Ruger Single Six .22lr

Nevada Ed · Mar 22, 2023

In the 60's I had a "Red Bag" special.

Even with the long barrel, I was not too good at hitting things,
with the cowboy style sights.

The 22 Magnums were accurate but seldom used, due to their price.

A fun revolver, for a while.

2152hq · Mar 22, 2023

I've had a couple of the 3 screw Single Six revolvers. One a Super Single Six that was near NIB.

They were bought at prices that would be considered robbery these days.
I like the Ruger 3 screw SA's but the Single 6 just seems to wear me out when shooting them. Something about the smaller size. Can't explain it other than that.
I sold them all. One I had engraved.

Now I just have a 3 screw Blackhawk converted to 45Colt. w/fixed sights.

Can't beat the older Rugers though. My first legal handgun was a Standard Auto.
With a NYS Pistol Carry Permit in hand at age 18 by 2 weeks, I bought it Brand NIB for $41 and change.
That's gone too of course!

ralph7 · Mar 22, 2023

Seems all the older ones I see don't have the shorter barrel.
When did Ruger introduce the 45/8" barrel on the single six?

Valmet · Mar 22, 2023

Used to have a handful of the early Lightweight Tri-colors- wish I’d hung onto them...

alwslate · Mar 22, 2023

ralph7 said:
Seems all the older ones I see don't have the shorter barrel.
When did Ruger introduce the 45/8" barrel on the single six?

The Single Sixs were all 5&1/2" barrel length until 1959 when the 4&5/8" and 6&1/2" were introduced. I think 1959 was also the first year they were made in .22 Magnum. I have a 4&5/8" one that was made in 1959 and a somewhat rare model, a 4&5/8" convertible model made in 1972. This pertains to the standard Single Six, not the Super with adjustable sights. Yes there were some lightweight models produced for a short time with aluminum frames and even some with aluminum cylinders but they didn't sell very well so production was short.

Drm50 · Mar 22, 2023

When in hi school in 60s I had one of each Ruger SA made at time, from Bearcat to SBH. Try that today and you couldn’t haul them in a pickup.

iWander · Apr 6, 2023

I just won a very nice condition 1960 model off the auction site. It has had the transfer bar safety update. It's my first single action gun and I bought it to try out the platform and compliment the Henry 001.

Are the models that have received the transfer bar safety undesirable because they're not in original condition or does it really affect the trigger that much?

S-W4EVER · Apr 6, 2023

Some beautiful revolvers in this thread. The only older Ruger I have is a Single Six Buntline (unconverted) and it is a tack-driver..

TJm15.38 · Apr 6, 2023

iWander said:
I just won a very nice condition 1960 model off the auction site. It has had the transfer bar safety update. It's my first single action gun and I bought it to try out the platform and compliment the Henry 001.

Are the models that have received the transfer bar safety undesirable because they're not in original condition or does it really affect the trigger that much?

Not sure I would say that a modified old model Single Six is less desirable. However, any firearm in it's original condition is probably more valuable. The transfer bar modification was pushed by Ruger, because they knew the old model revolvers were unsafe to carry fully loaded with a live round in line with the hammer. Safety notches were never considered "safe" for a gun that is mishandled or dropped with a hammer on a live chamber. Same thing goes for the 1873 Colt Single Action army. You are going to get a good old model Ruger that will be safe to carry fully loaded. That's not all bad.

Edit: Don't think the transfer bar modification will have anything to do with the trigger pull or operation.

HOUSTON RICK · Apr 7, 2023

I have at least a close cousin that I picked up cheap. Nice handgun but I expect it will remain my only single action revolver.

SweetMK · Apr 7, 2023

Possibly rare,, if you have two with consecutive serial numbers, ??

A neighbor was selling these, and asked if I wanted ONE of them??

