and Ruger does not have replacement parts.

From someone who learned the hard way.

Beautiful revolver! You are gonna have fun!

:thumbup:

Thanks! Yeah I’ve heard of guys that have done that, yikes! Definetly going to check every time.

These are now collectibles but the guns are durable and I’m thinking I shouldn’t need too many parts considering the level I’ll be shooting.
 
Make sure the loading lever/rammer/base pin assembly is completely and securely locked in place with the locking bolt just in front of the cylinder before seating a ball in a chamber. If the base pin pulls out while seating a ball you can bend or break it, and Ruger does not have replacement parts.

From someone who learned the hard way.

Beautiful revolver! You are gonna have fun!

:thumbup:
Good news is there's a seller on Ebay making them so they are and will be available for the foreseeable future.
 
Yeah this ↑
There are tons of folks capable of making or fitting any of the parts you could need including plenty of kitchen table gunsmiths themselves.

This is excellent news. I know these have not been made in several years, so knowing parts are obtainable is definitely good. I know Ruger had a general reputation for long term durability. Other than the base pin issues, does the Old Army also have this reputation?
 
Nice picture arrangement, but that Polish capper (I have one too) just doesn't fit in.
 
Well I don’t really get that sentiment honestly?

If I had wanted that, I would have gotten a Blackhawk Convertible (which I already own in fact).

Cap and ball is a hoot in its own right, and cheaper to shoot and mess with these days over centerfire.
For sure. It’s just some days I don’t want to clean the gun so I’ll take 45C loaded with TrailBoss. Bang off a hundred or so with none of the mess of having to clean the black powder fouling soon after.
I have conversion cylinders for all of my 44’s that are available.
As to base pins being bent it’s pretty easy to do, I’ve done it a time or two, they will bend right at the indentation but are easy to straighten.
Replacement base pins and latches are available from Belt Mountain Enterprises.
 
I know Ruger had a general reputation for long term durability. Other than the base pin issues, does the Old Army also have this reputation?

I bent my base pin 20 years ago when I could still get a replacement from Ruger.

My experience with the ROA is that it’s a tank. Internally the mechanism is simpler than the Blackhawk or Vaquero; we don’t have to mess with that loading gate/cylinder lock abomination found on those two guns. Bill Ruger proofed the ROA with Bullseye instead of blackpowder, so it’s plenty strong. Easy to shoot, easy to clean ...I love all 4 of mine!!

:)

You have hours of experimentation joy in store, figuring the best load, powder, etc. I found real black powder, 2F or 3F ignites easier than most substitutes. I prefer round pure lead balls to conicals, but some people prefer Ginger to Mary Ann, no accounting for taste.

Eager to read your range reports!!
 
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I bent my base pin 20 years ago when I could still get a replacement from Ruger.

My experience with the ROA is that it’s a tank. Internally the mechanism is simpler than the Blackhawk or Vaquero; we don’t have to mess with that loading gate/cylinder lock abomination found on those two guns. Bill Ruger proofed the ROA with Bullseye instead of blackpowder, so it’s plenty strong. Easy to shoot, easy to clean ...I love all 4 of mine!!

:)

You have hours of experimentation joy in store, figuring the best load, powder, etc. I found real black powder, 2F or 3F ignites easier than most substitutes. I prefer round pure lead balls to conicals, but some people prefer Ginger to Mary Ann, no accounting for taste.

Eager to read your range reports!!

Thanks! :)

I tore the gun down for fun and you are right, it’s simpler than most blackhawks. I really like the trigger plunger assembly, a LOT easier to get back together than the later Blackhawk style. Just less parts in general and came apart and went together again really smoothly.

BDB99012-1-B71-4-B03-872-B-0-B67-DD8-E3-B9-D.jpg

C2-A4-F8-C6-E078-4-BC0-A073-9-CEEDD2-F8611.jpg
 
The spring and plunger trigger setup is "neat-o" but is susceptible to dirt, fouling and "grunge" in general. To me it was the weakest part of the 3 screw Rugers. You can pick the 3 screw out of a bag of SA's because of that setup. I take them out and install a direct acting spring that mounts on the trigger screw (sort of like the way the bolt is done). Don't know why Bill didn't do that!! Makes for one of the finest triggers you'll ever feel. So, if you ever need a spring and plunger, I have a few from mine (I send all customer "take offs" back to the customer when I'm done).

Mike
 
You would if you couldn't shoot bp in the county you live in. All my "cap guns" are cartridge guns and thanks to Kirst and Howell, I still enjoy my favorite revolvers!!

Mike
Why would I buy a gun I can't shoot where I live?
 
Why would I buy a gun I can't shoot where I live?

Well for one thing, I've lived in my county my whole life, I'm 64 y.o. and live in my childhood home. I started shooting bp in 1973 and shot regularly until about 2001. During that time I acquired a few revolvers. Around 2012 I wanted to get back into shooting but between '01 and '12 an ordinance against shooting out doors was passed (too populated).
So, to answer your question, I didn't buy a gun I couldn't shoot where I live. When I found out I couldn't shoot outdoors or indoors with bp I found Kirst conversions. So, THEN I bought guns I couldn't shoot where I live and turned them into guns I COULD shoot where I live. So, I still shoot my favorite revolvers without the cleaning regiment!! Along the way I learned how to tune S.A. revolvers from Mr. Jim Martin and so that's how that happened.

Mike
 
This is excellent news. I know these have not been made in several years, so knowing parts are obtainable is definitely good. I know Ruger had a general reputation for long term durability. Other than the base pin issues, does the Old Army also have this reputation?
The Old Army is based on the 3 screw(old model) Blackhawk and some parts are interchangeable, as far as durability, they used the same metals as they used for the Blackhawk and except for the longer receiver they are the same gun, and there are many 3 screw BH's still shooting fine today.
 
I've had one since 1975. Shot the prototype at Friendship. Dad gave me a stainless one in '77. Howell's conversion in 45 C is a fun diversion. With 200 grain bullets it shoots to the same sight setting as the .457 round ball and 30 fffg. My Lee conical mould is a good shooting bullet also. 220 grain round nose. Enjoy.
 
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