The RUGER OLD ARMY Club
- Thread starter ClemBert
- Start date
Even the other cap n ball guns that state they are .44 cal use either a .451 or .454" round ball. I believe the measured the bore by the lands instead of the grooves. The Rugers use a .457" round ball or .454-.458" soft lead bullet. Some speak of being able to use .452" Colt lead bullets with success, but most do not.
Patocazador
Member
Looks cherry. If the price is right, buy it. If you don't like it, you won't have much trouble selling it.
SUMIKITO
Member
To buy or not to buy.........
Pripyat: Get at least one of them. Or both if you can. The most fun out of a pistol you will ever have. Get ready for a hell of a ride after that. You'll never want to get off the Old Army coaster after those first few shots! Zoom, zoom, boom! Yup, you gonna have fun, mistah !!!!! Good luck!
Pripyat: Get at least one of them. Or both if you can. The most fun out of a pistol you will ever have. Get ready for a hell of a ride after that. You'll never want to get off the Old Army coaster after those first few shots! Zoom, zoom, boom! Yup, you gonna have fun, mistah !!!!! Good luck!
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I just may have to... Oh garsh at actually needing more components. At least percussion caps and black powder are easier to come across than .22 bullets and varget.
BTW, I got a PM regarding their value so that question has been answered.
BTW, I got a PM regarding their value so that question has been answered.
classicballistx
Member
Why the ROA
Why the ROA is a "how long is a string" question.
It's easy to dismiss percussion revolvers generally, and the ROA in specific based on convenience. It's easy to dismiss percussion revolvers, even the ROA, if the goal is the most macho power. Even using spare cylinders (disclaimer, here - we make those cylinders), isn't equal to the speed and ease of the speed and ease of dropping six rounds into any cartridge revolver and the best we can do, even with our cylinders (even David's .50 cal custom ROA's) is never going to equal the monster performance of the big magnum bores.
There is one absolute that favors the ROA: accuracy. Do your ROA right (and that's not difficult or expensive) and you'll have the most accurate revolver you'll ever own, period. We have wrung the best accuracy out of the best of cartridge revolvers and they're simply not as accurate as ROA's. In fact, FWB and Hege match percussion guns which will set you back triple the price of an ROA aren't equal to the ROA's easily attained potential.
And then there are the subjective issues, and if there was ever a place where the ROA's subjective appeal gets advocacy it's in this forum. What little I can add is this.
I grew up riding motorcycles that warmed my blood in ways that weren't forthcoming from more convenient or more powerful ones. I've tried the shiny, slick, carefree ones, but I always found my way back to "classics". Frankly, kissing a knee to the pavement while heeled over to the peg on a Ducati 450 Desmo Diana is still more satisfying than blistering along on a crotch rocket. And three days in the saddle on a BSA triple instead of a two-wheeled Accura offers me a lot more enjoyment. Ducati thumpers and Brit triples take a bit more care and thought in the course of enjoyment, but they deliver so much more. You have to cross a line from vicarious to participant to find it. Not everyone will.
The ROA is the same.
My recommendation to Pripyat's quandary is this. First, do the economic calculus - get the collector ROA's cheap, re-sell them to folks who like to collect. Take the gains and buy a solid used ROA and a can each of Swiss, 777, and Remington #10's. Next, get some TRESO's and a box of good round balls. Change the nipples and shoot up the round balls. You'll know if you're cut out for this. And if you're not, by the time you re-sell the ROA, it will have appreciated to the point of covering the cost of the expendables.
But, if you find what we find in the ROA, keep coming back here and keep your eyes and mind open to a brilliant future clouded only by white smoke.
Edo.
Classicballistx
Why the ROA is a "how long is a string" question.
It's easy to dismiss percussion revolvers generally, and the ROA in specific based on convenience. It's easy to dismiss percussion revolvers, even the ROA, if the goal is the most macho power. Even using spare cylinders (disclaimer, here - we make those cylinders), isn't equal to the speed and ease of the speed and ease of dropping six rounds into any cartridge revolver and the best we can do, even with our cylinders (even David's .50 cal custom ROA's) is never going to equal the monster performance of the big magnum bores.
There is one absolute that favors the ROA: accuracy. Do your ROA right (and that's not difficult or expensive) and you'll have the most accurate revolver you'll ever own, period. We have wrung the best accuracy out of the best of cartridge revolvers and they're simply not as accurate as ROA's. In fact, FWB and Hege match percussion guns which will set you back triple the price of an ROA aren't equal to the ROA's easily attained potential.
