It is historically inspired and a close look-alike to the historic old west revolvers. It does not resemble a Glock or Luger--- it closely resembles the old percussion revolvers of the west. Because of this, it is widely accorded entrance into many venues reserved for the "Exact replicas" of the percussion era.
I bought my first gun with the money I made with my paper route. Plinking is definitely for fun. I'll never forget buying .22 RF LR ammo for fifty cents a box.
I still want a stainless version of this. Could never afford it back then. It is what I think of when I think of black powder pistols. It is just beautiful.
I think the Old Army is a historic firearm in that it is the epitome of percussion revolver development. I had heard that Ruger's goal was to produce the finest C&B revolver ever made.
While not a perfect replica it is a close simulation to the old cap and ball revolvers. Bill Ruger wanted it to be a close copy of the Civil War era revolvers, hence his name "Old Army" I have an extensive collection of Bill Ruger's writings and some historical material. He wanted to be a part of the cowboy revolver re-discovery that was going on in the 1960s. Though of modern origin we have to keep in mind that its inspiration was centered in antique revolvers which it simulates right down to the antique ignition method. In many competitions the ROA is allowed to compete against real and replica antique revolvers. Great Video.
I saw your updated message and was shocked you were hurt from fall and it makes me aware l should be careful about what l think l can do and l did not think you would have trouble shooting on your land. I live in nyc and called a gun store in pa about a shotgun and the man said he would not sell me anything because l live in ny l did not know it was that way
Markets ebb and flow. What is popular now may not be popular in 6 or 7 years. When something is common and ubiquitous, most folk tend to have the 'eh, I'll get one later" attitude.
IMHO, they were discontinued because they were more expensive than the competition, and didn't sell enough to justify their pricetag. Plus, most black powder shooters want "period correct" BP guns, for reenactment, or for the historical aspect of shooting the same gun as the Civil War soldier, the Rev War soldier, or longhunter, and so on. That said, for a pure shooter, if I had had an opportunity to get one earlier, I'd have snatched on up without a second thought! Too many other things kept me from being able to throw down $800-1200 for one.
@@johnmullholand2044 what you say makes a lot of sense. I cut my teeth handloading magnum revolvers and appreciate one that’s built like a tank. But I see what you mean about black powder percussion shooting being more the nostalgia of shooting something just like the old timers used.
My Dad bought me a stainless Old Army back in 1977 because he was afraid that the miss-timed, roughly made Italian copy Baby Dragoon would blow up on me! He made me dispose of the Baby Dragoon before he would give me the Old Army. Thanks, Dad!
I have been into clone guns for many years, and I know that the Italian ones are far superior to the Spanish clones. The only thing from Italy that I wouldn't trust is a "businessman."
"My Dad" said in the same summer! about the same, I had to purchase, from start to finnish my FIRST Gun! so I rode my beach cruiser with my paper rout proceeds to Dick's Black Powder Gun Works and got a boxed kit of a Rem New Army 1858 built it Niter salts Blued and Still Running her! she is a Beeeeut! at 45!
I bought mine for 250 dollars in 1986. I was a young man, and it was my first brand new gun. I loved it then and ever since. Today, with the ammo shortage, my passion has been re-ignited. Unlike the in 80s, I have duelist1954 and a few more experts at my disposal to educate me on the history and proper usage of these fine firearms. I appreciate all of the youtube providers on the subject, but duelist1954 is the best! Thank you for your fine videos, I enjoy them all!
I bought my Super Blackhawk in 1965 for $116.00, new in a local store. I still have it, but I regret trading off my Ruger Bearcat that I bought new for $39.50.
@@bobsradio6025 Somewhere there is someone who owns and enjoys that Bearcat, in all likelihood. So not all is lost. They were built to last several lifetimes imo. I would love it if it was built in .327 Magnum. Imagine that with an ammo belt. Lightweight, compact, plenty of power and reloadable from the power of a .22 short to near .357 Mag in energy. It could be used for plinking, for self defense, and for game ranging in size from squirrels to deer.
