3 screw Single Six questions

[stonebuster]

About a year ago I picked up this nice SSix 22 LR for $350. The serial number is 498XXX and the best I can guess it's about 1966-67. Originally I thought it was 4 5/8 barrel but I read the proper way to measure is from the leading edge of the cylinder making it a 5 1/2. Is this correct? The grip frame is XDS-red. The blue is nearly perfect except this patch on ejector housing. Leave it alone or touch it up?

 

[Mycin]

That barrel looks just like the one on my 5 1/2" Single Six (New Model). On the 4 5/8" Blackhawk, the barrel crown is practically flush with the end of the ejector housing.

Is the ejector housing made of steel or aluminum on the 3-screw model? On my New Model, I'm pretty sure it's anodized aluminum, not blued steel. Something to check out.

 

[stonebuster]

That barrel looks just like the one on my 5 1/2" Single Six (New Model). On the 4 5/8" Blackhawk, the barrel crown is practically flush with the end of the ejector housing.

Is the ejector housing made of steel or aluminum on the 3-screw model? On my New Model, I'm pretty sure it's anodized aluminum, not blued steel. Something to check out.

I checked and you are correct. In 1962-63 they started using an aluminum alloy ejector housing. Thanks, learned something new and from what I've read you measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder making you correct once again that it's a 5 1/2 inch barrel. That little gun is fun to shot and cheap ammo too.

 

[bannockburn]

stonebuster

Yep it's a 5 1/2" barrel; same as the one on my Single Six. Mine was given to me by an old friend who used it when he was checking on his trap lines. Cleaned it up when I got it and definitely looked better once the dirt and grime was removed. Replaced the grips a couple of times but I finally found a great fitting (and looking), pair of factory grips at a local gun show (have to say I like your faux pearl grips as well). Added a .22 Mag cylinder and had it fitted to my gun. Pretty sure the ejector rod housing is made from aluminum alloy as is the grip frame. Maybe try some Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black metal finish on those scratches on the ejector rod housing.

Oh and I think it's an XR3-RED grip frame on our particular Single Sixes.

And yes, it is a lot of fun to shoot!

 

[murf]

nice find, stonebuster. i'd make sure all the screws are tight before taking it to the range.

luck,

murf

 

[Armybrat]

Nice Single Six - it'll give you and your grandkids several lifetimes of fun. A little touchup done right won't hurt that ejector housing. Just don't send it in to Ruger or they'll convert it to the transfer bar "safety" action.

Bought my SS new in 1959. The grip frame is aluminum, the ejector housing is steel.
Wore the anodized finish off the grip frame after shootin' it for almost 60 years. Ain't gonna refinish it though....

 

[bannockburn]

Armybrat

My Single Six also has a lot of the finish worn off the grip frame and ejector rod housing. I have often thought about taking all of the finish off and give them both a highly polished appearance and leaving them in the white (this is what I did with an old Essex 1911 frame I had). Still haven't decided on doing it yet because sometimes I feel like the gun has earned the right to show all of the wear and tear it's received over the years.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

That looks pretty much to me like the anodizing has been scraped off the aluminum ejector housing on your new Three Screw Single Six. I doubt it is steel. So it is anodize that has been scraped off, not blue. I would probably just touch it up with a black sharpie myself.

It's pretty common for the finish to get worn off of the aluminum ejector housings on the old Single Sixes. If you look carefully, a couple of these are showing aluminum under the anodize from holster wear.






Probably a XR3-RED grip frame.






And yes, all revolver barrels are measured from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle. Technically, from the end of the forcing cone to the muzzle, but we're only talking a few thousandths, and barrel lengths are usually rounded off to the nearest fraction anyway.

 

[bannockburn]

Driftwood

Three fine looking Single Sixes! I especially like the one on the far right with the adjustable rear sight!

 

[stonebuster]

Howdy

That looks pretty much to me like the anodizing has been scraped off the aluminum ejector housing on your new Three Screw Single Six. I doubt it is steel. So it is anodize that has been scraped off, not blue. I would probably just touch it up with a black sharpie myself.

It's pretty common for the finish to get worn off of the aluminum ejector housings on the old Single Sixes. If you look carefully, a couple of these are showing aluminum under the anodize from holster wear.

View attachment 793774




Probably a XR3-RED grip frame.

View attachment 793775




And yes, all revolver barrels are measured from the front face of the cylinder to the muzzle. Technically, from the end of the forcing cone to the muzzle, but we're only talking a few thousandths, and barrel lengths are usually rounded off to the nearest fraction anyway.

