Looking at buying a buddies unfired single action Ruger. He does not remember when he bought it , just that it was several years back. It is chambered in 32h&r magnum has a 4 5/8 barrel and is dull gray with white Ruger grips. I can grab it for 275.00 but would like to know what It is. The label has fallen of the box. Any ideas ?i would send pics but I can't seem to get this I pad to attach and send them ?
Help with single action id
- Thread starter hdrk1111
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
Ok, at $275 it's a deal,, or correctly, almost a steal!
Now, Ruger did not make any "dull gray" guns like that. They were either stainless, blued, or faux color case hardened. My suspicion it you may have one of the faux color case hardened guns that has "faded."
There are several variations of the 32 H&R mag guns,, and without better details,, we can't identify the gun correctly. There are "short" grip framed ones, etc. stainless, blued, CCH, some shipped with the white grips you mentioned, and some shipped with both the short g/f AND the white grips.
As for pics,,, to post pics here,,, you have to first post them to a picture hosting site such as imgur and then link them to the forum. But,,, pics are only part of the equation in determining what you have.
Either way,, at $275,,, BUY THE GUN!!!!!!!!!!
Now, Ruger did not make any "dull gray" guns like that. They were either stainless, blued, or faux color case hardened. My suspicion it you may have one of the faux color case hardened guns that has "faded."
There are several variations of the 32 H&R mag guns,, and without better details,, we can't identify the gun correctly. There are "short" grip framed ones, etc. stainless, blued, CCH, some shipped with the white grips you mentioned, and some shipped with both the short g/f AND the white grips.
As for pics,,, to post pics here,,, you have to first post them to a picture hosting site such as imgur and then link them to the forum. But,,, pics are only part of the equation in determining what you have.
Either way,, at $275,,, BUY THE GUN!!!!!!!!!!
Hondo44
Hawkeye
First thing we need to know is; does it have an adjustable rear sight?
Those with adjustable sights from "several years back" were not made in stainless and are only all blue. They're a "Super Six Magnum".
Those without an adjustable rear sight were shiny stainless or blue with a multi colored mainframe with a lot of gray. They're a "Single Six Magnum" sometimes called a Baby Vaquero.
If it does have an adjustable rear sight and is dull gray all over, it's an after market finish of some kind.
Those with adjustable sights from "several years back" were not made in stainless and are only all blue. They're a "Super Six Magnum".
Those without an adjustable rear sight were shiny stainless or blue with a multi colored mainframe with a lot of gray. They're a "Single Six Magnum" sometimes called a Baby Vaquero.
If it does have an adjustable rear sight and is dull gray all over, it's an after market finish of some kind.
Ok so here it is. It is the faux case color with the white grips . Fixed sights like vaquero. Serial number is 65052xxx I believe it to be a 2003 ? It is unfired since leaving the factory and the deal has been made. I shall start gathering load data and test her out. A while back I got an old model same deal from him in .357 unfired in the box. Same price . Of course he has many of my old K models in his safe that used to live at my house. You just gotta love old friends. Oh yea and the 32 has short grips , can I change those to a standard size sss frame .
2sheriffs
Single-Sixer
You could swap the grip frame to one for XR3 RED or a Super Blackhawk that is longer yet, or probably the simplest way would be to have 41 Magnum make you grips that are extended. He has ads in the Auction section.
Ron
Ron
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Bravo, great gun, great friend!
Made from 1994 to 2009. For your records if you want, it's a:
MODEL #06511
CATALOG #SSM-4F-S-I
SSM = Single Six Magnum
4F = 4 5/8" barrel Fixed sight
S = Short grip
I = Ivory (simulated)
Yes, you can put any Ruger grip frame on it that you prefer.
The next size up is the XR3 size, standard length with 1/8" less space behind the trigger guard and 7/16" thick for a slimmer feel. This is the same size as your old model 357 if it's a flat top made before 1962.
Early versions of this grip frame came with the internal lock. It will work fine on your gun whether or not you want to use the lock. If you get one of these get the lock with it, but these can usually be found cheaper than w/o the lock. Or bypass and don't use the lock. Just ask if you want to know how to bypass lock.
Then the XR3-RED size standard length and same space behind the trigger guard and 1/2" thickness, same as your short grip, (this is the grip that came on this model with the standard grip size). This is the same grip size used on your old model 357 if made after 1962 and with the rear sight protective ribs.
Both available in blued steel or stainless. You can use all of your parts; screws, mainspring & strut, trigger spring, and all the pins.
If you get a new grip frame it'll be oversized and must be filed and fitted, polished, and blued (unless you use stainless of course). Look for a nice used one $100 to $120. But fully finished and fitted. It may not fit exactly but usually from very good to perfect.
Comparison of grip sizes for your reference (shorty not shown):
Made from 1994 to 2009. For your records if you want, it's a:
MODEL #06511
CATALOG #SSM-4F-S-I
SSM = Single Six Magnum
4F = 4 5/8" barrel Fixed sight
S = Short grip
I = Ivory (simulated)
Yes, you can put any Ruger grip frame on it that you prefer.