I own an Old Model Ruger Super Blackhawk, and it is built like a tank. The cylinder on the S&W DA turns backwards, which is why S&W had to add front locking. The cylinder on the Colt DA used the hand to help hold it in place, but they couldn't make a gun strong enough to handle the .44 Magnum right away. The cylinder on the Ruger is held in place with the cylinder pin, which is locked into both the front and the back of the frame. Good job Bill!
I picked up my first Ruger Old Army in 1974 when it had only been out for 2 years. Of course it was a blue steel, 7.5 inch with adjustable sights model as that was the only way you could get it back then. I was serving in the Navy at that time and loaned the gun to a friend a mine while I was out on deployment. When I returned I discovered that he had shot the heck out of it, never cleaned it and left it outdoors in the weather a few times so my "new" gun was now a rusted piece of scrap steel. I sold the gun to the "friend" who ruined it but it was several years before I could replace it, when I did I remembered my experience with the friend and replaced it with a stainless steel model that was otherwise identical to the first one. I still have that stainless model, still shoot it a few times a year and still love it. Oh, and there is not a spec of rust on it either. IMHO the Ruger Old Army is the absolute pinnacle of cap and ball design and one of the greatest guns that Ruger ever built. Thanks Bill!
While not an exact replica, it is a close inspiration of period percussion revolvers including the 1858 Remingtons. Ruger called it "Old Army" for a reason. The Blackhawk was a revolver inspired by old percussion guns.
Well, ROA is quite a strange animal. Whitney style loading lever, Rogers&Spencer nipple cuts with Remington NMA safety notches on cylinder, 1875 Remington grip attached like on Colts...
The word Replica has various meanings. Some Courts have held that it has broad meaning. One thing is certain, that the Ruger Old Army was named "Old Army" because it was inspired by, if not patterned after, the Old Army percussion revolvers of the post-civil war era. Modern or not, it is accepted as a "cowboy revolver."
Oh, they are out there. Check gunbroker. Lots available but the cost is relatively high. Blues are going for 700-900 and the stainless are running 900-1500. Good luck
Yes, I was not into Rugers when this was in production. I have never seen any CAS shooters use this or any C&B revolvers since I started a couple of years ago.
Currently most firearms have risen soo much in price far beyond my means. And ammo, if you can find it whew, might just run me out of a sport I have enjoyed many decades. No I didnt buy pallets of ammo.
I watched InRange spouting about these receivers, so I had to get one. It just showed up today... and I'm excited to see how she works. I chose the 7.5 stainless model... it's a perdy one. Nice video feller.
Junk is a little too strong . The better steel frame Italian '58s are servicable , and Old Army prices continue to climb with pressure from Ruger Collectors . Once/ if the current frenzy slows , the time might be right for a Distributor Exclusive run of a few thousand Old Army's , if it could be brought in at a Shooter Friendly price point .
I have 5 old army's. Used 2 of them to win a top ten in Frontiersman class in the national chapionship and twice won a top ten buckle in the world championship Frontiersman class. All ss guns. All 7.5 inch. Amazingly accurate guns.
I was lucky enough to find one from 1974 in Italy, with a conversion cylunder as well. I fell in love with Ruger firearms. In my opinion the best guns money can buy.
My first revolver was the Ruger Blackhawk .41 Remington Magnum, and I still have it, along with another one just like it, which is 50+ years old. I hope you find that .357 Blackhawk again. Thank you for this Ruger Old Army update, sir.
I picked my stainless (I had a choice or either) ROA in Feb of 1983, I paid $273.88 from a small black power shop in downtown Glendale AZ, Lock, Stock & Barrel. I was ridiculed for my purchase, I still have it today, and those that once spoke poorly are now singing a different tune. .457 round balls, 30 grains FFF are truly the magic combination. I have gone as much as 40 grains, but have far better success with the 30 grains. At one time, I was able to get all 6 within the 9 ring at 25 yards. The gun is more than capable, and the .457 round balls, which weigh in around 148 grains or so, worked wonderfully on the 3 Javelina that I took back in the day! I will be passing this along to my son, you can talk to him then about purchasing it!
and I notice you are properly costumed for shooting a modern revolver even a cap and ball revolver. Thanks Mike that is interesting I had a ROA and like a dunce let it slip away.
I have wanted a ROA for the last several years. I found a stainless 5in barrel at my lgs and all he wanted was $650. I passed and am still kicking myself.
