Old model single-six

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BullRunBear

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I have a chance to get an old model single-six. It has non-adjustable sights, comes with both LR and magnum cylinders, blue finish and, I think, a 5 1/2" barrel. In excellent condition. The asking price is $275.00

I have several Ruger revolvers, single and double action, but I'm not familiar with the single-six. Is this a decent price? How accurate were these with the non-adjustable sights? Any quirks I should know about? The piece would be for plinking and fun, not hunting. I'm not concerned if it hasn't had the safety conversion since I wouldn't be carrying it loaded.

Thanks, Jeff
 
My first handgun. Shot thousands and thousands of rounds thru it.

Someone here knows about the safety/recall/hammer issues with them.

If you have the money, buy it and smoke it up!
 
If it's an old model with three screws in the frame it's a good deal considering wear. If it has been converted with the old parts included also a good deal. If it is a new, two screw model, the price is on the high side unless it's LNIB. :)
 
you don't need our approval to buy a new firearm. just go buy it and post pics.:D
 
Single Six Safety Conversion

The old model (3-screw) Single Six can discharge if dropped on the hammer with a round in the cylinder. The later models have what Ruger calls a transfer bar safety. It basically prevents the firing pin from hitting the cartridge rim unless the trigger is deliberately pulled.

You can ship an old model Single Six to Ruger and they will install the transfer bar conversion on it for free, and pay for return shipping.

Or you can just be careful. I had an old 3-screw model when I was a kid and never had any problems or negligent discharges, despite the fact that I was young and stupid.

I think it's a fairly good deal at that price, but not for much more. The last time I looked up the value of old 3-screw Single Sixes (several years ago), it was $275.
 
" you don't need our approval to buy a new firearm. just go buy it and post pics.
kanook "

that's sho nuff right !! just go buy it
 
My limited experience with the old three-screw model is that accuracy has been limited by the person holding the gun. The one in my family shoots right where you hold the sights...but I don't know that all of them do that.

Clark
 
Ruger single six

I bought one of these for my first gun 43 years ago and it's still a favorite of mine.It's capable of shooting 3 " groups at 50 yds even with my old eyes.I will never sell it.I hope someone in my family wants it when I have moved on.
 
pbearperry and I bought our six's the same year!

I had to sell mine, would like to have another.

$275 is a very good price, things being the way they are today.

I'd rather have one without the safety mod.
 
Folks,

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm waiting to hear back from the seller. (It's a private sale, not through a dealer.) Hopefully, we can do the deal.

With retirement a little over a year away, and the reduction in income, I'm putting together a battery of .22 guns for some economical shooting. Over the years I've picked up a Marlin 39A rifle, an old Higgins single shot bolt action with the spring plunger for cocking, a Contender, a Ruger MK II bull barrel, a CZ 75B with the Kadet conversion kit (a tack driver), and a K-22 with the 8 +" barrel. The nice thing is my wife is comfortable with all of them except the K-22, which is a bit muzzle heavy for her small hands. (But she outshoots me with the autoloaders.) It would be nice to add a reliable single action to the group.

I reload all my centerfire stuff but sometimes it's nice to be able to grab a few bucks worth of .22 ammo for a full day at the range.

Jeff
 
I think you will be quite happy with it. The old three screws are excellent guns. I paid about $180 for mine, but it had seen quite a bit of use and abuse from it's prior owner(s ?). It's a great shooting gun and has a drift adjustable rear sight (sights were right on with my first shot:)). It (mine that is) will never be collector's piece, but with a little work, it cleaned up pretty well:
mrto4h.jpg
2q9w8iq.jpg
The holster that it came with was in much better shape than it was :confused::
154gkg9.jpg
Regards,
Greg
 
You can ship an old model Single Six to Ruger and they will install the transfer bar conversion on it for free, and pay for return shipping.
Click to expand...

If you get it, please don't do this! This will ruin the feel of the gun as well as the resale value. I have an old 1968 super single six that will never see the Ruger factory again due to this. I also bought multiple 44 magnum super blackhawks BECAUSE they didn't have the factory updates made - and I paid nearly double for them because of it.

The old model Rugers are some of the best guns made. Period.

-MW
 
Well, I was able to get the Single-Six this afternoon and I am impressed. It has the 6.5" barrel, fixed sights and the finish is at least 98%, maybe better. No rust spots or nicks, just a very little wear at the muzzle and the leading edge of the plunger housing. It was made in 1963 but couldn't have been shot much. It never had the transfer bar feature installed. The seller inherited it from his father. He said it had been stored for at least 20 years and I believe it. The bore is pristine. I can't tell if the magnum cylinder was ever used. It has the slightly larger grip that started that year (I prefer the smaller, original style used on the 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk) but the wood is well-fitted and nicely figured.

