Old Model Single-Six that's new to me

[ditchparrot]

SingleSix.jpg

This Single-Six is a year younger than I am – it came out of the Ruger factory in 1965. It belonged to my much-older brother (by 18 years), who passed away in February. He didn't shoot it a heck of a lot; he spent a lot more time with shotguns and rifles than revolvers.

It was in good condition when I got it. It had the standard walnut grips and only the .22 WMR cylinder. I was certain that it had to have come out the with a .22 LR cylinder as well, as "MAG" had been etched into the cylinder I possessed.

For about a week I tried to locate an Old Model LR cylinder for sale, with no luck whatsoever. Then I contacted Ruger about getting a new one fitted, and they could've done it, but they'd have had to do their "safety update" and basically turn it into a New Model. I wanted no part of that, so I said thanks, but no thanks.

I found a New Model cylinder on eBay for $119 that didn't look great, but I didn't really care much about that; I just wanted one that would handle the smaller, less-expensive ammo. I called my gunsmith, whose shop is at the renowned Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Ariz., and asked if he could grind that one down to fit an Old Model. He looked at the photos of it and said it should be no problem, and he could also do the polishing/sand blasting/draw filling/pitting removal/oxide bath, etc., to make it look like it left the factory in my gun. I've dealt with quite a few smiths over the course of my lifetime and he's the best I've ever seen, bar none.

After a week and a half with him, I got it back yesterday. I'm more than thrilled with it! Considering what that cylinder looked like when I got it, what he did is close to magic.

I've always wanted a revolver with jigged, ivory-type grips, but never had one before. I'd bought these grips from N.C. Ordnance about a month ago, when I was still considering just leaving it as a .22 WMR. I slapped them on when I got home from the smith and to me, they feel great and look great.

I really, really wish I could show it to my brother!

[North Country Gal]

As a long time fan of the Single Six (my very first handgun) and someone who still shoots Single Sixes and has a fair collection of them, I commend you on keeping that fine old model Single Six in great shooting shape. I'm sure your brother would be proud of you. Good for you.

[BigAl52]

Great story and you have done right by what you did

[daytime dave]

That is a really nice looking single six. I hope you enjoy it immensely.

[Hatchdog]

That cylinder looks great as well as the grips. Nice tribute to your brother to keep it original.

[BrokenolMarine]

Very nice. I had purchased a 1958 from a friend of my wife hurting for money. I replaced a bad hammer screw and cleaned er up but never fired it. It visited with the other gun in the safe. When the lady was solvent, she asked to buy the gun back, and if she hadn't been a friend of the wife...

But I let it go. It was very nice.

[North Country Gal]

For the record, what you have is an old model Single Six Standard, the Standard referring to the fixed sights instead of the Super Single Six which had adjustable sights. The catalog No. is RSS5, the 5 indicating a 5 1/2" barrel.

By 1965 almost all Single Sixes were being shipped with the extra 22 mag cylinder in a red felt bag. (Over the years, though, a lot of cylinders, either the mag or the LR got misplaced and lost by owners.)

This my 1969 vintage RSS5 Standard. Love shooting it.

[Ernie]

I too have an old standard. Nice gun ditchparrot. Do like the grips. Enjoy shooting it, they are fun.

[Hatchdog]

A 1975 produced without the warning on the barrel popped up on the local trader site this morning for $450. Gun only no box or wmr cylinder. Somebody could be getting a good deal on this.

[North Country Gal]

I love old model Ruger single actions for their original 4 click Colt actions and also for sentimental reasons, because I started my handgun shooting back in the 60s with an old model Single Six.

For the record, though, when Ruger went to the New Model on their single actions, they didn't just change the lock work, they also made some upgrades in metallurgy to address some soft parts in the Old Models that could fail, specifically hammers on the Old Models when carried in the half cock position. The bottom line is that the Old Models are perfectly safe as long as you carry them with 5 rounds with the hammer resting on an empty chamber rather than 6 rounds and depending on the half cock position as a safety. If you really want/need to carry 6 rounds, the safest option is to get a converted Old Model or a New Model.

I shoot and collect both Old Models and New Models and enjoy them both.