Ruger Single Six .22 convertible 3 screw

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Liberty_Bell

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 7, 2024
Messages
11
Location
Georgia
Hi,
I purchased a Single Six .22 convertible from a neighbor's widow recently after all of the heirs refused it . I tried running the serial number both in the Blue Book & online & on the Ruger site. I couldn't locate this serial number using any available sources. The Blue Book advised calling the number given for Ruger if a serial number couldn't be located in any range, so I did.
After giving the lady the serial number I was informed that this revolver was manufactured in 1958. Then earlier tonight while cleaning it thoroughly I pulled the grips & found the cast letters of xr3-RED on the grip frame, under the left grip. My question: after researching online I'm told that this lettering combination didn't begin until 1961. But the Ruger factory serial researcher insisted it was manufactured in 1958, the month she quoted I can't recall. Being that I'm basically a WW1/2 weapon & government model 1911 person, I have no doubts that you guys are far more knowledgeable on this than I.
If anyone can shed a bit of light on this & share some of your expertise on the Single Six family tree I would be greatly appreciative.
Thank,
Tim
 
It is possible someone put a newer grip frame on it. So there's that. But also there is some knowledge involved in researching an Old Model Single Six because Ruger's numbering system is kinda weird as it depends on which Single Six you have.

Need pictures to ID it then look in the correct place for the date. You won't get a month from the serial number without sending in for a letter back from Ruger.
 
What is the s/n?
Many possibilities on what it COULD be but … we need more info as stated above
 
Welcome to the Forum!!!!!!!

If you spoke to the records dept at Ruger,, then I'd believe the date of mfg they gave you,, most of the time. They are human, and if you happened to get a person NOT always doing the records,, they may make a mistake.

That said,, it actually sounds as if that gun has been "altered" by it's former owner. In 1958,, it should have the XR3 grip frame, and NOT a spare cylinder.
The .22 magnum wasn't introduced until 1958,, and Ruger didn't immediately offer it as a convertible. AND,, it may very well have a smaller bore diameter being an earlier gun.

Easy way to see if it is a possible convertible. If the serial number is BELOW 150000 then it has the smaller bore diameter & was made PRIOR to the introduction of the .22 magnum capable guns by Bill Ruger. The serial number range for the .22 LR only guns was from 88245 to 122479 during 1958.
The 1958 LIGHTWEIGHT guns were from 209565 to 212366.
The ,22 guns marked as Win .22 RF Magnum were not introduced until 1959 and the serial numbers started at 300000.
And lastly, the factory convertibles marked as Single-Six started in 1961 at 162xxx.

I hope this helps!
 
The XR3-RED (meaning redesigned to add an extra 1/8" distance behind the trigger guard) replaced the XR3 size grip frame after 1963. So if your serial number indicates production after that, the XR3-RED grip is original.

If made before 1963, the gun most likely had the grip frame replaced by a former owner who had large hands or couldn't find a correct XR3 replacement.

There are rare examples of Ruger shipping pre 1963 guns later after the change, with XR3-RED grip frames like some of the light weights and the 44 Mag Flattops.
 
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Liberty Bell, welcome to the forum, sounds like a nice gun and good info above, and as noted, we need more info, like the serial number, you can always cross out or make it an "X" for the last digit, get a better idea of just when it actually was made, and even a good picture will do the trick, and block out the last digit if you want, we can help you get the proper info/data......good luck;)
 
I took several photos of it and have them on my phone but apparently a glitch in my Samsung 10 note is not allowing me to attach them to my messages. In emails I've had to copy & paste photos in the body of the email to get them sent. The serial # is 48032x. If I can figure out what is going on with this dadblamed cellphone I'll send the photos. Thanks again & have a blessed day.
Liberty_Bell
 
1967

That's why the XR3-RED is on there. Calling gets whomever answers the phone. Requesting a letter gets a Ruger researcher (usually). There's a reason they charge a small fee for the letter but the call is free.
 
O61967

That's why the XR3-RED is on there. Calling gets whomever answers the phone. Requesting a letter gets a Ruger researcher (usually). There's a reason they charge a small fee for the letter but the call is free.
 

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I've dealt with Colt before & Roy Jenks but never had a need with Ruger until now. I finally think the pictures are attached. Thank you for your help.
 
That gun, # 48032X dates to 1967,, NOT 1958. It should be a model RSSMX. The XR3-RED grip frame is correct for that gun. Pictures & the serial number provided the necessary info we needed.
In 1967 the serial number range went from 475650 to 490278. Yours is in between that range.
 
"That gun, # 48032X dates to 1967,, NOT 1958. ... The XR3-RED grip frame is correct for that gun. Pictures & the serial number provided the necessary info we needed. "

I said that Sunday morning. :)
 
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