OM Single Six Purchase (new to me!)

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skfullen

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I just picked up a Ruger single six flat top dating from about 1969. It is unconverted, (7.5" barrel?) and only has the 22 wmr cylinder. While the bluing is in okay condition, the anodized aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing have some scars from honest use.
I'm a sucker for old Rugers (and Colt SAA's) and have a couple of "nicer" specimens I rarely carry/shoot. I figured I would use this one as a 4-wheeler/truck gun.
I gave it a good cleaning and it looks much better. It was REALLY dirty and had an acculation of muck and grime in all the screwslots. Now find myself wanting a .22 lr cylinder!
Where can I get one and how probable is it that it will need to be fitted? Remember, this is an Old Model, unconverted 3 Screw.
Did all of them ship with both cylinders or did some arrive only with 22 WMR?
It also came with a very dirty, vintage Hunter holster that is now drying after a good scrubbing. It needs a snap repaired and I've already ordered a snap repair kit from Amazon.
 

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Very cool. My only SS is an unmolested flat gate from 1956. I think you will be very happy with your new toy.
I'm pretty sure if you find a cylinder on flea bay or wherever it will probably fit but I have heard of some that need a bit of tweaking. All you can do is try. Remember the Rugers were designed to minimize hand fitting of parts so there should be a good chance it will work just fine. Wear on the gun and wear on the cylinder you find may play into the puzzle though.
 
skfullen

Nice pick-up on the Single Six! A god friend of mine used a Single Six in .22LR when he was running his trap lines. When he stopped doing that he gave the gun to me along with an old holster for it. Took quite a bit of cleaning but I got it done and looking fairly decent with some NOS Ruger grips to go with it. Picked up a .22 Magnum cylinder at a gun show and had a gunsmith fit it to my gun. All and all it turned out really nice!
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Skfullen,
In regards to my earlier post; I just realized he had sent me a photo of his frame. I bought him a set of grip panels from Alatamont for Christmas and they don’t fit so I asked him to send me model information so I could contact Altamont and get the proper grips.

His says .22 RF Magnum right on the frame.
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Skfullen,
In regards to my earlier post; I just realized he had sent me a photo of his frame. I bought him a set of grip panels from Alatamont for Christmas and they don’t fit so I asked him to send me model information so I could contact Altamont and get the proper grips.

His says .22 RF Magnum right on the frame.
View attachment 969661
Thanks! That is awesome.
I just looked and mine does not have the WMR designation. Darn!
That probably means the 22lr cylinder was lost/misplaced along the way.
 
Thanks! That is awesome.
I just looked and mine does not have the WMR designation. Darn!
That probably means the 22lr cylinder was lost/misplaced along the way.

That may be. If you want a .22 long rifle cylinder you could contact Ruger to see if they can help you. It would require shipping your gun to them so they could adjust it to your gun. I am sure a good gunsmith could do that as well.
 
Ive swapped cylinders around on my single sixes without any issues. I recently decided to get them all matched up again and 3 guns had cylinders for others in them.

I would look for one on fleabay. I see a few on there usually.

I agree on NOT sending it to ruger.
 
Years back I picked up a mag cylinder at a gunshow and just put it into my single Six. I fired it a few times and never thought about having to have it fitted.

WB
 
I made a similar find some years ago except in my case instead of coming with the 22 Mag cylinder it came with the 22LR cylinder. I spoke to Ruger & they told me the additional cylinder needed to be fitted to the specific gun. Unfortunately if I shipped the gun to them, in addition to fitting the new 22 Mag cylinder (at some cost to me) they would also modify the gun to include the transfer bar. I chose to leave the gun as is & really don't miss the 22 Mag too much at all considering ammo price is pretty high.
It's possible that buying another cylinder & just putting in the gun may work but it's kind of a crap shoot & I'm not sure if the chance of that working out well are very good or very poor.
 
If you are looking for a lr cylinder, its best if you measure your mag cyl and find one that is the same or a bit longer. If you get one to short, they can be fitted but would cost a bunch. If you find the correct length it will drop in. The Ruger forum would be a good place to find one...............good luck in your hunt
 
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