Best place to buy a .32 Single Six/Vaquero? Why OOP?

[MatthewVanitas]

Since I like anything with a small-frame, I'm kinda keeping my eye out for a Ruger Single Six/Vaquero in .32 H&R mag.

They phased these out a few years back, which kind of confuses me. I'd heard they were huge among the more competitive CAS shooters, due to the negligible recoil allowing faster shooting. I seem to recall it was a common complaint that folks were "gaming the game" by using a weak cartridge vice a 44/45.

In any case, aside from the usual suspects (Gunbroker, Auctionarms, etc), is there a best place to check for a used .32 Ruger? Per the search, nobody has ever sold one on THR. I figure there must be some sixgun-type niche site that would have them come up more often.

Failing that, are there any other mini-SAA sixguns that are still centerfire? Any Cimmaron/Uberti mini Colt clones in 9mm, .38, .32, etc?

(EDIT: answered my own question. The Cimmaron Mini Model-P has a downsized-SAA frame, and comes in .22, .32. .38, and .41 Colt: http://www.gunblast.com/Cimarron3220.htm However, it's retail price is right up with what some used Rugers are going for, and I'd imagine the Ruger is a better product overall)

 

[gggman]

I like that model P junior, but I wish they made it available with a birds head grip frame.

 

[BlkHawk73]

This was the second go-round for Ruger with the chambering. Like the first time, there simply wasn't enough demand to warrent keeping them in production. Upon the discontinuance, Ruger had a LOT warehoused so they obviously were too popular of an item. After they were wholesaled out cheap they still weren't huge sellers. It's a great cartridge but just not one with a larger popular following like other cartridges have. I for one like it and picked up a pair of .32 birdshead Single Sixes and a 1894 Marlin 1894.
Keep looking as they're not really a rare model. Check on the various sites (Gunbroker, Auction Arms, etc) and on the SASS classifieds. Some gunshops also have thier used inventories online. Check those as well.

Heritage is also chambering thier Rough Rider in .32 H&R mag now also.

 

[MiddleAgedKen]

What BlkHawk73 said. It's alloy frame, so your mileage may vary in that regard. Priced to move, I'll say that.

I have a Rough Rider in .22LR/.22WMR convertible with the 4.75" barrel. My first handgun, in fact. I'm pretty fond of it and have used it quite a bit. It's alloy frame too, but they have steel-framed options available in that caliber (for states that outlaw alloy frames). In terms of fit and finish, one wouldn't mistake it for a Single Six, but it's serviceable.

 

[Chance131]

MatthewVanitas

There was a LNIB .32 H&R Vaquero at Legendary Guns in Phoenix this morning when I was there. I think it was priced around the $450-500 area. You can reach them at (602) 242-1195. Very good folks. .32 is a fun gun. I have 2 Single Six's and a Marlin 1894 in.32.

 

[moewadle]

About smaller frame six-guns

I have one that seems to be rather obscure but is listed in the Gun Digest and Navy Arms web site. It is the Navy Arms Scout and is a .38 Special slightly smaller frame size then that company's 45 Colt whatever they call it. Like the larger model this has a blued barrel and frame (or maybe the frame is case colored, sorry and I am not going to my locker and check) and the trigger guard and back-strap are what's called German Silver. I really like the gun and it I think it shoots pretty nicely. I got it from a dealer on a set-sale web site (Guns USA) for about $420 NIB a couple years ago. It was hard to find at the time and now I see they list for around $510. When I received it it was in a Uberti box so no doubt who made it. It is nice looking and shoots well. The only objection I have is that the ejector rod is tiny bit too short but, essentially does the job.

I was at a gun show here in Iowa two days ago and a dealer had a Ruger .32 in stainless, brand new I believe, asking $500. I still remember almost two years ago I was just getting back into guns and a local dealer had one in stainless, standard grips, not the birds head, for $200 used and looked very nice in the case. A couple days later I went back to consider buying it and it was gone. I really missed out.

But, that Scout is a pretty good gun. There is something else about the way it ejects that is a little unusual so I will look at it again and add another post on this.

 

[461]

http://www.rugerforum.org/ sometimes has them come up. I've got a few of them and will not be parting with them.

 

[moewadle]

Here is the info on the Navy Arms Scout

that I did not clarify previously. The frame is case colored and I think mine is a very quality looking job. The barrel is blued and the trigger guard and backstrap are German Silver which, of course, means they are silver colored. The Navy Arms website photo of the Scout makes it appear the trigger guard and backstrap are brass colored but they are not. This hand gun is a slightly smaller-framed version of the Navy Arms 1873 Peacemaker type gun. The MSRP is $545 I think or a little less. It came out in 2005 according to the 2007 Gun Digest. I really like the gun and one of the advantages, of course is that the caliber is a relatively inexpensive ammo. The grips are black polymer by the way. Look at the Navy Arms web site to see it. For some reason I have not quite figured out the ejector rod is situated in a normal manner but takes a little jog in it's slot when the rod is pushed. This is not like my Ruger Vaquero so do not quite understand why the gun was built this way but it is not a problem, just slightly different.

 

[LeonCarr]

Will you be using the .32 in Afghanistan?

Just my .02 and thank you for your service,
LeonCarr