Ruger Single Six - What does it do that my K22 Outdoorsman cannot do?

[ScreechingWeasel]

I have a K22 Outdoorsman (dates to 1938) as my only .22LR revolver (more are in the future), but I might be able to buy a Single Six (late 1985 dated) in the near future, and I have some questions. Well, basically one question: does it do anything my Outdoorsman (K22) doesn't? Here's how I see it:

Outdoorsman v. Single Six:

K22 Pros:

faster reloads
double-action
already own it (bird-in-hand argument)
call bead sight
Single-action trigger is orders of magnitude superior to the Ruger trigger

Cons:

Want to replace grips (Don't like the factory pre-war "Service grips" since they're so tiny as to be not even there, and not having any similarity/carryover (gripwise) to my other sixguns, which is the entire point of it: having the .22LR as a fun gun/training analogue to the bigger-bore guns.)

Single Six Pros:

It's new and different
It's single-action (I don't have a SA revolver yet)

Cons:

not double-action
slow reloads
already own the K22
plain black sights
Outdoorsman SA trigger is WAAAAAY better

So can anyone convince me with good things about the Single Six? In a year or so, it wouldn't be an issue, but right now, things are pretty tight financially, so any gun purchases need to be justified, and unless I get a smoking deal, I won't move. The reason I ask is I might be offered a "deal" on this gun and I need to know what that a "deal" looks like for this gun (Ruger Single Six, might have .22Mag cylinder as well), along with non-monetary justifications for this gun. If it's not worth it, I'll save and get a New Vaquero in .357 which was the original plan to get my first SA sixgun.

Anyhow, any guidance on a Single Six? If I have a 6" Outdoorsman, what is the point? I already feel I have the greatest .22LR sixgun out there, but I still kinda want the Ruger, but then again, I figure the Ruger money can go towards a Model 18, which would be the ideal, since it would be a perfect analogue for my M19 and other .357s.

Thoughts?

[silversnake]

The Single Six is possibly the best single action .22 ever made, but no, it won't do anything your K-22 doesn't do already.

If things are tight financially, why bother? The Single Six isn't exactly rare, I see tons of them for sale.

Re: grips I think you have more options with the K-22 as it is.

[Rpg]

You have the superior 22 right now.

I see the Ruger as a beginner's gun. You're past needing that.

[hkcavalier]

I got rid of my Single Six b/c it was such a pain to reload. Quality gun, but just not my cup of tea. Found a prewar K22 of my own a couple years later. Sure, a lot more scratch but MUCH more fun to shoot!

[reddog81]

If you drop the Ruger you won't feel as bad as accidentally dropping the S&W... other than that I'm not sure what it could be better at.

I paid $275 for mine a couple of years ago with the extra cylinder and box. I think $300 to $400 is about average. I'm planning on selling mine in the near future. Single action .22 shooting just takes too long for me and I haven't been impressed with the accuracy.

[snuffy51]

If you have to justify a single action, you probably won't like them. I love mine.

[Drm50]

I hit this problem 180% from you. I had a Single-6 and compared
to H&Rs and IJs that most kids had back in the 60s it was a target gun. Once I shot the K22 it has been my main 22 since
1964. There is no comparison between the two. A 1980s single 6
is a new model and not near as slick as the old 3 screw Rugers.
I don't consider SA as a minus, never shoot k22s DA anyway.
The pros & cons you have listed are basically the differences between DA & SA. Unless you just want S-6 for grins I wouldn't
go out of my way to get one. I still have my old Single-6s but
they don't hold a candle to a K22.

[ScreechingWeasel]

Thanks for the replies so far! I agree that it's not a severe need, so I'm not "Jonesing" as it were. Just curious.

So sub-$300 seems decent for a price? I won't move prolly, unless he asks, (close family friend, basically IS family, nearing the end of his life, might offer me to buy some of his guns, but I don't really care about them. That said, I would rather have them than his real family though, they are total s**tbags and would rip him off, and I would at least do him right.)

Sounds like I have the better gun, so I'm already in good shape. That's good to know. That said, what's the best (tough and reliable to be usable 100% as a tool, but also 100% true to the Wild West aesthetic) SA gun right now? I was gonna look at a New Vaquero, but I'm open to the "best". Caliber is non-negotiable; my SA will be a .357 Mag, not a .45LC.

