My first Single Six

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

So I went to Cabelas this evening to pick up some Lee Bushings for my new 45 Colt dies and wandered over to the gun cases to see what I just couldn't live without.
I saw a bunch of used single action 22s which I love to accumulate.
Then I see one with a sale tag on it.
A flat gate Single Six. I knew these are the early model so I asked to see it.
The guy at the counter says " I'm surprised that's still here" then he sees the flat gate and says "oh that's why". I said "why"? He then tells me that "you have to remove the cylinder to load that one". I said ok let's write it up. I'll take it.
So I'm now the proud owner of a 1956 flat gate Single Six. It shows a bit of holster wear and has the fixed sights but that's exactly how I like my SAs. It cleaned up real nice.
Oh did I mention I got it for $272.60 OTD?
YEAH I'm a happy camper.
I know pics or it didn't happen.
These are before I scrubbed it down.

Hoping for a range trip (to my back yard) tomorrow.
Oh and I did get to load some 45 Colt too.
What a great evening.

chicharrones · Jan 19, 2020

ontarget said:
The guy at the counter says " I'm surprised that's still here" then he sees the flat gate and says "oh that's why". I said "why"? He then tells me that "you have to remove the cylinder to load that one".

That guy shore knows his guns. Glad to see they marked it down appropriately.

Congrats on a really neat find. :thumbup:

Coyote3855 · Jan 19, 2020

Great score. My second handgun was a Single Six, 1959. I bought it used. It has the contoured loading gate which started in 1957. Serial number says made in 1958. Often wondered why the original owner got rid of it so soon. Still have it and shoot it occasionally, mostly for nostalgia about the old days on the ranch.

ApacheCoTodd · Jan 19, 2020

Nice price on a cute gun.

Amazing how often Cabella's offers up these scores.

Good for them.... Good for YOU!

Todd.

Speedo66 · Jan 19, 2020

Nice gun, nice score!

Won one in a card game in college, 1966, but I'd don't recall it having a gate like that. When did they change, if anybody knows?

It was my first handgun, but unfortunately, long gone. College had no trouble with my keeping it and a shotgun in my dorm room. lol

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

I believe the flat gate only ran from 1953-1956.

Speedo66 · Jan 19, 2020

ontarget said:
I believe the flat gate only ran from 1953-1956.

Thanks.

ApacheCoTodd · Jan 19, 2020

You probably already know but if you don't, it's WELL worth repeating:

DO NOT EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SEND THIS BACK TO RUGER FOR ANYTHING.

Return of the original parts is less than guaranteed.

Todd.

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

Yes and this one has not been molested as far as I can tell.
I believe the safety "upgrade" was the addition of a transfer bar which this one does not have.

ThomasT · Jan 19, 2020

ontarget said:
The guy at the counter says " I'm surprised that's still here" then he sees the flat gate and says "oh that's why". I said "why"? He then tells me that "you have to remove the cylinder to load that one". I said ok let's write it up. I'll take it.

That gun is probably worth twice what you paid for it. Idiots.

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

Ratshooter said:
That gun is probably worth twice what you paid for it. Idiots.

That's what I'm hoping. I personally never sell guns but as far as investments go I figure if I buy below current value there is a really good chance my heirs won't have to take a loss if they decide to sell them.

ThomasT · Jan 19, 2020

ApacheCoTodd said:
Return of the original parts is less than guaranteed.

I have my grandfathers single six made in 1961 and he sent it back in 1973 for the lockwork update and they sent all the parts back in a bag that is still sealed. I had thought about putting the old lockwork back in to see if the trigger pull is improved because like others have written, the new trigger pull is terrible.

But you are correct. I would never send an old 3 screw back for the new lockwork. Or anything else.

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

So on the original lock work how many "clicks" should there be when pulling back the hammer?

Mn Fats · Jan 19, 2020

My Grandpa got haggled down to $150 for a pair of flat gates at a gun show 10 years back. I was there to help him set up his stand.

Made me sick. They were pristine. Being a broke kid, I felt like telling him I'd mow his lawn or whatever but the were gone instantly.

Anyway, have fun op!

.455_Hunter · Jan 19, 2020

Great job!

I think you will get $75 more enjoyment over a new Ruger Wrangler!

I have found a number of great values at Cabela's when the guns were priced wrong due to ignorance.

J-Bar · Jan 19, 2020

Enjoy that ol’ thang; do your best to wear it out. You won’t, but you will have fun trying!

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

.455_Hunter said:
Great job!

I think you will get $75 more enjoyment over a new Ruger Wrangler!

I have found a number of great values at Cabela's when the guns were priced wrong due to ignorance.

I have a Wrangler too and 4 HRRS. For all the people that keep trying to put the Wrangler in the same category as the SS, just stop it.
I haven't even fired this SS yet but handling the two side by side, the Wrangler is closer to a Heritage than it is to this particular SS.

ApacheCoTodd · Jan 19, 2020

ontarget said:
So on the original lock work how many "clicks" should there be when pulling back the hammer?

Four clicks like a Colt.

Todd.

ontarget · Jan 19, 2020

ApacheCoTodd said:
Four clicks like a Colt.

Todd.

That's what I thought. This one has what I would call 5 clicks.
The first three are very distinct and the fourth sounds more like 2 clicks. Maybe that's the sound of the bolt rising into the stop. This gun has no turn line to speak of.

ApacheCoTodd · Jan 19, 2020

ontarget said:
That's what I thought. This one has what I would call 5 clicks.
The first three are very distinct and the fourth sounds more like 2 clicks. Maybe that's the sound of the bolt rising into the stop. This gun has no turn line to speak of.

Not uncommon in Colts too. One of the clicks can sound as: "Ka.....lick" sometimes.

Todd.

joneb · Jan 20, 2020

ontarget said:
So on the original lock work how many "clicks" should there be when pulling back the hammer?

Four clicks, the third one is subdued.

bannockburn · Jan 20, 2020

ontarget

Congrats on the most unexpected (and fortuitous), discovery at Cabelas (and for the misinformed person who priced that gun)!

I came by my Single Six by an old friend of mine who use to carry it when he checked on his trap lines. When he stopped doing that he no longer needed the gun and gave it to me. A very generous gift on his part! Cleaned up really good and I added a .22 Magnum cylinder and some new, old stock factory grips to it. All in all it turned out pretty decent!

Armybrat · Jan 20, 2020

Fabulous find on the flatgate! I need to drop by Cabela’s more often..

Bought my ‘59 production SS new as a high schooler. Still locks up tight after 61 years of shootin’.

leather · Jan 21, 2020

Nice find! I'm not familiar with this model. Do you have to remove cylinder to reload? Even if so, it's still a nice find. Congrats.

ontarget · Jan 21, 2020

leather said:
Nice find! I'm not familiar with this model. Do you have to remove cylinder to reload? Even if so, it's still a nice find. Congrats.

No, it loads exactly the same as any other Single Six or Blackhawk, or SAA or SAA clone. The difference is that the earliest single six models have a flat loading gate instead of the gate matching the contour of the frame. This pic was taken as soon as I got it home. All of the "patina" came off easily with some Hoppes #9 and a soft toothbrush.

My first Single Six

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