Ruger Old Army question

Q

qcable

Inactive
I very recently bought a used Ruger Old Army revolver and want to completely disassemble it for a thorough cleaning. My question is... how do you remove the base pin retaining pin, the one that must be turned to remove the loading lever ?:confused:
 
I love my ROA's they are great shooters. Welcome to the club. You can also download the manual from the Ruger website.
 
I was curious so I looked at the manual. It just says "remove the base pin retaining pin". Doesn't say how to.

EDIT: found it. Page 22.
"2. Push base pin retaining pin through from the left side"
 
On one side you use a slotted screw driver and at the same time on the other side you need a slotted screw driver with a relief in the center to clear the screw that enters from the other side.
 
Put the hammer at half cock, so the cylinder rotates freely. On the right side ahead of the cylinder, there is a big slotted screw head. With a screw driver, turn it about 90 degrees counter clockwise you'll hit a 'stop'. It should move easily. Then you can pull the the lever and base pin assembly out ((the screw head pin doesn't come out, it just turns one way or the other)). Before I remove the base pin, I rotate the cylinder so as you move the loading lever down it pushes against the cylinder, which helps to pull the base-pin a bit more easily if really dirty. Quite simple. Reverse steps to replace. Should try this before you shoot, so you know how it all works. Oh, yeah, hold on to the cylinder as once the base pin is free the cylinder will fall out the side.

{rereading} Oh, you want to remove the retaining pin. Don't think in all my years I've ever removed that from any of my ROAs. Check you manual as stated above....
 
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I think rep1954 is thinking of the regular SAA and its many clones; the Old Army isn't made that way.

When all else fails, read the instructions:

"2. Push base pin retaining pin through from the left side."

Jim

(P.S. Model12Winchester's suggestion is not a bad one, but make sure to remove the wood grips first. And don't use that method on other than a stainless steel gun.)

JK
 
I bought a ROA in stainless back when I was 17 years old.
Traded it many years later for a Turkey specific shotgun.
Replaced it about nine years ago and am glad to have it back home so to speak.
When doing a thorough cleaning, I remove the grips and cylinder, cock the hammer, and run it through the dishwasher.
I've done that probably one hundred time between the two revolvers without any ill effect.
Just remove it while it's hot and wipe it down completely, twisting the towel through the chambers and barrel.
It doesn't get any easier than that.
Just be sure to put your base pin and lever in the silverware tray or otherwise secure them.

I believe you Model12Win!
 
One word of caution. Be sure that the screw that retains the base pin is rotated fully into locked position before operating the loading lever. If you don't, the pin can come out and if you push on the lever while the pin is out, you'll bend the pin. Ask me how I know.
 
Thanks for all the information. I really like the way my ROA shoots. In fact, I like it so much that I just bought another one, a stainless one.

Thanks again all of the replys.
 
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