Ruger Old Army Revolver Instructions Manual

							INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER®
OLD ARMY®
“CAP & BALL” BLACK POWDER
PERCUSSION REVOLVER
For Product Service on this Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 28)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06890 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR
PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
CB & KCB/3-03
R8
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
BLUED &
STAINLESS
STEEL CALIBER
.457 Round Ball
Black Powder Only
!
FIXED AND ADJUSTABLE
SIGHT MODELS  
						

							State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require by law that their own specified warning
notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included
by the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms
sold in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because our
products may be sold in these states, we include the following:
California:
Connecticut:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
Florida:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY
IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO
STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN
THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION
OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF
UNSOUND MIND.”
WARNING!
“Children are attracted to and can
operate firearms that can cause
severe injuries or death. Prevent
child access by always keeping
guns locked away and unloaded
when not in use. If you keep a
loaded firearm where a child
obtains and improperly uses it,
you can be fined or sent to prison.”
ADVERTENCIA!
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer
funcionar. Ellos pueden causarses
lesions graves y la muerte. Evite
que los niños tengan accesso a las
armas de fuego guardándolas
siempre con llave y descargadas
cuando no las esté utilizando. Si
usted tiene un arma de fuego
cargada en un lugar en que un
niño tiene acceso a ella y la usa
indebidamente, le pueden dar una
multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”
2 
						

							3
Maine:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A
CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE
SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE
TRIGGER LOCKS.”
Maryland:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a crime
to store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to
the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
Massachusetts:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that
fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000
firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year
in the United States. In addition, there are more than a
thousand suicides each year by younger children and
teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from
accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children
sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on
others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is
imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place
and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft
or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may
result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances
may result in your liability for these deaths.”
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A
TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED
OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.” 
						

							4
New Jersey:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”
New York City:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK
IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS
STORAGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED
UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS
BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND
INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND ANY OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”
North Carolina:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS
ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR.”
Texas:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR
ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE
WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN
OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
Wisconsin:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE
FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD
IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS
THE FIREARM.”
******************  *****
Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for
additional warnings which may be required by local law or
regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local
authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal
matters. 
						

							This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking
device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can
fail. All guns are designed to fire
if they are loaded and the trigger
is pulled. Therefore, 
never install
the locking device inside the
trigger guard or in any way that
it can possibly pull the trigger!
Do not leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm
must depend upon its owner and
his or her individual
circumstances. 
Guns should be
securely stored unloaded, in a
secure location, separate from
their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 26.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WARNING–LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE
5  
						

							6
FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care
for your 
RUGER®OLD ARMY®percussion revolver properly. Please contact
us if you have any questions about it.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly
carry out its instructions should you practice loading, unloading, etc. with live
powder, ball and caps. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use
a particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction.
Such personalized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or
police departments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the National
Rifle Association, Training Division, Washington D.C. 20036. They will assist you.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot
forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely.Do not use any firearm
without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and
safe use.
Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information and Mechanical Characteristics  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Powder Charge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Percussion Caps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Eye and Ear Protection  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
To Load and Fire  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
To Uncock (Decock) The Revolver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
To Unload  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
To Remove Cylinder  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Disassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
To Clear a Malfunction (“Jam”)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Care and Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Care of Stainless Steel Revolvers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Service and Parts Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
“Ruger®”, and “Old Army®”are registered U.S. trademarks. 
						

							Locking Device 5 Cocked Gun 15
Alterations 7 Indexing 16
Lead Exposure 9 Firing 17
Black Powder 10 Disassembly 22
Ammunition 10 Lubrication 25
Capped Cylinders 11 Storage 26
Muzzle Direction 13 Parts Purchasers 29
Handling 15
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL.
WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to
function properly in its original
condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add
or substitute parts or accessories
not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
!
7
!
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®OLD ARMY®percussion revolver is an original Ruger design
and is manufactured to our regular standards of strength and reliability, entirely
in modern Ruger factories in the U.S.A. The best quality steels and coil springs
are used throughout, the same as in our centerfire cartridge revolvers. Stainless
steel nipples are standard and grip panels are genuine American Walnut.
The mechanism of the “Old Army” has been carefully designed to retain
traditional handling and firing characteristics of the old-time “cap and ball”
revolvers while at the same time incorporating improvements (U.S. and Foreign
Patents) which mark the first significant advance in percussion revolver
construction in more than a century.
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES: 
						

