My ideal custom Single Six outdoor revolver, Can it be done

[1ruger]

I've always loved my Single Six revolvers. Currently the 4 3/4" Single Six with 22 magnum cylinder is my primary outdoor/woods sidearm. I carry it all the time when outside. My only wish is that the caliber be something a little more potent and be able to shoot commercially available snakeshots cartridges. I guess I wish the Single Six can be converted to 38 Special (maybe 5 shot).
Anybody know if such conversion can be done? Who could do such work?

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Lots of 'smiths will do it, most of them will charge around $2,000. Here is one option. http://www.clementscustomguns.com/singlesix.html

 

[CraigC]

Yep! Traditionally, these have been five-shot and they are as expensive as a big bore five-shot conversion. I see that Clements is doing them a good bit cheaper as a six-shot and there appears to be plenty of meat in the cylinder for that to work but you have to use a .32 or .327 base gun.

 

[powder smoke]

Buy a 357 and be done with it! ps

 

[DeletedMember275]

Buy a 357 and be done with it! ps

And where's the fun in that? 8)

 

[Sugar River]

If it doesn't have to be a Single Six, you can get into a Model P Jr for under 5 bills.
I'm enjoying mine greatly.

https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/products/revolvers/single-actions/lightning-model-p-jr/model-p-jr-1.html

 

[grobin]

How about getting a more usable revolver at a reasonable price? A Blackawk convertible 6.5" barrel in 9mm/357 runs around $550. Midway has 9mm shot loads in 45 grain for the 9mm. Lots of good factory loads available for both and 9mm is better and cheaper than 38 special. I getting ready to send mine back to Ruger to get a new cylinder fitted (lost the 9mm cylinder when I moved). This gives you the most flexible revolver out there and if you really want to shoot 38 special you can.

 

[eskimo36]

Lots of good answers but not many to his question. I have a Harton 9mm Single Six and a Harton 38 Special Single Six. Both are 6 shot new model Vaquero type Single Six revolvers. The 9mm is regulated for 115 grain factory loads and the 38 is regulated for 158 gr lead. If you can dream it, and it’s safe, there is a gunsmith that will build it for you.

 

[RatCat454]

Single Seven .327 and roll-your-own shot shell snake shot (if one reloads)...

https://loaddata.com/Article/BenchTopics/Snake-Loads-for-the-327-Federal-Magnum/138

 

[Hondo44]

The full custom guns by the big name custom pistol smiths are excellent, top of the line premium customs...at premium prices.

But you may not need or want such a high priced woods gun. Custom conversions are very available but not cheap.

RatCat suggested a good alternative "off the shelf" option.

You can also consider the Ruger 6 shot 32 H&R Mag which would fit your needs as you described. These are readily available on the used market for $400-$500. Again, you would have to load you own snake loads.

You might also consider other smiths that will provide just a 38 conversion w/o all the bells and whistles of the high priced "packages", that will provide for your needs at much lower cost.

Some possibilities:

Ben Forkin - Forkin Custom Classics
PO Box 444, 205 10th Ave SW
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
406-547-2344
mailto:[email protected]

John Gallagher - Gallagher Firearms Inc.
(205)384-5229
3923 Bird Farm Road
Jasper, Alabama 35503
[email protected]
closed website: http://www.gallagherfirearms.com

Alan Harton (Colt SAAs also)
713-772-8314 or 713-907-6031
[email protected]
Sharpstown, Texas, West S/W of Houston

Andy Horvath - DIAGONAL ROAD GUN SHOP
14131 Diagonal Rd.
La Grange, OH 44050
(440) 458-4369, (440) 355-5618

Jack Huntington (may start barrel re-boring)
JRH Advanced Gunsmithing
775-355-6898
385 Freeport Blvd, Suite 13
Sparks, NV 89431
mailto:[email protected]
New website: http://www.jrhadvancedgunsmithing.com old site: http://www.jrhgunmaker.com/
His turnaround time is short, his work is first rate, and his prices are reasonable.

Long Hunter
Amarillo, TX
http://www.longhunt.com/web/

Ryan Ross
[email protected].

Harry Lawsons
520-326-1117
Tucson, AZ.
I have been using them for over 35 years and would not go anyplace else.
All they do is make custom rifles , custom stocks and gunsmithing.
They have been in business since 1965 at the same location.
They do not have a web site.
You need to call before noon if you want to talk to the gunsmith.

Oglesby & Oglesby Gunmakers
Bill Oglesby
744 W Andrew Road
Springfield, IL 62707-4626
Phone: (217) 487-7100
Cool video: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oglesby-Oglesby/166638046696474

 

[CraigC]

How about getting a more usable revolver at a reasonable price? A Blackawk convertible 6.5" barrel in 9mm/357 runs around $550. Midway has 9mm shot loads in 45 grain for the 9mm. Lots of good factory loads available for both and 9mm is better and cheaper than 38 special. I getting ready to send mine back to Ruger to get a new cylinder fitted (lost the 9mm cylinder when I moved). This gives you the most flexible revolver out there and if you really want to shoot 38 special you can.

