Old Army SS Project Gun Value

[Rclark]

Guys,

Not being 'up' on used prices, I have a chance to buy a used Old Army SS (Man is not sure what to ask for it, and if I buy, I want to give him a 'fair' price) . The bore appears to be 'good' no pitting that I can see (after a good cleaning and scrubbing). About the only redeeming feature.... However it hasn't been taken care of (like I would anyway) and wonder if it is even worth it as a project gun. Here are some pictures of the areas of concern. One nipple will not come out. Can't get a grip on it with a 3/16 socket as corners were rounded off.... Soaking in WD-40 now. I suspect one can buy non-Ruger nipples for it? (assuming I can get the old one removed?

Anyway, what would you think it would be worth as a project gun? Just curious

 

[Hondo44]

Nothing wrong with that gun, just needs a good scrubbin'. $300 considering all the labor needed.

Take your socket and grind the opening nice and flat so the grooves in it are good and sharp and tight at the opening, then try again after soaking.

 

[GRAMPS 51]

Hi JMO You can buy a well used one for $350 you dont know how bad the threads are for the nipples or the hammer and trigger I would not give $100 for it I see pitting on the frame and bottom of the cylinders It looks like a more work and money than its worth

GRAMPS

 

[contender]

Soak that nipple for several days. Drill out the nipple to allow an "easy out" to get in there. (The biggest one you can w/o going into the threads.) Then turn the rest of the nipple out. Take a proper tap to the threads of the nipple holes too.
As for my thoughts,, I'd offer $200 in that condition.

 

[tacotime]

I ended up with one in virtually the same condition, except bore had bad pitting at the crown. Surprisingly, shoots pretty well considering missing parts of three lands at the muzzle.

Took hours of cleaning and removal on the inside. Someone already buffed out the pitting on the exterior.

Try a Dremel with the little steel wire brush, worked superbly and reached almost everywhere. You can spin a regular copper cleaning brush in a drill bit into the nipple holes and cylinders. Scotch brite around an old copper brush bit can clean the rust from inside the cylinders.

You could get a gun in better shape and save the work, unless you want the project. However, I did not have to replace any parts. I think you will find some screws ruined and maybe break on that one. That could make this a real headache.

 

[Rclark]

I think you will find some screws ruined and maybe break on that one.

Thanks. I hope not.... That is why I didn't remove the three side screws ... Almost afraid too (although the frame screws looked good). The action isn't 'stiff' (actually not to bad), and it locks up okay. I think it just needs a bit (a lot) of TLC.... Really other than the frozen nipple, I wouldn't mind picking this up. The guy did say I could shoot it and see what I thought..... I might just take him up on that to get a feel for 'accuracy'. If it isn't accurate .... no reason to buy at any price other than free . I wonder how the base pin release screw got buggered up.... as it turns easy with a light touch (turn it with my fingernail)....

 

[Rclark]

Went out and just shot around 40 balls with it today. Seems to shoot fine. 12 shots, and most all touching at 10Y (it better) off hand. A bit high as usual.... Groups are almost non-existent at 25Y due to (I think) the heavy trigger pull. Probably about a 4-5" group.... Tending to push them 'right' too. The throats on this gun do need a .457 ball. Barely shaved a ring of lead off the .457 ball when seating. A .454 would probably drop right in those holes. My blued revolver takes a nice ring off the ball....

Back at work now. I'll clean it up when I get off work here in a couple of hours.... See what we got in the barrel for leading....

Thanks again for feedback on range of possible 'worth' of gun.

 

[Rclark]

FYI, here is a couple pictures of the barrel 'mouth'. Not as good as I thought. After cleaning and scrubbing again I saw this... How I missed it the first time ... Some pitts.... Probably I'd downgrade the bore from 'good' to 'fair' now.... If it was me! Oh, as for leading, there 'might' have been a bit at the muzzle area but the rest looked good after a swipe with the cleaning cloth.

Think polishing the bore with some paste might help? (Won't try this until the gun is mine of course).

Of, the three side screws came right out as they should. The internal parts all look good... just will need a good polishing to clean up the rust areas (not going to bother unless it comes into my possession) . Cleaned 'em up as best as I could and oiled it up, then back together again.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

What may occur if this was sent back to Ruger Service? :?:

 

[Muley Gil]

Just goes to show that "stainless" really isn't.

 

[rugnelli]

Hmm, I like it. Perfect for when I am sitting in my chair so I could play with it as I read or watched TV or whatever...

 

[Uncle Howie]

I agree, I think that revolver is very salvageable. Stainless cleans up nicely, and it can be "refinished" with a Scotchbrite pad.

I'd be all over that project for $200, maybe even at $250. That would be counting my time as "free."

I'm not sure what the "right" price is, but I can tell you that I've not seen any $350 Old Armies in my neighborhood since they were discontinued, quite a few years ago. No disrespect to Gramps 51, but we must just live in different "markets." Interesting how different guns bring different prices in different areas...

A couple of years ago, I bought a Pietta 1851 Navy clone for cheap. It had buggered screws, and was rusted so badly that the hammer wouldn't cock (cylinder was seized). Lots of penetrating oil later, I had it completely apart, except for several seized nipples. Eventually, they all came out except one. Soaking it in Kroil did the trick, along with a little hammer work. I placed the cylinder face-down on a board, and put a center punch right in the flash hole of the nipple. Several whacks destroyed the nipple (no surprise), but got it loose (slight surprise 8)).

I cleaned up the revolver, replaced the nipples, and it looks darned nice for a $50 shooter. The only thing it "needs" is some new, un-buggered screws. I'm waiting on that , because I'm thinking about trying my hand at "antiquing" it. The buggered screw heads might fit that "look" just right.

You have plenty of warts on that revolver for bargaining chips. If you can get it for $200, I'd definitely do it. Above that... you've got to decide if you want to spend your time tinkering, or shooting!

 

[Rclark]

I offered $200 for it ... see if he accepts. Well, actually $260 all together for the balls, powder measure, capper that he had with it.

you've got to decide if you want to spend your time tinkering,

No problem there.... I already have another ROA (and other revolvers) that I can shoot in the meantime .