[ScreechingWeasel]

Originally Posted by snuffy51

If you have to justify a single action, you probably won't like them. I love mine.

It's financial. I just graduated grad school and no job yet. A year from now? No problem. Right now, I might be presented with an opportunity, and I want to not screw up and miss it. How many "Oh man, I could've bought a Registered Magnum with box and papers for 17 bucks, but I didn't" do we see here? Or "I owned a Registered Magnum/Triple Lock/5-screw pre-19/insert insanely-desirable-model-here and I let it go for nothing and now it's worth five or six figures"?

WAAAAAAY too many, and I don't wanna be that guy. I know it's not gonna happen with a Single Six, but I'm about to try and buy back my Highway Patrolman I let go years ago for cheap because I'm retarded, so I don't wanna do that again. Basically, being into old S&Ws has taught me to "buy absolutely everything, period, ever, and never sell anything, ever, ever, ever. You can always sell it WAAAAY later for at least what you have in it, and if you're lucky, you've got a Registered Magnum-level gun for cheap."

[Ivan the Butcher]

There is a good reason to own a second 22 revolver. THE WIFE! I have been practicing with my beloved spouse. She gets tired and sore after about 20 rounds of 9mm so unthinkingly I said try this 22. It was my 17-3, and she really liked it. The next time we went to the range, I made sure she had a different 22 to use. Since she shoots a semi-auto 9mm, I let her have my best semi-auto 22 a 4" S&W 422. She is quite pleased that she didn't need to learn how another gun style works. I really dodged the bullet on that one!

Ivan

[ScreechingWeasel]

Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher

There is a good reason to own a second 22 revolver. THE WIFE!

This is an insanely compelling argument I have not considered, lol! Good show old chap!!!!

[shouldazagged]

You answered your question more than once in your first post.

And I certainly have nothing against the Single Six.

[Drm50]

I hit this problem 180% from you. I had a Single-6 and compared
to H&Rs and IJs that most kids had back in the 60s it was a target gun. Once I shot the K22 it has been my main 22 since
1964. There is no comparison between the two. A 1980s single 6
is a new model and not near as slick as the old 3 screw Rugers.
I don't consider SA as a minus, never shoot k22s DA anyway.
The pros & cons you have listed are basically the differences between DA & SA. Unless you just want S-6 for grins I wouldn't
go out of my way to get one. I still have my old Single-6s but
they don't hold a candle to a K22.

[crsides]

If a convertible, the ruger can be more versatile with a 22 mag cylinder than your 1st model k22. But my vote goes for K22.

Charlie

[Walkingwolf]

I love my single action revolvers, but they are not for everybody. If fast loading is a biggie, then they are not a good option. Frankly I am not a person who burns through boxes of ammo, and I shoot even my DA revolvers single action. Semi auto 22lr loading even faster than a DA revolver, and usually more capacity too.

I have only one ruger SA, a lot of other brands though. It is a baby Vaquero .32H&R, same frame as the single six, I absolutely love the gun.

[jag312]

Ruger Single Six - What does it do that my K22 Outdoorsman cannot do? Absolutely nothing.

[patrickd]

I'd say I'd no doubt rather have a vintage Smith revolver over a new model Ruger, but guns being what they are tend to be decent investments. For me anytime I can get a used gun for a substantial discount of what it would retail at a gun shop I usually buy it. You can always turn over those guns after getting them out of your system for either a break even price or a small profit. I don't think I ever really lost much in selling a gun.

[Biggfoot44]

Single Action and Double Action Revolvers are *.Different * , not that one or other is objectively "better" . Some people prefer one or the other . Some people ( Me ) appreciate both . I liked my pre- M18, and hope to have another pre- or early M18 again. The feel and balance of 5.5in 3 Screw Single Six is exquisite. And has great trigger .

I generally scoff at advocates of point shooting. But to the extent it is a real thing, SA revolvers with grip shapes along the lines of SAA and XR3 & XR3RED point more naturally than anything else.