I'm pretty sure that anyone wanting to go to the expense of building a custom .38 Single Six is aware that they can just go out and buy a .357 Blackhawk. :roll:

You might also consider other smiths that will provide just a 38 conversion w/o all the bells and whistles of the high priced "packages", that will provide for your needs at much lower cost.

Nothing is cheap about building a sixgun with a custom oversized cylinder. Clements package is about as inexpensive as it's going to get.

 

[DGW1949]

As I recall, Alan Harton did a 5-shot .41 Spl conversion on a Single Six for a member here a couple of years ago. I'm purty-sure that if it can be done in .41 Spl, it can be done in .38 Spl.

Or like Sugar River said...get a Cimarron P-Jr. and be done with it.
I was loaned a pair of those to use at a CAS match once...sweet shooting guns.

DGW

 

[CraigC]

The .41Spl can only be done on the Old Model.

 

[eskimo36]

From top to bottom, here's my Harton 9mm Single Six, Harton 38 Special, and Forkin OM Single Six 22 mag.

 

[princeout]

Alan Harton built OM Single Six in 41 Special, Larry Caudill Desert Big Horn grips.

I think (not sure) opening up the loading gate area for a 41 in a New Model results in penetration into the transfer bar area of the receiver which is a bit unsightly.

Tim

 

[BrewsterII]

Here is a beauty, Wish it were mine!

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=254211

 

[Hondo44]

I think (not sure) opening up the loading gate area for a 41 in a New Model results in penetration into the transfer bar area of the receiver which is a bit unsightly.

Tim

Tim,

Beautiful guns!
I see that the 9mm and 38 are both 6 shot. No doubt both have larger cylinders. I understand that because the 9mm is rimless it doesn't need a larger cyl in a 5 shot cyl., hence a much lower cost.

It's more than unsightly, opening up the loading gate trough for the 41 causes interference with the transfer bar, and is the reason the New Model can not have that conversion, unless the transfer bar is eliminated.

 

[princeout]

Hondo,
Can’t take any credit for the 6 shot guns - those belong to fellow Okie Curtis F. (Eskimo36). The 41 is mine, but Greg (Bushog) had it built. Took years to talk him out of it!
Tim

 

[Joe S.]

Here is a beauty, Wish it were mine!

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=254211

I had this one built by Harton. Unfortunately, I hear he is no longer taking Rugers. It is more accurate that I could ever be.

I shoot it as much as I can, altho I find myself grabbing my 32s when i grab a SS out of the safe.

 

[PotatoJudge]

I had a 5 shot 38 Single Six by Clements for some time. Great little gun with an octagon barrel and black micarta stocks. Talk about an expensive build- 5 shot conversion, base gun, octagon barrel, Bowen sight, custom grips.

Point is, for less money you can buy a Freedom Arms Model 97 in 22, 32, 357, 41, 44, or 45 and have a gun that's essentially the same size and higher quality than anything built off a Ruger. As a bonus they're optic ready so you can take advantage of that accuracy.

I have three octagon barreled FA97s and got each used/like new for $2300ish. Round barrel guns go for under $2k often. If you're thinking a stainless build- definitely just get a FA and be done. If you want case hardening go Ruger. If you want an all blue revolver send the FA to Huntington and he'll give it a blue/black finish. If you want a bisley hammer send your FA to Harton to have a bisley spur grafted on. Key phrase "if you want" and that's good enough to justify how you spend your money. The above would just be the choices I'd recommend or make for myself.

 

[Robb Barnes]

I think PJ pretty much nailed it in his response. The only thing I would say different is pass on the bisley spur graft on the FA. I had Alan do that and it took a couple of tries and while the final product lowered the spur like I wanted it still looked "special" simply due to the thick top strap on the FA guns. I'd post a picture but Photo bucket has taken me hostage once again.

 

[CraigC]

That's a good point on the FA 97.

 

[gs50401]

I wanted something similar. I bought an Uberti 4.75 inch 357 that fits in my Single six holster. It is an El patron.

 

[Muley Gil]

If it doesn't have to be a Single Six, you can get into a Model P Jr for under 5 bills.
I'm enjoying mine greatly.

https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/products/revolvers/single-actions/lightning-model-p-jr/model-p-jr-1.html

I have a .32-20/.32 H&R Magnum Model P Jr and it is a great little gun. The only disavantage with the Model P Jr is the lack of adjustable sights. Mine shoots to POA.