So I belive I might sonsider selling my M51 and purchase this little thing.
Ruger New Model Single-Six Convertible Single-Action Revolver Models

Anyone have any experience with accuracy and over all satisfaction with this one?
Afraid my beautiful M51 has been sitting in the safe since I purchased it from a forum member and I'm no longer allowed to buy unless I sell what I dont shoot.
Looks like an interesting and fun piece. I was looking at the 4.62 in barrel length. not too long...not too short.
I was wondering about the accuracy since .22mag is a bit bigger barrel diameter than standard .22 LR
I've only owned 1 Ruger and was satified with it over all. Unfortunetly I had surgery on my shooting hand and .44mag was a bit much snap for my digits.


Any input or experience would be appreciated

Good gun. Well built, accurate and impossible to wear out.

I think I might go to the local shop and see if they have any on display.
See how it feels.
Good lord...Am I going to have to join another forum...

They are accurate enough despite the 22 mag bore and ya cant kill em with a sledge hammer.

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Stay safe people!

You might want to look around a little for a pre-1972, 3 screw Super Single Six model. They were not available in stainless, but like 5 screw or no-lock S&W's they are more desirable and still commonly found in high condition at reasonable prices. After around 1962 or so, Ruger increased the bore diameter of their Single Sixes to accommodate both the .22 WMR bullets and the .22 LR. If you like the older model, you should look for one that has not had Ruger's safety conversion done, or at least if it has, you get the original parts with it as Ruger always returned them to the owners. The converted actions generally feel about like a pair of scissors from the .99 store, but bear in mind that the unconverted Old Models are not safe to carry with a round under the hammer.
My biggest beef with the Ruger Single Sixes is that cheapskate Bill Ruger simply bored the .22 LR chambers straight through, i.e. they are not tapered at the throat end. You can literally chamber a round from the front end of the cylinder ! This is probably the biggest cause of inaccuracy (not to say they are bad, they just don't shoot like a Model 17 for example) with the Single Sixes, although they usually shoot better with the .22 WMR cylinder. The Rugers respond well to the use of Paco Kelly's Acu'rzr which is a tool made to bump up the diameters of .22 bullets to better match the cylinder throats among other benefits.

I actually have one of the old ones that is an RSSM, chambered only in .22 WMRF. No .22LR cylinder was provided. Even at over 40 years old, it's still pretty to look at and tight. I'd add one if the opportunity arose.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

I have 2 of the Single-Sixes, great all around gun. My latest only came with the 22 lr cylinder but I was able to track down a mag cylinder on GB for about $50, & it fits great. I also shoot the 22 'WRF' round some in the mag cylinder. It's a little less fps compared to the average 22 mag, just FYI.

Yes, the Ruger is a well built ,sturdy gun in the model you are looking at ,but, its a case of apples versus oranges, totally different 'genre' of what you have and what you are looking at....the M51 is "classic" and will only keep going up in value,no you do NOT have the option if you're gonna shoot it, of being able to use 22cal ammo,other than the .22mag....single actions are a "fun gun"?? plinkers, and the accuracry you will not know till you shoot THAT gun, and find the correct ammo it likes to digest.........single action ? double action? what do you prefer to shoot.Mags are costly to shoot these days ( what ammo isn't....)
sorry you "have" to give up one to get the 'other'...so this is really a matter of opinion as to which stays.......in this case sounds like YOU are 'hedging' and want to "use it", then by all means do what YOU want to do, life is short enough as it is...........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

I agree with what's been said here already - for nostalgia and collector value, go with the "old models" that have not been converted to the transfer bar system. Just remember to load one, skip one, load four, pull hammer to full cock and lower gently. Five rounds ready to go, with the hammer down on an empty chamber. This was drilled into me a long time ago as the only safe way to carry the Colts, clones, and earlier Ruger single actions. Here's mine: very accurate, fun and economical to shoot!

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I have 3 of the 3 screw/none of them have been fixed/i.e. transfer bar added. All 3 are more accurate in 22LR, than WMR. I never figured it out, but this is a gun every one needs. Kids and new shooters love them.
Tom B.

While an older one might be great, it will also be collectible. If you're just looking to buy a stainless one to shoot, I can highly recommend them. I have two and I really like the 4 5/8" barrel length. Out of the box, they'll be just fine. Accuracy is outstanding and the sights are terrific.

Like many factory firearms, you can tweak it for better performance yourself. For just $13.50, Wolff Gunsprings has a reduced power mainspring, hammer spring and stronger base pin spring at:

Springs for RUGER SINGLE ACTION SERIES Revolvers

The springs are simple to install yourself and they improved my revolver's trigger pull tremendously!

My Single Six convertible with Cary C's (Ruger Custom Grips) birdseye maple stocks:



My Single Six engraved by Jeff Flannery and wearing elephant ivory stocks:

If your going to use it for small game w/.22 mag I'd go with a 6.5 barrel. I tend to shoot a lot more .22 at a single range session than any other caliber. For range work I find reloading a SA .22 is kind of tedious. If you've got a .22 auto then go with the Single Six. Otherwise you might want to consider a Ruger auto. I load up 5 - 6 mags for my current .22 auto at home, before hitting the range next day. My next gun will probably be:

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SOS USA

I have a new model single six with the 5.5" barrel in ss it seems to be more accurate with 22lr but maybe I just havent found the right 22mag ammo for it yet.Its a fun gun, I put the hi-zis front sight on mine,and have a nice mernickle holster for it.I still want a 617 or 18 though.

Take it easy.

I gotta agree with JcMack on this...I too shoot alot of 22LR, and am a single action nutball, but I sold all my 22LR single actions years ago due to the pain in the patoot they are to load. All that work for 5 shots, no thanx, I'll stick with S&W 22's.

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Nothing to see here,move along

I wonder if S&W could fit a .22 rimfire cylinder to that Model 51? If so, you would have a much nicer handgun - at least in my opinion.

Yeah this next one weill definitly be a shooter so I'm thinking buy a new model. I like those maple grips on the stainless version but I was thinking blued steel. I prefer a darker wood grip style and like the look of wood on blued.
MIght have to put my M51 on the Sellers list here soon and make the purchase.

I have a 6.5" new model I bought from my pastor about 25 years ago. It lives with the magnum cylinder in it. I just got it out of the safe this afternoon because while grilling steaks in the backyard, I saw signs of a vicious bull armadillo that has been wreaking havoc lately. The single-six is one of my two designated 'diller-killers, the other being a Model 15 S&W.

I just consider the single-six to be a magnum revolver--I have plenty of .22lr revolvers. I think the .22 mag is a grossly under-rated round, even in revolver barrel lengths. I just love a Ruger Single Action of any caliber, particularly .22 and .45. Mine is purely a working/plinking gun and not a work of art. Boy, that engraved gun is a beauty.!

Anyhow, I don't think you can go wrong. They are some kind of stout, and accurate enough.

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Georgia On My Mind