And then there are the subjective issues, and if there was ever a place where the ROA's subjective appeal gets advocacy it's in this forum. What little I can add is this.
I grew up riding motorcycles that warmed my blood in ways that weren't forthcoming from more convenient or more powerful ones. I've tried the shiny, slick, carefree ones, but I always found my way back to "classics". Frankly, kissing a knee to the pavement while heeled over to the peg on a Ducati 450 Desmo Diana is still more satisfying than blistering along on a crotch rocket. And three days in the saddle on a BSA triple instead of a two-wheeled Accura offers me a lot more enjoyment. Ducati thumpers and Brit triples take a bit more care and thought in the course of enjoyment, but they deliver so much more. You have to cross a line from vicarious to participant to find it. Not everyone will.
The ROA is the same.
My recommendation to Pripyat's quandary is this. First, do the economic calculus - get the collector ROA's cheap, re-sell them to folks who like to collect. Take the gains and buy a solid used ROA and a can each of Swiss, 777, and Remington #10's. Next, get some TRESO's and a box of good round balls. Change the nipples and shoot up the round balls. You'll know if you're cut out for this. And if you're not, by the time you re-sell the ROA, it will have appreciated to the point of covering the cost of the expendables.
But, if you find what we find in the ROA, keep coming back here and keep your eyes and mind open to a brilliant future clouded only by white smoke.
Edo.
Classicballistx
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white smoke
Member
What Edo said, including about the bikes. Expecting 2 sets of Ken Driskill stag grips any day for my ROA's and will get some pics up as soon as I do.
Patocazador
Member
I'm more of a nuts & bolts type guy and usually don't put much stock in history or sentimentality when it comes to tools. I consider almost all of my firearms as tools. If the tool is durable, does its job with precision and not astronomically expensive, that's the tool I want. My most reliable and favorite c & b revolver is the ROA. Stainless is more durable and takes less upkeep so that's the flavor I like of ROA. Also adjustable sights are my 'cup of tea' so it fits right in there too. If another revolver were to show up that was superior, I would go after that. So I guess for now I'm happy with my choice.
SUMIKITO
Member
THE Ruger Old Army................
Edo. classicballistx & Patocazador could not have said it better. It has a 'soul' and 'aura' that is lacking in other cap & ball and cartridge pistols. All you other guys still up on the fence in regards to getting an Old Army, well don't get left behind. Get them while the gettin' is still good. I say again with a lot of conviction and praise, "There must be an Old Army or two up there in heaven. There MUST be.
Edo. classicballistx & Patocazador could not have said it better. It has a 'soul' and 'aura' that is lacking in other cap & ball and cartridge pistols. All you other guys still up on the fence in regards to getting an Old Army, well don't get left behind. Get them while the gettin' is still good. I say again with a lot of conviction and praise, "There must be an Old Army or two up there in heaven. There MUST be.
white smoke
Member
SUMIKITO
Member
Super nice grips on a two-tone ROA........
white smoke: That two-tone ROA sure lit-up with those grips. We are talking classy looks here! Shoot them with pride!
white smoke: That two-tone ROA sure lit-up with those grips. We are talking classy looks here! Shoot them with pride!
white smoke
Member
Thanks guys, they are great shooters too, but then they are ROA's.
Getting Close to being a member !!!!!!!!!
Hopefully I'll be able to join this fine informative group this coming week. I been in the market for a stainless 5.5 inch high gloss version with ivory grips for awhile now but couldnt compete with the guys popping $1400 on that last gunbroker offering. As luck would have it my local ad paper had the exact gun for sale only shot 40 times and then put away For the last 6 years. No price was listed, trades or submit a cash offer. He said he paid $650 new in his ad. I didn't want to lowball him and really wanted this gun. I offered $800 for the plain stainless version and $925 if it was the high gloss version LNIB. He replied that he received over 60 Yes 60 diff emails for the gun and I offered him the best price and said its mine if I want it sometimes it pays not to make an insulting offer. I must say this is a very informative forum and this thread is great for us new to blackpowder and the R.O.A.
