Ruger Single Six - Three Screw

[Fractal X]

On a whim I stopped at my local gun store today. Usually I just stop by real fast to take a look at the consignment/used case as something interesting occasionally pops up.

Well, today everything must've lined up because I find an unconverted, Ruger three screw single six from [strike]1956[/strike] 1962-68. There was no price tag on it so I asked the manager for the story. Turns out its just come in on consignment (hence no price tag) and they want $299 for it.

Looking it over carefully I find that the bluing is almost perfect - there's one scratch about 3/8" long that's about an inch from the muzzle, and there's a very minor ring in the bluing around the cylinder.

I hadn't planned on buying a single six - indeed I hadn't even really looked at the model beyond thinking that $450-$500 (for the new style) was to much for a .22lr handgun. But for $300 I decided this one should follow me home.

So tell me if you would, did I do okay or did I get taken for a ride? Also, looking around on the 'net I see that this might be a collectors item, would it hurt the value to fire it?

Thank you for your time and thoughts,
Robert

 

[CajunBass]

Unless it's in new in the box condition, and I do mean NEW, it won't hurt it to fire it.

Did you do OK? I'd say you did. I bought two Singles-Six's this past summer. Both made in 1958, one converted, the other not. Both 5.5" barrels, good finish. No box or papers. I paid $250.00 each for them.



The one you bought is a little older, plus I imagine guns are more expensive in California, so I don't think $300.00 is out of line.

We need pictures.

 

[towboat_er]

You did great.
Both of ya.

 

[towboat_er]

Wish I could find a deal like that.

 

[Fractal X]

Thanks Guys, that's encouraging to hear. I'm not usually the impulse buyer so sometimes after I buy I wonder.

I'll see if I can get pictures while it's still at the store (30 day consignment "pawn" FFL holding period + 10 day CA waiting period = I won't get to take possession/shoot it until April ).

 

[ljnowell]

I dont have a classic, such as the fine examples you fellows own, but I do have a newer convertible. Its a great gun, and I can only guess how those classics handle.

 

[MADDOG]

If it is a 1956 model it is a Flatgate. If it is a Flatgate you got a great deal.

 

[bannockburn]

I'd say you did just fine, especially for an older model Single-Six. Too bad you have to wait so long before you get it though. I have one a friend of mine gave me and I will never part with it.

 

[CajunBass]

If it is a 1956 model it is a Flatgate. If it is a Flatgate you got a great deal.

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure of the date. If it's a flatgate, it sounds like a steal to me.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I'd have bought it too.

I prefer the old model unconverted Rugers because I am used to my Colts and the need to carry only five cartridges in the gun. Out of habit, I expect to load one, skip one, ect. Also, just to satisfy my personal whim, I like the older Rugers because you get the proper amount of clicks as you cock the hammer and you don't have to look at the safety billboard on the side. Its all personal preference though.

 

[Fractal X]

To clarify, it is a round gate but according to the Ruger website the serial number (52XXX) dates it to '56. I'll have to give Ruger an email and see what's what.

 

[bakerloo]

I have one from 1970. Unconverted. My dad gave it to me before he passed. He got it in a trade sometime in the '80's. The blueing is really bad (holster wear) but it's not rusted. I'm thinking about sending it to Ruger for a reblue, but I know they will convert it.

 

[awgrizzly]

Woof, you not only did OK, you did great. If that is a 1956 Single Six it should have a flat loading gate rather than the typical curved shape. The Flat Gate is a collector and in really good condition it may have a value around $700-$800.

 

[CajunBass]

I have one from 1970. Unconverted. My dad gave it to me before he passed. He got it in a trade sometime in the '80's. The blueing is really bad (holster wear) but it's not rusted. I'm thinking about sending it to Ruger for a reblue, but I know they will convert it.

Holster wear is a good thing. Leave it alone.

There was a company that made a round gate for the old flatgate Rugers. Today we can't imagine why anyone would want to do that, but back in the day the flatgate was seen as a negeative because it didn't look like a Colt.

I have no idea if the OP's gun has had that done or not, but I suppose it's possible.

 

[Fractal X]

See, here is where I eat a little crow.

I went into my LGS today to take couple pictures and realized that I wrote down the serial wrong. Instead of being like 52111 like I thought, it's 522111 which puts it in the 1962-68 period instead of of '56 like I initially thought.

Oh well. Though it means the round gate is the correct gate.

So here, have some pictures. Note that the apparent weirdness in the finish is my grubby fingerprints on the bluing and not problems with the bluing.

http://flickr.com/gp/farkitall/28226E
http://flickr.com/gp/farkitall/mV6325

Robert

 

[451 Detonics]

Personally I have seen far more 3 screws that were unconverted than ones folks sent in for the retrofit. Seems the vast majority of folks didn't want the conversion. Pricing can have regional fluctuations but here in Indiana for $300 I would have passed unless it had both cylinders.

 

[CajunBass]

See, here is where I eat a little crow.

I've done about the same. Still a nice Single-Six.

I see about 50/50 converted/unconverted. As far as for shooting, I don't see a lot of difference. Some people say the trigger isn't as good on the converted ones, but I'm too Neanderthal to tell the difference I guess. Of the two I pictured, I actually like the converted one (with the wooden grips) a little better. Mostly I suspect because I like the wooden (homemade I suspect) grips, and I know it's the older one.

If I was to buy anymore, they would have to be unconverted, and old enough to have the windage only rear sight and rounded front sight. I just like the way they look better. The only New Model I've got is a fixed sight 50th anniversary one. The adjustable sights are better sights, no doubt, I just like the looks of the others better.

 

[awgrizzly]

See, here is where I eat a little crow.

I went into my LGS today to take couple pictures and realized that I wrote down the serial wrong. Instead of being like 52111 like I thought, it's 522111 which puts it in the 1962-68 period instead of of '56 like I initially thought.

Oh well. Though it means the round gate is the correct gate.

So here, have some pictures. Note that the apparent weirdness in the finish is my grubby fingerprints on the bluing and not problems with the bluing.

http://flickr.com/gp/farkitall/28226E
http://flickr.com/gp/farkitall/mV6325

Robert

Nice gun!

Yeah, I gotta eat some crow too for not reading the entire thread before replying. Still, an unconverted three screw also has enhanced value, so I'd say from the looks of it the price was good. Strange how it works... the round gate was more desirable than the flat gate, but now flat is better. Converted is safer but unconverted is better. What is best and what is better are not always the same.

Here's a really nice flat gate