My ROA Frame, Your thoughts?

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings My Good Netizens and Ruger fans


The prof is starting to lose it!

As I continue to clean up the first ring of hell workshop, It is like Christmas early, finding scheiss precious objects I had quite forgotten about.

I open yet another box and lo and behold, here is a barreled Ruger Old Army frame, with adjustable sites and cylinder pin thingy, that I had quite forgotten about! ( see pic 1)

Then I dig deeper and I also found the xred frame, grips and asst screws....  but I remember I did not find any guts, nor a cylinder I was willing to trade in my right arm for... But I discovered my spare Rogers and Spencer C&B cylinder actually fits like a glove (who would have thought?)    ( see pic 2)


If I find a cheap reasonably priced  cylinder I may keep it.... but then, I would want to remove the barrel to take off all the stampings, and
being a Snubby Fan I will almost certainly cut it down....

So, before I desecrate this virtually new frame & barrel, what are you thoughts?

Should I keep it and
- shop forever to try to find the other bits?
- leave it "as designed" - ie 7.5" barrel and adjustable sights --  rather than desecrate a nice piece?
- modify New Model Blackhawk parts to function?
- remove the barrel, spin off the words, and cut er down to 3" or 5" ?

or leave the lovely thing alone and sell/trade it off for a Pietta 1858 or 1860 that I can molest?

Any advice, esp re Ruger Barrel removal?

Prof Marvel

pic1= "roa1" is just frame and barrel. pic2 (coming soon) is assembled with xred grip and R&S cylinder

[Major 2]

Judging the prices these things seem to bring complete .... molesting it seems a folly.

( I thought I read  where you wrote  Rogers and Spencer C&B cylinder did not  pass the range rod test ? )

Of Course parts are hens teeth and are priced like GOLD false hens teeth if located

seems to me you'll spend a ransom to get it running OR make ransom KILLING selling it... maybe enough for 2 Piettas

[Professor Marvel]

Judging the prices these things seem to bring complete .... molesting it seems a folly.

( I thought I read  where you wrote  Rogers and Spencer C&B cylinder did not  pass the range rod test ? )

After using a better fitting cylinder pin, the R&S cylinder shows "just a sliver" of cylinder mouth occasionally catching the range rod.
It "might be good enough" for RB ....

Of Course parts are hens teeth and are priced like GOLD false hens teeth if located

seems to me you'll spend a ransom to get it running OR make ransom KILLING selling it... maybe enough for 2 Piettas

Therein is the dilemma -If there is someone out there who needs it, or has parts, I hope  this post, might generate soem  interest or at least we get some discussion?

I am not try to pull "buy this magazine or ...."



mad marvel

[Professor Marvel]

and here is pic2

roa frame & barrel with screws, xred grip and R&S cylinder. no guts.

Initial plan is to attempt to locate affordable and  functional cylinder and hammer/hand/bolt/trigger or manufacture them.
No cutting planned until long after shootability is accomplished.

However, if someone really needs this frame /barrel more than I do .....

yhs
mad marvel

[Coffinmaker]

So, my Evil Twin, Hacksaw MacGurk is beginning to drool, must tighten leash ........  Actually, ROA innards may not be all that hard to come by.  My first knee reflex of course, is to unleash Hacksaw.  But, and a big Butt indeed, it would be worth considerably more completed.

Were you to advertise over on that Heathen Forum that you were ISO some bits and pieces, you might score what you kneed for reasonable.  You may even be able to score a shorter loading assembly, or even a shorter OEM barrel.

Were it I, contemplating your contemplation and infinite possibilities, I would consider Chopping, Channelling, French Headlights and '40s Tail Lights.  The gun is too large to look good at 3 inches.  I would suggest 3 and a half (down Hacksaw, down boy).  The nice thing (only nice thing) about an ROA (I Don't like Ruger) is the action is the old Coltish 3 screw.  Nice.

On a side thought, I have seen, upon reflection, the astronomical prices once being commanded for ROA are coming back down to almost reasonable??  The potential for wild and crazy profit taking has evaporated.  Especially for an ROA with adjustable sights.  No HUGE market.  I would still be inclined (not on level) to scam (acquire) some guts (Lock Works) to be able to sell it as a functioning lump (Ruger) as opposed to just a lump.  We don't use much paper these days.  Weights not required.

[Baltimore Ed]

I had a blued ROA in the 70?s. A very accurate revolver. Shot it often. Swapped it for something who knows. Bought Rugers again when I got bit by the cas bug.

[Major 2]

I had a Stainless ROA bought brand new in box about 1980 .....40 years ago 
I seem to recall it was $125-135 ....foolish sold it for $300 about 89-90 ....wished I had held on to it and sold it during the peak about 9 years ago .
As Mike has mentioned the market has waned especially for adjustable sights frames and Blued models.

I love a project as much as anyone, that one has some merit , but in the end cutting will diminish appeal greatly, however if a OEM barrel can be had and the innards are not stratospheric....perhaps an R&D conversion cylinder ...yeah that'd  be cool.... 

beware going in and watch your purse.... I say go for it but stay under $4 -500

[Baltimore Ed]

Professor, do you think that a ruger ss birdshead gripframe would work on your roa? Got one in my unfinished project drawer. Email me.

[Professor Marvel]

Ah My Dear Friend Ed...

You have my undivided attention!

Yhs
Prof marbles

[Major 2]

Prof. did you run your ad on the SASS Wire and on the proprietary Ruger Forum ( they will most likely be your best source )

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/

[Professor Marvel]

Prof. did you run your ad on the SASS Wire and on the proprietary Ruger Forum ( they will most likely be your best source )

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/

Thanks Major, I?ll give those a try.
As a non-member  , but friend to SASS I can post a wtb
And the ruger forum is an even bette bet, thanx!

Yhs
Prof Marples

[Professor Marvel]

Well some odd bits are trickling in!

I found a great old fellow who sold me an entire set of Ruger Old Model Blackhawn "safety replacement " guts for only $40!
And our own Baltimore Ed has graciously sold me a birdhead gripframe!

I have been lamenting getting a cylinder, but it turns out the Rogers & Spencer is a VERy close fit, and is probably failing
the range rod test due to the smaller cylinder mouth diameter, which I may be able to ream to size....

So the Mad Doctor Mildly Annoyed Professor has a project he can continue on until he gets his Giant Frame Wrench
finished for the barrel removal projects!

The Franken Ruger&Spencer may come alive!

yhs
and Merry Christmas

Prof (lost all his marbels) Marvel