Ruger Old Army Help

[Hauss]

I've been in contact with a local fellow who has an Old Army for sale. It has been shot a little but comes with the red and white box and all paperwork. It's a stainless steel model with the 7.5" barrel. He's asking $450. I'm pretty sure the price is good. I'm just not sure if I want to get into a black powder revolver is all. He's also offering to trade for my Super Blackhawk. It's a new model with a couple of small touch up spots. I'm only into the super for $400. I can swing the $450, but just not sure I can get my money back out of it, if it's something I don't like. Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Hauss

 

[roashooter]

Avoid the ROA....by all means......may be too much fun for the uninformed
but I have been shooting ROAs since 1976.....and I only have four of them now......so you may still escape...........

 

[MMichaelAK]

$450 isnt bad but its all about condition if the extras are there.
Id offer him $400 and see what he says.
You'll definitely realize $400 if you don't like it but then, we will all know you're crazy cause the ROA is an INCREDIBLE gun.
I bought one. Then it needed a partner. Then came the conversion cylinders, Ajax faux bone grips...

I think I want another...

 

[contender]

I happen to love the ROA. There are variations that are worth a lot more than the $450.
I'd buy it outright, and keep my Super. As noted, offer $400 & see what happens. You can always go up, but once you speak, you can never go down!

 

[UmpquaCharlie]

I think I have four and I don't even like black powder....but I really like Rugers especially the old Army. Buy it and keep your Super. Be prepared to buy a 45 Colt cylinder (250.00 plus or minus) and shoot low velocity loads...truly fun.

 

[rugerlovah]

mine is a hoot to shoot, and they are in another league quality-wise compared to the italian replicas. I still find cleaning it to be an "event," but then everybody has their own method for getting it done. Just be prepared for a little more maintenance than a cartridge revolver. IMO, you really have to be disciplined enough to clean it the same day that you shoot it, otherwise you can lose your investment in the gun due to corrosion.

its tough to beat the fun of blasting away with goex 3F and lead balls.

 

[NorEaster]

If it's a fixed sighted ROA, I'd be on it in a heartbeat; but keep your Super!
I really like the FS models.
Yup, shooting them is more of a labor of love than tossin 5 bullets in a cartridge revolver and just pulling the trigger .... oooooh but the smoke and the boom though it gets infectous...

There is a reason why they were one of the late Mr. Ruger's favorites

 

[Lefty SRH]

someday I'll own an ROA!

 

[Kanook]

Mine got wet and this happened

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[B.L. Hall]

i had a 7.5" a while back and sold it... have wanted a 5.5" for a long time now... well I just made a deal for a "like new" blued 5.5" for $450.... great guns! in a bit, I'll be looking for a conversion cylinder too!

 

[NorEaster]

BL
Congrats on your new addition!
Be sure to post pics when you get it!

 

[jor-el]

Well, if you don't want it, I'm sure someone here would like to give it a good home. Perhaps you could refer him to us.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Sounds like a fair price. Go to gun broker and see what they sell for. Remember you don't need to use a FFL

Here are mine. A few mods done to them.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim,

Very nice! First I've ever seen with fluted cylinders. The SBH style hammers would be my choice as well! besides the custom grips, did I miss any mods?

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Jim,

Very nice! First I've ever seen with fluted cylinders. The SBH style hammers would be my choice as well! besides the custom grips, did I miss any mods?

You got most of them All the writing has been taken off of the barrel and cylinder. They also have the Blackpowder bevel on the cylinders.
They started out as Blue 71/2" ROAs. I bought them already Nickel Plated about 5 years ago. Just wanted shorter barrels and a lighter weight forward gun. The 71/2"ROA is probably the worst blanced Ruger made. Don't get me wrong it is the best C&B Gun built.
Jim

 

[Hondo44]

Oh yeah the cylinder bevels and nickel, EXCELLENT!! They did look awful shiny even for polished stainless.