Ruger Old Army....

[Snapshot]

It`s got to be percussion! And I was qurious about the Ruger Old Army...?  Any one using it here?
The 5,5" barrel got to be good for CAS?

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy Pard in Norway!
Yes, the best quality percussion (Cap and Ball or C&B) is the ROA (Ruger Old Army).  It's not as historically accurate as the Italian colt and remington C&B copies, but is stronger and more reliable.  Many of the best CAS C&B shooters here in the US use them.  (The stainless steel model with the 5 1/2 barrel, fixed sights, is the best looking and handling in my opinion!) 

Is it difficult to get cartridge firearms there?  By the way, a conversion cylinder is also made for the ROA which allows 45 LC BP(or smokeless) cartidges to be fired in the ROA. (Remember "Pale Rider" with Clint Eastwood and how he just switched cylinders out in the final gunfight?!)

[Snapshot]

It is not difficult to get cartridge firearms in Norway. You have to have a permit for everything, but once you get the first one it is not much to it. It is a limit on 25 arms before you have to install an alarm.

I actually was the first one to own a RD conversion sylinder in my country. Unfortunatley I sold it!

[Judge Jake McCord]

Howdy Pard in Norway!
Yes, the best quality percussion (Cap and Ball or C&B) is the ROA (Ruger Old Army).  By the way, a conversion cylinder is also made for the ROA which allows 45 LC BP(or smokeless) cartidges to be fired in the ROA. (Remember "Pale Rider" with Clint Eastwood and how he just switched cylinders out in the final gunfight?!)

Sacramento, that is MOST interesting! I am new to CAS, fond of Rugers, and having read your message, am now thinking that a pair of ROA .45's with conversion cylinders might be the ultimate do-everything pair of CAS pistols! 

Do you (anyone) believe this is a good choice?

Can therse conversion cylinders be obtained from the Ruger company?

Judge Jake

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy Pard!
If you desire to shoot both C&B and cartridge, yes, ROAs with conversion cylinders would allow both.  Conversion cylinders are made by R&D; one can get them from Taylor's.  (Another company called Kirst also makes a conversion cylinder for the ROA, but I have no experience with that model.)  Neither are cheap (neither is the ROA!). 
The conversion cylinders are rated for BP or cowboy level smokeless loads only.  Remember, conversion cylinders were a middle step on the way to true cartridge guns; reloads on the clock will slow you down tremendously compared to someone shooting a regular cartridge gun like a '73 peacemaker clone or Ruger Vaquero.  If you are very competitive in the cartridge catagories, this is probably not a good idea .  (ROAs in the C&B catagories are very competitive.)

[Howdy Doody]

ROAs and converters are fun. I have a pair of the Kirsts. I probably only shoot them a couple times a year, but it is fun to change the pace a bit. Winter when your fingers are cold is when I usually give up C&B and shoot either the converters or mostly regular Ruger RVs.
Sacramento, it looks to me like if you signed up for the Brimstone match on Labor Day, then we will hook up. I'll be looking for you and IB. I'll be trying not to make an ass of myself shooting C&B gunfighter class. This ought to be good.

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy Howdy!
No, me and IB aren't signed up for the BP match on that weekend.  We are signed up for the John Wayne Shoot, and giving serious thought to returning to High Sierra next spring.  Will you be at either? 

[Cyrille]

Howdy Howdy!
No, me and IB aren't signed up for the BP match on that weekend.  We are signed up for the John Wayne Shoot, and giving serious thought to returning to High Sierra next spring.  Will you be at either? 

Now ya got me interested! Please explain [in detail] just what is the John Wayne Shoot?  i.e. rules, regulations, firearms used, targets etc. the whole kit and caboodle please. 

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy Cyrille!
Here's a link to info on it!
http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37854

All the scenarios come from John Wayne films.  I hear they also have two Texas Star targets!  This will be my first time attending; looking foward to the cooler weather, too!

