Comments on Ruger Single Six

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Forest1488

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Years ago I was at a gun show talking to an old gunsmith about Ruger Single Six revolvers. It had been on my wish list for some time and he said if I got the chance, buy one made in the mid '70's. He was of the opinion these were the most accurate and well made to date. True or not I kept it in mind and last year purchased a SS 6 1/2" made in 1976. Both cylinders are fluted which apparently was changed to one fluted (22LR) and one non-fluted (22 WMR) half way through 1976 so it has a unique attribute. It is also in excellent condition as the previous owner really took care of it.

Took it to the range a few times and am absolutely tickled pink with the way it performs. Smooth as silk when cocking and the trigger is awesome. Shoots quarter size groups at 10 yards with both LR and WMR. I have not shot a new Single Six so I have nothing to compare at the moment but was wondering if anyone out there has had experience with older and newer versions and could comment on build quality and/or accuracy comparisons.
 
I picked one up, in 22LR, a number of years back. It's an older/earlier model with a flat loading gate. Haven't shot it much and the main reason I did acquire it is it belonged to an old friend and I got it from his estate. I guess the main reason for getting it was because it was his.
 
Single Six

Nice wheelguns. Had a convertible one [.22lr with .22 Mag cylinder] blued with 6 1/2" barrel for awhile circa 1990.

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NAA.
 
I have 2 of them, A 1976 (bicentenial model) stainless 6 1/2 my dad gave me and it is extremely accurate ( adjust. sights) I also have a newer blued one that is VAQUERO style (just a groove in backstrap) with A 5 1/2 barrel. It seems to be very well built but I do not shoot it as well but I don't think it has anything to do with the quality of the gun, I would say it is because of the sights. It is off a bit as I need to hold a little bit to right in the black( not enough too worry about) I do like shooting it tho as it looks more like a good ole cowboy gun without the adjust. sights and the tall front one. I don't think you can go wrong with any single six. Your great, great grandkids will still be shooting it. LOL
 
I picked up a late 70’s single six in excellent condition 6 months ago and it has to be my favourite handgun overall. Looks great, points well and I actually shoot it pretty well too. Which for some reason I never shoot as well with rimfire vs 38 special. I have not had any issues and it goes to the club with me every Sunday. I recently handled one that was a couple years old and didn’t notice any real difference between it and mine. Mind you my SS was at home at the time. I certainly have no regrets buying it considering I got it for a few bucks more then a new Wrangler.
 
There seems to be a mixed bag of opinions out there on the accuracy differences between the two rounds. Yes the bore diameter is manufactured for the magnum round. Some say the 0,001" difference does show when shooting both and others say they can't see any difference. Some have said that the 22LR was actually more accurate.

For grins and giggles I plan on seeing for myself if my Single Six is more accurate one way or the other as well as comparing a new model to my 1976 version. I have purchased a decent assortment of both 22LR and 22WMR ammunition. Since my shooting abilities and lack of consistency are wildcards, I/we will naturally bench shoot at the longest possible distance my range allows for this test. Just have to coordinate with a friend who has the newer model and spend the day shooting. Will report what I find once I get a chance.

Also, I will mic the bullet diameter's as well as any other characteristics that the ammo has that can make the test free of variables that may affect the outcome.
 
Ganderite said:
I find mine is more accurate in Magnum than in LR. I suspect this is because of the bore diameter.
Click to expand...

Mine too, but it isn't as accurate as the semis I have with either. Ruger made the barrels in .224 for the convertibles, and stuck with that for all of them in case someone acquired a stray cylinder and put it in a normal one. Come to think of it; that's what I did, spotted a loose one at a gun store and bought it for a few bucks. Ruger doesn't recomend that, but the cylinder aligned fine.
 
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