One Doomed Spacemarine I really wasn't sure what a fair price was for it. The gun market being so nuts right now, I just wasn't sure. I went back and looked at it twice too. Was gonna pull the trigger on it but it sold. It was so nice too. Stainless and in excellent condition. I'm still kickin my own ass.
Shame you missed out on it. I have a pair of 5 inch models and in my hands they just feel “right”. Keep an eye out even for a well used one. I doubt if you could wear it out in 10 life times
That gun in stainless was my dream revolver for years but couldn't find one that either wasn't outrageously expensive or neglected but last week I finally got one for a semi decent price that was unfired made in 1983. Absolutely love it and can't wait to get out and shoot it!
I love the silliness of this channel. 6" diameter AR500 round hanger target? No thank you. Former member of the infamous Circle Gang, old campadre of the nefarious Swingin' Sam? Yes please!
Great video, Thanks! Ive been into cap and ball revolvers since the mid 70s and the Ruger Old Army is the best! My revolver was a gift from my wife, a stainless steel model purchased in the early 80s. Ruger are built to last. They should bring this model back.
I agree with everything you've said about Ruger except the "Swiss watch" part. Nothing Ruger does or ever did, good as they are, doesn't even come close to Swiss. In fact, the only cap and ball revolver I'd call "Swiss watch" is my old Feinwerkbau Rogers & Spencer.
Of the many firearms I regret NOT buying when they were "cheap", the Ruger Old Army Revolver is near the top. I have three friends who have owned the "Classic Model" for years and have taken eatin' sized deer and hogs with them for many years each. As usual an excellent video! Keep 'em comin'!!!
Bought my ROA over ten years ago when I was stationed at Ft. Bragg. Won it on Gunbroker for 200 bucks. Superbly accurate revolver. Had it converted to 50cal for deer hunting when I got back from the war. To this day have not put a ball through it since it was converted in 2012. Hoping I get a chance this deer season. My absolute favorite revolver.
Bought one new in '83. Still shoot it regularly. Added a conversion cylinder recently for 45 Colt. It's a great shooter and will be with me till the end.
Don't forget to put it in your will (or trust.) Living in CA I had to do that, because if I didn't, the state would take my collection and destroy every item in it.
A high school friend bought on of those in 1972. We fired it a lot. It pretty much inspired me to by my Navy Arms .36 Colt. My friend has since passed on and I have no idea what became of his arms collection. His wife was not a fan. I wore the Colt Navy out and kept it for parts for years.
Enjoyed tour video. I have a Ruger old Army in stainless steel. I got new made in the 200 year of American Liberty. I found the Ruger Old Army in 1995 on auction. New in box never sold. Apparently it had fallen down behind a shelf. It was found when the owner was remodeling his shop. SO I bid his asking price and won. When friends fire the Ruger Old Army they say it is a blast to shoot. I also have a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 stainless steel made in the 200 year of American Liberty. That one I bought when in the Air Force in 1976.I would sell all my other guns before I would even think about selling these two. These two I keep until I die.
The reason why there’s 94,000 views on this video is because there needs to be more videos like this. Also, because you make awesome videos.🙌 Hope you’re having a great day👊
I picked up a ROA at a pawn shop in Las Vegas back in about 1982 for $225. It's a stainless 7 1/2" in what appeared to be unfired condition. I still have it and have fired it some over the years. I do agree, it is the Swiss watch of cap and ball revolvers. I have had zero problems with it. A little known fact, you can dry fire the ROA without doing any damage. The hammer is designed to stop just a few thousands of an inch short of the nipples so they are never impacted by the hammer, yet it fires the percussion caps every time. I have no plans to let it get away and it just looks good along side of my other Ruger single action revolvers!
Mike put out a video years ago using a 240 grain Kaito bullet with 40 grains of powder @ 900 fps in an 1860 Colt Army replica. I have the 220 grain Kaito bullets, which will load fine in a Remington without removing the cylinder, and have room for enough powder. Perfect for a Ruger Old Army. You can hunt wild hogs or deer with these!
