New to me: Ruger Old Army Stainless 7.5" (1976 Production)

THREEDFLYER · Feb 25, 2023

One of my hunting partners used to own one of these many years ago and I always liked the look/feel and accuracy of these guns.....not to mention how strong they are!

So I put out some feelers out and was fortunate to acquire this nearly new condition 1976 production stainless 7.5" model recently.

The shocking part is how much these ROA's have gone up in price....they were produced from 1972 until 2008 and offered in a blue or stainless version and fixed or target sights were options as well as 5.5" or 7.5" barrel lengths....with some much longer lengths including a buntline model.

These take a .457 diameter projectile and most folks use a standard lead round ball, but conical bullets are certainly out there.

This one is so clean I am almost reluctant to shoot it.....almost.....but it will be shot very soon!

I would eventually like to have a blue version with target sights and a 5.5" version with fixed sights.

Venom6 · Feb 25, 2023

Widely considered the finest black-powder revolver ever made. Very strong, very durable. Hammer doesn't actually strike the nipples, so they last much longer. Easy to field strip without tools for loading and cleaning. Large, robust subassemblies. Accurate, powerful, comfortable. I've got an original Ruger/Bianchi holster for mine, which I'm pretty sure used up an entire cow.

THREEDFLYER · Feb 25, 2023

Venom6 said:
Widely considered the finest black-powder revolver ever made. Very strong, very durable. Hammer doesn't actually strike the nipples, so they last much longer. Easy to field strip without tools for loading and cleaning. Large, robust subassemblies. Accurate, powerful, comfortable. I've got an original Ruger/Bianchi holster for mine, which I'm pretty sure used up an entire cow.

Correct on all points sir!!!

The "tank" of modern percussion revolvers without a doubt!

I am picking up one of the Ruger marked Bianchi flap holsters this week from a local guy who just happens to have one that he does not need.....very fortunate to find that holster!!

Erich · Feb 25, 2023

Congratulations on your purchase of a lovely machine. Mine is my most accurate revolver.

CAJUNLAWYER · Feb 25, 2023

How does that conversion cylinder work? Would like to find one in .45 ACP

CAJUNLAWYER · Feb 25, 2023

Venom6 said:
Widely considered the finest black-powder revolver ever made. Very strong, very durable. Hammer doesn't actually strike the nipples, so they last much longer. Easy to field strip without tools for loading and cleaning. Large, robust subassemblies. Accurate, powerful, comfortable. I've got an original Ruger/Bianchi holster for mine, which I'm pretty sure used up an entire cow.

What do you mean doesn't actually strike the nipples? What does the hammer strike?

Ivan the Butcher · Feb 25, 2023

CAJUNLAWYER said:
How does that conversion cylinder work? Would like to find one in .45 ACP

Never heard off one in ACP only in 45 Colt. Sorry.

Ivan

Ivan the Butcher · Feb 25, 2023

CAJUNLAWYER said:
What do you mean doesn't actually strike the nipples? What does the hammer strike?

Rugar Transverse bar type action. Safe to carry loaded with 6.

Ivan

Erich · Feb 25, 2023

CAJUNLAWYER said:
How does that conversion cylinder work? Would like to find one in .45 ACP

I can't recall whether there are any for the ROA in .45 ACP - mine is a .45 Colt (ridiculously accurate) and I often use .45 Cowboy brass to run .45 ACP loads in it (the photos below are of .45 Colt loads with hardcasts). I have a .45 ACP 5-shot cylinder for a Pietta Bros. quasi-1858 and it is a joy (it has extra notches between the chambers to lower the hammer so you carry five, same as in the 6-rounder for the Colt round in the ROA).

Erich · Feb 25, 2023

Only replying because I don't want anyone to get hurt.

Ivan the Butcher said:
Rugar Transverse bar type action.

I believe the quoted statement by friend Ivan is inaccurate: there is no transfer bar on the ROA (it uses the Old Model lock-up). The reason it's said to be safe to carry the percussion cylinder fully loaded is because there are deep notches between the chambers (see photo below) into which one can rest the hammer. (Note this still requires cocking and decocking the gun while loaded, something a lot of people would not encourage and I'm not suggesting anyone do it without giving serious thought to prospective bad consequences.)

Gary, to answer your question, you can find discussion online about the ROA hammer being designed so as not to strike the nipples during dry-firing. I'm not going to state that for a fact, although I've dry-fired my ROA percussion cylinder without damage to the nipples. (I also have a bunch of spares.)

CAJUNLAWYER · Feb 25, 2023

Erich said:
Only replying because I don't want anyone to get hurt.