							The RUGER®OLD ARMY® is a muzzle loading, percussion revolver
intended for use with black powder, percussion caps, and soft lead projectiles. It
does not fire conventional cartridges, but is instead loaded from the front of the
cylinder. It is of single-action operation, and the hammer must manually be
cocked before normally firing the revolver.
Like any such revolver, it is to be used with Black Powder only, and its safe use
requires that the shooter be thoroughly familiar with its characteristics.
The mechanism of the 
RUGER®OLD ARMY® provides for security against
accidental discharge when properly handled. As with any other firearm, however,
the “Old Army” must be used with strict attention to correct safety practices. In
addition, the revolver should be inspected frequently to assure that it is working
properly.
NOMENCLATURE
8
TRIGGER TRIGGER
GUARDBASEPIN
RETAINING PINLOADING LEVER
(RAMMER)
ASSEMBLYLOADING
LEVER
LATCH FRONT
SIGHT
BARREL
BASE PIN
GRIPS GRIP
FRAMENIPPLES (6)
SAFETY
RECESS (6)HAMMERREAR SIGHT
CYLINDERCYLINDER
FRAME
Parts referred to frequently are indicated by arrows. 
						

							9
AMMUNITION
The “Old Army” is a muzzle loading, percussion revolver intended solely for use
with Black Powder.It should never, under any circumstances, be loaded with any
type of smokeless powder as the result could be damage to the revolver and
injury to the shooter or bystanders.Black Powder is usually classified by powder
grain size, with “Fg” being the largest granulation and “FFFFg” being the
smallest granulation normally available. Any granulation within these gradations
could be used in the “Old Army”; normally, however, “FFFg” is the preferred
grain size. Replica black powder such as Pyrodex may be used, so long as
suggested loading data is strictly adhered to.
The “Old Army” is designed to use a .457” diameter round ball or .454” conical
bullet of pure lead. Bullets of either type can be purchased from your dealer,
ready to use, or can easily be cast at home with a small investment in equipment.
Information on bullet casting is available from the manufacturers of moulds and
casting equipment and from various authoritative handbooks. Your dealer should
be able to provide you with any equipment which you may require. (See “Lead
Exposure” Warning, below)
The use of jacketed or alloy bullets is not recommended as accuracy is generally
not as satisfactory as with the pure lead bullets.
AMMUNITION NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR
INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS THE
RESULT OF, THE USE IN RUGER REVOLVERS OF FAULTY, OR
NONSTANDARD, OR “REMANUFACTURED” COMPONENTS, OR OF
POWDERS OTHER THAN THOSE FOR WHICH THIS BLACK POWDER
FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED.
!WARNING–LEAD EXPOSURE
Discharging firearms in poorly
ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or
handling ammunition may result in
exposure to lead and other substances
known to the state of California to
cause birth defects, reproductive harm,
and other serious physical injury. Have
adequate ventilation at all times. Wash
hands thoroughly after exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD 
						

							Black Powder is an extremely sensitive propellant
and is readily ignited by heat, spark, static
electricity, friction, pressure, impact, etc. Unlike
smokeless powder, Black Powder will ignite with
great violence and rapidity even when unconfined.
Black Powder should be handled only in very
small quantities. Never pour powder dir
ectly froma flask or powder horn into any muzzle loadingfirearm!Many shooters pre-weigh single charges into
medicine vials for use on the range or in the field.
Never fire the revolver near an open powder
container, or an explosion may result.
If you are not familiar with safe handling
procedures for Black Powder and for muzzle
loading firearms in general, you should obtain one
of the authoritative muzzle loaders’ Manuals and
study it carefully 
beforebeginning to shoot.
BLACK POWDER IS EXPLOSIVE
10
POWDER?Never Use Unknown 
or Smokless Powder
POWDER CHARGE
It is safe to use as much Black Powder as the chamber will hold, leaving room for
the bullet. This maximum loading is not usually the most accurate loading,
however.
A good starting accuracy load, using a pure lead .457” diameter ball, is 20 grains
of FFFg and sufficient filler (corn meal is frequently used as a filler material) to
seat the ball approximately 1/16” below the chamber mouth. You may find that
some minor adjustment of this charge upwards or downwards is more accurate
in your “Old Army”.
Filler is not required and can be completely dispensed with if the powder charge
takes up at least 1/2 of the cylinder.
!WARNING–BLACK POWDER
Never Pour
Powder Directly
From Flask!
!WARNING–AMMUNITION
Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
components. Always
wear shooting
glasses and hearing protectors.
Never use smokeless powder in any
muzzleloader!
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS