Ruger 32 Mag

[omruger]

I was at the LGS and found this:
Ruger SSM-4F-S Model: 06515 SN: 650-44398 Cal: 32 H&R Mag
The test fire envelope is dated 7/10/2002
The frame is case hardened color and the grips are Ruger style wood.
This is a new gun.

Is this an odd configuration and what is it worth?

 

[contender]

Well,, it's a 4-5/8" barreled gun, fixed sights, short grip frame.
THe short grip frame was introduced as an answer to some folks (mostly ladies,) who shoot SASS with the 32's, who wanted a smaller grip frame. I don't have a clue as to current values as I haven't seen one for sale lately. A nice gun if the price is reasonable.

 

[Lee Martin]

Slick little pieces. I saw a similar one sell for $500 a few months back. Not sure if that was high or low, but it seemed reasonable.

 

[COWTOWNER]

Hey OM, I'm in Burleson, and want to know where your local gun store is located.Is
it 2 Wright arms?

Thanks

Mike

 

[Hondo44]

To add a little to the good info above:
Those fixed sight 32s were regular production for maybe 4 or 5 years. It's the only model to ever be made with the 1/4" shorter steel grip frame. All the blue models like the one you found have the short grip and have no alloy parts. There was also an all stainless steel version made both with the short grip or with the standard length grip and simulated ivory grips. Both were only available with 4 5/8" barrels.

The 32 H&R Mag cartridge is accurate and fun to shoot plus you can also shoot 32 S&W Longs in it. Some even shoot the semi-rimmed 32 ACP for a little more zip but far less than the H&R Mag. Not condoned by Ruger but quite safe.

People that have them love them. They have been out of production for about 6 years but turn up on the used market fairly regularly for $450 to $500 many new in the box. Sometimes a little more for the stainless.

For many more years the .32 Single Six Magnum was produced only in solid blue, which is almost the same revolver but with fully adjustable rear sight and choice of 4 5/8, 5 1/2, 6 1/2 or 9 1/2" barrels. Bisley versions were also available, all with long barrels. However they have alloy grip frames and ejector rod housings. These are also out of production but often seen for sale in the same price range. The 4 5/8 and 9 1/2" barrel lengths are the hardest to find.

Currently the only regularly produced .32 Ruger is the new.327 Fed Mag, 8 shot made on the stainless Blackhawk large frame, 5 1/2" barrel only, which also shoots all the cartridges mentioned above as well.

I hope that gives the background you wanted.

REVISED: my statement above indicating the blue guns only came with the short grip frame is incorrect. They came with short or standard length just like the stainless models. Thanks to gak for that info!

 

[ranger1]

They have been out of production for about 6 years but turn up on the used market fairly regularly for $450 to $500 many new in the box. Sometimes a little more for the stainless.

I purchased this high gloss stainless Single Six .32 H&R Magnum (short grip) from Davidson’s in April of 2011. It has a 4 5/8” barrel and was factory test fired March 25, 2011. The pistol was on sale at that time for around $418+shipping and sales tax.

 

[Hondo44]

They have been out of production for about 6 years but turn up on the used market fairly regularly for $450 to $500 many new in the box. Sometimes a little more for the stainless.

I purchased this high gloss stainless Single Six .32 H&R Magnum (short grip) from Davidson’s in April of 2011. It has a 4 5/8” barrel and was factory test fired March 25, 2011. The pistol was on sale at that time for around $418+shipping and sales tax.

You did well! Not being cataloged any longer, you got a "clean up" gun. It has the 'manual' on the bottom of the barrel, one of the few times getting a later version is an advantage. Several clean up guns have been showing up lately including original Vaqueros in 44 Mag.

 

[street]

They also made them in this style. Here is a consecutive pair of .32 Mags shipped from the factory with the Sim. Ivory type grips. These also have the small grip frame.

 

[dlhredfoxx]

Love the Ruger .32 H&R Mag. I have a Single Six circa 1986, blue with a 6 1/2" barrel, and it' a tack driver, and fun to shoot. Just wish 32 mag ammo was cheaper to buy as I don't reload for it as I don't shoot it very often. Just found some this weekend for $35 for 50 rounds of 95 grain SWC keith style loads. That's cheaper than I'm used to, but still pretty pricey for a little .32 mag. I'm fitting a Qualite brass grip frame to it right now (wow, tough and time consuming little project) and a pair of Patrick Grasshorn elk stag grip panels and I'm going to give it to my daughter for her 16th Birthday next month. She'll love it!

