Ruger Old Army - The Best Percussion Revolver Ever?

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The Ruger Old Army was introduced in 1972, 100 years after Colt stopped manufacturing the 1860. Is it the best percussion revolver of all time?
Let's discuss.
Errata:
It appears per the comments that Ruger may have made stainless models before 1982. I acquired this information from Ruger themselves, however, so it's a little confusing:
"*Blued Old Army Serial Numbers roll marked with Stainless Old Army Revolvers beginning in 1982."
Oops? Maybe. Dunno. Not that important but here's a correction if so.
www.ruger.com/...

[@InrangeTv]

Errata: It appears per the comments that Ruger may have made stainless models before 1982. I acquired this information from Ruger themselves, however, so it's a little confusing: "*Blued Old Army Serial Numbers roll marked with Stainless Old Army Revolvers beginning in 1982." Oops? Maybe. Dunno. Not *that important* but here's a correction if so. www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/RE-OABP.html

[@yariendedispo671]

I have my stainless "old army" in France in 1977 ...

[@HDSME]

@@InrangeTv I had 2 in late 70tys stain Ess

[@Glasher1]

What about loading with 4F BP?

[@gunman11]

I want you to know how much I appreciate the work you put into these videos. Thank you very much.

[@InrangeTv]

Glad you like them!

[@TheGunner11]

Ruger and perhaps others should do vintage runs of designs like these every 5-10 years.

[@ryanthorne5432]

As a Ruger shareholder, I wholeheartedly agree. I think there is money to be made with short production runs of existing designs, to meet a small, but real, demand.

[@aaronbruns2450]

The only issue is they have to be closeish in price to the originals or no one will buy them. If they can do that, they'd have a hit.

[@tomhenry897]

If not expensive

[@garnerblair5179]

5.5" fixed sights and bisley grip-frame , please

[@matthengel2029]

maybe some day somebody will make a well function lemat revolver for me.... till then ill keep my fingers i guess

[@eddyguizonde401]

karl: describes the absolute best blackpowder pistol ever me: gets a bloody pietta lemat cavalry as my first BP revolver. instructions unclear: problem exists between concept and target (jokes aside, i love that finnicky boat anchor of a gun)

[@MandoWookie]

You get points for sheer style though.

[@Devin_Stromgren]

And I thought I was impractical getting a Walker as my first cap and ball when I was 18.

[@williamflowers9435]

One day we’ll get that LeMat review from Karl… one day…

[@HDSME]

Not even in the same ball park ruger Is light yrs ahead of pietta

[@eddyguizonde401]

@@HDSME that was the joke. The pietta lemat is reviled as one of the worst possible choices for a beginners bp pistol

[@onewhoseeks17]

Just became a patreon supporter. I’m happy to support content like this. Great video!

[@InrangeTv]

Awesome, thank you!

[@csipawpaw7921]

I can't believe it, my brother-in-law, just a few days ago, showed me a stainless 7.5-inch fixed-sight Ruger old Army he found at a pawn shop priced cheaply. He quickly bought it even knowing the rifling was almost warn out. He said he didn't care, he wanted it for his collection, not to be shot.

[@M8Military]

I doubt the rifling was worn. Many thousands of rounds would have to be fired out of that barrel. Highly unlikely. Barrel is/was likely just dirty

[@tomhenry897]

Depends what the old owner did to it

[@christophernemeth421]

This is one of the guns i regret never getting back in the day. The closest i got was Vaquero in 357 and a birdshead in 45 Colt. I wish i still had them

[@Ives1776]

Those two on the right are gorgeous, if they did a cartridge version I'd have to buy one. Those are way too cool.

[@Idogames4]

Good morning Karl! Glad you are covering this it's been on my gun bucket list for a while.

[@stacybrown3714]

I agree with your comments but must correct you on the 1982 date of the stainless release. My first stainless old army was made in the 200th year of American liberty. That said I love these guns and truly enjoyed this video. Thank you for taking the time to make it and share it with us.

[@willbar1961]

I've had a stainless long barrel with target sights for 20 years and a few times attempted to get a 5.5" fixed sight model. They have become so expensive I finally gave up.

