ROA loading lever on a Pietta?

[chute2thrill]

Do they have kits or is it even possible to put the latch that hooks the loading lever next to the barrel from a ROA to a Pietta? I think the the Ruger style is far superior.

 

[rcflint]

Certainly possible, but the Ruger lug seems to be soldered in place, as it is not dovetailed. A dovetail cutter can fix that. The biggest problem might be finding parts, as Ruger no longer makes the revolver. ( I haven't checked Brownells or Numrich ). If the diameter is a bit larger, a similar smaller part can be made. It might be easier to make a set of parts than to try to covert, if the dimensions prevent parallel alignment of the lever and the parts aren't available. I presume you mean to convert the Pietta Remington, although the Colt design would also adapt. A Dragoon would benefit, as the Dragoon's vertical latch is uncomfortable to use when loading.

If you're interested, I can check the dimensions more carefully and see what's involved, even to making the parts, they are simple enough. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[BHP FAN]

Check out Spiller and Burrs or Whitney's. They look like miniature ROA's with octagon barrels!

 

[J-Bar]

Certainly possible, but the Ruger lug seems to be soldered in place, as it is not dovetailed. A dovetail cutter can fix that. The biggest problem might be finding parts, as Ruger no longer makes the revolver. ( I haven't checked Brownells or Numrich ). If the diameter is a bit larger, a similar smaller part can be made. It might be easier to make a set of parts than to try to covert, if the dimensions prevent parallel alignment of the lever and the parts aren't available. I presume you mean to convert the Pietta Remington, although the Colt design would also adapt. A Dragoon would benefit, as the Dragoon's vertical latch is uncomfortable to use when loading.

If you're interested, I can check the dimensions more carefully and see what's involved, even to making the parts, they are simple enough. Let me know if you're interested.

The lug for latching the loading lever underneath the muzzle of a Ruger Old Army is secured by a screw into the barrel. Similar to the way the ejection rod housing is secured on a Blackhawk or Vaquero. This is not to say that I think the OP's idea is worthwhile....!

edit: The lug is secured by a screw on the ROA's with a short (5.5 inch) barrel. The screw is absent on the 7.5 inch ROA, so RC Flint must be correct about soldering on that model. Apologies for any confusion.

 

[J-Bar]

bump to top for my correction and apology.

 

[rcflint]

J-Bar has a 5-1/2 incch ROA to look at, mine are 7-1/2 inch. If I may guess, the latch lug on the shorter barrel probably prevents the cylinder pin from being completely removed for a thorough cleaning, so it is screwed in place to allow removal. My 5-1/2 inch Remingtons by Uberti have a non crimped dovetail on the lug, allowing for removal of the cylinder pin for the same reason.

 

[chute2thrill]

Sounds like a lot of work that I'd probably mess up. Its a Pietta 1858. I really dont want to cut a dovetail into it.

 

[buttrap]

Why bother if it bugs ya that bad just get a ROA. But I guess is possable to put lipstick on a pig.

 

[chute2thrill]

Well what rcflint said the latch lug is threaded in so maybe I won't have to cut a dovetail. I recently discovered brownells (they have everything!!) and they have replacement loading arms, but no lugs. Maybe I can make one.
buttrap,
I'm not that rich. and it is possible!