Ruger Single Six Old Model

[.455_Hunter]

With these guns and early Bearcats, you definitely need to practice your technique for achieving "empty chamber under the hammer" status. After loading the final round, a minor change in rotational alignment can cause the hand to not advance the cylinder to the empty station when brought to full cock and lowered. The recessed rims and cylinder fully occupying the frame window makes visual examination challenging.

 

[bannockburn]

Charlie Martinez

I found both my factory grips and a .22 Magnum cylinder at a local gun show some years back. The table holder wasn't a dealer but was definitely a Ruger collector! His prices were very reasonable too, especially for original Ruger parts.

 

[CraigC]

The Old Models are great, perhaps the perfect .22 sixgun. With only the older K-22's for competition.

My only complaint with the early Single-sixs was how you had to hold the cylinder with your left thumb while trying to find the sweet spot for the ejector rod when reloading- much of the time, Id end up whacking the front of the cylinder repeatedly trying to eject the brass. IIRC, later models are timed so that the charge holes actually line up with the gate.......

The early Blackhawks were the same way, but at least the holes were bigger.

I've always found the opposite to be true.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Charlie Martinez

I found both my factory grips and a .22 Magnum cylinder at a local gun show some years back. The table holder wasn't a dealer but was definitely a Ruger collector! His prices were very reasonable too, especially for original Ruger parts.

Did the cylinder work with your revolver? It was my understanding after I spoke to Ruger that the 22 Mag cylinder had to be "fitted" specifically to the gun, and that any cylinder I found wouldn't work. It didn't make a lot of sense to me but I took their word for it.

 

[KevininPa]

6,8 and 10 round cylinders. Spoke with the gentleman. He would prefer to get your OM cylinder to match timing. Naturally, you get your cylinder back.

http://www.rugercyl.com/

 

[Bush Pilot]

If you can find a clean SS at a decent price without a magnum cylinder you should grab it. I can't remember the last time (if ever) I used a magnum cylinder.

 

[CraigC]

.22 convertibles are overrated. I bought one at 12yrs old and quickly figured out that the POI was so divergent between LR and Magnum loads that there was really little utility in the convertible. I always end up dedicating the sixgun to one or the other. Set the sights and leave it alone. That Virginian .22 I bought so many years ago has been a .22Mag for decades now.

 

[bannockburn]

Charlie Martinez

The gentleman I bought the cylinder from was also a gunsmith and had some tools there at his table. Wasn't watching what he did but whatever it was it worked as the cylinder was a perfect drop-in fit.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Charlie Martinez

The gentleman I bought the cylinder from was also a gunsmith and had some tools there at his table. Wasn't watching what he did but whatever it was it worked as the cylinder was a perfect drop-in fit.

So I guess I understood Ruger correctly. Thanks for the information Bannockburn.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Yes, indeed. Trust me, when a revolver comes back from Ruger with the free transfer bar conversion, the action and trigger pull SUCKS. Don't ask me how I know that.

 

[Drail]

My wife had one back in the '80s. The model that came with two cylinders was the "Super Single Six". I found out pretty quickly that it was a absolute tack driver with .22 Magnum rounds but only so-so with standard LR rounds. Turns out the barrel was sized for the slightly larger .22 Magnum bullets and a standard LR bullet just kind of skated through. But with .22 Magnum rounds it would hit a golf ball at 80 yards all day long. I just got tired of paying for the Mag. rounds and sold it off. It was a very solid and slick revolver.

 

[Rodfac]

I found out pretty quickly that it was a absolute tack driver with .22 Magnum rounds but only so-so with standard LR rounds. Turns out the barrel was sized for the slightly larger .22 Magnum bullets and a standard LR bullet just kind of skated through.

Mine was the opposite, an Old Model from '72. The .22 LR cylinder was easily a more accurate proposition than the .22 Magnum. And with zero leading issues to boot! Best regards, Rod

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have three of them. The one in the middle with the 5 1/2" barrel was the first. Got it around 20 years ago or so. I paid $250 for it at the time. The dealer was careful to caution me that this was the old model and should not be carried with a live round under the hammer.






I like the 6 1/2" one best. It cost a bit more, $450 a few years ago. Came with the box, a 22 Mag cylinder, and a few boxes of ammo. I don't think I have ever fired any 22 Mag ammo through it. Maybe I did when I first got it, don't really remember. I can tell you I never bother with 22 Mag, too much noise. I'm pretty sure I have never bought any 22 Mag ammo other than what came with this Ruger.

With only the older K-22's for competition.

I have a few of those too. The one in the middle, with the worn finish is my absolute favorite 22 revolver because it is the most accurate of all. It left the factory in 1932.

 

[Speedo66]

I also decided to not order a 22 Magnum cylinder from Ruger. I wouldn't mind having the extra 22 Mag. cylinder but the added cost of the cylinder & the expense of 22 magnum ammo discouraged me.

I had one long ago with both cylinders, don't think I ever fired a magnum round through it. I would be surprised if many people with the extra cylinder actually used it much.

 

[SwampWolf]

I would be surprised if many people with the extra cylinder actually used it much.

Surprise! That's the cylinder I use the most. The .22 Magnum is admittedly pricier (than the .22 LR) but it brings a lot to the table in terms of "killing" power. I have other .22 handguns that fit the plinking and target role well but my Super Single Six most often is fitted with the Magnum cylinder.