First a thanks to our own Mike Reber (ACRYLICTNK) After talking to Ruger I still don't know where these revolvers came from, but I am glad he found the source to make em happen.
I have a deep love fer Ruger as well as Freedom Arms Single Action Revolvers. But 30 or more years ago I sold the Super Single Six I had at that time after buying a MKI 5.5 BB Target model. I was not only the most accurate rimfire pistol I had shot, but was capable of keeping up with the S&W 41's a couple buddies had. I have had numerous Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks over the past 50 year, in almost every caliber they were available in from blued standard single actions to both standard and Bisley in both blued and Stainless. I also have for over 25 years owned several Freedom Arms, all Model 83's.
I have over the past few years let the FA go in favor of the Rugers. To me their is nothing after the introduction of the 2 new 480's and the 454 that I can't accomplish with them. I find tuning and fitting and polishing the actions and small parts to be quite rewarding, and leaving very little the Freedom Arms at thousands of dollars more can do better, and for my needs, nothing. Don't get me wrong, I love the quality out of the box the FA offers, but find little the Rugers can't also offer,,,,without spending 100's let alone 1000's more to accomplish!
So with the new Single Six Bisley offered by Mike I finally own another Ruger single action .22lr, he not affered it in the Stainless Bisley model, which was why I bought it, but without a 22 mag cylinder that would never have been used anyways. I only wish they had used a dedicated long rifle barrel instead of the larger Mag barrel, and would have liked it in 5.5", which will happen anyways eventually. I also installed the Williams Firesights, along with fitting Black Walnut grip's to the frame. At the same time I also fit a very nice feeling set of Black Paper Micarta grips to the 5.5" 45 Colt.
Both revolvers were stripped when they arrived, and all internal parts cleaned polished and some refitting. I have both down to clean crisp triggers that are between 2# 4oz. to 2# 6oz. They also have not had the hammer springs weakened to slow lock time or compromise ignition. Both have been tested and and are completely safe. The sights on the single six are an experiment, I am not fond of the looks of these new sights that to me add a plastic look to the gun, but I also know my aging eyes are in much need of any help they can get!
The 45 Colt has a trip coming up for the Cylinder to be throated,,, again, another .4505"! Plus I will be obtaining and installing a .1" wide front sight blade, I will and have hunted hard with the revolver so I really don't want to install a fragile sight to the front,, but we shall see how the thinner blade helps first. But so far the changes I make have again made these exceptional revolvers to all who have shot them. I have not had one tell me they rather spend over 2K dollars fer other options in this style revolver if they could have these, the way they are now, and for the money I have vested in them.
When the Cylinder gets back for the 45, and the Neil Waltz die get here,,,, I am sure there is very little these revolvers will leave to be desired at any price. Plus I have found over the years, when you go thru these guns as I have for years, and now adding grips fitted myself, there is so much more special about them to the owner than settling for just a good gun, out of the box, or spending 1000's of dollars more having it done, and all it takes is some basic tools most already have available, or can acquire for a few dollars,, and become more acquainted with your weapon of choice. I hope to bleed the single six on a few squirrel before season end,,,, the Blackhawk has already been bled!
I have a deep love fer Ruger as well as Freedom Arms Single Action Revolvers. But 30 or more years ago I sold the Super Single Six I had at that time after buying a MKI 5.5 BB Target model. I was not only the most accurate rimfire pistol I had shot, but was capable of keeping up with the S&W 41's a couple buddies had. I have had numerous Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks over the past 50 year, in almost every caliber they were available in from blued standard single actions to both standard and Bisley in both blued and Stainless. I also have for over 25 years owned several Freedom Arms, all Model 83's.
I have over the past few years let the FA go in favor of the Rugers. To me their is nothing after the introduction of the 2 new 480's and the 454 that I can't accomplish with them. I find tuning and fitting and polishing the actions and small parts to be quite rewarding, and leaving very little the Freedom Arms at thousands of dollars more can do better, and for my needs, nothing. Don't get me wrong, I love the quality out of the box the FA offers, but find little the Rugers can't also offer,,,,without spending 100's let alone 1000's more to accomplish!
So with the new Single Six Bisley offered by Mike I finally own another Ruger single action .22lr, he not affered it in the Stainless Bisley model, which was why I bought it, but without a 22 mag cylinder that would never have been used anyways. I only wish they had used a dedicated long rifle barrel instead of the larger Mag barrel, and would have liked it in 5.5", which will happen anyways eventually. I also installed the Williams Firesights, along with fitting Black Walnut grip's to the frame. At the same time I also fit a very nice feeling set of Black Paper Micarta grips to the 5.5" 45 Colt.
Both revolvers were stripped when they arrived, and all internal parts cleaned polished and some refitting. I have both down to clean crisp triggers that are between 2# 4oz. to 2# 6oz. They also have not had the hammer springs weakened to slow lock time or compromise ignition. Both have been tested and and are completely safe. The sights on the single six are an experiment, I am not fond of the looks of these new sights that to me add a plastic look to the gun, but I also know my aging eyes are in much need of any help they can get!
The 45 Colt has a trip coming up for the Cylinder to be throated,,, again, another .4505"! Plus I will be obtaining and installing a .1" wide front sight blade, I will and have hunted hard with the revolver so I really don't want to install a fragile sight to the front,, but we shall see how the thinner blade helps first. But so far the changes I make have again made these exceptional revolvers to all who have shot them. I have not had one tell me they rather spend over 2K dollars fer other options in this style revolver if they could have these, the way they are now, and for the money I have vested in them.
When the Cylinder gets back for the 45, and the Neil Waltz die get here,,,, I am sure there is very little these revolvers will leave to be desired at any price. Plus I have found over the years, when you go thru these guns as I have for years, and now adding grips fitted myself, there is so much more special about them to the owner than settling for just a good gun, out of the box, or spending 1000's of dollars more having it done, and all it takes is some basic tools most already have available, or can acquire for a few dollars,, and become more acquainted with your weapon of choice. I hope to bleed the single six on a few squirrel before season end,,,, the Blackhawk has already been bled!