Ruger Old Army owners, help me decide...

rem1858 · January 2, 2011, 11:02 AM

Now that I have a Rem 1858 and a Colt Walker, just need one more and will be done(yah, right)

Looking to purchase a ROA, blued, target sights and long barrel.
Any difference between the 70's to newer production guns ?
What would a 95% + gun go for with box and papers ?

I have had many a Ruger revolver and rifles in the past and presently still have my Super Redhawk and 10/22.

Always believed that Ruger had the best metallurgy in their pistols to take the heavy pounding that I am sure you and I have put them through over the years.

So is a ROA worth getting for the right price, what ever that is ?

ROA owners, give me your critique of this pistol.

Clarence

mehavey · January 2, 2011, 11:09 AM

I've had one (stainless) since `82-`83 or so.
It is a heavy-duty engineering marvel.

Doc Hoy · January 2, 2011, 11:31 AM

Lurk in the shadows of Gunbroker and Auction Arms. You will pay 400 to 500. Occassionally they go for higher prices but there is no reason to pay more because eventually you will find what you want.

There are thirty of them for sale on the Gunbroker right now and any long barrel with an opening price higher than about 425.00 does not have any bids. There are several upon which the bid is now right at 300.00. The short barrel pistols command a higher price. I don't persoally like them buit that is just a personal preference. CAS folks seem to like them.

mehavey is right. It is a fine pistol. I have owned two and there is real quality to be found in them. I personally would opt for a stainless steel job because in my opinion, the finish stands up better to shooting than than the blued finish.

Wyosmith · January 2, 2011, 11:43 AM

I got one back in 1975. It was blued, which is all they made in 75
I used it for many years. It shot as well as any 1911 45 auto I ever had, which is to say it shot VERY well.
I used the Lee 456-2201R bullet in it and at 25 yards it could keep all 6 shots in the X ring
Excellent revolver!

The only downside is that it's a modern gun. If you want historical authenticity, you'd have to look at something else, but for a cap and ball revolver that is the best you can get, the Ruger doesn't even have competition.

sewerman · January 2, 2011, 12:13 PM

great non- period correct B.P. revolver.

i have seem them with prices from $275.00 blued to over $600 S.S.

i would check out some small guns shops that don't do a large B.P. business or some pawn shops. the $275.00 tag was found in a small shop locally & great shape too.LNIB!
the local pawn shop here with over 15K guns on the floor were selling them very cheap $249.00 + about a year or so ago but i guess someone in management reviewed the exorbitnate prices on G.B. and adjusted the prices.

ROA are great firearms....good luck

S.M.

breed · January 2, 2011, 12:21 PM

i had a stainless steel one back in the early 90's. out standing shooter. but it had some pitting on it when i got it. and even more when i sold it. I've seen a few other stainless ones that had the same problem. so be sure to look the gun over well.

zippy13 · January 2, 2011, 12:28 PM

My ROA (stainless) is a tack driver compared to my Pietta Remington replica (also stainless). However, the Remington design has easier cylinder removal. The factory ROA adj sights are fine for ball target loads, but try hotter loads, and you'll be shooting high. You'll want to lower the rear and/or raise the front sight.

As far as Ruger having the best metallurgy, I suspect their reputation is the result of their success with cast parts. Ruger guns are designed from the get-go to use precision cast parts. Other gun makers frequently get into trouble trying to substitute parts originally designed to be machined with MIMed ones.

rem1858 · January 2, 2011, 09:10 PM

ser# puts it at 1978
Just got off the phone with the seller.

Should have it soon.

Clarence

zippy13 · January 2, 2011, 10:33 PM

Congratulations!
May it serve you faithfully for many years.

arcticap · January 3, 2011, 03:33 AM

That Ruger looks great and is a good deal.

In 1985, Ruger went from having an aluminum grip frame to introducing a steel grip frame for the Old Army blue models.
The aluminum grip frames tend to lose their finish and get scratched up more easily.

Rifleman1776 · January 3, 2011, 09:39 AM

No longer made. Great investment and great shooting enjoyment.
I sold mine for $400.00 with a good holster and bullet moulds. It was snapped up quicker than I could blink.
BTW, in case you are wondering why, due to a shoulder injury I can no longer shoot pistols, especially one handed style. Sad day to sell it.

McPhee · January 3, 2011, 10:01 AM

I just got a video of a guy without arms laying on the hood of his car shooting an autoloader with his toes. And even reloads with his toes. I guess it can be done if you want to practice long enough.

Interesting video. If anyone wants a copy, send me your email in a private message and I will send it to you.

It may be on YouTube. I don't know. I live in the sticks and my Internet connection is too slow to watch streaming video.

