Hello to my fellow Black Powder enthusiasts!

[PapaRoach]

I have a few BP pistols and rifles. I recently picked up a Ruger Old Army. She is stainless steel but according to many forums I have read, it should not exist. You see,, it was made in 1973. And supposedly those were only in blued steel. There were 1200 with brass on the trigger guard and frame. But here I have one in stainless with brass trigger guard and frame. Any thoughts on the subject are welcome. Yes, I have contacted Ruger and I am awaiting their reply. Thanks in advance.

 

[Flintleather]

Hope it shoots as good as it looks!

 

[Robert Losekamp]

Welcome!

 

[PapaRoach]

Welcome!

Thanks!

 

[PapaRoach]

Hope it shoots as good as it looks!

It will need some work first. And apparently it is supposed to be blued. Someone polished it and added colors. Whats your opinion, re-blue or polish it more?

 

[Flintleather]

The texture on the metal looks like they may have bead blasted it?

 

[Flintleather]

I would leave as is and shoot it, leave the blue or polish for later.

 

[Smokerr]

Agreed with Flintleather though I would consider just leaving it as is regardless. Makes for an interesting gun.

My brother had a barrel for a rifle that was in the White. He never had any issues with it (target use only)

Good blue job is not easy. The only ones I ever saw that impressed me was S&W you could send a gun back to and they did a magnificent job.

The only thing I do not like about the ROA is its rammer system. Its annoying to removed a cylinder and in my case, the rammer went flying at the range when I was try9ing to get it out of the gun for a cease fire and we never found it again (lot of snow at the time). I was back last week when it had all metered off in the immediate area and nary a sign of it. Good news is you can get a replacement. Bad news is it was $40.

 

[PapaRoach]

I am really considering leaving it as is. I need to find someone that can either fix the broken trigger guard or get a replacement frame. If I leave it as is, I will need a stainless.

 

[Stevan]

Nice piece! On another subject, Forum Announcements and Help has a thread by Lslite concerning 'scammers warning'. Members can learn how to spot them and what to do about them. Hi from Michigan. Steve

 

[Stumpkiller]

Welcome from New York State's Central-Leatherstocking region.

I had a stainless Ruger Old Army and it did in fact shoot as good as it looks. So good, in fact, that a friend without a NYS Pistol Permit begged me to sell it to him . . . so I did.

Don't know anything about the brass backstop and trigger-guard.

 

[oldwood]

Welcome from Pa..

 

[PapaRoach]

Welcome from New York State's Central-Leatherstocking region.

I had a stainless Ruger Old Army and it did in fact shoot as good as it looks. So good, in fact, that a friend without a NYS Pistol Permit begged me to sell it to him . . . so I did.

Don't know anything about the brass backstop and trigger-guard.

Turns out its not brass. I took it to a gun shop, and we tested the color to see if it was old plating and discovered it is some type of coating. So, long story short, it was originally blued, someone polished the blue off and coated the grip frame. Still very well worth what I paid for it. I've read that due to the fact it is built on a Ruger Blackhawk frame you can put larger grip frame on it from a Super Black hawk. I would love to hear anyone's experience with this or get some more insight.

 

[Stevan]

Blackhawk. Cool. Ruger made it in .30 carbine. I had one but sold. For shame. Thanks, Steve

 

[dracer]

welcome to the forum

 

[LSLibelo]

Welcome from California.

Shoot her before you Blue and watch her darken with patina. It may take some time but she should age nicely.

 

[BackDraft]

Welcome from South-Central Indiana

 

[Stumpkiller]

Welcome from New York State's Central-Leatherstocking region.

 

[new2bp]

Blackhawk. Cool. Ruger made it in .30 carbine. I had one but sold. For shame. Thanks, Steve

Your ears probably appreciate it though.

Welcome OP to the forums! Any collector value is gone so do what makes you happy. Personally I would hust shoot it as is and enjoy.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Welcome from New England.