ROA Base Pin
 

I was finally able to get to the range to try out my ROA yesterday.

I poured 40 grns of powder, placed a felt wad with a little lube on it, and finally a Hornady RB. I pulled the loading lever and it only sat (is that right???) the ball halfway. Hmmmm... I gave it a little more oomph with nothing, and realized I just pulled the assembly out and bent the base pin! Grrrrr!

I took the cylinder with me to Home Depot as I needed a 3/16 nut driver since I didn't have a nipple wrench. Obviously I forgot to set the screw properly.

I was able to bend it back fairly well, and it works now. I didn't try for perfect as I felt it would just further compromise the metal. It was bent to around 5* I'd guess. I was able to finish seating the ball and it worked, but I am concerned that it may give up some day in the future. Especially since I am looking for hunting bullets/conicals for it and may get something a bit harder than pure lead.

I guess I would get a loading press if it comes to that, but wanted to be able to load easily out in the field.

From what I understand I won't be able to find parts, and Ruger will not replace the pin as they don't have any and won't make one. Is that about right?

Just a guess, because I haven't owned an ROA. The 1960 Colt is my favorite.

Anyway, are you sure that load will fit in the chamber? 40gr is a lot, and it might not have room for a wad too.

It fit with a tiny amount of room to spare

I really like the looks of the Colts as well.

While looking for a percussion revolver I was eyeing a Dragoon, but wanted a Walker, though it's just too long.

I like the safety notches on the Ruger though, and that I need not concern how much 777 I feed it, along with the minimal worry of caps jarring my shooting.

I'm looking at others, and despite the ugliness of the Remington, I'm leaning towards it since it is similar to the Ruger.

Of course I'll probably end up with 1 or 2 of everything, including puny little 32's!

The ROA is a sturdy gun. My problem with it is I shot CAS, and like to keep everything as real as possible. The ROA isn't a copy of any real gun. A lot of guys still use it in CAS, because it's so reliable. The Colts are famous for dropping the spent caps in the action. Pure death in a speed event like CAS. I got them as reliable as possible, but it still failed now and then. I should have just sucked it up, and got a couple of ROA's, but i'm a stubborn old coot set in my ways.

I thought of getting a Walker a time or two. Just to play with. Too big and heavy to compete with, although some guys do it. Big guys.

I stuck with the 1960 Colts, because of the big grips. I've got big hands, and the Remingtons, and smaller Colts like the 1851 just don't fit.

I had to get out of CAS. It became too expensive to shoot, but it sure was fun while I did it.

Two 1860 Colts 44's, 1873 Winchester in 44/40, and a double barrel 12 ga Coach shotgun. All shooting max loads of real black powder as fast as you can.

How can that not be fun? :D

I'm a little guy who would have needed a great belt as well as suspenders to carry a Walker! :D

Something about 60 grns of powder just seems awe inspiring! And no doubt it's like holding thunder!

The ROA grips were just a touch big so I took them off and sanded the inside a little. I have to adjust my grip a little to thumb the hammer back. Dadgum stubby fingers!:confused0024:

I thought the 1860 Army had smaller grips as well? Smaller than the Walker/Dragoon. In fact, I want to say I had read it's the grip from the Navy. Am I wrong?

Yes, you're thinking of the 1851 Colt.

Ruger does not have ANY parts, but they do have #s for aftermarket companies that may or may not be able to help.
Brownells 800-671-0015
Midway 800-243-3220
Gun Parts Corp (Great with older guns) 866-688-7424
Jack (something or other?) 605-343-9544

1851...Navy? Did Colt make a 44 cal with that date?

I thought it was built (1860 Army) on a Navy frame, which is why it has the rebated cylinder. Am I thinking of a Police model or something?

Can't seem to find a base pin anywhere.

Cannot find any parts anywhere.
I feel it will work as long as no real strain is put on it, but would like to find a compact, lightweight, yet durable loading press that I can take with me in the field. Any suggestions?

The 1860 was built on the 1851 frame, but the grip frame and grip are interchangeable. It has what looks like the early Dragoon grip.

Colt never made a production .44 cal 1851. That's an imagination from Pietta. I'm not a fan of that company. I always buy Uberti. Much more authentic reproductions.

There's a few cylinder presses available. Not the type to bring in the field. More for competition/bench shooting. The ROA has a really strong loading setup. I've never heard of one failing. I'd try and fix it for the field.

brownell has the base pin 780-000-121AE 15.33 FOR BLUE
SS 17.39
I have 2 rugers
SS 7 1/2"
blue 7 1/2
both are take drivers out to 50 yards with RB wad triple 777 no lube

Jacks has them in blue ($50) and will be producing them in stainless in a few months. :)
http://www.jackfirstgun.com/
Tel: 605-343-9544

lonewolf: I tried looking for it by that # but found no matches. When I looked earlier it said it was discontinued. Are you looking at a pin that works with the loading lever or one that is meant for a conversion cylinder?

Uberti is the only repro company I'd feel very comfortable with. Though not perfect, I understand them to be better made than Pietta. Although I hear Pietta has begun to improve.

Uberti told me their max load for the Dragoon was 25 grns though. Thought it odd that they claim it's made of better steel, yet reduce the max load. When I asked them about it they ignored me.

I went ahead and loaded the other 5 chambers with 40 grns of powder, wad, and ball, and it's hard to seat below the mouth. I see what has been said about the lever biting! It was a lot of pressure, but handled it.

Maybe I'll reduce it to 35 grns so as not to need so much squishing until I can get a replacement.

I may get a loading press anyway. I'm still interested in heavier bullets.

Ever hear of Kaedo and his 240/250-255 grn bullets meant for cap n ball guns? For $5 he'll send me a few of each to try out. He had custom moulds made.

They're just being conservative for safety. I used to use 35 gr in my 1860's, but that was with real BP. You use T7. I'd use less of that.

"You use T7. I'd use less of that."
Certainly one reason I'm glad I have this ROA. With 777 it's about like having a Dragoon. And it weighs a pound less.

On another forum I read a post from someone who had also bent and fixed his base pin and has been using it for 4 yrs without incident. I'd still like one that hasn't been compromised, but with the portion that had bent well inside the frame and supported it may be just fine.

Here's to hoping I never do that again! It would definitely ruin the day were I to bend it again out on a hunting trip!

Sure you had the right size ball? How much lead did it shave off when you shoved it in?

.457" ball (Hornady). It didn't leave as large of a ring as I expected. Especially seeing that my chambers are small (.450-.451"). Some of the shavings weren't a complete circle.

I'll find out what it's like next Sunday. I'll see what 35 grns is like.
Does Pyrodex need to be compressed? Or will it work OK slightly compressed/touching?

works with the loading lever
call them and give tech: that number or get back to me and I will see if I can order it for you.

Thanks lonewolf!
I'll have to wait to order it as I spent my "allowance" on beer brewing supplies just a few days ago. :rolleye0011:

I need a raise! Brewing beer and shooting certainly costs.

I always compress some to make sure the ball is seated well.

What part of the loading system is subjected to the stress if/when you attempt to seat a hard bullet?