January 2, 2011, 11:02 AM	#1
rem1858 Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Location: Surrounded by pines in Wi. Posts: 97	Ruger Old Army owners, help me decide... Now that I have a Rem 1858 and a Colt Walker, just need one more and will be done(yah, right) Looking to purchase a ROA, blued, target sights and long barrel. Any difference between the 70's to newer production guns ? What would a 95% + gun go for with box and papers ? I have had many a Ruger revolver and rifles in the past and presently still have my Super Redhawk and 10/22. Always believed that Ruger had the best metallurgy in their pistols to take the heavy pounding that I am sure you and I have put them through over the years. So is a ROA worth getting for the right price, what ever that is ? ROA owners, give me your critique of this pistol. Clarence __________________ B.E. Master indoor and out Distinguished Revolver Badge #99

January 2, 2011, 11:31 AM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	to get one Lurk in the shadows of Gunbroker and Auction Arms. You will pay 400 to 500. Occassionally they go for higher prices but there is no reason to pay more because eventually you will find what you want. There are thirty of them for sale on the Gunbroker right now and any long barrel with an opening price higher than about 425.00 does not have any bids. There are several upon which the bid is now right at 300.00. The short barrel pistols command a higher price. I don't persoally like them buit that is just a personal preference. CAS folks seem to like them. mehavey is right. It is a fine pistol. I have owned two and there is real quality to be found in them. I personally would opt for a stainless steel job because in my opinion, the finish stands up better to shooting than than the blued finish. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath. Last edited by Doc Hoy; January 2, 2011 at 11:42 AM.

January 2, 2011, 12:13 PM	#5
sewerman Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2005 Location: hurricane alley, florida Posts: 304	great non- period correct B.P. revolver. i have seem them with prices from $275.00 blued to over $600 S.S. i would check out some small guns shops that don't do a large B.P. business or some pawn shops. the $275.00 tag was found in a small shop locally & great shape too.LNIB! the local pawn shop here with over 15K guns on the floor were selling them very cheap $249.00 + about a year or so ago but i guess someone in management reviewed the exorbitnate prices on G.B. and adjusted the prices. ROA are great firearms....good luck S.M. __________________ "When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny!" Thomas Jefferson "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety!" Benjamin franklin The Armed Citizen PREVENTS tyranny!

January 2, 2011, 09:10 PM	#8
rem1858 Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Location: Surrounded by pines in Wi. Posts: 97	Well, here it is ser# puts it at 1978 Just got off the phone with the seller. Should have it soon. Clarence __________________ B.E. Master indoor and out Distinguished Revolver Badge #99 Last edited by rem1858; January 4, 2011 at 12:11 AM.

January 3, 2011, 10:01 AM	#12
McPhee Member Join Date: October 12, 2010 Location: Cortez, CO Posts: 33	Hey Rifleman1776 I just got a video of a guy without arms laying on the hood of his car shooting an autoloader with his toes. And even reloads with his toes. I guess it can be done if you want to practice long enough. Interesting video. If anyone wants a copy, send me your email in a private message and I will send it to you. It may be on YouTube. I don't know. I live in the sticks and my Internet connection is too slow to watch streaming video.

January 2, 2011, 11:09 AM	#2
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,885	I've had one (stainless) since `82-`83 or so. It is a heavy-duty engineering marvel.

January 2, 2011, 11:43 AM	#4
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I got one back in 1975. It was blued, which is all they made in 75 I used it for many years. It shot as well as any 1911 45 auto I ever had, which is to say it shot VERY well. I used the Lee 456-2201R bullet in it and at 25 yards it could keep all 6 shots in the X ring Excellent revolver! The only downside is that it's a modern gun. If you want historical authenticity, you'd have to look at something else, but for a cap and ball revolver that is the best you can get, the Ruger doesn't even have competition.

January 2, 2011, 12:21 PM	#6
breed Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2009 Posts: 230	i had a stainless steel one back in the early 90's. out standing shooter. but it had some pitting on it when i got it. and even more when i sold it. I've seen a few other stainless ones that had the same problem. so be sure to look the gun over well.

January 2, 2011, 12:28 PM	#7
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	My ROA (stainless) is a tack driver compared to my Pietta Remington replica (also stainless). However, the Remington design has easier cylinder removal. The factory ROA adj sights are fine for ball target loads, but try hotter loads, and you'll be shooting high. You'll want to lower the rear and/or raise the front sight. As far as Ruger having the best metallurgy, I suspect their reputation is the result of their success with cast parts. Ruger guns are designed from the get-go to use precision cast parts. Other gun makers frequently get into trouble trying to substitute parts originally designed to be machined with MIMed ones.

January 2, 2011, 10:33 PM	#9
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Congratulations! May it serve you faithfully for many years.

January 3, 2011, 03:33 AM	#10
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	That Ruger looks great and is a good deal. In 1985, Ruger went from having an aluminum grip frame to introducing a steel grip frame for the Old Army blue models. The aluminum grip frames tend to lose their finish and get scratched up more easily.

January 3, 2011, 09:39 AM	#11
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	No longer made. Great investment and great shooting enjoyment. I sold mine for $400.00 with a good holster and bullet moulds. It was snapped up quicker than I could blink. BTW, in case you are wondering why, due to a shoulder injury I can no longer shoot pistols, especially one handed style. Sad day to sell it.