3 Screws are smoother than New Models , but trigger work on Ruger SA's is available widely.

And a Single Six is / is capable of being dual cylinder, with .22WMR capability.

**************

"Best" SA Revolver in .357 is subjective. Freedom Arms is a Class by itself. In Rugers you have old, new, and "Anniversary" sized A Blackhawk, Original and New sized Vaquero, and Bisley. And the higher grade SAA clones of consideration also.

[BAM-BAM]

The Ruger makes a better "walking in the woods gun"; smaller, lighter, most are stainless.

an even better woods gun IMO is the S&W Model 63.... even IMO a 4" Model 18 or 617

Had a Ruger single six ...... 30 years ago for about 2-3 years...... Smiths ever since.....

.......... it's all personal preference.

[CajunBass]

I've owned Smith & Wesson 17's and 18's. Ruger and Colt S/A's. Harrington and Richardson and High Standard 22 revolvers.

But my favorite 22 is a Ruger standard automatic with a 4" tapered barrel, and fixed sights. I need to get another one.

[murphydog]

If your only "con" to your K-22 is needing different grips/stocks, any K frame square butt variety will work, or a grip adapter. Then save up for the Single Six from your friend, it sounds as though you want to buy it anyhow and having two .22 revolvers is not a bad thing...

[Watchdog]

If you're going to get a Ruger Single-Six, then skip the newer models.

Get an original 3-screw Single-Six from the sixties or early seventies, one without the transfer bar, and one with the matching .22 WMR cylinder.

The Single-Six is easy to take apart for cleaning, and they last forever. They're as accurate as any .22, far as I'm concerned. And they're fun to shoot. Being single action, they sort of make you think about the shot.

[forindooruseonly]

I have a number of .22 revolvers, including a Model 17 and an old model Single Six.

For me, the primary difference between the two is that the Ruger is much more versatile, and for me, is more of a "kit" gun in the utilitarian sense of the word. If I'm strapping on a .22 to go for a little woods walk or camping, the Ruger is the go to revolver. I'll shoot everything from CB shorts to WMRs and ratshot out of my Ruger. Not so much with the 17. The Ruger is also considerably smaller and handier to carry around.

If I had to compare one of my S&Ws to the Ruger, it'd be more like my Model 34, which is a true Kit gun size and design, unlike the Model 17.

Pass on the New Model unless you're the type that wants to load all six chambers. Also, if the Ruger doesn't come with the matching WMR cylinder, then it is also limited in it's ability. Pass if it doesn't have it.

[Triggernosis]

Get you a Single Six in .32 H&R and have lots of fun.

[gwpercle]

You can't get a fancy western belt and holster rig , tie it down to your leg and pretend to be at the OK Corral , or be Shane facing Jack Wilson ! the DA S&W ....just doesn't look right .
Gary

[Ron M.]

The K22 is probably the finest DA .22 revolver out there. Mine dates to 1952, and it's a gem. That said, there is something almost "enchanting" about the old SA revolvers, their historical significance during the old West days. I bought a 1958 .22 Single Six and a 1968 .22 WMR single six within the last few months to fill a few open spots in the old safe. Can't speak to the newer ones, but these old 3-screw guns are cool in their own right. Parts readily available, cheap to shoot, and tear down for cleaning is a breeze. One could almost imagine standing side by side with Marshall Dillon facing off on some bad hombres. And they are comparatively inexpensive without feeling "cheap" if you go the used route. Much better than paying a bit less for brand "XXX" (won't bad mouth "H" arms, not familiar with them), and you have something that will hold it's value. Just my two cents.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

I have several of both.......fun times to be had.....I won't bash one over the other...That's childish......

[REM 3200]

Ruger Single Six - What does it do that my K22 Outdoorsman cannot do? Shoot .22 Magnum.

[A10]

One thing my older Single Six does that the K22 doesn't? Go Click Click Click Click when I cock it....otherwise, not much.

[davefromhere]

Hey, I thought I'd throw a wrench in the gear. I'm a S&W man but last year I bought​ a Single Action .22 and folks have been offering 10 times as much as what I paid for it. And after shooting it, it is not for sale ! Fogat about it!!! I would say hold the gun, feel the gun and if you can shoot the gun ... and then you'll know ! Good luck !!!!!!!! Oh, by the way, my .22 is a Colt !!!!!!!!!!!

