So I've been dying for a .22 revolver for the better part of a year. Awhile back I picked up a 39A and decided a Single Six would be the perfect companion. So I've been keeping my eyes open and asking questions.
Today, took a trip with co-workers to the local gun shop on our lunch break. The store had quite the extensive collection of Single Sixes, new and used. The guy behind the counter let me fondle nearly all of them before I asked to see the lonely one in the bottom of the case. It was a NIB blued model with a 9 1/2" barrel. When I took hold of the grip and held the weight of it fully in my hand, it was like one of those "ooooohhh" moments.
The co-worker who was with me also handled the gun, and he pointed out why it might have fit so well - while the grip is obviously completely different, the thin 9 1/2" barrel creates almost the exact balance that my heavy 6 7/8" barreled Mark III slabside does (which I like to think I am able to shoot like a laser).
So, my questions are these:
- This will be my first single action. Is a 9 1/2" "Buntline" type model okay for that, or should I stick to more "standard" barrel lengths?
- What is the correct grip for a single action? I have been trying to learn how to grip high on my double action S&W 19. Is it the same for single actions? In the shop it seemed as though I had a tendency to curl my pinky under the butt.
- I noticed while handling it in the store, there is just the slightest bit of daylight between the grip panel and cylinder frame. Picking up a few of the other Single Sixes on the counter, some much older, I noticed one or two exhibited the same thing. The counter guy said with Single Sixes he sees a few that don't have a super perfect grip panel-to-frame fit. This true?
- I think I'm pretty much decided on a blued model, but will the aluminum grip frame give me any problems? I understand the stainless models have steel frames, but when I held a stainless in the store it seemed to add a lot of weight, and I like the traditional blued look.
- Should I stop worrying so much and just go back and buy it, because it seems obvious I am sort of obsessed with it already?
Today, took a trip with co-workers to the local gun shop on our lunch break. The store had quite the extensive collection of Single Sixes, new and used. The guy behind the counter let me fondle nearly all of them before I asked to see the lonely one in the bottom of the case. It was a NIB blued model with a 9 1/2" barrel. When I took hold of the grip and held the weight of it fully in my hand, it was like one of those "ooooohhh" moments.
The co-worker who was with me also handled the gun, and he pointed out why it might have fit so well - while the grip is obviously completely different, the thin 9 1/2" barrel creates almost the exact balance that my heavy 6 7/8" barreled Mark III slabside does (which I like to think I am able to shoot like a laser).So, my questions are these:
- This will be my first single action. Is a 9 1/2" "Buntline" type model okay for that, or should I stick to more "standard" barrel lengths?
- What is the correct grip for a single action? I have been trying to learn how to grip high on my double action S&W 19. Is it the same for single actions? In the shop it seemed as though I had a tendency to curl my pinky under the butt.
- I noticed while handling it in the store, there is just the slightest bit of daylight between the grip panel and cylinder frame. Picking up a few of the other Single Sixes on the counter, some much older, I noticed one or two exhibited the same thing. The counter guy said with Single Sixes he sees a few that don't have a super perfect grip panel-to-frame fit. This true?
- I think I'm pretty much decided on a blued model, but will the aluminum grip frame give me any problems? I understand the stainless models have steel frames, but when I held a stainless in the store it seemed to add a lot of weight, and I like the traditional blued look.
- Should I stop worrying so much and just go back and buy it, because it seems obvious I am sort of obsessed with it already?