I believe the quoted statement by friend Ivan is inaccurate: there is no transfer bar on the ROA (it uses the Old Model lock-up). The reason it's said to be safe to carry the percussion cylinder fully loaded is because there are deep notches between the chambers (see photo below) into which one can rest the hammer. (Note this still requires cocking and decocking the gun while loaded, something a lot of people would not encourage and I'm not suggesting anyone do it without giving serious thought to prospective bad consequences.)

Gary, to answer your question, you can find discussion online about the ROA hammer being designed so as not to strike the nipples during dry-firing. I'm not going to state that for a fact, although I've dry-fired my ROA percussion cylinder without damage to the nipples. (I also have a bunch of spares.)

Thanks for answering my question as well as correcting Ivan's observation. My OA specifically says in the manual to NOT dry fire unless there are old caps on the nipples as continually doing so will peen the nipples. The safety notches are nice as they do allow one to carry the revolver fully loaded with the hammer completely down between the cylinders. It IS an old three screw action in every sense of the word

alwslate · Feb 25, 2023

The Ruger quality control is such that it is very likely the hammer strikes the cap and stops just barely short of striking the nipple, or apparently not. Maybe just conjecture on my part

.45 ACP cyls have been made but are scarce. I think they may only be available from the family run business that actually manufacturers the cylinders.

THREEDFLYER · Feb 25, 2023

I was also fortunate enough to come across this Bianchi flap holster that fits well on eBay recently. And I will be picking up one of the Ruger marked Bianchi flap holsters from a friend locally this week sometime.

31FordA · Feb 25, 2023

I inherited a 5.5” Old Army with the .45 Colt cylinder, it’s a great gun to shoot. One of these days I will try it with the black powder cylinder. I never thought about a .45 ACP cylinder for it, but now I’m curious to see if I can find one.

loc n load · Feb 25, 2023

45 acp conversion cylinder

Gary, there is indeed a 45acp conversion cylinder for the ROA.
I sent you a PM for the source.
Eric, I really like the approach with the 45 cowboy brass. I am going to try that approach in my Ruger.
Always learn things on this forum.

THREEDFLYER · Feb 25, 2023

Over on the Ruger forum they are talking about this Kaido pure lead .456 bullet being good in the ROA......the guys there are suggesting to order them WITHOUT lube....anyone tried these??

Click the link below.....it's a safe link to the GunBroker listing....not sure why it's coming up "Just a moment" when I copy/paste the link??

Just a moment...

S&W629 · Feb 26, 2023

ROA

I have pared my ROA collection down to four....my first SS 7.5 bought in 1974...and shot continuously since new....with no need for repair or parts..Picked up a minty used 7.5 blued sometime in the late 70s....I snagged the very first 5.5 blued that came into the Oklahoma market...2002...and shortly after the 5.5 SS...I picked a up a few others when a bargain...and sold them to friends who lusted for a ROA after shooting mine.....have shot round ball the majority of the time....but came across a new in the box....hollow point conical slug....Lee molds labeled for ROA...all the people who shot one of my ROAs...were very very impressed with the accuracy these fine revolvers would produce...

THREEDFLYER · Feb 26, 2023

S&W629 said:
I have pared my ROA collection down to four....my first SS 7.5 bought in 1974...and shot continuously since new....with no need for repair or parts..Picked up a minty used 7.5 blued sometime in the late 70s....I snagged the very first 5.5 blued that came into the Oklahoma market...2002...and shortly after the 5.5 SS...I picked a up a few others when a bargain...and sold them to friends who lusted for a ROA after shooting mine.....have shot round ball the majority of the time....but came across a new in the box....hollow point conical slug....Lee molds labeled for ROA...all the people who shot one of my ROAs...were very very impressed with the accuracy these fine revolvers would produce...

I am also on the hunt for the blue version of the 7.5" ROA with target sights, but of course the 5.5" fixed sight version is also on the list.

S&W629 · Feb 26, 2023

THREEDFLYER said:
I am also on the hunt for the blue version of the 7.5" ROA with target sights, but of course the 5.5" fixed sight version is also on the list.

Even more rare of the bright polished SS 5.5...is a factory...brushed SS 5.5....with adjustable sights....

Luke Duke · Feb 28, 2023

I had one when I was a kid. You could pick them up pretty cheap back then. It was such an accurate revolver. Loved that Lee Mold, 35 gr FFF. FOOLISHLY sold it for way more than I paid for it. We've all been there

New to me: Ruger Old Army Stainless 7.5" (1976 Production)

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