Unconverting a converted three screw Single Six

[Kookla]

Recently, my dad gave me his Ruger Single Six- it's a converted three screw, 6.5" barrel, fixed sights and have two cylinders for it (.22lr and wmr) . This is the second revolver I've ever held where I can say that the lockup is "bank vault" or so very close to it (the other was a colt new service) Was thinking about converting it back to a non-transfer bar. It shoots good.

Now I have two questions- first, what parts would I need to scrounge to do so? Second- should I? Wasn't sure that doing so would affect how it is right now. There's a part of me that is thinking to just leave it alone.

Thanks.

 

[243winxb]

I vote, Leave it alone. Dad knows best. This applied to my old model SBH . Had the firing pin hit the edge of the primer 1 time. Sure glad it didnt fire, being out of time.

 

[bannockburn]

kookla

Not sure but it might be hard to find and somewhat expensive to get the parts you need to convert your Single Six back to it's original configuration. I did a quick look on ebay and a couple of other gun auction websites and couldn't find the necessary parts. I think you need a hammer, trigger (and spring), cylinder base pin (and latch and spring), and a hand (pawl). If you're not doing the work yourself you would have to locate a gunsmith who would be willing to install them (could be an issue with liability).

 

[CraigC]

I would definitely convert any Old Model Blackhawk or Single Six to its original lockwork. It's infinitely better and all one has to do is get in the habit of loading it with five rounds. The parts kits are not difficult to find. Ruger tends to return them in a bag and many people sell them afterwards. Expect to spend $100-$150 for the set. They are easy to install. Best bet would be to post a want ad in the RugerForum classifieds.

 

[VINTAGE-SLOTCARS]

I own 3 Ruger Three screw guns. I would never consider converting them. If Ruger converted your dads gun he would have been sent the old parts back. Ask him if he has those parts put away . Good luck getting the original parts back into your Ruger!

 

[Steve Cover]

I believe that transfer bar was a lawyer driven design rather than a product upgrade.
As such, I doubt that you will get any help from Ruger.

Steve

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'd convert it back in a heartbeat if I could find the parts.

It's not unsafe at all if you follow the old way of loading.
Load one chamber, skip one and load 4. The hammer will then fall on an empty chamber. Perfectly safe.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I believe that transfer bar was a lawyer driven design rather than a product upgrade.
As such, I doubt that you will get any help from Ruger.

Steve

Howdy

Don't blame the layers, blame our litigiousness society. Ruger was the defendant in more than one costly lawsuit. They had to pay large fines because of poor gun handling by people who did not understand how to safely load and shoot a traditional single action revolver. In the interest of reducing their legal exposure, Ruger redesigned all their single action revolvers in the early 1970s to include the Transfer Bar. As an aside, Ruger did not invent the Transfer Bar, Iver Johnson invented it late in the 19th Century or early in the 20th Century. But you are correct, because they need to cover their butt, you will never get those parts from Ruger.

I have three Three Screw Single Sixes and several Three Screw Blackhawks, none of them have been converted, I would not dream of converting them. I have had the chance to buy a couple of converted Three Screws, but I was not interested.

Tough decision with a hand-me-down from Dad. I would probably leave it alone since it came from your Dad.

 

[murf]

i'd just shoot it "as is", and keep my eye open for an "old model" bag of parts. the only problem that i can think of with the bag of parts is the hand not the right length for the cylinder.

luck,

murf

 

[Tallball]

I have five Ruger SA revolvers. The four New Models have good triggers. The unconverted three screw has a trigger that is CLEARLY superior to the others.

 

[Snyper]

This is the second revolver I've ever held where I can say that the lockup is "bank vault" or so very close to it

And now you want to make changes to it?

 

[RX-79G]

I had a converted Ruger with a trigger job. I have no idea why I would trade that great trigger and 6 rounds for 5.

 

[Kookla]

Thanks for the replies everyone, this is very appreciated. He bought the gun used and it was already converted, so there were no parts.

I think I'm just going to leave this one be.

 

[bannockburn]

Kookla

Good choice. Enjoy your newly acquired Single Six.

 

[Hanshi]

I have managed to hang onto 4 Ruger OM blackHawks, a .44mag SBH, a .41mag BH and two .45Colt BHs. Since my first revolver was a Colt SA, I grew up with the old 3-clicks-to-cock action. I know them, understand them and can use them safely. Plus the triggers are all divine. I've had notices from Ruger to send mine in for modification; they even sent me a couple boxes. But no way I'd have my old 3-screws buggered with a transfer bar. The ones manufactured that way to start with are okay, and I've owned several. I deeply regret letting my Super Single Six go.

 

[silicosys4]

I have a converted 3 screw single six, My father has a 3 screw single six unconverted. The unconverted trigger and hammer are miles above the converted. If I could find one of those bag-o-parts I'd unconvert mine in a heartbeat.
The converted hammer pull is gritty, clinks and jangles with every hammer cock, and has a stiff trigger. You can feel the conversion parts fighting against each other and grudgingly working. The unconverted one is smooth, glassy, and buttery.

 

[Steve Cover]

Howdy

Don't blame the layers, blame our litigiousness society. Ruger was the defendant in more than one costly lawsuit. They had to pay large fines because of poor gun handling by people who did not understand how to safely load and shoot a traditional single action revolver. In the interest of reducing their legal exposure, Ruger redesigned all their single action revolvers in the early 1970s to include the Transfer Bar. As an aside, Ruger did not invent the Transfer Bar, Iver Johnson invented it late in the 19th Century or early in the 20th Century. But you are correct, because they need to cover their butt, you will never get those parts from Ruger.

I have three Three Screw Single Sixes and several Three Screw Blackhawks, none of them have been converted, I would not dream of converting them. I have had the chance to buy a couple of converted Three Screws, but I was not interested.

Tough decision with a hand-me-down from Dad. I would probably leave it alone since it came from your Dad.

Lawyer driven.... As in a reaction to a lawsuit.
I collect 3 screw Rugers too.
They never will be converted.
I just don't have a need to load all six chambers when carrying them.
At the range, I load six and fire six without holstering.

In the case at hand, I agree that because it came from his father, keeping it as is may be an issue.

Steve