1898 Colt Single Action Army

[Rampant Colt]

This Colt started life in .41/c but I suppose somewhere along its journey other modifications were made to it as well. I purchased the revolver after its restoration was completed by Dave Lanara (who needs no introduction).

It now sits as a 38/40, 4 3/4” barrel with absolutely perfect action and four clicks.

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[BrokenolMarine]

I love Single Actions. Most of mine say Ruger on them however... Lol.
I do have a Colt.

[Rampant Colt]

I love Single Actions. Most of mine say Ruger on them however... Lol.
I do have a Colt.

There’s nothing wrong with that, brother.

[Vaquero]

Nice! Like BOM, most of mine have Ruger stamped on them.

RP

[Rampant Colt]

Nice! Like BOM, most of mine have Ruger stamped on them.

RP

Did Ruger produce a black powder revolver other than the Old Army? Not familiar with them enough to know.

My pictured example above is a black powder SAA from 1898. It’s widely accepted that those produced from 1903 going forward were smokeless safe….but always check for the VP (verified proof) stamp on the left side of the trigger guard. Personally I’d feel safer at 1905.

I’ll post some SAA’s that are modern (1974 to 2024) that obviously shoot modern smokeless cartridges.

I do have an 1851 Navy & an 1861 Army, both Colt’s, that are cap & ball in .36 caliber, obviously black powder. I believe these might be similar to the Ruger.

[Vaquero]

Nice! Like BOM, most of mine have Ruger stamped on them.

RP

Did Ruger produce a black powder revolver other than the Old Army? Not familiar with them enough to know.

My pictured example above is a black powder SAA from 1898. It’s widely accepted that those produced from 1903 going forward were smokeless safe….but always check for the VP (verified proof) stamp on the left side of the trigger guard. Personally I’d feel safer at 1905.

I’ll post some SAA’s that are modern (1974 to 2024) that obviously shoot modern smokeless cartridges.

I do have an 1851 Navy & an 1861 Army, both Colt’s, that are cap & ball in .36 caliber, obviously black powder. I believe these might be similar to the Ruger.

The old Army is Ruger's only BP revolver, they made it in a stainless and blued version. They are a Hoss. I'm pretty sure you can't stuff enough BP or any of the substitutes in it to blow them up. It was one of ole Bill's pride and joys. I think I've read where he even tried but was unsuccessful in doing so.
They are not a copy of any old BP revolvers, and are built on the old original Black Hawk frame. I saw where just recently one sold on GB for a mere $457, a real bargain.
I have a handful of repro's, but nothing original.
I have really enjoyed your pictures.

RP

[Rampant Colt]

Nice! Like BOM, most of mine have Ruger stamped on them.

RP

Did Ruger produce a black powder revolver other than the Old Army? Not familiar with them enough to know.

My pictured example above is a black powder SAA from 1898. It’s widely accepted that those produced from 1903 going forward were smokeless safe….but always check for the VP (verified proof) stamp on the left side of the trigger guard. Personally I’d feel safer at 1905.

I’ll post some SAA’s that are modern (1974 to 2024) that obviously shoot modern smokeless cartridges.

I do have an 1851 Navy & an 1861 Army, both Colt’s, that are cap & ball in .36 caliber, obviously black powder. I believe these might be similar to the Ruger.

The old Army is Ruger's only BP revolver, they made it in a stainless and blued version. They are a Hoss. I'm pretty sure you can't stuff enough BP or any of the substitutes in it to blow them up. It was one of ole Bill's pride and joys. I think I've read where he even tried but was unsuccessful in doing so.
They are not a copy of any old BP revolvers, and are built on the old original Black Hawk frame. I saw where just recently one sold on GB for a mere $457, a real bargain.
I have a handful of repro's, but nothing original.
I have really enjoyed your pictures.

RP

I’ll give Ruger this, their products are robust & their customer service is top notch.

Thank you, I’ll add some more pics tomorrow or so.

[North Country Gal]

I have over a dozen Ruger single actions last time I counted, a mix of OMs and NMs, plus several Colt clones and although I prefer the fit of a Colt single action in my hands to a Ruger Blackhawk or New Vaquero, I've never had any serious issues with reliability on the Rugers and most have been accurate enough. Also, on my large frame Blackhawk in 45 Colt, I can go Ruger only 45 Colt loads and go nuts on the load level and the Blackhawk can take it.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of getting recent production Uberti Colts with the three click action and that hammer safety. Each one has had issues with light strikes now and then and my Cattleman in 22 LR is almost unusable in that regard. Never, again. I do have a Pietta Frontier in 357, though, that is a standard 4 click Colt and considering what I paid for it, it's been great.

I started handgun hunting with single actions back in the 60s and in those days, the 44 mag was considered the king of the hill. There was no option for the 44 mag in Colt single actions, so I stayed with Ruger.

I have had a few Colt New Frontiers in 22 LR/22 mag. Fine single actions, but they were no more accurate than my Single Sixes, so I've jut stayed with the Single Sixes over the years. In fact, I've had over two dozen Single Sixes in my lifetime and I have never had a failure with any of them. Not one. Yeah, I also love and shoot vintage Smith and Colt double actions, but they are not single actions.

[Rampant Colt]

I have over a dozen Ruger single actions last time I counted, a mix of OMs and NMs, plus several Colt clones and although I prefer the fit of a Colt single action in my hands to a Ruger Blackhawk or New Vaquero, I've never had any serious issues with reliability on the Rugers and most have been accurate enough. Also, on my large frame Blackhawk in 45 Colt, I can go Ruger only 45 Colt loads and go nuts on the load level and the Blackhawk can take it.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of getting recent production Uberti Colts with the three click action and that hammer safety. Each one has had issues with light strikes now and then and my Cattleman in 22 LR is almost unusable in that regard. Never, again. I do have a Pietta Frontier in 357, though, that is a standard 4 click Colt and considering what I paid for it, it's been great.

I started handgun hunting with single actions back in the 60s and in those days, the 44 mag was considered the king of the hill. There was no option for the 44 mag in Colt single actions, so I stayed with Ruger.

I have had a few Colt New Frontiers in 22 LR/22 mag. Fine single actions, but they were no more accurate than my Single Sixes, so I've jut stayed with the Single Sixes over the years. In fact, I've had over two dozen Single Sixes in my lifetime and I have never had a failure with any of them. Not one. Yeah, I also love and shoot vintage Smith and Colt double actions, but they are not single actions.

Understood.

I only own eight single action revolvers, seven Colt’s and one Ruger.

The Colt’s are in .38/40 (above) .44 Spl, 44/40, two in 45LC, one in .22WMR, and one in .22LR. The Ruger is in .17HMR and is a hoot to shoot provided it’s not too windy.

I think I have six Colt SA/DA revolvers, .44 Mag, .357 Mag, and .38 Spl. I detest .357 Mag.