ROA lever & ram Question

[Schofield]

Looking to buy a ROA SS 7.5 inch with fixed sights soon, but have a question.  I was reading an article in Guns of the Old West that mentions the ROA factory ram assembly lever dangling or flopping and even dropping out and being a nuisance while removing and replacing a conversion cylinder. Doesn't the ROA loading lever system operate like the Remington clones and if not is this really that much of a problem with the ROA?  Thanks

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pard,

The ROA loading lever/cylinder arbor pin assembly is based on the Whitney Navy (except the latch on the Whitney was similar to the one on a Colt's Navy), designed by Fordyce Beals (who also designed the Remington New Model Army, Navy, etc.). You have to unlatch the loading lever, turn the locking "key" to release the cylinder arbor pin.  The whole assembly is then pulled out toward the muzzle until the cylinder is free.  I don't have one handy, so I'm not sure if there is a stop on the lever/arbor to keep it in the gun, but it shouldn't be much trouble to hold onto the gun and the cylinder while you pull the lever assembly out and set it down somewhere.

Hope this helps.

[Schofield]

Thanks Trailrider!  I was sort of confused when I read the article because I just assumed the ROA loading lever operated exactly like a Remington clone.  As you can tell, I'm not familliar with the ROA.  That's what I get for assuming, but I am still considering purchasing one because of the many positive things I've read about them.  Thanks again.

[Trailrider]

  IMHO, Ruger mis-named the ROA!  They should have called them the "Super Whitney"! 

[Schofield]

Thanks... good looking setup too.

[Flint]

If you are using a conversion cylinder on the ROA, leave out the rammer, you won't need it, and when the rod is pulled out, it becomes a loose part as it is retained in a 'T' slot, so it will be a pest.  Many shooters using the conversion also leave the rotating lock open as the spring in the latch will hold the lever and cylinder pin in place while shooting.

There is no stop in the cylinder pin like the Remington has.  If the ROA is a 5-1/2 inch barrel version, the pin won't fall out as the catch will stop it, I believe, thqat's the way the 5-1/2 inch Remington works, you have to slide out the latch/catch to remove the cylinder pin.

The aftermarket cylinder pins are retained differently, and you can delete the lever as well.

[Hendershot]

When taking off the loading lever and replacing the factory base pin with the Belt Mountain pin, how do you address the loading lever latch under the barrel ? Is it dovetailed in ? is there a blank you can put in? Or grind it off? Thanks

[Hendershot]

OK  Thanks Barbarosa. I missed seeing that screw. Must have been underneath? I sold mine It was an adj sight gun. Looking for a fixed sight, and play with it.