Best "upgrades" for the Ruger Single Six?

[MatthewVanitas]

I've recently reflected on what an outstanding gun the Ruger Single Six is, and how I need to add one to my collection. Technically I do have one in my collection, but it's a .32 H&R (5", blued, adj, birdshead), so there's definitely a place for a .22LR.

My timeline to acquire such is pretty lengthy, since I'm overseas now, won't be back in a state where I have residency for a while, and might be moving overseas for a few years, so plenty of time to figure out details and save up.

I'm vaguely debating, over the period I'm overseas, getting a few Single Sixes customised and then sent to an FFL buddy to hang on to in the back of the safe until I get back. What would be the best ways to "upgrade" a Single Six, cosmetically or practically?

Off the top of my head, I think it'd be fun to have at least one with a modern micro red-dot optic (maybe find a nice cosmetic beater that wouldn't be ruined by tapping), to have at least one micro-shorty/"sherrif's" variant with cool cut-down grips, and I figure a reverse-spin pawl would be delightful to prevent the " I turned the cylinder 3 degrees too far and have to skip that chamber!!!" issue on any SS.

What potential custom/upgraded Single Six ideas have you tried or considered?

 

[Ed Harris]

On mine I replaced the factory rear sight with Hamilton Bowen's Rough Country rear, I did the reverse-spin pawl and the Belt Mountain locking base pin.

 

[dewalt-2]

Here's my 9.5" with a Weaver no drill mount and a Millett 3 MOA ReDot, and grips from my Super Blackhawk.
Works just great.
You'll also want to do a little trigger work. Do some searching and see how easy it is to do yourself. Did wonders for mine.

 

[ArmedBear]

How do you do the reverse-spin pawl? What's the cost?

That's one of the reasons I don't want a Single Six. It's a big enough PITA to load my BH and SBH, that I don't want to deal with a .22. But with the pawl, I'd like to have one.

Also, the trigger. Ruger SA triggers, at least the ones I have, SUCK about as badly as any triggers I've felt, at least on guns that aren't complete junk. A trigger job is mandatory, IMO.

 

[fluffi]

look up "poor mans trigger job" on gun blast

 

[461]

Hello Matthew my old friend. The Single-Six is an all time favorite of mine and I'm definitely all for custom guns, but mine has had exactly zero custom work done and I love it. I put a Belt Mountain belt pin in it but then pulled it to put it in my .32 Mag and never got around to replacing it. I put a Bowen rear sight on it but it wound up on a custom .32Mag that went down the road. I bought a set of custom grips for it but they didn't fit so they ended up on a Blackhawk that they seemed made for.

I guess in the end, my Single Six has had a bunch of custom stuff but none of it stuck. I shoot it more than any other gun and just don't see any reason to change it.

Wish I could help you. I've toyed with a full custom one but I figure I'd still shoot my current one more.

 

[CajunBass]

A nice holster. A bunch of ammo....