Ruger Old Army 44 cal revolver

[Abasmajor]

Good and interesting post, Abasmajor. Have you retained your BP cylinder, or did you do a one-for-one swap?

Hi tac,
The rear end of the original cylinder was machined off and modified to accept 209 shotgun primers with a new backplate made to accommodate a trapped firing pin.
The rest of the gun remains as per the original revolver allowing for on-gun reloading rather than the need for a separate press.
Brian

[loiner1965]

i read on an american forum that one poster said the ruger cylinder was cast and not as strong as we think they are......i will try and find and read further as i was just flitting through etc

[loiner1965]

only posting what i read and even the converted ones only recommend smokeless cowboy loads....personally i think its the best bp revolver out there and one would like to own.....heres another
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/arch.../t-273123.html

[loiner1965]

pdf manual for ruger
http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIR...er_oldarmy.pdf

[MrChipShoulder]

Just to complicate matters, I've now been offered a Pietta Remington 1858 with target sights in mint condition for £150.

[loiner1965]

Just to complicate matters, I've now been offered a Pietta Remington 1858 with target sights in mint condition for £150.

i have the revolver and its dated 1992 i believe
great revolver but not in the same leauge as the ruger
if you are serious bp shooter them its the ruger everytime
if you only shoot twice a years etc then get the pietta.
a little tip about pietta 1858
ypu can buy all parts forthem including hammers / cylinder stops / trigger/sear and index arm nut the tooling was changed around 1995 so revolvers like mine parts need fettling.
i replaced all my parts but the cylinder lock stop will lock the gun up when fitted so i use the old part etc
kranks have offered to look at it for me but i need to stay there whilst they look at it,,,,,just one of them things with the early revolver

[Abasmajor]

Just to complicate matters, I've now been offered a Pietta Remington 1858 with target sights in mint condition for £150.

I would definitely stick with the Ruger for the previously stated reasons. In my experience anyway, Uberti make the best of the affordable Italian replicas with only the far more expensive Pedersoli Remington 1858 replica possibly providing something better. I have two Uberti Remington 1858 replicas and have been entirely satisfied with both, but If I were restricted to one muzzle loading revolver, it would be a Ruger Old Army.
Brian

[Turnup]

Ah, right, I know the difference, I was just wondering if you had retained the facility to shoot BP by using the original cylinder but it seems that you've had it converted, rather than buy one that has already been done.

I think that it would be OK to use the modified cylinder with BP but some careful load development might be indicated since the shotgun primer is more grunty than a percussion cap.

[Abasmajor]

I think that it would be OK to use the modified cylinder with BP but some careful load development might be indicated since the shotgun primer is more grunty than a percussion cap.

So, just to clarify, I can confirm that there should be no safety issues using 209 shotgun primers with BP substitutes, but I can't comment on their use with black powder loads.
Brian