So why do you folks like the SS ROA

indy1919

New member
I have seen a couple of SS ROA over the years, Where as I like them I have no desire to get one, For me they do not look as original as say Ubertis do.. So I tenderly toss myself out there and ask why all the love for them.. From the extra cost they command and the love I read for them they are obviously highly desired. What am I missing here????
 
As I see it

They are just fine shooting tools.

I have owned three and still own two and they are just an uncompromisingly excellent shooting system.

The only quarrel I have with them is the loading lever design. It would have been so easy to design a loading lever that does not take three hands to operate when you are disassembling the pistol. It is a mystery why they left it as it is.
 
Well said Doc!

There is a reason most of the competition BP shooters choose this pistol. I recently bought a SS ROA unfired from an estate sale. It truly is one of the best BP pistols I've ever owned.

I agree w/Doc in that the loading lever assembly could be better. However... Ruger set out to make the best BP pistol ever and in my opinion, they did. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy all my others... (Walker, 1858, etc.) they each have their own pro's/con's and I like them all. The ROA in my opinion, is at the top of the heap.

The only thing "original" about them is they are no replica of anything. Simply a Ruger original. If you want to get serious about competition shooting, the ROA is the one to have.

B
 
Tough, extremely smooth action, great accuracy and overall a beautiful gun. I agree with everything said concerning the loading lever but I think it's a very small price to pay to own the most dependable black powder revolver ever built. I love the historically accurate reproductions as well, but you really can't go wrong with this gun. Keep in mind that whatever you would spend on it today is only going to increase in time due to being discontinued. If nothing more, it's a very solid investment.
 
My S.S. fixed sight 5-1/2 incher positively *GLOWS* !
When I learned about them, it was the only BP gun that interested me.
In the little less than a year that it took to find the one I've got I also bought a blue fixed sight long barrel ( both of my Rugers were unfired ! ) to accompany each other.
Then Its been off to the races! A barely fired Uberti Richard Mason .38 and my Dad's '70s vintage '51 CVA/ASM brasser has led me to the need to build suitable display cabinetry for an almost baker's dozen of the most interesting of the current Pietta reproductions.
And it all started with that original yearning for that subby stainless Ruger charcoal burner.
There's not an authentic 19th century wheelgun in the bunch, but that's OK by me, once I get around to "popping the cherry" on each one I won't have any qualms about shooting any one (or all) of them on a regular basis.
Try to say that about an honest-to-goodness Colts or Remmie .
 
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indy1919 said:
I have seen a couple of SS ROA over the years, Where as I like them I have no desire to get one, For me they do not look as original as say Ubertis do.. So I tenderly toss myself out there and ask why all the love for them.. From the extra cost they command and the love I read for them they are obviously highly desired. What am I missing here????

For me, it's about two things:

1) They are the strongest BP revolver available.

2) BP cleaning issues are mostly resolved - I remove the grips, separate the cylinder & loading lever from the frame, and pop all the stainless ROA parts into the kitchen diswashing machine for a thorough hot water/soapy bath, making sure to remove it before the machine's long drying cycle. (The metal will be warm enough to air dry quickly).



.
 
Thanks all for the thoughtful reviews and comments.. I do not know if I will be in the market for one anytime soon..... But I am eager to give one a test fire or two.. And PetahW dishwashing clean up ... well lets say I would not mind poping some popcorn and seeing that little show.. It sounds to neat for words...
 
Why do they have to look like something that came before? An 1858 Remington doesn't look like an 1851 Colt, not even the same caliber, but people didn't turn their nose up at them because of it.

I've got reproduction Walkers, 1851's, 1860's, 1861's, etc., but I've got a fair supply of ROA's too, and love to shoot them.

RugerOldArmies.jpg


Since this picture was taken, I've acquired two more blued, 7 1/2", fixed sight models. :)
 
Ruger has claimed the steel in the ROA is the same as on their centerfire pistols. A lot more confidence when shooting conversions. If I was going to get a BP revolver the ROA is probably what I would buy.
 
Why do they have to look like something that came before? An 1858 Remington doesn't look like an 1851 Colt, not even the same caliber, but people didn't turn their nose up at them because of it.

For me they just do. I turn my nose up at brass frames too except for the ones that actually represent something used by the Confederacy including anything in the wrong caliber.


Ruger has claimed the steel in the ROA is the same as on their centerfire pistols.

It is, they're all cast. Not that cast is bad, Rugers prove that.
 
I thought the question was...

So why do you folks like the SS ROA?

(I happen to LOVE them). Didn't realize it also would include rude comments from those who don't like them, never owned one, or ever would. :confused:

Wow...
 
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