Nine & 1/2" OM Single-Six (RSS9W) - pics

[VonFatman]

Today, I picked up this fairly well preserved OM Single-Six. I have no idea if it was a convertible or not...I'll need to letter the gun...regardless, it's a "late" Old Model.

Looks to have been produced in 1972.

Here are a few pics...it was hard to pass on the gun as it was priced under $300.00

Bob

 

[SteveRuger]

It looks real nice & you done very well, those go for nearly double that even being a late pre-fix gun. Enjoy!

 

[WIL TERRY]

I have one of those from 1961[?] and it is a shooting son-of-a-gun. Mine also came with mother-of-toilet-seat stocks with a flower carved in 'em. I was lucky though that mine did NOT come with that big ol' red thing stuck in the trigger guard as that makes shooting 'em a might tough.

 

[chet15]

Today, I picked up this fairly well preserved OM Single-Six. I have no idea if it was a convertible or not...I'll need to letter the gun...regardless, it's a "late" Old Model.

All 4-5/8" and 9-1/2" Single-Sixes made after the XR3 grip frame days are convertibles. Quickest way to check is by looking at the end of your cylinder (or maybe its a Mag. cylinder that's in it?).
Chet15

 

[BlkHawk73]

Nice find. 8) Just some much more appealing about the longer bbls, especially on the Single Sixes.

 

[VonFatman]

Thanks for the replies.

Chet,
Here is a pic of the frame and of the top of the cylinder. Does this match up with what you were thinking?

Bob

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Show us the other end of the cylinder.

:)

 

[VonFatman]

Ale-8(1),

Here you go.

Bob

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Thanks.

Looks like a .22LR cylinder to me. Usually it's the Magnum cylinder that gets numbered (except on the convertible 6-1/2" guns) but with Ruger, never say never. Some funny stuff happened at the end of the Old Model run.

:)

Edited to add . . . see chet15's revealing commentary below.

:)

 

[SteveRuger]

It looks like it should. Great gun! Enjoy..

 

[stubbfarmer]

Is 1972 late for an XR3 RED frame? I was under the impression they were on 1950 and early 60's guns.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

The first guns had XR3 grip frames. The XR3RED's showed up in 1962.

:)

 

[stubbfarmer]

Thanks! I think I need a lesson.

 

[americal]

My favorite RSS :) REALLY like the early XR3 RSS9's :!:

 

[chet15]

After April 1963....all Single-Six Convertibles had both cylinders scratched with the last three digits of the serial number. The instruction manuals for these guns also stated if both cylinders of the convertible are not scratched with the last three digits of the serial number, or if those numbers are mismatched...do not shoot the gun" I don't remember the exact wording, but its in there. For guns shipped as single cylinder LR only (5-1/2") or Mag. only (6-1/2") it was standard procedure to not to have to take the cylinder out of the gun once it was fitted...there was no need to have to match that cylinder back up with the gun it was fitted to...you just leave the cylinder in and send it on.
The cylinder of your gun has numbers scratched on the front...the indication that it left the factory as a convertible. Also...even though there is one author out there that has written that single-cylinder RSS4W and RSS9W continued to be produced after the XR3 days and also says there were SC4, SC5 and SC6 LR only guns shipped, this is not the case. They were never advertised and it never happened.
I'll give a lifetime subscription of RENE to somebody who finds an RSS4W or RSS9W that letters as a LR only gun shipped after 1963, or even for an SC4, SC5 or SC6 that factory letters as an LR only gun. They don't exist except for the occasional factory "second" that pops up, or the LR only nickled Super Single Sixes that were shipped as cheaply as possible (with just one cylinder) just to get them out of the plant.
Chet15

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Good data there, folks.

Thanks, Chet15.

:)

 

[VonFatman]

Great information. Thanks so much. I really enjoy learning about the Rugers I have accumulated.

I've confirmed the photographed cylinder is in fact a .22 LR cylinder...it will not chamber a .22 WMR cartridge.

A question...

Am I correct to assume that this gun with the .22 LR cylinder will NOT be as accurate as a like type Single-Six with the .22 WMR cylinder?

I assume a letter would be in order?

 

[WIL TERRY]

YOU Cannot assume that at all !!! ONLY impirical testing can tell you what you'll have in the way of accuracy. Everyone of my convertible guns will shoot under 1" at 25 yards with it's favored diet. One of 'em averages .70" with everything.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Many rimfires are notoriously picky about their ammo. This allows us to shoot a whole bunch whilst trying out various ammunition makes/types to find the "happy load". As noted, some are exactly the opposite, and do well with just about anything. Most will perform well beyond the abilities of their owners, truth be known.

And yes, by all means a letter . . .

:mrgreen:

 

[VonFatman]

Great. I will get this gun out and see what it does. Thanks for the feedback.

Bob

 

[flatgate]

I, too, really like the 9-1/2 inch Single-Sixes! Here's my OM shooter..

I added the stainless grip frame and a pair of stags.

My New Model is one of the "Star" marked, .22 LR only versions

flatgate