 

[gunsbam69]

I'd like to know the model number of the stainless one with the full size grip frame. I bought one of the 06512 stainless ivory gripped ones to have a .327 built on, and just giggled when I put the little girl grip in my hand. If any body knows the model number of the regular gripped one, I'd like to know it too.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[Hondo44]

I purchased this high gloss stainless Single Six .32 H&R Magnum (short grip) from Davidson’s in April of 2011. It has a 4 5/8” barrel and was factory test fired March 25, 2011. The pistol was on sale at that time for around $418+shipping and sales tax.

ranger1,
Does it have the internal lock under the grips? What is the Model # and catalog # please? I don't think they put any wood grips on the original stainless regular production guns. I like them better than the imitation ivory.

Thanks,

 

[gak]

It's the only model to ever be made with the 1/4" shorter steel grip frame. All the blue models like the one you found have the short grip and have no alloy parts.

The blued "CCH" guns were also available with regular XR3 Red. I purchased two new back when they were in regular production, one of them sitting--confusingly--right alongside a shortie--a distinction the LGS didn't have a clue about. Make sure you like the shortie frame! I didn't, and thankfully noticed before purchase. (It could always be swapped out later though). Great little guns!

 

[Wyandot Jim]

In 2005-06 Davidson's was having a close out sale on them for $269.00 each Stainless with short Ivory grips. Bought 12 of them for CAS Guys and myself. Still have 2 of them. Great little guns and real cheap to shoot.
Jim

 

[Hondo44]

It's the only model to ever be made with the 1/4" shorter steel grip frame. All the blue models like the one you found have the short grip and have no alloy parts.

The blued "CCH" guns were also available with regular XR3 Red. I purchased two new back when they were in regular production, one of them sitting--confusingly--right alongside a shortie--a distinction the LGS didn't have a clue about. Make sure you like the shortie frame! I didn't, and thankfully noticed before purchase. (It could always be swapped out later though). Great little guns!

Hi gak,

Thank you for that correction, I was obviouly mistaken. I hate to pass on bad information. I'll revise my post.

 

[gak]

It is true that they made a bunch of the shorties! It's just that you have to be on your toes when looking. If you're not careful or it's not on the front of your mind, it's easy to mistake for the regular at first or even second glance. When I first saw a shortie I had to do a double take. Donor steel Single Six gripframes for swapping later aren't necessarily hanging around on trees either IIRC.

 

[Stoots]

They have been out of production for about 6 years but turn up on the used market fairly regularly for $450 to $500 many new in the box. Sometimes a little more for the stainless.

I purchased this high gloss stainless Single Six .32 H&R Magnum (short grip) from Davidson’s in April of 2011. It has a 4 5/8” barrel and was factory test fired March 25, 2011. The pistol was on sale at that time for around $418+shipping and sales tax.

Nice!

 

[single action]

the long frames were much more limited production with only about 500 each made in the color case and stainless. they were at the very beginning of production. If you have larger hands they are more comfortable. They also made them with birdshead frames which I really like they fit the palm of the hand perfectly.......... just my opinion. Love those .32's single action

 

[gak]

the long frames were much more limited production with only about 500 each made in the color case and stainless. they were at the very beginning of production. If you have larger hands they are more comfortable. They also made them with birdshead frames which I really like they fit the palm of the hand perfectly.......... just my opinion. Love those .32's single action

Then I got a couple rare ones! It's really odd-interesting that every Single Six .22 made--that I know of--is an XR3-Red, but the .32 had such a preponderance of the short grips...an indication of Ruger's market-view of the CAS-youth/ladies market at the time, as opposed to viewing the .32 in the same light as all other calibers, whether rimfire or centerfire, ie general purpose. As you could say to any manufacturer about a lot of things--"quit trying to tell us what it is we want. We'll tell you...". But, I suppose we should just be thankful they saw a market at all, though I think they ultimately got it skewed. What a fine caliber and, otherwise, platform for uses beyond youth-ladies' CAS.

 

[Hondo44]

The actual youth classification in our club must use .22s. So if Ruger had really listened they should have made some 22 single sixes with the short grip as well. Go figure...