[Fishinfool]

The nice thing about a Ruger SA is they are durable, not very expensive, and make a fine field gun when you don't want to worry about damaging the finish on that expensive K-22. SA has never bothered me, as I shoot slowly, for accuracy.

Trigger pull? Here is a tip. On the Ruger, remove the grips, you will notice a wire spring that attaches to two studs, one on each side of the upper grip frame. Remove one of the spring legs from its stud. Instant trigger job - makes a real difference. Have done this with many Ruger SA's over the years in all calibers, and it works fine and is reliable.

Larry

[Valmet]

I would agree that the K-22 is a "better" gun with regards to collectability and functionality (DA) and I have a nice 1968 Mod 17-3 that was a gift on my 17th bday that I love but I go absolutely wild for Ruger Single-Six LW "Tri-colors"

[62fuelie]

If you do buy the Single-Six put the magnum cylinder in the back of a drawer and leave it there. All it does out of a pistol is put out a sound blast that will fry your hearing in a hurry (no need to ask me how I know). If you can find a Hammerli built Virginian Dragoon in .357 that would be an excellent choice. If you are going Ruger go with the Old Model Vaquero no the midget one.
FWIW my $.02 worth.

[ditto1958]

Originally Posted by Watchdog

If you're going to get a Ruger Single-Six, then skip the newer models.

Get an original 3-screw Single-Six from the sixties or early seventies, one without the transfer bar, and one with the matching .22 WMR cylinder.

The Single-Six is easy to take apart for cleaning, and they last forever. They're as accurate as any .22, far as I'm concerned. And they're fun to shoot. Being single action, they sort of make you think about the shot.

I have two .22 LR revolvers, a 1930 Colt Officer's Model and a 1957 Single-Six flatgate. Both are very nice, but I think comparing the two is kind of apples and oranges.

Your K22 would be somewhat like my Colt in comparison to the Single-Six. The two are both .22 revolvers, but they're just not the same. I guess maybe that's a big reason why I have both the Colt and the Ruger. They're two different guns.

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by 62fuelie

If you do buy the Single-Six put the magnum cylinder in the back of a drawer and leave it there. All it does out of a pistol is put out a sound blast that will fry your hearing in a hurry.

Two words: Ear protection!

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by Rpg

I see the Ruger as a beginner's gun.

Well then, after fifty years of shootin', I reckon I'm still a beginner.

But I don't see anything wrong with that. I always say I'll never live long enough to learn all I need and want to know about guns and shooting.

Maybe in my next life, I can pick up where I left off in this life.

[Arik]

If things are "financially tight" personally I wouldn't even be looking at guns and may even sell a few. However, everyone has different idea of "financially tight" and expectations

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Boxhead]

Never, ever, wear any wear no matter how many rounds go through it.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Get a Single 10 and have 4 more shots than the 17....Or get a 617 and have 10 to match the single 10.
I feel your pain. IN the early days here money was tight and wants were not......I always squirreled back a little each week(may have only been pocket change). But over time it adds up if you leave it alone.....That was my gun fund..Way back when....

[Inusuit]

Just my opinion, but I believe every serious handgunner should have at least one single action revolver. I have several including a Single Six from about 1960. Paid $53.95. Will the Ruger do anything my S&W 17 or 63 won't? Maybe not, but the old Ruger has been my go to .22 revolver for over 50 years. Blue is mostly gone, but it's still my go to woods gun.

[gwpercle]

Shooting an old school single action revolver is like driving a 4 on the floor manual transmission , 1960's muscle car with a nice big 8 cylinder motor !
It may not be practical , but it sure is FUN.
Gary

[oddshooter]

You answered your own question when you came to the Smith & Wesson forum.

Several here gave unbiased reviews with details, but the majority are SW shooters and fans. No surprise. Try the Ruger forum and see how the responses go. It's the exact same responses, just reversed.



It's the nature of the beast. In all of us.


