Ruger Old Army Modifications - Revisited

[Old No7]

Reposting info I had first posted online way back in 2007 -- 15 years ago -- as the images fell off the original posting, and some updates were added to make it current. Enjoy!

Hello all:

I previously posted these Ruger Old Army Modifications on another forum where they were well received. Sorry this post is so long (putting all 5 Mod’s on 1 post), but I figured that some members here would like to see them too. Let’s start off with:

Mod #1, Target Front Sight
I hand cut and filed one each of these for my Dad's and my Old Army's years ago, as the undercut partridge-style sights are much better (for us) for target shooting. Plus, we don't plan to be doing any "fast draw" with the ROA’s anyhow!

Old Army front sight.jpg

Mod #2, Target Rear Sight
Because every decent front sight deserves a decent rear, my Dad and I added Millet rear sights to our Old Army's. Some might question what this sight offers versus the stock Ruger model, and the basic answer is the WIDE and FLAT rear blade, which is the entire back of the sight. To us, this sight blade is more consistent in all lighting conditions; whereas the stock Ruger blade is inset into the sight body and you can sometimes pick up some glare off the sight itself.

Old Army rear sight.jpg

One note...
While we bought Millet sights intended for the Ruger Blackhawk series, if I remember right, we had to do some minor and careful filing* to fit these correctly. (* As my [now departed, RIP] Dad would say, “Go slow and check the fit often, as the metal-take-off tools works MUCH better than the put-back-on tools!”)


Mod #3, Smooth Trigger
This modification is entirely personal; some may want it, others may not. My Dad kept his ROA trigger stock, but I didn't like the feel of the grooves on the trigger, especially with heavy loads, so I filed them out. I know I'll never have to shoot my ROA "double action", but I do like the way the smooth trigger face feels.

Old Army smooth trigger.jpg

Mod #4, Trigger Work
First, a necessary disclaimer: You are on your own and assume any and all liability for messing up your ROA (or anything else!) if you work on your trigger without knowledge and/or guidance. The writer assumes no responsibility for anything you do.

Whew, with that out of the way...

I'll admit I got some expert help on these trigger mod's, but it well worth it and greatly improved the trigger feel and pull on my ROA. The small red rectangle imposed on the pix below represents a "trigger stop", which is a small piece of aluminum inserted in the rear of the trigger pin (forget the exact name of that Ruger part). This piece is fit by trial & error, and was recommended by a friend who shoots ROA's in the NMLRA Territorial Matches. He walked me through the process, and with his help and a good set of gunsmith screwdrivers -- and a whole bunch of disassembly & assembly steps! -- the trigger stops dead just after she releases (used to be another 1/8" of travel or more!).

The dashed red circle indicates careful polishing work to the trigger's internals... I won't say any more, other than it was “polishing only” (not “metal removal”) and the trigger now releases clean at 2.75#, using the stock springs. These two trigger mod's are the best changes I've made to my ROA and are most responsible for the great shooting she can do -- when I do my part, that is.

Old Army trigger work.jpg

Mod #5, Custom Grips
After all the prior mod's were done, I finished her off in style with a set of silver & black laminate grips custom made by Lett's. They used to be the custom grip maker for Ruger, but I believe they are out of business now. I really like the way the silver & black contrasts with the stainless finish.

z Old Army grips - Lett.jpg

2022 Update:
I bought these Elk Stag grips just as Covid started -- these might be the only good thing to come out of 2020......................

Old Army Stag Grips 01.jpg

Old Army Stag Grips 02.jpg

Not to worry if you want a new set of grips for your ROA, as with the explosion of interest in Cowboy Action Shooting, there are many more makers of custom handgun grips around today. And as I'm sure most know, the ROA takes the same grips as the Blackhawk.


Mod #6, Forcing Cone (info was not posted back in 2007...)
These 2 images will show you what the original forcing cone of the barrel lead looked like "as is" when bought, and what it looked like after touching it up with an 11-degree forcing cone reamer set from Brownell's (the set was bought used, and the tools were still very sharp!).

Before:

ROA Forcing Cone 01 before.jpg

After:

ROA Forcing Cone 02 after.jpg

Mod #7, Extended Rammer (info was not posted back in 2007...)
No image added -- I forget where I got it, but if I recall, I mailed off my rammer and it came back with a nicely turned 3/8" brass extension on it -- making it the perfect length for lower-power target loads.

Summary

Well that's it for all my ROA Modifications ”“ until one of you posts your own mod's and gives me some new ideas!!!

Tight groups and white smoke to all!

Old No7

[Oldncrusty]

Good stuff. Thanks for reposting for us newbies.

[junkbug]

Thanks for the great report. What a shame they are basically only available as collector items now.

[Ysabel Kid]

I bought these Elk Stag grips just as Covid started -- these might be the only good thing to come out of 2020......................[/i]

Hmmm, I see a set of Elk Stag grips being offered to me sometime soon...

[Old No7]

I bought these Elk Stag grips just as Covid started -- these might be the only good thing to come out of 2020......................[/i]

Hmmm, I see a set of Elk Stag grips being offered to me sometime soon...

Gee Jay, I only bought those Elk grips because I foolishly sold off the nice set of Real Stag grips I once had -- to YOU!!!

Old No7

[Ysabel Kid]

I bought these Elk Stag grips just as Covid started -- these might be the only good thing to come out of 2020......................[/i]

Hmmm, I see a set of Elk Stag grips being offered to me sometime soon...

Gee Jay, I only bought those Elk grips because I foolishly sold off the nice set of Real Stag grips I once had -- to YOU!!!

Old No7

Exactly. You can't help yourself. You are, after all, my #1 enabler...