Ruger Single Six

[HOUSTON RICK]

Acquired a Ruger Single Six used shooter today. Tight mechanism and excellent bore. Plenty of honest wear on the frame and cylinder. Looks like it was used for cowboy drawing. Missing the magnum cylinder, so I will be looking for that to complete the gun, I will probably only shoot 22lr. Out the Door $299. Had been looking for a bargain on this one for awhile. Serial number places it as early 1960's? Will not interfere with acquisition of a certain Louisiana S&W rimfire revolver. What have your experiences been with this firearm? Thank you!

 

[fishwishin]

I have one and it is one heck of a fun plinker!

I also use it as a trainer for kids/new shooters. I am in California, so I usually have to pay the communist premium on my guns, but I got mine second hand with low mileage on it and the mag. cylinder for $400. I'd say you did very well. I hope you enjoy it!

 

[kraynky]

They are great training revolvers and plinkers, for both youngsters and old folks alike. I found that mine ran out of ammo rather quickly, however that feature is what makes it such a fine choice for training new shooters. Pay close attention as to whether you have a new model (with transfer safety bar), which can be safely loaded with all six rounds, or an old model (like your early 60's) which can fire thevround under the hammer without a pull of the trigger. (Not drop safe)

There's a whole day's worth of internet information available for those with the time and the know how to sort through it all. Basically it's a great gun, while not quite as accurate as one might hope. (in 22 LR)

Having one barrel for both 22 LR & 22 WMR, typically leaves some extra space in the barrel when firing the LR round. While normally not enough difference to be noticeable by most folks, it still make a great little "woods walking", "rabbit thumping", "can chasing" tote-along firearm that will also keep campers protected from wooly-boogers.

In fact, I seem to have traded my way plumb out of a Ruger Single Six once again. I need to fix that problem..........

 

[22lrfan]

Those are great little guns and a lot of fun to shoot. That's a great price on an early one. I've got several and the early ones like yours are my favorites. Like kraynky said, check to see if it has been updated to add the transfer bar. If not only carry it with five rounds.

 

[epj]

First gun I ever bought. About 1965-66. My father had to make a straw purchase for me. I was 18 or 19. Cost $67.50 I believe. Let it get away somewhere. Bad move.

 

[Bosquebass]

I got mine for $125 in like new in box condition back in '86. It's been a heck of a good little gun all these years. Never have fired it with the mag cylinder though.

 

[Papaw]

I've had one since about 69. Fired many thousands of rounds through it with no issues.

 

[Bakebfr480]

My dad bought a single-six convertible for my brother and me back in the early 70's. My brother is shipping it from Pennsylvania to Texas as soon as he finds the magnum cylinder. It's the gun we learned to shoot with! You can't go wrong with a single-six!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Wish I'd known you wanted one of those. Got one in mint condition with the black rubber Ruger grips on it. Oh well

 

[OldSarge21]

I use mine fairly often on the trap line or around the property. It is a bit newer than yours, with adjustable sights, but no plastic anywhere like the new new ones have. It is accurate enough. To load five safely I was taught, load one skip one load four cock and lower hammer on empty cylinder.

 

[cmansguns]

My 2002 Lipsey's exclusive (4-5/8" barrel) in stainless and with those great adjustable sights is a whole family favorite. Sons, daughters, and now grandkids have loved getting this guy strapped on in a Galco western rig, and punching paper or plinking cans, or spinners.

It is definitely a good trainer with only six aboard and SA. Fun to shoot for all the adults too. It does balance right, the "Bisley like" Rosewood grip configuration seems to fit all hands well enough so POI equals POA most of the time.

The 22 WMR cylinder just adds to the fun, noise, and is great on spinners, or water filled milk jugs.

You did swell getting that Single-Six. Enjoy.

 

[alwslate]

Wish I'd known you wanted one of those. Got one in mint condition with the black rubber Ruger grips on it. Oh well

Hey! All's well that ends well

 

[cowboy4evr]

I bought one about 4 yrs ago , with 6" barrel . To say it was in rough shape is an understatement . It looked like someone had tied a rope onto it and drug it behind a p/u down a paved road , scarred and beat to HxLL . But , typical Ruger , it shoots just fine . Must of knocked the barrel a bit off center as I had to completely run the rear sight to the far right side to center the shots . It only came with the magnum cylinder , and yes I bought it real cheap . Makes a good truck gun . Regards, Paul

 

[Wee Hooker]

Congratulations. I'm sure you will enjoy your gun for a long time to come. Myself, I've owned "a few"single six's over the years and still keep an unmodified old 3 clicker. They are very cool little field guns and at 7/8 size traditional SA frame size, just a joy to handle. The older ones ( especially the unmodified specimens) have a sweet Swiss watch sound when thumbing the action too. They also lose all that Safety manifesto stamping on new models.
I don't shoot the 22 mag cylinder much. I might if I was going to take the gun hunting but the mag is loud, expensive and gums the gun up quickly. If you get a cylinder for yours, be advised it will likely need fitting. ( There were a few that were made .22lr only BTW.)