Prescut

[arjay]

I owned one long ago and sold it after a few years.I thought the Ruger Mark series and my K-22 cm were far more accurate

[Drm50]

The Rugers are probably the finest SA pistols ever produced,even
counting Colts. The Single-6 is a fine revolver( 3screw) but is not
a target gun as is a 17 or 18. The K22 used as a field pistol is
just as versatile as a S-6. It will shoot any ammo the Ruger will.
The only disadvantage is weight, which isn't much. When I go in
the woods I'm carrying a k22, the same one I've carried since
1964. I will put up with the weight it's a good trade off for the
accuracy of the K22. You can't take them with you so you might
as well enjoy them while you can. My K22 has some blue wear
and a few minor scratches but I have taken good care of it. From
1975 to 1992 I carried this gun almost daily and put a box of shells through it weekly ( at least)

[L Pete]

I don't know why, but there's a whole lotta' hate in the thread for the New Model Single-Sixes. My new one I bought last year shoots absolutely "lights out", after a little stoning on the trigger and hammer. It shoots better than my Ruger Mk IV Target. I'm very happy with mine, and consider it the perfect packin' .22. Plus,.....the price was right......

[otis24]

Growing up, I was all about single action revolvers. As I got older, practicality and utility won out. I now love DA revolvers. I purchased a Single Six with .22 mag cylinder. It was a pain to load. If you have a K22, keep it and invest your funds into something else you would rather have unless you can get one dirt cheap. I sold my Single Six several years ago. I would love to have a DA .22, Ruger or Smith!

[JGR_LV]

I've got a Ruger New Model Single-Six that I bought in the mid-Seventies and a barn find (long story) 1947-vintage K-22. Clearly the K-22 is the more valuable of the two. The Ruger came with the .22 Mag extra cylinder, so clearly it will do something the K-22 can't, at least not without spending a fortune to have somebody hand-fit a Mod. 18 cylinder to it, incidentally bubba-smithing a classic S&W. Not going there, especially as I doubt I've actually put a full box of magnums through the Ruger in the 40-plus years I've owned it.
I don't really understand the 3-screw snobs in the Ruger crowd, except perhaps purely from the collector value standpoint. Being able to safely carry only five rounds in a six-shooter is a definite minus for a field gun, in my view. The one-way cylinder rotation is a nuisance, and I've cussed mine from time to time. Eventually it may bother me enough to make me order the Power Custom free-spin pawl, or maybe the entire half-cock hammer/trigger kit, and spend the time to fit it, but so far I just swear at it and live with it.
My one real gripe with the Ruger is that the cylinder bores have sufficient rough machining marks in the chamber throat area that soft, unplated bullets of some brands leave lead behind, so much that after a couple dozen rounds it becomes nearly impossible to get a new round in the chamber. A gunsmith friend tells me that's not uncommon with the brand, and he's suggested very careful polishing to cure the problem. I'll probably do that before I spring for the after-market lockwork.

[Cardboard_killer]

My experience with a single-10 was okay. I was surprised at the weight. I don't think my k22 was much (if at all) heavier. What made me sell it was the inability to load reasonably quickly. With ten chambers, if you moved the cylinder a little too far, you couldn't load, and you have to move the cylinder in one direction all the way around to try again. I think there are kits to allow you to move the cylinder in both directions, but I don't want to spend another $120 on a $450 gun, and then hand fit it myself.

I have two Uberties now, as well as a Colt Frontier Scout. Obviously they are not as robust as the Ruger was, but I don't abuse my guns do not carry 22 SAs, except to the range. And they look so much better than the Ruger, even the colt as it's nickel plated.

What I would like to try is a Bearcat. That looks like a superior trail 22 over the single-#. Or I could stick with my m63. Still looking for a m34 at a good price.

[silversnake]

Originally Posted by Cardboard_killer

What I would like to try is a Bearcat. That looks like a superior trail 22 over the single-#. Or I could stick with my m63. Still looking for a m34 at a good price.

If you get a Bearcat, I like the version with adjustable sights. I found the thin blade front sight on the fixed-sight Bearcat almost unusable, particularly on the stainless guns. If you already have a 63 though that sounds like the better trail gun in my opinion.

[Buford57]

Originally Posted by jag312

Ruger Single Six - What does it do that my K22 Outdoorsman cannot do? Absolutely nothing.

I disagree: depreciate.