ROA 5 1/2 adjustable sights

hunter58 · Mar 20, 2013

Over on this forum toward the bottom of the page, a gentleman has found a ROA 5.5 with adjustable sights. Claims the build date in 2008. Could this have been from cleanup gun parts? How many more may exist?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=538088&page=52

chet15 · Mar 23, 2013

That is the first blue one I've seen! I also know of a stainless KBP-5, Ruger model 1409), serial number 145-90688 which would have had a production date of two years before the fixed sight 5-1/2" guns even came out! That is, if 145-90688 was made then.
The BP5 in the thread is Ruger model 1410, serial number 145-95350 and it would appear to be one of the cleanup guns as it has red laminate grips with silver medallions that have a black background.
Rare guns indeed! Now if we can only figure out why Ruger made these, or maybe a distributor did a small run in blue and stainless? The wide gap in serial numbering has me a bit perplexed, and it would have been no small matter to have a wax injection die special made for the shorter than normal loading lever.
Looks like the Warning address is also on the left side of the barrel.
Chet15

mattusmc45 · Mar 23, 2013

I would love to find one of those!!

Dienekes · Mar 25, 2013

Custodian of 145-90688 checking in. My Ruger letter of 1/15/08 claims shipment in June 2001 as a KBP-5' "special production model".

The included manual has a 2002 revision date. The Ruger website listed the number as a 1998 production gun. The blued one suggests to me that these were samples made up to explore the possibilities of producing this model.

The plot thickens.

chet15 · Mar 25, 2013

Dienekes said:
Custodian of 145-90688 checking in. My Ruger letter of 1/15/08 claims shipment in June 2001 as a KBP-5' "special production model".

The included manual has a 2002 revision date. The Ruger website listed the number as a 1998 production gun. The blued one suggests to me that these were samples made up to explore the possibilities of producing this model.

The plot thickens.

Yeah, I agree with you on special production. I don't remember, does your gun have any round dated inventory stickers on the end of the box?
Chet15

Dienekes · Mar 26, 2013

There is a rectangular orange label on the end, pasted over a similar yellow label (which I cannot read) There is a round yellow label sandwiched between them which I can partially make out. It has what appears to be an inventory date of 4/06.

The orange label lists serial #, catalog number KBP-5, and caliber. Model number is listed as 01409, stainless.

Maybe we need a Lipsey's special run on these as they are nice guns anyway.