Several features caught my attention. The rear of the front sight is lightly serrated to cut down on glare. The rear sight has a square, not U-shaped, notch which gives a very sharp, clear sight picture. This gun is TIGHT. There is almost no noticeable movement of the cylinder whether the hammer is down or at full cock. The trigger is a joy. It isn't a hair trigger but there is no take up. It breaks very cleanly. This is the closest I've come to the traditional "breaking the glass rod" feel I've heard about. The only thing close is with the double-set triggers on my muzzleloaders.

I had a chance to handle a couple of new manufacture single-sixes this week and there is a slight difference in balance from this Old Model, 3 screw version. I prefer the feel of the older model. It feels a little steadier in my hand. Whether this will translate into better shooting, I don't know. I hope to get to the range this weekend to try it out.

One thing: this gun will NEVER get the safety conversion installed. It is too smooth and precise to risk messing with it. If I ever carry it loaded (unlikely) I know how to safely load five rounds and put the hammer down on an empty chamber.

If I can figure out how to use the digital camera (I still prefer film) I'll post a picture.

I had toyed with the idea of getting one of those limited run Blackhawks in 44 special that came out a few months ago. Having felt the older style Rugers with this Single-Six and the 50th Anniv. Blackhawk, I would prefer to look for a 44 mag. flattop Blackhawk and just shoot 44 specials out of it. Can't do it any time soon, gotta save up, but something to keep an eye open for.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.

Jeff
 
Well, I was able to get the Single-Six this afternoon and I am impressed. It has the 6.5" barrel, fixed sights and the finish is at least 98%, maybe better. No rust spots or nicks, just a very little wear at the muzzle and the leading edge of the plunger housing. It was made in 1963 but couldn't have been shot much. It never had the transfer bar feature installed. The seller inherited it from his father. He said it had been stored for at least 20 years and I believe it. The bore is pristine. I can't tell if the magnum cylinder was ever used. It has the slightly larger grip that started that year (I prefer the smaller, original style used on the 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk) but the wood is well-fitted and nicely figured.

Several features caught my attention. The rear of the front sight is lightly serrated to cut down on glare. The rear sight has a square, not U-shaped, notch which gives a very sharp, clear sight picture. This gun is TIGHT. There is almost no noticeable movement of the cylinder whether the hammer is down or at full cock. The trigger is a joy. It isn't a hair trigger but there is no take up. It breaks very cleanly. This is the closest I've come to the traditional "breaking the glass rod" feel I've heard about. The only thing close is with the double-set triggers on my muzzleloaders.

I had a chance to handle a couple of new manufacture single-sixes this week and there is a slight difference in balance from this Old Model, 3 screw version. I prefer the feel of the older model. It feels a little steadier in my hand. Whether this will translate into better shooting, I don't know. I hope to get to the range this weekend to try it out.

One thing: this gun will NEVER get the safety conversion installed. It is too smooth and precise to risk messing with it. If I ever carry it loaded (unlikely) I know how to safely load five rounds and put the hammer down on an empty chamber.

If I can figure out how to use the digital camera (I still prefer film) I'll post a picture.

I had toyed with the idea of getting one of those limited run Blackhawks in 44 special that came out a few months ago. Having felt the older style Rugers with this Single-Six and the 50th Anniv. Blackhawk, I would prefer to look for a 44 mag. flattop Blackhawk and just shoot 44 specials out of it. Can't do it any time soon, gotta save up, but something to keep an eye open for.

Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.

Jeff
 
I think you will really like your new "4 clicker". Just a friendly reminder, whenever you cock the hammer, cock it all the way and then lower it. This will prevent the dreaded cylinder ring. Enjoy
 
One thing: this gun will NEVER get the safety conversion installed. It is too smooth and precise to risk messing with it. If I ever carry it loaded (unlikely) I know how to safely load five rounds and put the hammer down on an empty chamber.
Click to expand...
I would not have one installed on any three-screw Ruger either. I had a 1971 Super Blackhawk with one (it was already installed when I got it) and it had a horrendously heavy trigger pull. My brother's 1965 one (unconverted) had a clean and crisp pull. Should your gun need repair, don't send it back to Ruger as it will be installed whether you want it or not.
 
Range Report:

Had a chance to try out the new-to-me Single-Six. At 25 yards, just resting my elbows on the bench, it was easy to keep two inch groups and I'm not that good a shot. :D This thing is obviously capable of better accuracy than I can deliver. I fed it with Super-X and the cheaper Thunderbolts. It preferred the Thunderbolts, which cut the groups down by about half an inch. Didn't have any 22 mags so that is a test for another day.

I've shot a few New Model Single-Sixes before and wasn't all that impressed with the 22LR accuracy. It wasn't bad but I'm spoiled by the accuracy of my K-22. This older, 3 screw model is in that same league.

Of course, I'll have to force myself to keep trying different LR ammo to see what it likes best. (Oh darn!)

Jeff
 
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