Ruger Old Army 44 cal revolver

[Abasmajor]

The Ruger Old Army was Americas attempt to provide a rugged muzzle loading revolver utilising modern materials and engineering innovation. Apart from the normally fitted fully adjustable sights, it uses coil rather than flat springs which are the part most likely to fail on the Italian reproductions. The Old Army is based on a fine range of powerful breech loading revolvers and should provide a lifetime of trouble free shooting. The downside is that it is a heavy revolver that doesn't easily lend itself to single handed, precision shooting and is ineligible for some formal competition. However, if you just want to shoot it informally or in club competitions it would be a great choice. Unfortunately, the Ruger is no longer in production and consequently spares are not easy to source especially here in the UK. I've owned mine for over twenty five years and have never experienced a single breakage or reliability issue.
Finally I've seen many on offer at around the £500 mark, so in the condition you describe, that would seem to be a realistic price to become the proud owner.

Brian

[MrChipShoulder]

Hi,

Thank you for the info, looks like I'm all lined up for a good gun at a good price :-)

I'll get the correct ball mould, I now have a nicely growing ball mould collection !

I have these powders, I expected to be using 4Fg for pistols?
https://ibb.co/tKQTSWq

I use the 3Fg in my 50 cal Hawken.

[loiner1965]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WNYGs2_UZw

always interesting to watch this chap

[MrChipShoulder]

Thanks for the YT link.
I had started watching the Ruger videos, but not this guy yet.
I have seen loads of his other black powder content and some of his builds :-)
He's a good guy to watch, I like the black powder gun shows he covers

How I would LOVE to go to one of those shows, never guna happen though :-(

[Turnup]

Hi,

Thank you for the info, looks like I'm all lined up for a good gun at a good price :-)

I'll get the correct ball mould, I now have a nicely growing ball mould collection !

I have these powders, I expected to be using 4Fg for pistols?
https://ibb.co/tKQTSWq

I use the 3Fg in my 50 cal Hawken.

Swiss #2 is the preferred powder for any revolver but it won't hurt to try #1. I echo Tac's comments re conicals - they just don't seem to work well.

The ROA is a well made and strong gun so enjoy. For a grin fill it right up with BP (won't be hugely accurate but it will put a smile on your face).

Small warning. Be careful that the arbor pin retainer is in the locked position before ramming. Quite a few folk have attempted ramming with the arbor pin unlocked - it allows the arbor pin to move forwards a little and then bends it, usually at the locking notch. Usually it can be straightened again but I guess there is a limit to the number of times you could get away with that. Don't ask me how I know

[Turnup]

When it happened to me I was on the Gallery range (now alas the much inferior Winnans) so I popped over to Fulton's. It was only a little bent but I was muchly surprised when they simply put it in a vice and bent it straight again - no heat just cold. I guess it is worth a try 'cos if it breaks it was anyway scrap so nothing to lose by giving it a go. Mine has been none the worse for the experience.

[MrChipShoulder]

So just to confirm, Swiss Powder

No1 says FFFFg for pistols (4fg)
No2 says FFFg for rifles (3fg)

https://ibb.co/tKQTSWq

I think Swiss have mixed up the 'F's ???

I'm to use the bigger FFFg No2 rifle powder for the pistol.

[MrChipShoulder]

Tac,

Have you clicked on this link ?

https://ibb.co/tKQTSWq

[MrChipShoulder]

I really do think you NEED to look at my picture!
I'm sure they sell swiss in the US?
If you refuse to look at my link, you are just going to confuse me even more than you are!
It's only a link to my own picture, there is no spam on it.
https://ibb.co/tKQTSWq

No1 says FFFFg for pistols (4fg)
No2 says FFFg for rifles (3fg)

These are not my words, this is how 'Swiss' sell there powder.
It is the powder I use and I'd like to know how their grading system is working.
You are suggesting I'm using priming powder in my pistols.
Swiss sell a 'Priming Power' No1 FFFFg (4Fg) is sold for pistols.

Please help me to understand what's what.

[Daryll]

I've just looked in my reloading shed and found a Lee double-cavity mould for casting a 220gr conical - '.457cal for Ruger Old Army'. I can vaguely recall casting a few many moons back and that a. even with just a 30gr 3Fg load they had a very strong recoil, and b. they shot like a garden hose.

I got it originally for BP skittle shooting, which died the death when our range/club was kicked into oblivion by a -hating CO.

That would be RAF Molesworth then.. I think we were members around the same time, and it may have been you that let me have a go with your .44 mag revolver...?

Daryll.

[MrChipShoulder]

I keep hearing that the Ruger is no longer made and parts are an issue.
In reality, is it likely to need parts and how hard would they be to get?
Can I buy parts from the US and have them shipped to the UK?
Could the parts that may need replacing be hand made in stainless steel (I have some metal working ability, lathe, milling machine etc).

If this gun is nice and solid at full cock (something I've been told to check), what are the chances of it being bad?

I do intend to shoot this arm at least once a month over an afternoon, so it will see regular shooting.

Thanks.

[loiner1965]

I keep hearing that the Ruger is no longer made and parts are an issue.
In reality, is it likely to need parts and how hard would they be to get?
Can I buy parts from the US and have them shipped to the UK?
Could the parts that may need replacing be hand made in stainless steel (I have some metal working ability, lathe, milling machine etc).

If this gun is nice and solid at full cock (something I've been told to check), what are the chances of it being bad?

I do intend to shoot this arm at least once a month over an afternoon, so it will see regular shooting.

Thanks.

only issue is the cylinder loading pin? not sure exact name but it can bend usually pilot error but apart from that bomb proof
you can buy that part in stainless or blued version on eb@y too.
nothings unbreakable but they are the best revolver by far

[enfield2band]

I have to disagree that they are bomb proof.

Someone at the club bought a ROA. The cylinder, when it is at full cock would not lock up tight, it could be moved about .020" in either direction of the barrel centreline.
It was either badly worn internally, or had been bodged up by someone. I did not look at the slots on the cylinder itself but I don;t think they would have been worn. It had no accuracy at all probably because the ball was being shaved if the cylinder moved to one side when it was fired.

All that glitters is not gold, as they say.
Anything you buy second hand needs to be checked thoroughly. It is too late once you have parted with your hard earned dosh.