The next size up is the XR3 size, standard length with 1/8" less space behind the trigger guard and 7/16" thick for a slimmer feel. This is the same size as your old model 357 if it's a flat top made before 1962.
Early versions of this grip frame came with the internal lock. It will work fine on your gun whether or not you want to use the lock. If you get one of these get the lock with it, but these can usually be found cheaper than w/o the lock. Or bypass and don't use the lock. Just ask if you want to know how to bypass lock.
Then the XR3-RED size standard length and same space behind the trigger guard and 1/2" thickness, same as your short grip, (this is the grip that came on this model with the standard grip size). This is the same grip size used on your old model 357 if made after 1962 and with the rear sight protective ribs.
Both available in blued steel or stainless. You can use all of your parts; screws, mainspring & strut, trigger spring, and all the pins.
If you get a new grip frame it'll be oversized and must be filed and fitted, polished, and blued (unless you use stainless of course). Look for a nice used one $100 to $120. But fully finished and fitted. It may not fit exactly but usually from very good to perfect.
Comparison of grip sizes for your reference (shorty not shown):
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contender
Ruger Guru
Ok, you gave us more info,, and now you have more answers! You have an excellent gun at a great price.
Thank you all for posting. This site is full of great folks. I do not cast bullets , but I do reload and have found some pet loads here using Speer and Hornady so I will order some brass and get started. Thanks again for the helpful response.
Bob
Bob
So, the XR3-RED and the KXR3 are the same size and interchangeable, right?
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Right. More correctly with a dash: KXR-3
All GRIP FRAME MATERIAL & IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (Founder’s Marks) CAST ON GRIP FRAMES (N/A to Bearcat)
Notes: Most all grip frames are 1/2" thick unless otherwise noted below.
For convenience, NM frames in the two most common sizes are often referred to by their old model #s as XR3 'SIZE' or XR3-RED 'SIZE' but they have their own Casting numbers.
NM BLUE: STEEL and ALLOY GFs:
Small steel (OM #XR3 size) 1/8” closer to trigger guard than XR3-RED size, (cut for indexing pawl system, no extensions into main frame & only 7/16” thick) = A (in a square), no other marking observed; w & w/o lock. New Vaq w/o lock has a 512 prefix serial #, locks discontinued in 2012
Large steel (OM #XR3-RED size): Early = A (in a square) XR-3 (that's XR dash 3), Late = A in circle XR-3 1 in circle
Large alloy (OM #XR3-RED size) w/o lock: Early = NXR3-RED, Late = XRN-3RED. With lock = XR & L, locks discontinued in 2012
Short steel 'Vaquerito’ .32s (3/16” shorter in length than the XR3 and XR3-RED sizes) = A (in a square) XR-3. If ordered as a separate part = 302 A (in a square)
SBH = No marking on Dragoon frames (1/4” longer than standard grip). Large round guard steel frames supplied on all barrel lengths less than 7 ½” (Old Model #XR3-RED size) = same as Large steel above marking
Birdshead** steel = # in circle, MR00307, A in circle
Bisley** steel grip frames come in only one size that fit all Ruger new models.
NM STAINLESS GFs:
Small, (XR3 size) 1/8” shorter horizontally behind the trigger guard (cut for indexing pawl system, no extensions into main frame & only 7/16” thick = K (in circle); w & w/o lock
Large (OM #XR3-RED size): Earliest = KXR-3*, Next = KXR-3 with a separate N, Late = K (in circle) XRN-3, most current = no markings
Short 'Vaquerito’ .32s (3/16” shorter in length than the XR3 and XR3-RED sizes) = KXR-3* and K in circle 302 T in circle
SBH Hunter = KHRN 3 (Dragoon length but with a round trigger guard)
SBH = No marking on Dragoon frames (1/4” longer than standard grip). Large round guard steel frames supplied on all barrel lengths less than 7 ½” (Old Model #XR3-RED size) = same as Large above marking
Birdshead** = # K in circle, MR00307
Bisley** steel grip frames come in only one size that fit all Ruger new models.
OM BLUE STEEL and ALLOY:
Small alloy = XR3, original style to 1962, 1/8” closer to trigger guard than large size
Large alloy = XR3-RED, (part # SS3), new style in 1962 to 1972, also used on Pre 1985 Old Army - alloy w/narrow trig slot, and on Hawkeye - alloy w/wide trigger slot
SBH = steel dragoon, sq back trigger guard (1/4” longer than standard grip) no marking; Early ‘long frame’ 5/32” longer than later dragoon marked with C (only ~300 made)
Old Army steel (OM XR3-RED size) = XRN-3 beginning 1985 with wide trigger slot and is the only OM GF in carbon steel other than the SBH.
