It's been 12 years since they stopped production and i know they are almost indestructible but they're getting hard to find and very expensive.. I've got one i bought 25 years ago but i'd like another maybe with a shorter barrel. They are not complicated guns and they should be able to make and sell SS new ones for say $800.
Will Ruger ever make ROAs again.?
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doubleh
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Ruger probably could give you much better answer than any of us can. Give them a call and see what they say. My guess is it will be "no".
I keep getting howled down for saying this, but I see no reason one of the clone makers couldn't add a reproduction ROA to their production line. Cimerron, Taylor's, maybe could get a production run.
Maybe some American company could take up making them? There are companies that already make a lot of the parts. Wouldn't be much of a stretch to CNC out a receiver.
Maybe some American company could take up making them? There are companies that already make a lot of the parts. Wouldn't be much of a stretch to CNC out a receiver.
1942bull
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I would be shocked if Ruger began to produce the ROA again. They put it on the market in 1972 and discontinued it in 2008. Thirty-six years is a long run for any particular gun. The ROA was classic in its interpretation of past pistols, but it was not a pistol that would have appeal to the mass market in 2008. Collectors might want them, but average gun buyers—no.
Consider the first Ruger, the 22LR Standard. It entered production in 1949 its heirs the Mark series is still selling enough to keep it on the market in a different variations. Why? Because it is 22 LR suitable for many uses, and 22s are probably the most purchased gun worldwide for civilian use. The market keeps growing so the supply continues. The ROA could never achieve the PO polarity that the Mark series has achieved.
Consider the first Ruger, the 22LR Standard. It entered production in 1949 its heirs the Mark series is still selling enough to keep it on the market in a different variations. Why? Because it is 22 LR suitable for many uses, and 22s are probably the most purchased gun worldwide for civilian use. The market keeps growing so the supply continues. The ROA could never achieve the PO polarity that the Mark series has achieved.
robhof
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Although the price keeps going up, surprisingly there are large amounts new in box available, as many distributors bought large quantities and stopped selling them when production ceased, leaving them in warehouses. About 2 yrs ago I was notified of a closed gun shop selling out and they had 20 new ROA's in their auction sale, sadly they all went for 3X the regular selling price at the time.
arcticap
Member
There was a special run of 200 Talo exclusive ROA's around 2017.
Some were sold for as low as $899.
There were some threads about them.
1. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/return-of-the-old-army.841382/#post-10925930
2. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/the-ruger-old-army-club.538088/page-135#post-11350055
If Ruger started making new ones, the prices of the old ones would probably come down and folks would buy the old ones.
I don't see how Ruger would make much profit with that scanario.
bannockburn
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robhof
Where did you get the grips for your ROAs? Especially the pair on the left!
Where did you get the grips for your ROAs? Especially the pair on the left!
Malachi Leviticus Blue
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Unfortunately, it's unlikely they would sell as well as the cartridge revolvers, so no.
Alex Clayton
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Sadly its a simple case of market. They were a GREAT pistol for those who wanted to play with BP. Often wish I had kept one of mine but even if I had it would seldom get shot. It was fun but a mess. It's why they were dropped. Of course someone else could clone one but, again, many can't really get their head around how much it costs to produce something like this compared to how many you will sell. To make and sell them at the same price range in today's dollars, they would have to be able to sell FAR more than the market will allow. So sadly they are going to remain something that for those who want one they have to pay the going rate. Nice thing is I do not think anyone has ever "worn one out", so they are a lifetime thing when anyone buys one 
expat_alaska
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The ROA revolvers were basically a BP rendition of a sort of 1858 Remington New Model Army built on a Ruger Blackhawk frame. There are very many similarities and some parts are interchangeable. It saw its day in infamy, but I wholly doubt Ruger would re-introduce it because there is no market for it in the long run. You must remember it was introduced during the BP C&B revolver heyday decades ago.
The Ruger bean counters would not even take a second look at it these days.
Regards,
Jim
The Ruger bean counters would not even take a second look at it these days.
Regards,
Jim
Sistema1927
Member
I hate to say it, especially since i am fast approaching that age, but I imagine that quite a few ROA owners are going to die off soon. Those revolvers are basically indestructible, and families aren't going to know what to do with them. As a result, they will put them on the market, probably in quantities that satisfy demand.
Huh. Well, we gotta respect your honesty.
Well of course that's true, but there still is a market for them . Hell - remmy 1858s still sell very well.
That's debatable. Both 1858s and ROAs have a topstrap but the loading lever system is much different. You can reload an 1858 in 10 seconds with a cylinder swap but with an ROA it takes a minute and 3 hands. I really think the 1858 is a more practical gun but the ROA is much stronger.
I mean, every item has its market. However, people who are on a budget would more than likely buy an 1858. How much was the MSRP for an ROA when they were discontinued?
arcticap
Member
Belt Mountain has a replacement base pin that allows for a quick cylinder swap on the ROA.
They changed the design over the years from simply being a replacement base pin to a kit that includes a new locking button that takes the place of the ram.
Photo: https://beltmountain.com/files/2020/08/Old_Army_Quick_Change_Kit.jpg
https://beltmountain.com/base-pins/
Malachi Leviticus Blue
Member
The point is that Ruger manufactures cartridge revolvers that sell better than the ROA would.
Why would they want to retool, redirect machinery, personnel and other resources to manufacture a product that is in less demand than what they are already building and cant really keep up with demand on?
45 Dragoon
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Well, it would be nice to create enough demand for them which is why I continue to go forward with the gated conversion. Some will say " just buy a Blackhawk " . . . the problem with that argument is it's more expensive to buy a Blackhawk than a system for a revolver that you already own. The other side of that is, you can't shoot cap and ball with a Blackhawk!
So, that automatically makes the ROA the most versatile revolver ever produced!!
Mike
So, that automatically makes the ROA the most versatile revolver ever produced!!
Mike
skeeterfogger
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Just wasn't cost effective to the average bp shooter. Like all those that line up for the newest fandangled thing, they got em and Ruger laughed all the way to the bank. Barnum was right
45 Dragoon
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Well, there may be a lot of "suckers" out there but they have the finest cap and ball revolver ever made! With a "worthy" conversion " , the ROA owner will have the "cream of the revolver world" in hand!! I'll be shooting mine this weekend, next weekend at the latest!! Then we'll see who the suckers are!! It's an awfully big crowd to call them "suckers". Maybe Bill wasn't " aiming " at the cheap seats!!
Mike
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doubleh
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My two cents: They were discontinued because they didn't make the profit margin Ruger requires and will never be brought back because they would be even less profitable in today's plastic fantastic market. As to the high price they fetch today it's like the craze that hit the Winchester 94 market when they were discontinued. As long as you can get something any old time you decide you want it you tend to let less desirable (to you) products slide. Then when they become unavailable new in the future you decide you just have to have one and drive up prices.
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Blackpowderwarrior
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I have been salivating over a SS old army for a month now. As bad as i want one i cant bring myself to pull the trigger. Though if a good trade existed i may be interested
Gordon
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They have a lot of Rogers and Spencer in their design IMHO. And my purchase of one for over $700 shipped on GB recently killed my thirst for a R&S that would have cost as much or more . I have not shot it yet but it is the King of my C&B collection. I have no desire to convert it, I have others done from factory for that that will always be better.
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