Ruger Old Army
I like the Ruger Old Army revolvers.
No...they don't balance as well as a Remington 1858 or a Colt 1851.
The weight of a 7.5" barreled adjustable site Old Army is 2 pounds 14 ounces.
The advertised weight of the reproduction Walker can vary from 4 pounds 4 ounces to 4 pounds 8 ounces.
That being said I can't see how anyone that claims to like a Walker can complain about the weight or balance of an Old Army.
The total production of the original Walker was only 1,100 guns. One would think if it had a viable market there would be a much higher number manufactured.
No question it was the most powerful production revolver of it's day and as far as "production" percussion revolvers it could still claim that title even today.
I have read claims of astonishing accuracy on this board in reference to certain specimens of replica Walkers. Obviously if the original Walkers were known for this it went unappreciated in it's time or more should have been made and sold.
Without question the little 5.5" ROA has the best balance of all the ROA models.
No... The Old Army can't compare with the power of a Walker at least the way it comes out of the box. If you are willing to spend a few dollars you can add a considerable amount of power just by having the chambers bored deeper and shooting a heavy conical over 777.
If you want to go full custom it can be made to outclass the Walker in power but you will have to get it done with 5 shots instead of 6.
I have a .50 caliber (actually .485) ROA that does quite well in both the power and accuracy department.
http://imageevent.com/fiveshooter/ccgoa
Of course a Walker could be converted to a custom 5 shot in a larger caliber as well but I would question the strength of the frame design and softer steel used in the frame of the Italian replicas for such a conversion.
Open top revolver designs were never known for their strength to begin with.
I have seen a stretch frame ROA left in it's original caliber that would hold more powder than a Walker. I never did see any data on how it performed though.
I have several ROAs and all the ones with adjustable sites have had at least a front sight blade change to allow enough adjustments to shoot conical bullets.
I shoot only RB out of the 5.5" fixed sight models.
All of them shoot very well.
No...it's not a replica of anything nor have I ever heard a claim from Ruger that it was.
I do think it is "historically correct" as it is an "original" in it's own right.
I know some people will never warm up to them but they are great guns and very well made.
I have a few Italian replicas that shoot well. All of them suffer from soft metal and seem to wear a bit faster than I would like.
I have one 58 Remington that has proven very accurate.
They all have their place and they are all fun. Buy what you like and shoot what you like.