Ruger Old Army question

qcable · January 27, 2018, 05:29 PM

I very recently bought a used Ruger Old Army revolver and want to completely disassemble it for a thorough cleaning. My question is... how do you remove the base pin retaining pin, the one that must be turned to remove the loading lever ?

**JohnKSa** · January 27, 2018, 05:33 PM

Here's the manual from Ruger.

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/...ls/oldArmy.pdf

That's a fun handgun, congratulations on finding one!

smee78 · January 29, 2018, 12:43 PM

I love my ROA's they are great shooters. Welcome to the club. You can also download the manual from the Ruger website.

noelf2 · January 29, 2018, 12:59 PM

I was curious so I looked at the manual. It just says "remove the base pin retaining pin". Doesn't say how to.

EDIT: found it. Page 22.
"2. Push base pin retaining pin through from the left side"

rep1954 · January 29, 2018, 02:45 PM

On one side you use a slotted screw driver and at the same time on the other side you need a slotted screw driver with a relief in the center to clear the screw that enters from the other side.

Model12Win · January 29, 2018, 09:08 PM

Some folks put them in the dishwasher and no, I'm not making that one up.

rclark · January 29, 2018, 09:56 PM

Put the hammer at half cock, so the cylinder rotates freely. On the right side ahead of the cylinder, there is a big slotted screw head. With a screw driver, turn it about 90 degrees counter clockwise you'll hit a 'stop'. It should move easily. Then you can pull the the lever and base pin assembly out ((the screw head pin doesn't come out, it just turns one way or the other)). Before I remove the base pin, I rotate the cylinder so as you move the loading lever down it pushes against the cylinder, which helps to pull the base-pin a bit more easily if really dirty. Quite simple. Reverse steps to replace. Should try this before you shoot, so you know how it all works. Oh, yeah, hold on to the cylinder as once the base pin is free the cylinder will fall out the side.

{rereading} Oh, you want to remove the retaining pin. Don't think in all my years I've ever removed that from any of my ROAs. Check you manual as stated above....

James K · January 29, 2018, 10:03 PM

I think rep1954 is thinking of the regular SAA and its many clones; the Old Army isn't made that way.

When all else fails, read the instructions:

"2. Push base pin retaining pin through from the left side."

Jim

(P.S. Model12Winchester's suggestion is not a bad one, but make sure to remove the wood grips first. And don't use that method on other than a stainless steel gun.)

JK

rep1954 · January 30, 2018, 09:41 AM

Brain fade.

turkeestalker · January 30, 2018, 04:02 PM

I bought a ROA in stainless back when I was 17 years old.
Traded it many years later for a Turkey specific shotgun.
Replaced it about nine years ago and am glad to have it back home so to speak.
When doing a thorough cleaning, I remove the grips and cylinder, cock the hammer, and run it through the dishwasher.
I've done that probably one hundred time between the two revolvers without any ill effect.
Just remove it while it's hot and wipe it down completely, twisting the towel through the chambers and barrel.
It doesn't get any easier than that.
Just be sure to put your base pin and lever in the silverware tray or otherwise secure them.

I believe you Model12Win!

**4V50 Gary** · January 30, 2018, 07:45 PM

One word of caution. Be sure that the screw that retains the base pin is rotated fully into locked position before operating the loading lever. If you don't, the pin can come out and if you push on the lever while the pin is out, you'll bend the pin. Ask me how I know.

qcable · February 10, 2018, 05:24 PM

Thanks for all the information. I really like the way my ROA shoots. In fact, I like it so much that I just bought another one, a stainless one.

Thanks again all of the replys.

January 27, 2018, 05:29 PM	#1
qcable Junior Member Join Date: January 17, 2018 Location: Kingman Arizona Posts: 10	Ruger Old Army question I very recently bought a used Ruger Old Army revolver and want to completely disassemble it for a thorough cleaning. My question is... how do you remove the base pin retaining pin, the one that must be turned to remove the loading lever ?

January 27, 2018, 05:33 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,986	Here's the manual from Ruger. https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/...ls/oldArmy.pdf That's a fun handgun, congratulations on finding one! __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 29, 2018, 12:43 PM	#3
smee78 Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,918	I love my ROA's they are great shooters. Welcome to the club. You can also download the manual from the Ruger website. __________________ We know exactly where one cow with Mad-cow-disease is located, among the millions and millions of cows in America, but we haven't got a clue where thousands of illegal immigrants and terrorists are

January 29, 2018, 12:59 PM	#4
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	I was curious so I looked at the manual. It just says "remove the base pin retaining pin". Doesn't say how to. EDIT: found it. Page 22. "2. Push base pin retaining pin through from the left side" __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

January 29, 2018, 09:56 PM	#7
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,622	Put the hammer at half cock, so the cylinder rotates freely. On the right side ahead of the cylinder, there is a big slotted screw head. With a screw driver, turn it about 90 degrees counter clockwise you'll hit a 'stop'. It should move easily. Then you can pull the the lever and base pin assembly out ((the screw head pin doesn't come out, it just turns one way or the other)). Before I remove the base pin, I rotate the cylinder so as you move the loading lever down it pushes against the cylinder, which helps to pull the base-pin a bit more easily if really dirty. Quite simple. Reverse steps to replace. Should try this before you shoot, so you know how it all works. Oh, yeah, hold on to the cylinder as once the base pin is free the cylinder will fall out the side. {rereading} Oh, you want to remove the retaining pin. Don't think in all my years I've ever removed that from any of my ROAs. Check you manual as stated above.... __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king. Last edited by rclark; January 29, 2018 at 10:02 PM.

January 29, 2018, 02:45 PM	#5
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	On one side you use a slotted screw driver and at the same time on the other side you need a slotted screw driver with a relief in the center to clear the screw that enters from the other side.

January 29, 2018, 09:08 PM	#6
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Some folks put them in the dishwasher and no, I'm not making that one up.

January 29, 2018, 10:03 PM	#8
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I think rep1954 is thinking of the regular SAA and its many clones; the Old Army isn't made that way. When all else fails, read the instructions: "2. Push base pin retaining pin through from the left side." Jim (P.S. Model12Winchester's suggestion is not a bad one, but make sure to remove the wood grips first. And don't use that method on other than a stainless steel gun.) JK

January 30, 2018, 09:41 AM	#9
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 1,187	Brain fade.

January 30, 2018, 04:02 PM	#10
turkeestalker Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2015 Location: Cottleville, Missouri Posts: 1,115	I bought a ROA in stainless back when I was 17 years old. Traded it many years later for a Turkey specific shotgun. Replaced it about nine years ago and am glad to have it back home so to speak. When doing a thorough cleaning, I remove the grips and cylinder, cock the hammer, and run it through the dishwasher. I've done that probably one hundred time between the two revolvers without any ill effect. Just remove it while it's hot and wipe it down completely, twisting the towel through the chambers and barrel. It doesn't get any easier than that. Just be sure to put your base pin and lever in the silverware tray or otherwise secure them. I believe you Model12Win! __________________ Vegetarian... primitive word for lousy hunter!

January 30, 2018, 07:45 PM	#11
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	One word of caution. Be sure that the screw that retains the base pin is rotated fully into locked position before operating the loading lever. If you don't, the pin can come out and if you push on the lever while the pin is out, you'll bend the pin. Ask me how I know. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 10, 2018, 05:24 PM	#12
qcable Junior Member Join Date: January 17, 2018 Location: Kingman Arizona Posts: 10	Thanks for all the information. I really like the way my ROA shoots. In fact, I like it so much that I just bought another one, a stainless one. Thanks again all of the replys.