[Howdy Doody]

Howdy Sacramento, yup I signed on for the John Wayne. Two biggies, two weeks in a row, that might be a first for me.
I shot High Sierra this year, but it is still way to early to think about next years, but I have always loved that match, becuase it is unlike any other CAS match to me.
Ya know they are now shooting the new Cowboy Town out at Sac Valley. They have the berms up and they have resurrected the Calif Rangers stage props. If they have an annual, then I will try to make that. Arroyo Cantua at Van Vleck was a hoot, even if you did have to watch where you stepped. 

[Cyrille]

Howdy Cyrille!
Here's a link to info on it!
http://sassnet.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=37854

All the scenarios come from John Wayne films.  I hear they also have two Texas Star targets!  This will be my first time attending; looking foward to the cooler weather, too!

Looks like I'm too late fur thisyear But I'll keep ya n mind fer next provided we survive this hurricane season!

[fourfingersofdeath]

You would be able to get the Fienwerkbau Spencer and whatever clone over there cheaper than us, it is a fine gun apparently, Fienwerkbau don't make any duds. Mick

Try this link, goofy pistol, but they shoot like a house on fire apparently,

http://www.feinwerkbau.de/ceasy/modules/cms/usage.main.php5?cPageId=18

[Snapshot]

Howdy fourfingersofdeath.

I alreaddy have the Finwerk Roger & Spencer, and as you stated it shoots like a house of fire.
Actualy I am going to shoot it on sunday, together with a new Flintlock Rifle. If I can get the Rifle ready that is!
I modified the grips on the R&S they where to wide at the bottom....
24grns. FFFg and a dash of polenta, six o clock hold at 25 yards it shoots dead center.
But it is particular when it comes to grip and trigger scweese, you got to do it 100% right and then you will be rewarded!

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy Pards,

I shoot a brace of ROAs.  Old ones with brass backstraps and squareback trigger guards.  These are VERY smooth guns.  I shoot them both C&B and with 45 cal cartridges via Kirs Konverter cylinders.  If you ever think of going with the cartridge conversions I highly reccommend the Kirst Konverters.  They are very well built in every respect.

FWIW, I now have a new bullet mold available that casts the creation of El Paso Pete.  It's the EPP-UG.  The UG stands for Ultra Gamer.  Pete's words, not mine.  The bullet emulates the round ball but has a huge lube grove.  I lube size them before the match and find no need for any other lube/cookie/wads/over bullet smear.  That makes 'em quick to load.  I load my cylinders on a cylinder loading stand on my gun cart and do the capping at the loading table.

This fine bullet also works great in the new Cowboy 45 Special brass from Adirondak Jack.  With only 1.3cc of FFFg Holy Black I'm getting 850 fps over my Ohler 33 graph.  That's no whimp load.  It's very accurate and at that velocity, the most distant targets are still easy.  It takes the knock downs with ease and authority.

I love my ROAs and I love shooting 'em Gunfighter with either C&B or Cartridges.  I like the way they fill my hands.  I like the way they cock.  I like the smooth light triggers.  They're easy to clean up and maintain.

DD-DLoS

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I am buying a pair of 5.5 " ROAs and am somewhat interested in the conversion cylinders ... but I own a couple of Schofieds that I shoot .45 Schofield ammo through.

I would want to keep everything simple by shooting the Schofield ammo in the ROA conversion cylinders ... has anyone ever tried this?

[Pettifogger]

The conversion cylinders are made for .45 Colt.  So, anything shorter based on the same case will work, i.e., .45 Schofield and .45 Special.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Well met, Pettifogger,

The reason that I ask is that I have been told that there is a slight rim difference between the two shells ... I believe that the Schofield is just a hair larger and won't fit in some .45 Colt weapons ... particularly rifles ... unless the area for the rim is enlarged a tad ...

[Jbar4Ranch]

I've had nine ROA's, including a pair of 5 1/2"ers, but I've found I much prefer the 7 1/2" barrel. I shot a clean Frontiersman state match with 'em in July - two days, twelve stages, and nary a miss. They could have timed me with a sun dial on that last stage!
I've never understood cartridge conversions; I buy C&B guns to shoot, well, cap & ball.

[fatelvis]

Im selling a SS 5.5" OA right now, check it out:      http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=145142924

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi Fatelvis,

I have two SS 5 1/2" ROAs already ... but thanks!