[@ANobleRabbit]

"the kind of heft that's really fun in your hand" - Karl

[@Jagdtyger2A]

Ruger made a big misteak when it stopped making the Old Army and they should bring it back. Another thing they should make is a black powder only double action "swing out quick change cylinder"

[@lutherpayne9957]

I have been blessed to have purchased black powder revolvers when they were reasonable and easy to find parts. As a Cavalry Troop reenacting the Us civil War period, I found that the "new" style pistols were frowned on by the reenactment community. So we were fairly limited to what we could lay hands on and made do with what we had. Even though my repro 1860 Colt Armys are made by Pieta, they saw a lot of blank and live firing over the course of 20 years and other than replacing cones and one hammer, I can honestly say I got my money's worth out of them. My goal is to find an original 1860 that was made at the end of the run or the 2nd gen when they were reintroduced I think sometime around the 1960's. Love the Colt for shooting but my Remingtons work better on horse back because of the ability to swap cylinders. I enjoy your easy going style of presentations and look forward to more content like this. Cheers!

[@semperanticusphotography3749]

Really love your info on the BP arms. They aren't the new sexy, but I really enjoy some relaxing time at the range with some slow fire BP weapons.

[@lawrencehudson9939]

I have a pair of fixed sight pistols. Magnificent!

[@timothywilson1493]

I always wanted one of these in 7.5”…

[@fauxvier8519]

The heartbreak in your voice when u have to state that these arent being made anymore...

[@seanwarchol2832]

Another great video! Thanks Karl!!!

[@InrangeTv]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jorgen9723]

No coil springs in Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC) competitions. only leaf is allowed. i wish i could had the coilspring revolver and still use it in competition

[@Mr07191963]

Picked up my blued adjustable sight at a show @ 8years ago for $340, turned down $800 for it last year....not for sale...lol

[@fudj12]

Had no idea. Good video! Thanks.

[@Stickman6O2]

Awesome video and your guns are beautiful!

[@alias1719]

Nice one. Never knew they came with fixed sights.

[@royceabbottsexcavation3709]

I love mine. My grandfather gave me his for a wedding present.

[@almartin4284]

I just purchased an old army with a 5-1/2 " barrel from the original owner. He fired it once. $1000.

[@ngedwin6174]

IMO, these are not guns. They are ARTS...

[@shura0107]

Beautiful revolvers. I kinda want the short 5.5 in one. In regards to comparison to modern cartridges, the math does support it. A .44cal round ball is roughly 128 grains, and pushing that at 1100 fps, then it's comparable to the weight and velocity of a 9mm Luger round (124gr at 1100 fps). The 240gr conical bullet at just under 1000 fps, that put is roughly analogous to .45ACP territory (230gr at 950ish fps). Both loadings are just a smidge more in terms of kinetic energy vs the modern round if we want to do the math, assuming the fps values are correct.

[@jameswilson1407]

It's ashamed Ruger quit making the old army, the used market is crazy with outlandish high prices!

[@JeffHenry-cq3is]

Another should have bought

[@andym82376]

@InrangeTv. Who is doing work on these? Years back, I purchased a used one sight unseen. It was not well cared for. Aside from some pretty significant gouges around the base pin screw, the cylinder does not spin while in half-cock.

[@InrangeTv]

Ruger has a lifetime warranty, I'd contact them.

[@goatguns6910]

So cool

[@phillipriggs3375]

Very convincing but price prohibited. Can you recommend a current production gun? Please ?

[@johnn8223]

This fit seems like "Easy Rider Karl"

[@esbolenlocos]

Great video that is a bada$$ revolver❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@proudtitanicdenier4300]

The old army is good because its modeled on a new army

[@lililililililili8667]

I want a company to make a modern blackpowder revolver from the ground up that is overbuilt enough to handle smokeless powder

[@marioromano6555]

In My Opinion It Resembles An !858 Remington

[@rcairnut]

for me the answer is yes

[@jackbrown3689]

if ever i come to america for a while and cant legally carry as a foreigner this would be my first purchase

[@deerslayer303B]

Yep and Ruger is IGNORANT for discontinuing it!

[@camerongunn7906]

Short answer.....yes. Damn that stainless is sexy.

[@kirksnyder6190]

I want to get a pair of 5.5 inch Ruger Army, either blued or stainless. What I want to know is the revolver capable of firing .45 LC via a cylinder conversion?

[@InrangeTv]

Yes.

[@65stang98]

where the hell do you get caps

[@elliottbutts153]

Interesting, I never knew that Ruger made a percussion revolver. Looks like they are built like the other revolvers in Rugers lineup, way overbuilt. 👍🏻

[@OveToranger]

Looks weird with green grass in the background and not sand/desert...