(I think buying only one would be more crazy than buying two,,,)

Mainsail · Apr 7, 2023

The second firearm, and first handgun, I ever bought was the Ruger New Model Super Single six. I think it was 1984 and I bought it from the Big5 in Vacaville CA. I don't remember any drama about it either, but it's not like that now.

Stainless because I was living in (and hiding the gun in) the barracks at Travis AFB and I figured I might not have the opportunity to clean it after a day of shooting.

I still have it and still my favorite .22 to shoot.

Nice Ruger OP, wish I could find an old one like that.

TJm15.38 · Apr 8, 2023

iWander said:
I just won a very nice condition 1960 model off the auction site. It has had the transfer bar safety update. It's my first single action gun and I bought it to try out the platform and compliment the Henry 001.

Are the models that have received the transfer bar safety undesirable because they're not in original condition or does it really affect the trigger that much?

I just found some information for you on the transfer bar conversion, assuming it was done by Ruger. The attachment photo explains what is done to convert the gun to the more modern action. Turns out I sent in a request for conversion in 1993 and Ruger sent me a box with this info and shipping instructions. I never completed the process, because I decided to keep the Single Six original. Bottom line, if the conversion was done at Ruger, practically all of the internal parts were replaced without change to the frame.

Goony · Apr 8, 2023

Bottom line, if the conversion was done at Ruger, practically all of the internal parts were replaced without change to the frame.

My understanding is that any unconverted gun Ruger gets its hands on will be have this work done. I also have heard that early on, all the original parts that were replaced would be returned to you but that this is no longer the case.

Chubbs103 · Apr 8, 2023

Goony said:
My understanding is that any unconverted gun Ruger gets its hands on will be have this work done. I also have heard that early on, all the original parts that were replaced would be returned to you but that this is no longer the case.

It is true that any un-converted handgun sent in will get the transfer bar. The return of parts has been hotly debated the internets. Customer service sent me an e-mail almost 3 years ago ensuring they still returned all the original parts. I cannot confirm if it has changed since then.

I have Old Model and New Model Rugers. I'm shopping for more (I have a hankering for a .32 Single Six). My Old Models will remain unconverted and carried with 5 rounds.

6GUNSONLY · Apr 8, 2023

Old model Super Single Six I had John Gallagher cut to 4 5/8" and install a wide V rear and brass bead front sight. It keeps the Magnum cylinder in almost all the time and is a fine woods-walking companion.

Muley Gil · Apr 9, 2023

I had one like the OP posted. Only kept it for a little while, as I bought a stainless New Model Bearcat that I like better. A few years back, I found a second stainless .22 LR Bearcat cylinder and reamed it to .22 Magnum.

cmansguns · Apr 9, 2023

Couldn't find factory 4-5/8" listed

Picked up a Single Six Convertible in 2002 and the Model was noted as AS 0627. It came to me with original gray plastic case, extra 22 Mag cylinder, Owners Manual, etc.

The barrel is 4-5/8" which is just perfect for balance and shooting by the youngsters in my family. Nice Rosewood grips too.

Could not find that particular Model number listed in factory searches on the "FrustraNet" but later learned that this particular set up was exclusive for Lipsey's.

Seems big distributors can get some "perks" with the factory or better known as "money talks...BS walks"

Goony · Apr 9, 2023

Seems big distributors can get some "perks" with the factory...

Ruger is still doing this, most obviously right now with the Wrangler, available in a veritable rainbow of colors depending on which distributor a dealer orders from. For example, here's the version that Davidson's has been allotted: Sweet As a Plum - Davidson's Exclusive Ruger WranglerThe Firearm Blog

iWander · Apr 22, 2023

I've joined the single action world with this 1960 Single Six with the safety conversion. I don't think it was ever cleaned as it took four cycles of soaking and scrubbing the bore and cylinder to see the rifling and interior of the cylinder. Regardless, it's in great shape and accurate. I wanted the transfer bar as it's primary purpose is teaching family and others to shoot. We have a Henry 22 Carbine for the same purpose.

Ruger Single Six .22lr

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