Ruger Old Army

[66gt350]

I'm contemplating getting a Ruger Old Army. I found a used one that is in good shape that was made back in the mid 70's and it comes with a bunch of accessories. The one I'm looking at is the stainless model with the 7.5' barrel. From what I've read, these are really good guns.

The question that I have is with the converter. Down the road some time i may pick one up for the heck of it. There are the two manufacturers, R&D and Kirst. Is one better than the other? As far as quality and strength. The Kirst is not stainless, but nickel plated...so the finish may not match good. Do they have to have cowboy loads? Or can I use the same load as in my vaquero -- 8.5 gr. unique behind a 255 gr. LFP?

thanks all
rob

 

[JNewell]

I've asked about which is preferred in a couple of places, including the SASS forum. Opinion seems evenly split. Some people really dislike the fact that the Taylor/R&D converters have the chambers at a slight angle. Other people say they haven't seen any effect on accuracy or reliability. Other than that, it seems a toss-up, at least for a ROA.

Last time I looked, none of the were stainless; has that changed?

Your Vaquero (old or new) will take significantly stronger charges than any of the mfrs recommends for the converters. Unless you have a really good line on the materials and heat treatment and other engineering issues, I would stay within the cowboy-load-equivalent range. Once you leave the manufacturer's recommendations, you are on your own out in free space. The reason they recommend only cowboy loads now is because folks have blown these up with "Ruger only" loads.

 

[Burt Blade]

The R&D conversion cylinder for the Ruger Old Army does not have angled chambers. Ther is no need. The Old Army cylinder dimensions allow a properly aligned chamber

 

[Zeke/PA]

In my previous posts regarding the Old Army, I have commented on th virtues of this revlover.
I shoot strictly round balls over fffg an the pistol is exceptionally accurate.
Go for it.
Respectfully, Zeke

 

[RON in PA]

You can't beat an Old Army as a cap n' ball revolver. They are great, very accurate, especially with the light target load suggested by Ruger (20 grains of 3fG with corn meal filler under the ball). I have the R&D conversion, it also works well, even if a bit inconvienient. I'd stay with cowboy loads or normal factory loads. I use 8 grains of Unique under a 255 grain bullet. Can't comment on the Kirst.

 

[blackhawk44]

It would be almost as cheap, and a lot faster to reload, getting a used Uberti single action. Why disassemble your gun just to reload? Always wondered that.

 

[JNewell]

CAS guys wanting to recreate The Good, the Bad and the Ugly?

Federally prohibited persons who want to shoot brass-cartridge ammo?

Just cuz?

 

[unspellable]

RD converter

The RD converter is proofed with standard SAAMI proof loads. The converter itself is suitable for any commercial factory loaded 45 Colt. problem is with the revolver frame it's in. Some of the repros should be limited to cowboy action loads. The Ruger is built like a ********** and suitable for any standard factory load.

In no case would I recommend Level II loads such as are commonly hand loaded for the Blackhawk.