STAINLESS OM - Old Army only:
Large (OM XR3-RED size) = KXR-3*
SUPER BH MODEL S-47 GRIP FRAMES:
Standard Dragoon GF: overall height = 3 1/4” No casting mark.
Long Frame Dragoon GF (OM only) = overall height – 3 7/16” No casting mark but C stamped on back of grips.
Brass Frame “Dragoon” style with square back trigger guard (OM only) = Marked “MR-3DB.” Same dimensions as 1959 Super Blackhawk. Initially for Super Blackhawks only, then shipped on various Blackhawks, the majority in 1972.
*Note: same # KXR-3 used on two different frames: earliest NM SS XR3-RED size and OM SS Old Army XR3-RED size, because based on how they are machined, they can be used for either application.
**Birdsheads and Bisleys supplied on New Vaqueros cut for free spin pawl system and have no extensions into main frame, but are interchangeable to all models.
All GRIP FRAME MATERIAL & IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (Founder’s Marks) CAST ON GRIP FRAMES (N/A to Bearcat)
Notes: Most all grip frames are 1/2" thick unless otherwise noted below.
For convenience, NM frames in the two most common sizes are often referred to by their old model #s as XR3 'SIZE' or XR3-RED 'SIZE' but they have their own Casting numbers.
NM BLUE: STEEL and ALLOY GFs:
Small steel (OM #XR3 size) 1/8” closer to trigger guard than XR3-RED size, (cut for indexing pawl system, no extensions into main frame & only 7/16” thick) = A (in a square), no other marking observed; w & w/o lock. New Vaq w/o lock has a 512 prefix serial #, locks discontinued in 2012
Large steel (OM #XR3-RED size): Early = A (in a square) XR-3 (that's XR dash 3), Late = A in circle XR-3 1 in circle
Large alloy (OM #XR3-RED size) w/o lock: Early = NXR3-RED, Late = XRN-3RED. With lock = XR & L, locks discontinued in 2012
Short steel 'Vaquerito’ .32s (3/16” shorter in length than the XR3 and XR3-RED sizes) = A (in a square) XR-3. If ordered as a separate part = 302 A (in a square)
SBH = No marking on Dragoon frames (1/4” longer than standard grip). Large round guard steel frames supplied on all barrel lengths less than 7 ½” (Old Model #XR3-RED size) = same as Large steel above marking
Birdshead** steel = # in circle, MR00307, A in circle
Bisley** steel grip frames come in only one size that fit all Ruger new models.
NM STAINLESS GFs:
Small, (XR3 size) 1/8” shorter horizontally behind the trigger guard (cut for indexing pawl system, no extensions into main frame & only 7/16” thick = K (in circle); w & w/o lock
Large (OM #XR3-RED size): Earliest = KXR-3*, Next = KXR-3 with a separate N, Late = K (in circle) XRN-3, most current = no markings
Short 'Vaquerito’ .32s (3/16” shorter in length than the XR3 and XR3-RED sizes) = KXR-3* and K in circle 302 T in circle
SBH Hunter = KHRN 3 (Dragoon length but with a round trigger guard)
SBH = No marking on Dragoon frames (1/4” longer than standard grip). Large round guard steel frames supplied on all barrel lengths less than 7 ½” (Old Model #XR3-RED size) = same as Large above marking
Birdshead** = # K in circle, MR00307
Bisley** steel grip frames come in only one size that fit all Ruger new models.
OM BLUE STEEL and ALLOY:
Small alloy = XR3, original style to 1962, 1/8” closer to trigger guard than large size
Large alloy = XR3-RED, (part # SS3), new style in 1962 to 1972, also used on Pre 1985 Old Army - alloy w/narrow trig slot, and on Hawkeye - alloy w/wide trigger slot
SBH = steel dragoon, sq back trigger guard (1/4” longer than standard grip) no marking; Early ‘long frame’ 5/32” longer than later dragoon marked with C (only ~300 made)
Old Army steel (OM XR3-RED size) = XRN-3 beginning 1985 with wide trigger slot and is the only OM GF in carbon steel other than the SBH.
STAINLESS OM - Old Army only:
Large (OM XR3-RED size) = KXR-3*
SUPER BH MODEL S-47 GRIP FRAMES:
Standard Dragoon GF: overall height = 3 1/4” No casting mark.
Long Frame Dragoon GF (OM only) = overall height – 3 7/16” No casting mark but C stamped on back of grips.
Brass Frame “Dragoon” style with square back trigger guard (OM only) = Marked “MR-3DB.” Same dimensions as 1959 Super Blackhawk. Initially for Super Blackhawks only, then shipped on various Blackhawks, the majority in 1972.
*Note: same # KXR-3 used on two different frames: earliest NM SS XR3-RED size and OM SS Old Army XR3-RED size, because based on how they are machined, they can be used for either application.
**Birdsheads and Bisleys supplied on New Vaqueros cut for free spin pawl system and have no extensions into main frame, but are interchangeable to all models.
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