[@viperscot1]

Was going to say that too nice too see it like that 😊

[@24kachina]

We've had a wet winter here in the Tucson area - very verdant, but mostly weeds!

[@mattmarzula]

You ain't kidding.

[@ANobleRabbit]

Monsoon season maybe? Idk

[@tmack11]

El Nino years means rainy Sonoran Desert. It's gorg5

[@JohnTBlock]

Stopping Old Army production was as stupid a decision as Ruger ever made - aside from no civilian sales of 20 and 30 rnd. Mini-14 magazines.

[@timothywilson1493]

I have 30 rnd mags(ruger made)….early models…:)

[@johngaither9263]

I think Bill Ruger got scared selling the Old Army which was not considered a firearm by the ATF. People were then buying cartridge conversion kits and transforming them into .45 Long Colt pistols without going thru the 4473 purchase process.

[@HDSME]

@@JohnTBlock ruger makes many assault nine mistakes

[@HDSME]

@@johngaither9263 but that's not or was his concern best black powder gun ever made I think it cost him to much to make thats always ruger deciding factor

[@Pyreleaf]

Damn Karl, looks like you finally started downloading Fallout mods.

[@willflint8443]

Turn off the grass to get a few more fps.

[@thecommissaruk]

That 5.5" really is beautiful, its proportions are spot on 👌

[@raven97439]

The grass in the desert this time of year is really pretty.

[@joemangan2577]

Not supposed to be grass here it's all invasive

[@recoilrob324]

I got a Old Army back in 1974 as I was too young to qualify for centerfire handguns and loved that thing! It was accurate enough to hit a softball every time at 50 yds if I did my part and totally agree that they're pretty much impossible to wear out. It was my first Ruger and paved the way for many, many more rifles and pistols over the years. Would be GREAT if they'd bring back a limited run just to fill up the market for future CA shooters, but doing so would also piss a LOT of people off by likely devaluing the remaining guns like Colt did with their snake series guns recently.

[@homie3star]

Who cares about value? It's not an investment, it's a tool. Gatekeeping benefits no one.

[@joshuamorris3951]

When I was in high school, my Dad and I went to the local rifle range to make sure our rifle scopes were still sighted in for deer season, and there was only one other gentleman at the range that morning, and he was sporting a couple of hunting rifles and a Ruger Old Army. He asked very politely as we were unloading our rifles and targets if he could use the 100 yard shooting lane real quick before we got setup to sight in our rifles. My Dad said, “Sure, go right ahead,” or something like that. So, the gentleman sat down, took aim, and began firing. He then went out and got his target, and this guy had shot a 3/4 inch group at 100 yards with the only brace that he used was his elbows on the bench. My Dad and I were very impressed with the Ruger Old Army immediately. Unfortunately, we never bought one, but after that day, I always saw them as The Best black powder revolver ever made . The model that gentleman used was exactly like the revolver you show in this video with the wood grips and adjustable sites. Nicely done video, sir!

[@michaell4187]

He got a better group than most rifles are mechanically capable of at 100 yards with a revolver? Yeah ok

[@HakimFinger1953]

@@michaell4187 Maybe it's more skill than the firearm they're using...

[@michaell4187]

@@HakimFinger1953 you can't shoot better than a gun is mechanically capable of

[@blipjockey3100]

I've had my blued version for over forty years and can definitely agree with you. Brand new it was $75.00 and the stainless was $125.00. I have always regretted not adding the stainless while I had the chance. The only thing I've upgraded, if you can call it that, is that I started using paper cartridges so I don't have to fiddle around so much when I'm out shooting. Plus, they're almost as fun to make as they are to shoot!

[@pauleades9037]

Totally agree re paper cartridges. It definitely speeds up reloading!

[@oteliogarcia1562]

I'm reminded of Paul Harrell's video on black powder revolvers from Feb 5, 2015, and the difference between how he used the his personal Ruger Old Army and the replicas is stark.

[@ElChris816]

I'm really enjoying this line of videos pertaining to SASS and weapons used. The Old Army is a beautiful firearm. Great video Karl.

[@WMDTVIDS]

I love mine. The only drawback ive found is that occasionally, the screw that locks in the loading lever will get turned in handling or transport. If you do not notice and start loading balls....you can bend your base pin, and base pins are unobtanium. I've had this happen, and have read of it being at least semi common. Too bad someone does not make replacement base pins. Some can be bent back, some can't. Good video, these guns rock.

