Single six old model 3 screw 22LR cylinder info wanted…

[dougksells]

Hello everybody,

I have a Ruger Single Six .22 cal SN 804765 with a 5.5" barrel, XR3-RED frame, and a .22LR cylinder, appears to be unmodified. I did not get any box or paperwork with it, and I am curious as to dating it, and an opinion as to whether or not I should get it sent in for modifications, etc…

Any info is kindly appreciated!

Thank you,
Doug

 

[arfmel]

Nice one.
I wouldn't send it in for modification. I use and carry mine with an empty chamber under the hammer.
Load one, skip one, load four more, then when you thumb the hammer back and lower it, it will be on the empty chamber.

 

[hittman]

Serial Number Lookup

ruger.com

Send in?
Blasphemy!

If you're gonna make it your daily carry gun just load it properly to avoid a problem.
If you're only gonna plink with it …. Don't reduce it's value ( and originality and desirability ) by $150.

 

[dougksells]

Haha, yeah, I was definitely leaning towards NOT sending it in, but no, it won't be a daily carry.

Im a fan of single action revolvers and have had many others over the past few decades, but this is my first Ruger, most my others were crappy off brand copies and such…

I'm familiar with cowboy loading, and general gun safety for that matter. I'm just interested in my guns history…

It feels amazing on the hip, and in my hand

 

[contender]

NICE gun!

Made in 1968,, and was most likely a convertible. Called a RSS5 model.

I agree with the folks above,, leave it alone & enjoy as is. If you did decide to send it to Ruger & have the conversion done,, I'd remove the original parts first. That assures you get to keep the stuff it was made with. And as mentioned,, it devalues the gun when it doesn't have the original parts. A set of replacement parts usually runs about $125.

A spare cylinder in .22 mag can be found if desired. They usually cost about $100-$125 nowadays. All you'd have to do is measure the OAL of your current cylinder, then find one the same OAL or a few thousands longer (so you can hone the boss enough for it to fit.)

 

[rugerguy]

Doug, welcome to the Forum, nice looking gun and fine pictures by the way,good info above as to maybe getting a 'spare' mag cylinder for it someday......

 

[dougksells]

Yeah, I will set my sight (pun intended) on getting a wmr cylinder, and maybe even a box. I like leaving it as issued.

Thank you community!

 

[contender]

Again, Welcome & Kudos.

A correct box will be a 2-peice, telescoping type. Black & red. End label will read; "Model RSS5"

 

[dougksells]

Thank you contender!

One more question;

The emblem on the handles no longer has the black paint in the logo. Should I leave it that way, or repaint the black? Or what is best to retain the integrity of this gun? Replace grips?

 

[hittman]

It's only original once. Repainting them may be obvious. But it's your gun and if it bothers you …. Use glossy black.

 

[dougksells]

Thanks hittman, as I think it through, I'm okay with keeping it as found, patina and all.

 

[contender]

Often the paint flakes out of the recessed medallions. Due to the staking method used to seat the medallions in the grips.
Some folks CAREFULLY repaint them, by using the tip of a hat pin, or a very tiny end of a toothpick. I've used the tip of a feather where I've trimmed part of it away to get a little black paint in the very tips of the wings of the eagle. A SMALL dot of paint in the middle, then spread with the tiny tip of your chosen tool, carefully into the wings.

 

[Johnnu2]

Welcome to our Forum; it's a GREAT place for info and encouragement.
Yes, I'd go with Contender's recommendation and do a little painting.... it can't hurt and will make them look much better IMHO

J.

 

[dougksells]

I'm scared! it's easier to fire it, than it will be to paint it!

But I'll think about it…

 

[hittman]

You've got nothing to lose but a few dollars in paint and your time.
Paint them. If they turn out how you want …. Great!
If they don't …. Take the paint back off and try again.

 

[dougksells]

Okay, I'll see what I can do, and post a pic back

 

[rugerguy]

if need be thin the paint out a bit and let it flow inthe grooves and up the feathers, let sit at least over night, some folks use a lamp but that may dry it fast and cause shrink lines,,,neatness counts and any over lapping paint on the silver around the eagle itself will scrape off very easily with a rounded tip of a knife blade.......easier to do that to type it all out, its been done many "thousands" of the times over the years..

 

[arcticruger]

Congratulations, great looking single six.

I picked one up 2 years ago about in the same shape as yours maybe worse. It has 1966 serial. It was sold to me as .22LR, but came with the 22 mag cylinder Instead of the 22LR. I sent off for Ruger's LOA and as contender pointed out it turned out to be a 22lr/22mag combo. I picked up a nice 22 mag cylinder for it. Don't remember what I paid, but wasn't much.

It's a regular at the range, and friends along with other shooters always ask to try it out. They are lots of fun.

PS. I don't even shoot the New Model anymore

 

[dougksells]

Nice! Yeah, I'm going to look for a .22 wmr barrel, and if possible, a box and paperwork, just to complete it. But yeah, it shoots perfectly!

 

[contender]

Uhh dougksells,, I hope you meant you'll look for a CYLINDER & not a different barrel.