I picked up this old boat anchor for $200 to rescue and also make some modifications that I wouldn't do to a nice one in good conscience. It's a 1967 vintage 3 screw Super single six that came out of Florida and was apparently a coup de gras gun on a fishing boat. But the action was original and mechanically sound. These Rugers are truly almost indestructible.
And turned it into this:
My objective:
Make a .22 all steel flat top with matching proportion to my OM Flat top 357 to 44 conversion. I never liked the fact that a 4 5/8" barrel on a single six frame does not have as good proportion as a 4 5/8" barrel on the mid frame or balance as well in the hand. This one ended up 4 1/8"
Modifications:
Cut the barrel: mathematically 4 7/16" is equal to the proportion of the mid frame with a 4 5/8" barrel. But that would need a cut right thru the ERH screw. So I resorted to 4 1/8".
Also pulled the barrel and turned it ¼ turn so the rollmark is on the side to match the OM Blackhawk FT. This had two more advantages: it keeps the relocated front sight from covering the rollmark and it allowed me to clean up the course machine tool marks on the front face of the frame so typical on OM Rugers. That in turn allowed the extra ¼ turn of the barrel after cutting the barrel from the front end.
Installed the NM single six ramp style (instead of the original hook type) front sight which with its shorter base improved proportion.
Turned down a steel ERH to match the barrel length.
Adapted NM steel XR3 size grip frame with by-passed internal lock using a Bearcat mainspring seat to bridge the lock gap. Install a SBH wide grooved trigger since the new model grip frames all have a wide trigger slot. Super SSs weren't made until after the original Colt size XR3 grip frame was eliminated but the XR3 feels perfect on the small frame.
Sectioned a SBH wide spur hammer to fit the smaller .22 frame.
Flattened the top strap and installed an original Ruger steel rear Micro sight.
Filed out all dings, rust pits and polished the steel frame.