Ruger Single-Six

[hsguy]

I had a hankering to try out something new and ran across a Single-Six. I have never owned a Ruger or a SAA type of gun so I thought it would be fun. The gun was shipped in 1960 so it is an older model. The gun has some finish wear and the odd scratch but looks quite nice. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that it has a very nice pair of Ivory grips, I think they are very pretty and feel good in the hand. I think the gun and grips make a very attractive looking gun. I took the gun to the range Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed shooting it. Pulling the hammer back produces a fair amount of clicking and clacking that was satisfying in an old western movie type of way. The gun balanced and fit my hand quite naturally so I am happy with my purchase. My first love is S&W's but it was fun to try something a bit different.

 

[JcMack]

That is a beauty! Unless that's gonna be a safe queen, I'd put the grips up and buy a shooter pair.

 

[Straightshooter2]

That is a beauty! Unless that's gonna be a safe queen, I'd put the grips up and buy a shooter pair.

+1 for a pair of shooter grips and yes, it is a beauty!

CW

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Beautiful gun and possibly very expensive and desireable Ruger factory grips. If you do get shooter grips they must be XR3 type, not the later XR3RED type. The latter have a longer grip frame while the former (yours) are identical to 1st generation Colt single actions.

 

[canoeguy]

Nice revolver, and even nicer grips...

Those grips! I have a friend who is a Ruger fan and he loses his mind over early Ruger grips. Do some reasearch on them, I bet you find they are worth more than the revolver.

 

[feralmerril]

Nice! That was my exact first good handgun too and also the same year. Mine got stolen while I was on a trip back in 1969. In 1990 I found a as NIB model made in 1959 to replace it. I once owned a very early one that had genuine ruger stag grips. As ruger claims they never nickled a gun it must have been a refinish as it was nickle. Also the hammer was uncheckered and smooth. I had a close buddy that used to do the fast draw thing at big bear in the 50s. He said he seen a identical one fixed up the same for a prize. By the way, that gun should be more accurate than the later ones as the later ones have a larger bore to accomidate .22 mags! They didnt make two sepperate bore sizes in the latter guns.
Either you are a great photographer or the blue on that ruger is the deepest with the best polish I have ever seen on a ruger.

 

[2152hq]

Ruger used to give shipping date and configuration info over the phone. Don't know if they still do.
If not I believe they still offer a 'letter' on their guns.

With the condition of the revolver and what looks like factory ivory..I'd do some investigating to see if the gun was shipped with ivory grips.
If so, it's worth alot as a set as a collector (or to a collector).
Many nice condition early mfg 'shooter' single sixes could be had for the value if it is.

Just Ruger factory ivory is high value as pointed out and should be protected from damage.

Nice gun to 'run across' ! Congrats!!

added..
Ruger contact info for research:

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Records Department
411 Sunapee Street
Newport, NH 03773

Telephone: 603-865-2424
Fax: 603-863-9371

They will give you the shipping date & model configuration of a Ruger firearm,, no cost.
Include complete ser#, mod#, and any special markings or features (ivory grips!).

The last one I called about, a Flat Top 44,,they gave me the info right over the phone and then offered to send me a 'letter' also. All at no charge.

 

[Onomea]

That's a beaut! I say keep it as is and shoot the heck out of it! (And also do the research. I'd be curious to hear what you learn.)

 

[mkk41]

Had a few over the years. Nothing wrong with them. They usually got bought off me by someone offering more money than I paid.

I actually like the little Bearcat better.

 

[David LaPell]

I had two Single Sixes over the years, one from 1958 the other 1968 and they were both excellent guns. They can take a beating and are pretty accurate. That one looks great.

 

[Arizona Commander]

Beautiful, I would be surprised to learn that was the original blue, I have seen a lot of Rugers and as someone else already said you are either an excellent photographer or that is the finest bluing ever to come on one of these little Rugers. You might want to put this one up for a bit and do a little research, someone put some extra time and care into that little gem.

 

[captorquewrench]

I think, when I looked at these pics, I just wet myself a little.

Fantastic!

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Serial number ranges for Ruger firearms showing dates of manufacture.

Ruger Instruction Manuals & Product History

 

[hsguy]

Thank you all for the interesting comments. As to the finish, I believe it to be completely original, the high gloss is due to the coat of Renaissance Wax I applied. Now for the grips, I posted a query on a Ruger forum about the grips and seemed to cause a bit of a stir as to whether they are factory or not. The main argument against them being factory is the placement of the medallions. Some of the folks knowledgeable about Rugers say the medallions should be higher and more forward and others posted photos of grips with medallions in positions similar to my grips. I would certainly never claim the grips are factory but suspect they are as they exhibit all the other characteristics of factory grips including style of drilling for the grips, numbering, and fit. I suspect medallion placement may have been dictated by the nature of the material and the left grip shows a bit of bark or something at the forward top of the grip that may have influenced the placement of the medallions. Whether they are factory or not doesn't matter to me as they are quite attractive and I did not buy the gun for resale.

As far as contacting Ruger, I appreciate the info and have contacted them. They indicated the gun shipped Aug. 19, 1960. However, they could not supply info on the grips as their records would not indicate if the gun shipped with Ivory grips as they were an accessory item and normally sold separately. Thanks again for all the comments and information.

JcMack, I will probably put them up but had to give them a go, felt a bit like General Patton. I also figured the elephant was a bit rougher on them than me so being careful I did no damage.

 

[dant]

John, you do just that "put them up" send them MY way, and I'll send you a couple of pairs of ORIGINAL,,, hard rubber AND walnut grips, even a few dollars "boot"....I told you over on the "other" forum, we liked them grips....NICE gun

 

[glenncal1]

I did something similar last year and picked up a Colt Frontier Scout

that was for sale locally at a reasonable price. I wanted to have one SAA style gun and this one meets the need and is cheep to shoot with the LR cylinder.

 

[hsguy]

John, you do just that "put them up" send them MY way, and I'll send you a couple of pairs of ORIGINAL,,, hard rubber AND walnut grips, even a few dollars "boot"....I told you over on the "other" forum, we liked them grips....NICE gun

Dan, you are at the top of the list if I decide to sell. Thanks for your help and sage advice.