Got my last one at a local pawn shop for $395-stainless no less. Also picked up a fine little .36 H & A Buggy Rifle for $160.00. The guy said that if something hasn’t moved for 2- months, they put it up for cheap just to get rid of it. 03A3 “bubbaed” for $150, Savage 99 in 250-3000, probably others but can’t think of them now. Will have to go back in just to check again soon. Great video Mike!
Your analysis of this fine weapon is spot on. I own two of these in the same configuration as in your video. I also owned a stainless version which I gave as a gift to my brother. The first blued version I bought from an online auction site for $300! It was in pristine condition showing little evidence of having ever been fired. That was in 2008. The second one I acquired in an unusual way. I had been scouring the internet for sources of spare parts for the gun(though nothing has ever broken on it)and accumulated about 90 percent when it dawned on me that I should build one. The only thing I lacked was a cylinder and most importantly, the frame/receiver. My patience paid off when I found a frame with the barrel installed in unfired condition for $100 ! That left only the cylinder. Prices for new and aftermarket cylinders were approaching the $200+ mark, so I decided to instead purchase a kirst conversion cylinder which at the time was on sale for $265. I initially chose .45 acp as it is available everywhere. I later bought a .45 lc cylinder. The gun went together seamlessly with very little fitting required on my part. In .45 acp it is extremely accurate even out to 25 yds - further in the hand of someone more skillful than me. My total cost of the build was less than $550 ! These are fine weapons which I will never sell and which big brother doesn't know exist - always a plus. Thanks for your fine videos on this weapon -I really appreciate them!
I don't remember ever seeing that low of a price for this revolver. That was the main reason I never got one. In addition, I didn't get into cap and ball until the very end of the production run of the Old Army.
I have the bicentennial stainless steel Ruger Old Army. I have loaded it with .454 lead balls. They don't shave off any lead when I load them but stay down in the cylinder ok since I press them in tight. The gun shoots very accurately.
I have a 7.5-inch blue fixed sight model. I shoot 40 grains of 3F and it hits right where you put the sights at 25 yards. Six o'clock hold will put all of your shots at 6 o'clock. Shoots great!
I have a late 70's Old Army. The history of the percussion revolver did not end in the 1860's. The Old Army is simply the best percussion revolver ever made. Looking forward to a disassembly video.
Stumbled onto an ROA in original cardboard box at a great price out of his estate when a friend passed away unexpectedly. Then found out it wasn't "legal" for Cowboy C&B class competition because of the adjustable sights, & picked up one of the later, updated gutter-sight ROAs for 3x as much as I paid for the old one. Both stainless, however, so that reduces the care & feeding issues. Still haven't fired either one, but retirement & more free time to pursue my interests is only a few more years away... My timing was absurdly fortuitous on both. No, no plans to sell either one, you can stop asking! ;-D
I have both a reproduction Spiller & Burr as well as a New Army and they both have the safety notches, but I did need to thin the hammers on both to get them to fit properly.
Thank you for posting the ROA video. I love both of mine. Kaido’s bullets as well as others shoot very well. Hopefully, I can re barrel one with 12-14 inch barrel.
I too had a 3 screw OM Blackhawk years ago I picked up for under three bills. Parted with it a year or so later, and have been kicking myself in the arse for it every day since then.
Got mine back in the late 80's. Used it as a back up when hunting. Whether I was hunting with my .50 cal muzzle loader or my Winchester 30/30. As for loading it. When using round ball go with 25 grains 3F and a over powder wad, then the round ball, less smoke and fouling and the fire is kept off the bullet so really no leading of the barrel. For conical's, if you can find them, 30 grains 3F, since it is a heavier bullet, and a over powder wad, then the bullet of course. That was my hunting load. And if you are a good enough pistol shot, that load would work if you where just using the revolver. And yes she's a great shooter, and easy to clean.
I can't say I've ever seen a blued ROA in Australia. The importers seem to think we all want SS guns. I bought two 5.5" SS ROAs in 2008 that were made from parts. One has hardly ever worked, locked up when I pulled it out of the box and has been a safe queen ever since. The other one hasn't missed a beat and it has a rather expensive spare cylinder. Another great video thanks.
I have the 7.5 stainless version. I bought it about 10 years ago on Gun Broker for $750 unfired. I thought it was pretty expensive but I shoot a lot and hot loads in my 1851's was wearing them out. I also figured out these like 30 grains with either round ball or wad cutters. I also picked up a Kirst Konverter in.45ACP. That is a tack driver for sure.
