Ruger Changes the Single Six: Rubber Grips, Internal Locks

[P. Plainsman]

(Sorry if this thread is duplicative: I don't recall seeing it here. There has been a thread on it on TFL. The THR search engine has been extremely slow and hard to use of late.)

Check out the new lineup of Single Six models on Ruger's website:

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdRes...ation=Blued Convertible&bct=Yes&type=Revolver

The SSs are now coming with hard rubber eagle logo grips instead of the "rosewood" factory grips of the past.

And they've now got an internal lock (hence the new "-L" suffix on the Ruger model numbers). This is presumably the same key lock found on the New Vaquero, which is hidden under the grip panels.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Yeah it's old news. All blued models are getting this change first then the stainless ones later. no word on what's to happen with the Hunter and bisley models or the Bearcat and Old Army.
The grips bring back some nostalgia I think and besides, the manufacturer for the wooden ones, Lett, is no longer in business.
It is the same 100% hidden lock as the new vquero and the 50th Ann models had. I've got one with it and doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[DillHarris]

I just picked one of these up a couple weeks ago. I take forever to buy a gun. I did my research and the week I was buying I checked the website and wondered where the wood grips had gone. I obviously didn't research well enough because when I got the gun home I wondered why it came with two sets of keys. One was for the external lock and the other for the internal. Oh well, this will just teach me to buy sooner. I can't complain about either change though. The lock is really unobtrusive (unless the grip panels are off) and I like the feel of the hard rubber grips. Now, if I could only find time to go shoot it and I could really let you know about it.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Yes, I'd like to hear how your "-L series" Single Six works out.

Those new dark rubber grips will look good on a stainless revolver. But for now the stainless Single Six models still wear rosewoods and lack locks.

I had mixed luck with my previous Ruger single action .22; see here (post #10):

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=292599

Geez, I was pretty frustrated with that gun! But I'm thinking about giving Ruger another chance by trying again with a Single Six. This time I want the most compact, lightest configuration Ruger makes: the 4 5/8" blued model. I shot one recently and it was fun. For me, a single action .22 should be a handy kit gun.

I'm gonna go with fixed sights. Ruger revolver adjustable sights are often fitted crooked. Their fixed-sight pictures are usually good.

I feared they might give the "new" blued Single Sixes a steel grip frame, thereby upping their weight by several ounces and destroying what I like about the blued SS. (My Bisley, with a steel grip frame, was just too heavy for a .22!)

But no, looks like it's OK. The 4 5/8" new Single Six (NR-4L) is listed at only 32 oz, not a featherweight, but definitely nicer and more appropriate than the stainless models (5.5" = 39 oz ) or the discontinued .22 Bisley (43 oz ).

 

[Seancass]

I also noticed that none of them have the option of fixed sites. Thats kind of sad, they looked nice and clean with them. oh well, i guess thats progress, remove good features and replace them with cheaper ones. Glad mine came with real wood attatched.

 

[bannockburn]

I like the sights that are on my older Single Six; better than just a notch or topstrap groove, but not so big that they had to alter the configuration of the topstrap. They work just fine for me.

[/URL][/IMG]

 

[ImARugerFan]

Yikes, I really don't like the looks of those grips.

 

[Jim March]

First, this was inevitable. The .22s are used by kids more often than the rest of the product line.

Second, this lock type is BY FAR the least annoying of any of the locks on the market to date. It's invisible unless you choose otherwise with a drill, it can be disabled fairly easily there are NO recorded incidents of accidental engagement.

Look, if locks of this sort help immunize manufacturers from lawsuits, and IF they're as easy to cope with as the Ruger system, then fine.

The good news with these is that we now have good "trainer equivalents" for the New Vaq and 50th Anniversary guns.

 

[P. Plainsman]

(ignore)

 

[P. Plainsman]

I also noticed that none of them have the option of fixed sites.

I don't believe that's right. Look at the new blued models again. The ones with an "F" in the model number have fixed sights.

(The Ruger website skimps a bit on images for all their many variants. Sometimes they put in a pic of an adjustable-sighted gun to illustrate a fixed-sighted gun, as here.)

 

[JERRY]

while i dont agree with many things the old man Bill believed, i will say that at least Ruger hasnt put a built in lock on a gun meant for self defense.

if a lock were to engage itself on a .22lr single action target/plinging revolver, the worst is that you cant shoot the paper any more.

but on a gun meant for self defense like the gp100 or sp101, a lock engaging itself during a fight for your life will probably mean you will loose that fight and die.

Ruger is playing both sides right. pandering to the soccer moms who like Hitlery Clinton, while leaving defensive guns meant for "us" alone.


thats better than what clinton & wesson did.

 

[BlkHawk73]

There IS a fixed sighted model of this "L" Single Six. 4 /58" bl and it's got a Vaquero style cylinder frame. I believe they were done as more of a clean-up tahn being a full production run.

 

[Jim March]

Jerry, the New Vaq and esp. the 50th Anniversary 357 Blackhawk are very good fighting guns. With locks.

Thing is, there are ZERO reports of that lock failing.

It might migrate to the DA line...but that won't hurt anybody so long as it's as well-executed as this lock we're discussing in this thread has turned out to be.

 

[JERRY]

Jim, i didnt mean to imply that a S/A wheely couldnt be used effectively for self defense.

what i meant was the primary use/purpose of said guns.

 

[eliphalet]

This time I want the most compact, lightest configuration Ruger makes

Bearcat might be what your wanting. Go handle one see whatja think. I have one of each and the Bearcat is accurate and much handier to carry outdoors than the Single-Six.

 

[Grey54956]

I believe they have done this to get more money from aftermarket sales. Nice wood, or simulated ivory, etc. grips could net them another $40.

The black rubber grips don't look bad, but those who want fancier grips will buy them.

 

[gogetumnow]

Locks

Ruger is playing both sides right. pandering to the soccer moms who like Hitlery Clinton, while leaving defensive guns meant for "us" alone.

If only that were true. The P345 in 45ACP comes with an internal lock, along the the new 9mm SR9.

Sadly, I think it's only a matter of time before the GP100 and the SP101 get a lock.