Project gun found

[Chuck 100 yd]

I picked up little stainless Single Six 5 1/2" yesterday for $275 OTD.
My plan is to shorten the barrel to around 4", turn the bill board down to under the barrel and turn it into a flat top and give it some new grips and a high polish.
I will take a few pictures along the way. It is mechanically sound but has some small dings and handling wear, nothing major.

Hondo44 , When you did your flat top SS, did you have to thin the rear sight? It looks like if I just milled the top down to match the front half that the rear sight will be a little proud. How tight are the barrels in those little revolvers?
I have a lathe and milling machine and do lots of gun work but haven't been into a single six ....YET. :wink:

 

[GasGuzzler]

Can't wait to see pics. Please post before pics first.

 

[Joe S.]

Subscribed.

 

[Hondo44]

Hondo44 , When you did your flat top SS, did you have to thin the rear sight? It looks like if I just milled the top down to match the front half that the rear sight will be a little proud. How tight are the barrels in those little revolvers?
I have a lathe and milling machine and do lots of gun work but haven't been into a single six ....YET. :wink:

Chuck,
That was a great buy and I like your project so go for it. You'll have no problems and it will be worth the work, I mean fun.

No, I used an original Micro flat top sight.
However, the rear sight on your new model will be an issue. By laying a straight edge on top of it, you'll see that it is clearly proud of the front flat of the frame. But a bigger problem is that the pivot/retaining pin hole is also higher and will be cut into when milling off the ribs. The old model pin hole is below the flat surface.

You can solve both problems by welding up the pin hole after milling the ribs off. Then redrill the hole low enough and mill the site trough lower into the frame so your sight will sit flush when re-installed.

The Barrel will not be a problem to remove, I find them no tighter than any other makes.

A couple of thoughts:
I installed a New Vaquero steel grip frame which is the pre 1963 size (3/16" shorter between the trigger guard and the front grip strap). My barrel is cut to 4 1/8" for overall proportion. You might consider cutting yours to 4 1/4" for proportion sake with your longer grip frame. That will still allow you to cut off the ejector rod housing attachment hole completely.

And I would not go thru the extra work of turning and re-fitting the barrel, just remove the message completely off of the barrel. By using emory cloth like a shoe shine rag you will not leave a flat spot or even be able to discern where it was. On this one I removed the safety manual message because shortening the barrel cut into it but left the Ruger address. Although that was a bit of a pain:

But it's your gun and of course need to do what you will like.
By the way, the front sight screw thread is 6-40 and the ERH screw thread is 8-36.

I'm looking forward to seeing it completed!

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Hondo44, Hay,HOWDY ! Thanks for the quick reply and great information.
This will be a winter project for me and looking forward to getting into it.
This morning I slicked up a Marlin 1894 Cowboy rifle and got it ready for cowboy action shooting. De burr,new springs and follower,one piece firing pin,shorten butt stock etc. Sure makes them run slick.
Have a good day.