Thanks for reminding me that I passed up on one of these back in 2002. I was in a pawn shop looking for a portable bandsaw. The only one they had was beat to hell so I passed on it. I went past the gun counter and they had a 7" ROA in stainless for $325.
I had a Ruger Old Army about 30 years ago. Actually I had a small collection of black powder revolvers and associated equipment. Then the indoor range where I used to shoot banned black powder so I decided to sell all my black powder guns. That was a mistake and I wish I had them all back. I saw an Old Army recently in a gun shop in Easton PA for about $750. That seemed a little pricey so I passed on it. Thanks for all your videos, I really enjoy them.
Just got one of these in stainless at a garage sale for $360. This video is excellent to teach me about it. I, too, thought it took its style from the 1858.
I have heard that the inside diameters on the cylinders are not always the same ,that sometimes the lead ball will kinda just fall in and some will push a lead ring and it seems fps are greatly effected like 50 or 100 fps difference,have you any information on that I’m curious to know if it’s common or only certain years that they are like that ,or is it all hogwash ?
It’s literally a modern reproduction of the Remington Model 1858 revolver, you can see it’s very similar, but has a smooth barrel and bigger iron adjustable sites. Without use of iron for most of the metal parts, and no brass trigger guard.
When I first read “The Gunslinger” by Stephen King, these are the revolvers I imagined Roland carried. I own several C&B revolvers, but don’t have one of these!
I traded a Marlin 30-30 for a ROA Stainless NIB with all the paperwork. The person I traded with is happy and so am I. This ones a keeper and it shoots great. Thanks for the video.
My very first handgun is a Ruger Old Army that I bought in March of 1974 when I was 19 years old and I still have it. I just wish that Ruger would have made the brass Super Blackhawk gripframe as standard on the Old Army.
I have an early old army that I bought new in the early '70's. 7.5" barrel, adjustable sights, and the square back trigger guard grip frame identical to a 44 magnum super Blackhawk, only it's solid brass! I have never seen another one like it.
when i was 15 i would ccw my ruger old army. used it on a snake one time haha. My first shot is shot. then the rest a heavy 40 grains of tripple f then a 300 grain huge ass led conical
I used to have a 3 screw Ruger .357. Sure wish I had it back. It was a great gun. Had the Ruger Old Army too. It was fun to shoot. Wish I had it back too.
I bought a pair of Ruger Old Army fixed sights high polished stainless 7.5" with the R&D conversions cylinders. They look unfired. But, unfortunately, they don't have the original percussion cylinders.
I have the 1973 version, with the brass trigger guard and grip. Shoots straight and have used it competitively in state championships, loading 20 grains for bother the 50 metre comp and the standard and duelling matches. Love the old army.
Mike, I like the music you now use in your videos. Like you I bought my Ruger OA in the mid 90's, with it a New Model Blackhawk in .357. I still have the New Model Blackhawk however I sold the OA. Even so the Ruger OA was very nicely built, the action was very smooth right out of the box and it was an accurate pistol I never really found love for it. When compared to my Italian made replicas of the Remington New Model Army it was much heavier, didn't have the sleek beautiful lines of the replicas. The loading lever mechanism, even so precise and sturdy couldn't match the Beals Patent mechanism of the replicas were I was able to easily take the cylinder out and load the cylinder on the bench with a stand. It needed a .457 ball none of my other C&B revolvers were using. Thanks for the video!
Had a 7 1/2 inch blued Old Army with a brass squared back trigger guard like a Dragoon Colt. Used to belt into my middle finger on the grip quite hard. Only cap and ball revolver with a large enough grip for me, Colts and Remingtons always left my pinky hanging in mid-air. The only other modern cap and ball pistol I can remember was a Thompson Contender single shot pistol. I am in Australia so I may have missed some that never came out here. Great video, nice short Ruger history too. Stay healthy and safe.
I enjoy the hell out of my "made in 200th year of American liberty" Stainless ROA. It's put venison in the freezer, tamed lots of steel and paper. Not to mention caused countless smiles from many friends.
