The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Old Army - Kirst Konverter

CraigC · March 6, 2009, 02:07 AM

Lots of weird stuff going on here. Firstly, no, the Old Army cannot be loaded with "Ruger-only" loads, buy a Blackhawk. Yes, the Old Army is based on Old Model Blackhawk lockwork. "Old Model" as in Ruger's factory designation for single actions produced before 1973 with three screws in the frame and a half-cock notch, no transfer bar.

The Old Model .45's were only produced for a couple years before the New Models were introduced. Up until the New Vaquero and 50th anniversary .357 Blackhawk, all New Model Blackhawks and Vaqueros were produced on the same large frame as the Super Blackhawk. Also the same size as the Old Model Blackhawk .45Colt. So Ruger-only loads are safe for any .45 Blackhawk.

There are no Old Model Vaqueros. The original Vaquero was introduced in 1992 and is a New Model single action featuring the same "New Model" action and large frame as the other 1973-up guns. The New Vaquero is also a "New Model" single action introduced in 2005. The New Vaquero .45 is the only Ruger that can't handle those special "Ruger-only" loads up to 32,000psi.

Confusion such as yours is precisely the reason why Vaqueros should not be referred to as "Old Models".

March 6, 2009, 02:07 AM	#4
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	Lots of weird stuff going on here. Firstly, no, the Old Army cannot be loaded with "Ruger-only" loads, buy a Blackhawk. Yes, the Old Army is based on Old Model Blackhawk lockwork. "Old Model" as in Ruger's factory designation for single actions produced before 1973 with three screws in the frame and a half-cock notch, no transfer bar. The Old Model .45's were only produced for a couple years before the New Models were introduced. Up until the New Vaquero and 50th anniversary .357 Blackhawk, all New Model Blackhawks and Vaqueros were produced on the same large frame as the Super Blackhawk. Also the same size as the Old Model Blackhawk .45Colt. So Ruger-only loads are safe for any .45 Blackhawk. There are no Old Model Vaqueros. The original Vaquero was introduced in 1992 and is a New Model single action featuring the same "New Model" action and large frame as the other 1973-up guns. The New Vaquero is also a "New Model" single action introduced in 2005. The New Vaquero .45 is the only Ruger that can't handle those special "Ruger-only" loads up to 32,000psi. Confusion such as yours is precisely the reason why Vaqueros should not be referred to as "Old Models".