I have a 1970s Buntline single six. The lower portion is made of light weight aircraft aluminum. It also has stag pastel grips. I once found it in a gun digest and it stated that only 500 or so were ever made.Looking for any further information on the gun.
1970s ruger aircraft aluminum single six
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Welcome to the Forum,,,,,,depends on what the serial number may be, but to us it looks like a stripped aluminum (ALcoa) frame, on a regular steel cylinder fame, with Jay Scott plastic grips............
yes, the housing is also "stripped" (same metal alloy)........
cannot get a clear zoom in of the serial number,BUT that being a "New model" and from you say the "1970s" it should have been in a red,white new model box and the LONG barreled 9 1/2 inchers were a white box...that yellow /black box is from the 1980s that you have pictured.......neat package still
yes, the housing is also "stripped" (same metal alloy)........
cannot get a clear zoom in of the serial number,BUT that being a "New model" and from you say the "1970s" it should have been in a red,white new model box and the LONG barreled 9 1/2 inchers were a white box...that yellow /black box is from the 1980s that you have pictured.......neat package still
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By "lower portion " are you referring to the grip frame?
It looks to me like someone's polished the anodizing off the grip frame and ejector rod housing in an effort to "customize" that Single Six.
It looks to me like someone's polished the anodizing off the grip frame and ejector rod housing in an effort to "customize" that Single Six.
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Rat76
Single-Sixer
A little off topic, at what length does a revolver barrel qualify as a "Buntline"? I always thought 12" & up but a quick Googe turns up a number of references to 9 1/2" Buntlines, both Ruger & Colt.
I now be confused.
I now be confused.
Yes, the term 'Buntline' was an old western throwback to when Ned Buntline ordered the LONG barrel guns from Colt, I do not believe Ruger ever used the term in their 'merchandizing'....even with their 7 1/2 and 10 inch Blackhawks ,let alone a 9 1/2 in Single or Super Single Sixes...MR Ruger did NOT Like having to put 'other' companies names anywhere on his firearms, I heard him "complain" about this many yeas ago with the "Remington" or S&W named calibers...one reason he tried so hard in the early 90s to get calibers "changed" to Ruger , and eventually he did come up with his own, with the .480 Ruger and the .204 Ruger...that made his heart go "pitter pat"...I recall back then at one of the NRA conventions, we talked with Mr Ruger and our friend Gary Johnston (SOF) introduced us to Mikhail Kalyshnikov as to the "re-naming" of the .7.62 Russian, again for the Ruger Mini 30.s??? oh well such as this is just MORE "Ruger lore" but some truth to it.............
Why is so much attention being paid to the term buntline?I want to know if anyone has ever seen a gun like this!
I have paperwork from Ruger stating it was made in 1979
Rat76
Single-Sixer
I have a 9 1/2 inch Single SIx. It looks just like that except the finish hasn't been polished off the aluminum bits.
Oh, and it is also chambered in 32 mag.
Oh, and it is also chambered in 32 mag.
1. Because Buntline is not a term ever associated with Ruger firearms.
2. Yes. Your gun is a common New Model Single Six Convertible as the letter states.
Somebody rubbed the blued finish off the frame and reduced it's value.
Excellent accurate shooter though. Should provide you with decades of fun plinking.
contender
Ruger Guru
hittman is correct.
Your letter states it was shipped as a "NR-9" which is the common 9-1/2" Single-Six convertible.
And as noted above,, the term "buntline" has never been used by Ruger to describe any of it's longer barreled SA handguns.
Also,, the stripping of the coating/color of the grip frame has been done often. Your gun has had it done by a previous owner.
Your letter states it was shipped as a "NR-9" which is the common 9-1/2" Single-Six convertible.
And as noted above,, the term "buntline" has never been used by Ruger to describe any of it's longer barreled SA handguns.
Also,, the stripping of the coating/color of the grip frame has been done often. Your gun has had it done by a previous owner.
The 9.5" barrel is not the most common, but Ruger made a lot more than 500 of them.
Yes, it is a common New Model Single Six, catalog number NR9, that has undergone some Bubba work to strip the black anodizing off the aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing. Ruger used aluminum alloy for most of the blue Single Six and Blackhawk grip frames from 1953 until the present, and then started using aluminum for the ejector rod housing starting in about 1964. The grips are also not original Ruger, and has been stated, they look like Jay Scott fake stag grips. If it were unmolested, it would be a $500 gun give or take. But with the modified grip frame, ERH, and aftermarket grips, it is worth whatever someone will offer (I would think around $400). The 9.5" barrel is less common than the 5.5" or 6.5" barrels, but far more than 500 were made. The Gun Digest may have been referencing the old model XR3 grip frame Single Six with the 9.5" barrel (model RSS9). That was probably made in about that quantity. Then the XR3-RED grip frame RSS9 and RSS9X convertibles were probably made in higher quantity, and even more of the New Model NR9s (which are still being made).
Rat76
Single-Sixer
Since I have some pretty knowledgeable folks at hand, I have a question. In the summer of 2008, I shot a Single Six in 17 HMR. I remember it had a long barrel, longer than 6 1/2. I thought 12 at the time, but knowing what I now know, probably 9 1/2".
Now my question, I did a little looking & can't find where Ruger made a Single Six in that caliber with a longer than 6 1/2" barrel. Am I misremembering?
Now my question, I did a little looking & can't find where Ruger made a Single Six in that caliber with a longer than 6 1/2" barrel. Am I misremembering?
YES..........They were made...see page 85 in Hiddlesons'' REFERENCEOF RUGER FIREARMS
Rat76
Single-Sixer
Thanks.
See..... this is what I mean when I say we can get FAST and ACCURATE info right here without having to got rummaging thru pages and pages of books for an hour or two. Come HERE and the experts are always kind enough to provide the answers...!!! And maybe a little teaser to entice you to "read the books".
J.
I didn't recall any .17 cal Single Sixes except the standard 6.5" and the Hunter with 7.5". I looked where you referenced and still don't see a 9.5" barrel gun in .17. Can you confirm?
Only going by the notation listings in the Hiddleson book
