Rough Shape Old Army.

[flinter54]

I just picked up a Ruger Old Army from a friend of mine for pennies on the dollar. However, this one is in rough shape. Last time he shot it, he either forgot to clean it or didn't realize what would happen so the next time he wanted to go out and shoot..(Almost a year later) it has some serious rust issues. He figured it was ruined and was just going to pitch it, already having and enjoying my Old Army I told him I would give him some money for it. His has the fixed sights, so I figured it would be would be nice to have along with my 7 1/2 with adjustable sights.

With that said, the cylinder had surface rust and minor pitting on the outside of it. Near each cylinder opening was rusted pretty bad, although down in each of the cylinders there was hardly any rust at all and no pitting. The only part of the frame that was in rough shape was the underside of the backstrap. The muzzle was pretty rusty but it was mainly surface rust with hardly any pitting at all. After spending a great deal of time on the barrel it appears there is light to moderate pitting throughout the barrel.

My questions are: Will this be safe to shoot? (I shoot 30gr of Pyrodex P through mine with the 45cal round ball) Secondly, can I expect to hit anything with it? I guess the only way to find out is to go shoot it. I guess my main concern out of the gate is will it be safe to shoot?

Thanks.

[yooper77]

Its so sad to heard guns are neglected like that!

I would set it up in a safe distance on a make shift pistol rest and pull the trigger with a string.

I would use full power loads and see if it survives?

Too bad you have to actual pay money for it though!

yooper77

[flinter54]

Yooper77,

Yeah I hear ya. However I only gave him 25.00. I figured if I could get it shooting and if I could remove all the rust then reblue it, then why not. I love the Old Army that I have and to hear that Ruger has discontinued the model, I jumped at it regardless of its condition. Unfortunately, that experience has somewhat ruined my friends perspective on the black powder sports.

I got to thinking about it, I have a ruger Vaquero in 45LC that I used for SASS. I was putting up some ammo for practicing and I accidentally double charged a case. Undoubtedly when that round went off I knew something was not right. It was one of those pop....pop...BANG instances. Well I examined the cylinder and there was about a 1/4 hairline crack above that particular Cylinder. With that said, black powder operates at a much lower pressure than smokeless powder and with quality of steel being used, it should be safe.....However I think your right. For the first shot it will be done from a safe distance.

By the way where are you up in the U.P My fiance is an Ishpeming girl. Yes I am a Troll from down under the bridge. Charlevoix actually.

Take Care.

[yooper77]

My dad was born in Ishpeming and my mom born in Republic.  I am from Kingsford, everyone 100% yooper.

Well for that price the gun is worth $25.  I picked up a new in box Ruger Old Army with adjustable sights for $260.00.  I always wanted one, but didn't want to pay the high price.  Also just in time, because they are discontinued now.

I hope the gun shoots good for you and stays together.  If it wasn't a Ruger I would toss it away.

I have seen some people put away stainless steel muzzle loaders after using pyrodex thinking they won’t rust but to find they come out ruined from corrosion after storage.

I use T/C #13 for quick field cleaning, but after arriving home I use hot water and soap.  The key is using water so hot that the heat of the barrel dries the metal.  Then I use T/C bore butter for rust prevention.

yooper77