Beautiful guns Driftwood. Yes it's aluminum and I did use a magic marker on it and you have to look very carefully to notice the touch up. Before it kind of jumped out at you. The grip frame anodizing is nearly perfect. The faux pearl grips do look good but if I found a nice set of original wood grips for a decent price I'd grab them.

 

[JD Pinardi]

stonebuster, that's a nice piece, how come everyone elses single sixes look better than mine.....it's my father...he used it too much
happy shootin'
JD

 

[bannockburn]

JD Pinardi

stonebuster, that's a nice piece, how come everyone elses single sixes look better than mine.....it's my father...he used it too much

At least you know your father got his money's worth out of his Single Six and that it was in good enough shape to pass it along to you. May not look as pretty as some of the ones posted here but I would venture a guess it will still do it's part if you do yours.

 

[stonebuster]

stonebuster, that's a nice piece, how come everyone elses single sixes look better than mine.....it's my father...he used it too much
happy shootin'
JD

The fact that it was used a lot by you father makes it priceless.

 

[dirtman]

Some very nice looking single sixs... I bought mine in 1971 and try as i have, can't seem to wear it out........ like it alot.... Bought another one (used) last year just to insure that when the time comes there will be two that can be passed on.... as two family members have expressed and interest in single sixs... is it the gun or just the fun in shooting up tin cans???? makes me ponder...

 

[farm23]

I bought a 22/22mag when it first came out. It has taught children and grandchildren how to safely shoot and has had 1000’s of rounds go down range. If is now ready for the great grandchildren and probably for their children. I doubt it will ever break.

 

[JD Pinardi]

Your right guys, my father loved this gun, and as previously posted these seem to be pretty tough, I ran a few rounds through mine last week....and as always functioned flawlessly.
Thanks, and happy shootin'
JD

 

[bannockburn]

JD Pinardi

Your right guys, my father loved this gun, and as previously posted these seem to be pretty tough, I ran a few rounds through mine last week....and as always functioned flawlessly.

As long as everything still works right and you can hit what you're aiming at, then it's a winner in my book.

Have to add that from your two photos your Single Six still looks to be in decent shape!

 

[Tallball]

I sure wish mine was a three-screw model. My first handgun I had was a Single Six when I was a teenager in the early 1980's. I think it cost $129 brand-new, IIRC. I eventually gave it to my BiL before he passed away.

A couple of years ago or so I ran across another one that was in need of some TLC. It was missing the little button that you push in to remove the cylinder pin, and the bluing was in pretty bad shape. The part was cheap and so was a bottle of cold blue. It's quite serviceable now. I'll include some poor quality before and after pictures below.

Ruger Single Six Before

• Tallball
• Apr 21, 2018

View media item 1642

 

[Speedo66]

Driftwood

Three fine looking Single Sixes! I especially like the one on the far right with the adjustable rear sight!

The adjustable sights are no doubt more useful, but for aesthetics, I prefer the thinner, tapered, less blocky top straps of the other two.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The adjustable sights are no doubt more useful, but for aesthetics, I prefer the thinner, tapered, less blocky top straps of the other two.

The one that gets shot most often is the one with the longer barrel and the windage adjustable rear sight.

 

[stonebuster]

Tallball, Good job with the cold blue. I have a 1969 Ithaca model 37 Featherlight 12 gauge I left in the soft case for too long and got rust. Sanding and cold blue worked very well and looks worlds better than it did. I know it may not hold up but it's not hard to do again if needed.

 

[Speedo66]

The one that gets shot most often is the one with the longer barrel and the windage adjustable rear sight.

It kinda' looks that way, it's got the least amount of shiny finish left.

 

[Audie Murphy]

About a year ago I picked up this nice SSix 22 LR for $350. The serial number is 498XXX and the best I can guess it's about 1966-67. Originally I thought it was 4 5/8 barrel but I read the proper way to measure is from the leading edge of the cylinder making it a 5 1/2. Is this correct? The grip frame is XDS-red. The blue is nearly perfect except this patch on ejector housing. Leave it alone or touch it up?View attachment 793633 View attachment 793635

 

[Audie Murphy]

I came across a .22 three screw about 15 years ago. Sweetest revolver ever. It was a keeper. Unfortunately, the Tactical bug got the better of me and I sold it. Arrrrrrg!!!

 

[bannockburn]

Audie Murphy

I know the feeling only with me it was selling or trading off way too many S&W K frames and Ruger Security Sixes!