[@chrishynes6091]

Can you use blue loctite?

[@WMDTVIDS]

I suppose you could, yet with recoil its likley a matter of time before it turns again. I'll just have to keep an eye on it.

[@darthmartinez]

I love my Ruger Old Army. It took me awhile to find one since they were discontinued. I ended up finding one at a estate sale for $500 it was a stainless 7.5" from 1994 with the box. I would say if you find one at a reasonable price buy it or put it on layaway because they are totally worth it.

[@rumikub8269]

Karl, I can watch your videos for hours without getting an icky feeling. Not so for most gun bros on the tube. Plus your name reminds me of Kyle Katarn. Glad to have found you years ago 👍

[@toolthoughts]

You'd think they at least might make a few special runs of these from time to time.

[@alandavey6573]

I am new to black powder shooting. I h keep hearing about how well made the Ruger’s are. They are hard to find and I contacted Ruger to see if they are planning on making these revolvers again. They said definitely not. Too bad. Maybe we can get a group of fans write Ruger. Maybe if they get enough people requesting them. They will. Thank you for the video

[@bani1046]

Back around 2000 may be a year or two before or after I bought one for $50 fixed sights 7" blued at a gun show. The guy had shot it once and never cleaned it. took it home cleaned it was in perfect condition and still shoots like new never had any issues with it.

[@Patrick-ih4oe]

Arizona here , Ruger was AFRAID someone MIGHT load it with smokeless powder .

[@getold]

Best blackpowder revolver ever, 1983 not allowed för competion in Germany!

[@WayBro-gu9sg]

My guntism was slightly triggered by this video as Ruger produced stainless ROA’s as early as 1975, they were 4 digit serials until late 1976 when the prefix serials were implemented. Love my brace of Stainless Old Armys, a ‘76 Liberty and an ‘84, super accurate with 35 grain swiss and .457 RB. Thanks for the vid Karl!

[@InrangeTv]

I got that information from here: www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/RE-OABP.html

[@MrMark-hm9lk]

How disappointing. I wish someone would tell Ruger their black powder revolvers and in high demand. Maybe they don't realize how popular black powder shooting is now

[@colindegrow1475]

What a great video! This what has kept me coming back to your channel for years. No nonsense, just great insight and information. 👍

[@JackFelker]

This was a great pistol. The main problem was that they priced themselves out of the market. I shot a couple of them and wanted to buy one but they were to expensive. I bought an 1858 Remington instead.

[@Jason-fm4my]

I always wondered about these. Thanks for the input Karl.

[@jmichaelcarbonniere9549]

Good review, Carl! I don't even remember when I got my Ruger Old Army (it was a long time ago!) but it's one I love! It's fun to shoot and I love tinkering with all the black powder goodies. I've even shot 185 gr. .45 ACP Gold Dots out of mine! I don't remember the velocities but it was decent. The gun fills the hand well and does feel like it will last forever,, which it probably will. Ruger hit this one way put of the park! Cheers, jc

[@heavilyarmedhippie75]

I'm brand new to black powder, what can you tell me about doing the same with an 1858 Remington clone?

[@gyrene_asea4133]

Very well done. Oh, and like all Ruger revolvers this'll double as a useful hammer.

[@brucelee3388]

Old Phart here. When Ruger first came out with the Old Army, there was an option for a brass square back trigger guard. At least one made it to Australia.

[@yllib2012]

One of my favorite Ruger models ever. I have a total of seven in stainless steel, one of which is a custom 50 caliber, 5 shot by Clements Custom Guns. It falls a bit short of 50 caliber as it's made to shoot a .490" round ball meant for 50 caliber muzzle loading rifles.

[@heathsaunders7426]

Would love to see more on this subject please.

[@gregoryschmitz2131]

Ditto, what caps have been found to work best, loads and ball sizes as mine prefers a .454 ball by quite a bit.

[@ArizonaGhostriders]

Love the Rugers. Great video.

[@hekpacobctac616]

Boris the Animal talks about old guns?

[@bombomos]

We need to go back to Revolers looking beautiful

[@RaddestDad]

That 5.5 barrel and fixed irons is the most desirable model. The 7.5 and target sights are not but the prices are through the roof for all of them.