Hopefully I'll be able to join this fine informative group this coming week. I been in the market for a stainless 5.5 inch high gloss version with ivory grips for awhile now but couldnt compete with the guys popping $1400 on that last gunbroker offering. As luck would have it my local ad paper had the exact gun for sale only shot 40 times and then put away For the last 6 years. No price was listed, trades or submit a cash offer. He said he paid $650 new in his ad. I didn't want to lowball him and really wanted this gun. I offered $800 for the plain stainless version and $925 if it was the high gloss version LNIB. He replied that he received over 60 Yes 60 diff emails for the gun and I offered him the best price and said its mine if I want it
sometimes it pays not to make an insulting offer. I must say this is a very informative forum and this thread is great for us new to blackpowder and the R.O.A.
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Patocazador
Member
I love my ROA but would have a hard time coughing up that kind of dough for one. I think I bought mine new for ~$250 back in the early 80s.
But I have spent more than that on things that I wound up hating ... like a Chevy LUV pickup ... UGH !!!
But I have spent more than that on things that I wound up hating ... like a Chevy LUV pickup ... UGH !!!
BHP FAN
Member
you won't be sorry.
SUMIKITO
Member
Dropping hard coin on a ROA...........
Btc624: Nope, nope, nope, you will certainly never feel sorry! Wait till you get it. Hold it in your hands, examine it, point it, smell it, feel it, and best of all fire it. Ha! Nothing like a good Old Army. They are quickly deminishing out there. Said it a million times and so has everyone else. Like gold they are nowadays. Get them while you still can. Can't be on the fence forever. One day you will be staring at nothing. Every head of cattle HAS to go to market and be consumed one day. Once taken in by collectors and hoarders, that's it. Cherish that pistol when you get it. Pictures for everyone here please Btc624! Best regards, you did well.
Btc624: Nope, nope, nope, you will certainly never feel sorry! Wait till you get it. Hold it in your hands, examine it, point it, smell it, feel it, and best of all fire it. Ha! Nothing like a good Old Army. They are quickly deminishing out there. Said it a million times and so has everyone else. Like gold they are nowadays. Get them while you still can. Can't be on the fence forever. One day you will be staring at nothing. Every head of cattle HAS to go to market and be consumed one day. Once taken in by collectors and hoarders, that's it. Cherish that pistol when you get it. Pictures for everyone here please Btc624! Best regards, you did well.
dickydalton
Member
I love mine but, me thinks there were more ROAs made than 1860 Colts and you still can buy them and some are less expensive that some ROAs.
Patocazador
Member
Hey Guys, Jump On This QUICK !!
2 cherry ROAs in the THR For Sale forum: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=717737
$625 each, all original. These are not mine. Just giving a heads up.
[
2 cherry ROAs in the THR For Sale forum: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=717737
$625 each, all original. These are not mine. Just giving a heads up.
[
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SUMIKITO
Member
ROAs down here and up there......
There are a multitude of ROAs out there yet. Mostly overpriced for their condition and model types. A lot with unknown true condition. Sellers dreaming of a quick buck from a rushing fool. Cherry picked lot is more like it. But to get a splendid example, you gotta be vigilant, and fast. One thing I would be thinking about should my clock be on the rundown would be " hell, what the heck's gonna happen to me, how am I gonna get out of this mess, who is gonna take care of my family, will they be ok without me, are the powers up there ready for me"? There will be no time for candy, thats for sure. And when I am finally gone and off to that heavenly shooting range up there, I'm gonna pull those ROAs out from my white winged backpack and show them Saints up there a thing or two about shooting. Bill Ruger himself would most likely sign you in and inspect your pistol. So you better have a good one. Best regards to all.
There are a multitude of ROAs out there yet. Mostly overpriced for their condition and model types. A lot with unknown true condition. Sellers dreaming of a quick buck from a rushing fool. Cherry picked lot is more like it. But to get a splendid example, you gotta be vigilant, and fast. One thing I would be thinking about should my clock be on the rundown would be " hell, what the heck's gonna happen to me, how am I gonna get out of this mess, who is gonna take care of my family, will they be ok without me, are the powers up there ready for me"? There will be no time for candy, thats for sure. And when I am finally gone and off to that heavenly shooting range up there, I'm gonna pull those ROAs out from my white winged backpack and show them Saints up there a thing or two about shooting. Bill Ruger himself would most likely sign you in and inspect your pistol. So you better have a good one. Best regards to all.
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