Ruger Old Army Question

Col. Mosby · July 27, 2013, 01:47 PM

I am pondering buying a ROA. I like the more traditional look of the fixed sights. My problem is I just can't tolerate all that "warning" junk that Ruger puts on the pistol's barrel. My question is, did Ruger come out with the fixed sights prior to the warning? I know someone here will know the answer.

Also, for those of you who have shot a fixed sight version, does the pistol shoot to point of aim?

Thanks in advance for the help for the help.

PetahW · July 27, 2013, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col. Mosby

My questions are,

did Ruger come out with the fixed sights prior to the warning? - YES

Also, for those of you who have shot a fixed sight version, does the pistol shoot to point of aim? - Not necessarily

Loads and/or sights might (or might not) need to be "adjusted" to zero.

.

**4V50 Gary** · July 27, 2013, 10:21 PM

I'm under the impression that the original Ruger Old Army had adjustable sights and the fixed sight version didn't come out until much later.

Up to 1977 (and someone correct me), the Ruger Old Army didn't not have all the warning marks on the barrel.

BTW, the warning marks can easily be removed with a file and then finished with emery paper. It's not illegal to do since the Ruger Old Army is a percussion fired gun.

Rifleman1776 · July 28, 2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Up to 1977 (and someone correct me), the Ruger Old Army didn't not have all the warning marks on the barrel.

Had some but not near as many as later years.
1976 model had Bi-Centennial commerative inscriptions. Sold mine.

Regret doing so.

rclark · July 30, 2013, 06:28 PM

I do believe 'all' the fixed sighted Old Army revolvers have the stupid warming label. The fixed sighted revolvers were introduced in 1994 until all types discontinued in 2008. Here is some info I gathered from a Ruger forum:

"The only thing the 148- prefix signify's is Ruger's model series for the fixed sight Old Army. They come in 5-1/2" and 7-1/2" in blue and stainless, but all fixed sight guns." There were only ~12,600 fixed sighted revolvers made. The rarest among them is the SS 5 1/2" Old Army. No one knows how many of 'each' of the four combinations were made.

Here is the serial# history of the Old Army.

http://www.ruger.com/service/product...y/RE-OABP.html

All fixed sighted revolvers usually need some 'tweaking' to get them to shoot to POA. I've had to have barrels turned, and front sight filed on mine.

Col. Mosby · July 30, 2013, 07:41 PM

Thanks RCLARK for the info. It will be a help.

rclark · July 31, 2013, 11:25 AM

FYI, If you find a stainless, you can, with some elbow grease, remove the obnoxious label on the side of the barrel.

kwhi43 · July 31, 2013, 12:56 PM

Can someone tell me what this warning label says or show me. I have never
seen one. I am lookig at a Old Army made in 1979 that says "Read Owners
Manual" Is this what you are talking about?

wap41 · July 31, 2013, 01:29 PM

Yes Phil,on top of the barel "before using gun,read warnings in instruction manual available free from:"is the warning

mykeal · July 31, 2013, 03:35 PM

1976, top of barrel:

1976, left side of barrel:

1998, top of barrel:

kwhi43 · July 31, 2013, 06:51 PM

That's what I wanted to see. Thanks!!

MattShlock · August 3, 2013, 04:01 PM

I have an all wood Bicentennial Mini-14 -- same inscription. They didn't even note that in the auction when I bought it a decade or two ago -- no-one could've cared less apparently though I appreciated it.

July 27, 2013, 01:47 PM	#1
Col. Mosby Member Join Date: February 8, 2011 Location: Edinburg, Va. Posts: 74	Ruger Old Army Question I am pondering buying a ROA. I like the more traditional look of the fixed sights. My problem is I just can't tolerate all that "warning" junk that Ruger puts on the pistol's barrel. My question is, did Ruger come out with the fixed sights prior to the warning? I know someone here will know the answer. Also, for those of you who have shot a fixed sight version, does the pistol shoot to point of aim? Thanks in advance for the help for the help.

July 27, 2013, 10:21 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	I'm under the impression that the original Ruger Old Army had adjustable sights and the fixed sight version didn't come out until much later. Up to 1977 (and someone correct me), the Ruger Old Army didn't not have all the warning marks on the barrel. BTW, the warning marks can easily be removed with a file and then finished with emery paper. It's not illegal to do since the Ruger Old Army is a percussion fired gun. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 30, 2013, 06:28 PM	#5
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,620	I do believe 'all' the fixed sighted Old Army revolvers have the stupid warming label. The fixed sighted revolvers were introduced in 1994 until all types discontinued in 2008. Here is some info I gathered from a Ruger forum: "The only thing the 148- prefix signify's is Ruger's model series for the fixed sight Old Army. They come in 5-1/2" and 7-1/2" in blue and stainless, but all fixed sight guns." There were only ~12,600 fixed sighted revolvers made. The rarest among them is the SS 5 1/2" Old Army. No one knows how many of 'each' of the four combinations were made. Here is the serial# history of the Old Army. http://www.ruger.com/service/product...y/RE-OABP.html All fixed sighted revolvers usually need some 'tweaking' to get them to shoot to POA. I've had to have barrels turned, and front sight filed on mine. __________________ 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.

July 30, 2013, 07:41 PM	#6
Col. Mosby Member Join Date: February 8, 2011 Location: Edinburg, Va. Posts: 74	Thanks Thanks RCLARK for the info. It will be a help.

July 31, 2013, 11:25 AM	#7
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,620	FYI, If you find a stainless, you can, with some elbow grease, remove the obnoxious label on the side of the barrel. __________________ 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.

July 31, 2013, 12:56 PM	#8
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Can someone tell me what this warning label says or show me. I have never seen one. I am lookig at a Old Army made in 1979 that says "Read Owners Manual" Is this what you are talking about?

July 31, 2013, 01:29 PM	#9
wap41 Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 99	Yes Phil,on top of the barel "before using gun,read warnings in instruction manual available free from:"is the warning

July 31, 2013, 03:35 PM	#10
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	1976, top of barrel: 1976, left side of barrel: 1998, top of barrel:

July 31, 2013, 06:51 PM	#11
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	That's what I wanted to see. Thanks!!

August 3, 2013, 04:01 PM	#12
MattShlock Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 251	I have an all wood Bicentennial Mini-14 -- same inscription. They didn't even note that in the auction when I bought it a decade or two ago -- no-one could've cared less apparently though I appreciated it.