[@onkelmicke9670]

Of course there was a catch.

[@filipsoltys5504]

can you swap out the cylinder on these to use smokeless rounds?

[@gnarshread]

Good point!

[@donnyarmstrong9559]

I recall reading about a company that did just that, they had a complete cylinder that would accept .45LC (I think), but it wasn't easy to play with. If I recall, you had to drop the cylinder each time to reload, and there was something of an adapter to allow the squared hammer firing pin to hit primer correctly.

[@Bowdock]

This guy has a Lot of valuable info superbly delivered on the Old Army. Thank you!

[@danieljones3683]

I have wanted a Ruger Old Army for a long time. I could never justify the cost and they got more expensive after they were discontinued. I still want one and your video reignited the desire to own one.

[@Rob-ExMachina]

These guns are so nice to look at.

[@ericgleixner4074]

Remember the US bicentennial was fast approaching and it was a huge deal nationally. It coincided with the civil war reenactors who had started coming out for the civil war centennial just ten years earlier and became more popular by the year. It was the perfect time to redesign a new black powder gun.

[@robertseafield5810]

There were nipples made for this revolver that took regular primers. A little slow to reload but probably no multiple discharges.

[@dobster5819]

Beautiful Revolvers, I really enjoyed your video many thanks.

[@HDSME]

Had 2 they best

[@RealBelisariusCawl]

I think Colt should make a modern-firing replica of the open-top revolvers with modern metallurgy _et al._ Imagine an 1860 in .44 mag, or an 1851 in .357 mag!

[@tomhenry897]

Believe my uncle had a Remington one Wish I bought one

[@SchwoererBear1]

My first handgun I purchased is a stainless ruger Blackhawk. 357. It is a dream to shoot and is an absolute unit. If I get back into blackpowder I will have to source one of these

[@theeasternfront6436]

I passed on a stainless Blackhawk in 357, with a nice scope on it for $300 several years ago. Man I still kick myself.

[@01AceAlpha]

Very handsome pistols!

[@clintfoster1639]

I used to think who would want one of those not traditional you know. When I realized they were drying up I gritted my teeth and bought one in stainless even. Best purchase I ever made I can't put the thing down I love it ! Don't tell the traditional guys though. Lol

[@roberthahn3710]

I bought my first OLD ARMY in the 1980s at a swap meet. In PARTS the previous owner took it apart and COULD NOT FIGURE HOW TO REASSEMBLE. I got it as a box of parts, took it home and put it back together!! All for $50!!!

[@johngaither9263]

FYI, The Old Army is safe to dry fire because the hammer was designed and manufactured with several thousandths clearance between it and the nipple. The two cannot ever contact one another by design. I have a four-digit serial numbered stainless model with 1976 200TH YEAR OF AMERICAN FREEDOM stamped into the barrel.

[@brandonobaza8610]

10:18 Just bought one in declared unfired condition. 7.5" Stainless fixed sights. Don't know exactly how old it is, but the seller included caps with a receipt from when he bought them in 2004. There are no surface marks of any kind, suggesting it was never even played with. Rifling is immaculate. Original clamshell, paperwork, nipplewrench, and gun lock. $1,900

[@gnarshread]

Old school cool for sure.

[@bobconnor1210]

Once touted as THE most accurate, off the shelf c&b revolver. Probably still true. I shot one for hours, reloading as fast as I could, used up a tin of caps. No cap jams, no lock ups. Plus, they wow people. (DANG, that’s a BIG ol’ hog leg!!)

[@secretsquirrel726]

This gun is mostly based in appearance to the Remington 1858. This was the most popular black powder revolver in Civil War.

[@billshepherd4331]

Looks like a cross between a 1851 Colt and a 1858 Remington. And thank goodness it has the 1851 grip. The 1858 grip sucks!

[@1pjlewis2]

I licked out & gut the last Ruger Old Army. I read they stopped making them. So, I went down to my favorite gun store. gave him 500.00 bucks. I told him I wanted a stainless old army. He chuckled & said they stopped making them. Then he said they might still have the machinery. They might still get me one. Well, a couple of weeks he called my & said he had a gun for me. Although the price was higher. I zoomed down to the shop & picked up the most beast looking old army ever. I walked out the shop a very happy person.

[@gm4l450]

Would be nice if caps were more readily available. What’s up with cci and Remington never producing enough for the c&b community? There is obviously a demand