Here is mine. It dates back to 1963/64 and is on my "do not sell list"

 

[huntandfishguy63]

Probably my most carried revolver.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

CAJUNLAWYER; Wish I'd known you wanted one of those. Got one in mint condition with the black rubber Ruger grips on it. Oh well

Caj, you wouldn't happen to have a 9mm shooter Luger squirrelled away in your collection that you would let go?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Congratulations. I'm sure you will enjoy your gun for a long time to come. Myself, I've owned "a few"single six's over the years and still keep an unmodified old 3 clicker. They are very cool little field guns and at 7/8 size traditional SA frame size, just a joy to handle. The older ones ( especially the unmodified specimens) have a sweet Swiss watch sound when thumbing the action too. They also lose all that Safety manifesto stamping that
I don't shoot the 22 mag cylinder much. I might if I was going to take the gun hunting but the mag is loud, expensive and gums the gun up quickly. If you get a cylinder for yours, be advised it will likely need fitting. ( There were a few that were made .22lr only BTW.)

Here is mine. It dates back to 1963/64 and is on my "do not sell list"

Reply From Rick: Thank you, that may save me the hunt for the "missing" Mag cylinder that I likely would have seldom used (assuming I could find one that fit). By the serial number, mine is one of the ones that came only with the 22lr cylinder. It also not updated without a transverse bar and still has a quarter cock. I will confirm that by seeing if the bore is .217 when I get around to it. Good to know that it is likely complete.

 

[The Norseman]

'56 Ruger Single Six 22lr

Congratulations on your new purchase of
a 22lr Ruger Single Six.

From one's I've seen used, you can sure tell they
are used. The Ruger Single Six is just a Quality,
well Priced 22lr to start with.

Mine is a 5 Digit Serial Number which according
to Ruger puts it in the 1956 date range.

My Dad took very good care of it. It has very
good bluing and some honest wear, bore is perfect,
grips are prefect yet. The Box and Instructions are
in very good shape too.

This Revolver because of the "Plow Handle" grip,
unlike my S&W's, took quite a bit of Shoot'n to get
use to. In the beginning it was common to Shoot 6"
groups at 50 feet. Found out that "Pinky under the
Grip" and Trigger finger high on the Trigger and riding,
being across the top of Trigger Guard Frame worked well.

Many won't believe it, but it has a very nice trigger pull
that breaks cleanly and sharp. It is a very Accurate firearm.

Most accurate Ammo is the Winchester M22 1000 rounds
Big Black Box. I've done it several times, it will print a 1"-2"
group at 30 yards. Lots of concertation in the Off Hand Position.
I truly believe it's the Ammo and the nice Trigger.

Because of it's Family History, I truly cherish this Revolver, it is
Well taken care of and Carefully used and cleaned.

I have it in my Revolver Rotation and it's turn is today. Oh,
what fun.

Here's mine below, sorry no Pretty Pictures from
this guy.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Congratulations. I'm sure you will enjoy your gun for a long time to come. Myself, I've owned "a few"single six's over the years and still keep an unmodified old 3 clicker. They are very cool little field guns and at 7/8 size traditional SA frame size, just a joy to handle. The older ones ( especially the unmodified specimens) have a sweet Swiss watch sound when thumbing the action too. They also lose all that Safety manifesto stamping that
I don't shoot the 22 mag cylinder much. I might if I was going to take the gun hunting but the mag is loud, expensive and gums the gun up quickly. If you get a cylinder for yours, be advised it will likely need fitting. ( There were a few that were made .22lr only BTW.)

Here is mine. It dates back to 1963/64 and is on my "do not sell list"

Reply From Rick: Thank you, that may save me the hunt for the "missing" Mag cylinder that I likely would have seldom used (assuming I could find one that fit). By the serial number, mine is one of the ones that came only with the 22lr cylinder. It also not updated without a transverse bar and still has a quarter cock. I will confirm that by seeing if the bore is .217 when I get around to it. Good to know that it is likely complete.

Nice, Finding an unmodified one with a .22 bore makes it a sweeter find yet!

 

[M1A]

I bought one in the mid 70's. Hunted squirrel in TN woods. Rarely used the mag cylinder. Regrettably sold it.