Catweazle Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 After a bit of research I'm almost set on buying a Ruger Old Army revolver. Before I write the cheque, is there any reason I would be better off with a different model ? If this is the right choice for a quality BP revolver, and you have some experience of it, what load would you recommend for 25yd target use ? Cheers, Cat "in a cloud of smoke" Weazle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 (edited) I bought one after shooting Smith and Wesson revolvers in fullbore. The Ruger BP version was to me not very good, if you're lucky you might get all chambers to go off, mine was not an accurate pistol at all. I tried many different loads and eventually got rid of it. I bought a replica duelling single shot Charles Moore in it's place and that was one very accurate muzzle loader If you buy a Ruger the stainless steel version can be cleaned in the dishwasher, makes life much easier. Edited January 9, 2013 by BlaserF3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I was talking to a guy at the range the other day who was shooting one. He loved his, he said one thing he had been warned about when shopping for BP guns was wear in the knock in wedge that locks the barrel, cylinder and frame together on the Colts, which isnt a problem with the Ruger, different system completely. The stainless Ruger seems to have a really good reputation, but is a big old bit of kit, not for those with small hands or weak wrists! His gun was excellent though, very heavy, but really well balanced, with a VERY satisfying bang and cloud of smoke, big grin factor! Good luck and post some pics if you get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I have a brass powder flask for a pistol-its been used for a .36 cal but you simply change the nozzle I believe (Krank sells them for about a fiver)-its yours if you want it-just pm me your address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted January 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 I have a brass powder flask for a pistol-its been used for a .36 cal but you simply change the nozzle I believe (Krank sells them for about a fiver)-its yours if you want it-just pm me your address. That's very kind Bruno, I'll do that if you'll let me at least pay the postage. PM on the way. I bought one after shooting Smith and Wesson revolvers in fullbore. The Ruger BP version was to me not very good, if you're lucky you might get all chambers to go off, mine was not an accurate pistol at all. I tried many different loads and eventually got rid of it. I bought a replica duelling single shot Charles Moore in it's place and that was one very accurate muzzle loader If you buy a Ruger the stainless steel version can be cleaned in the dishwasher, makes life much easier. That's worrying. Did you find out what was causing the problems ? It might help me avoid a lemon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RED BEARD Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 they're suppose to be very good pistols,i shoot a remington new model army rep,its a nice gun but the grip is to small for my hand,it needs to be chunkyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 After a bit of research I'm almost set on buying a Ruger Old Army revolver. Before I write the cheque, is there any reason I would be better off with a different model ? If this is the right choice for a quality BP revolver, and you have some experience of it, what load would you recommend for 25yd target use ? Cheers, Cat "in a cloud of smoke" Weazle. The Ruger OA is a good choice for a BP revolver if you just want to enjoy shooting it. The Colt and the Remington BP revolvers are fairly faithful reproductions of the originals, but of course the Ruger only pays lip service to being a "cowboy gun", In the style of, you might say. The good points are, it's stainless, which is a big bonus as cleaning a blued BP revolver after a days shooting is not a 10 minute job, every spec of residue must be cleaned out or it will be a heap of rust next time you use it. It has adjustable sights and although there are also Remington copys with adjustable sights, the standard Remington and Colts were just a crude filed notch. If you get into competition shooting you can't enter the standard BP revolver match without fixed sights. The guts are modern. ie it has all coil springs rather than leaf springs and it locks up as well as a modern revolver. As long as attention is paid to a regular loading routine and quality balls of the right size are used these pistols are very accurate, just as accurate as a modern revolver but as with all pistol shooting it does take a LOT of practice. There are other good quality BP revolvers about, for example the stainless Rogers and Spencer etc. They are all good fun but personally I much prefer the Remington rather than the Colt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlaserF3 Posted January 9, 2013 Report Share Posted January 9, 2013 (edited) Revolvers have chambers and the transition of the ball to the bore may not be the same on every chamber, due to manufacturing issues. It's also difficult to load every chamber with exactly the same load. Mine used to "spit" badly, that means shave lead off the ball when it jumped the gap from the chamber to the barrel. Rugers were held in low esteem compared to S&W revolvers. I would try a few different makes before you decide which one to buy. I found this http://www.nrvoutdoors.com/COLTREM/COLT%20OR%20REMINGTON.htm at the bottom of the page the author strongly recommends the RUGER. Edited January 9, 2013 by BlaserF3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver_fox Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Check that spares are avalable for it. I think they stopped making them a while ago. I have a Euroarms Remington .44 and no chance of getting spares for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted January 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 Check that spares are avalable for it. I think they stopped making them a while ago. I have a Euroarms Remington .44 and no chance of getting spares for that. I checked, parts are available from Ruger and from third parties. Uncle Mikes nipples are recommended ( I never thought I'd write that ). In any case I could make any part I needed, and it uses modern coil springs which are more reliable than the traditional flat type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 10, 2013 Report Share Posted January 10, 2013 The Ruger old army is the *best* BP revolver available.Nothing comes close to its quality and anyone who says different is talking out of their bottom. and for the record i dont own one,but appreciate they are infinetly better than my Uberti (Remmington copy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted January 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 I have a brass powder flask for a pistol-its been used for a .36 cal but you simply change the nozzle I believe (Krank sells them for about a fiver)-its yours if you want it-just pm me your address. What a Gent Flask and spare nipples arrived in the post today, and he won't take a penny for the postage. I hope I can return the favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST3V3 Posted January 12, 2013 Report Share Posted January 12, 2013 I have a euroarms stainless .44 remington with target sights not tried a ruger but like others have said the grips on the remington copies are a little on the small side but still fun silver fox kranks sell all the spares you need http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=208_211_213&sort=20a&page=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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