Ruger Super Single-Six Always Convertible???

[scmedic]

Hi there, long time shooter, new to the forum. The first pistol I bought after turning 21 was an Old Style (3 screw) Single Six. It was in great shape and had no idea it was made in 1967 until much later!

The question I have is, are all Super Single Sixes convertible between .22 LR and .22 WMR?? The gun has adjustable sights (thus, the "Super") and the S# is 5446## and the only Old Model single sixes with that pattern of S# appears to be the Supers. However! It has only one cylinder (.22 LR), and it does NOT have any numbers engraved in the front of the cylinder. Seeing as though it is a used gun, do you think that this is a cylinder from a different gun dropped into a convertible, and it just so happens that the timing is perfect, or did they make Supers in only .22 LR?

The left side of the gun reads only ".22 CAL" and not ".22 LR" if that helps at all.

Thanks for any info!!!

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

No, not all 22's were convertible. The older 22 mag only cyls were also nicely fluted, Now they are a nasty block of iron.

Right now they make a 22lr only version with yucky simulated ivory grips and yucky ruger case coloring.

Eventhough it weren't made with two cyl many times they will drop right in without any timing problems but if you aren't comfortable with that a gunsmith should check it out.

Many times one cyl gets lost.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
For the MOST part,, Yes,, all SUPER Single-Six's were convertable. The model designation is SC-4, SC-5, SC-6. The "S" stands for Super Single-Six and the "C" stands for Convertable.
However,, there were some (approximately 15 made,, but only one known) SC6M in 22 mag only. Very rare.
Most likely your gun was shipped as a convertable,, and the extra cylinder got misplaced away from it somewhere along the line. But,, the BEST way to figure out what you have would be to call Ruger Records,, and ask the nice ladies the model and shipping date. They use your serial number to look them up,, so have it handy.

 

[chet15]

Yes, as contender said, the Super Single-Six was always cataloged as "convertible with both cylinders". The only exceptions are the 15 mag. mag only guns model SC6M and the handful of factory nickle Super Single-Sixes and two known "S" Super Single-Sixes that were shipped as LR only, I assume to lower the cost so Ruger could "blow them out of there" at a good price to whoever would take them.
I'm not sure Ruger's records will list your gun as a convertible though, as the SC5/SC6 designations are what described a convertible per say...so not sure Ruger's invoices even would say convertible. If you still had a shipping sleeve though, that would be marked convertable.
Chet15

 

[scmedic]

Thanks for the info! Very informative =)

I was under the impression that if it was convertible it would have the last 3 of the S# engraved on the cylinder. Did they ever make them without any markings?

 

[Big Larry]

What about the KS-4, KS-5, KS-6, and KS-9 single cylinders, or am I reading this wrong? Big Larry

 

[scmedic]

What are the details about these "K" series, Big Larry?

BTW I really appreciate the information you guys have. You've been super helpful already!!

 

[flatgate]

"K" designates Stainless Steel and has nothing to do with the Old Models that the Original Post is discussing.

Ah, but I REALLY LIKE my .22 LR KS-9!!!

I did make a new front sight since it was shooting very high for me.....

flatgate

 

[Uncle Howie]

What about the KS-4, KS-5, KS-6, and KS-9 single cylinders, or am I reading this wrong? Big Larry

"What flatgate said." The original poster was asking about his Old Model.

Larry, you're right on with the Star models, as far as New Models go (along with Bisley, etc.). As another proud owner of a KS-9, I was thinking the same as you until I reread the first post!

 

[Big Larry]

I have a N.I.B. KS-9 # 63-28452, shipped 11-1974. I also have the much rarer KS-4 # 63-08141 that was shipped 1-1975. One blued 9 1/2" "Star", # 63-94209 as well. All three are quite scarce. The KS-4 is my favorite shooter. Big Larry

 

[scmedic]

Very sexy in the stainless... I'm envious!!

 

[chet15]

Thanks for the info! Very informative =)

I was under the impression that if it was convertible it would have the last 3 of the S# engraved on the cylinder. Did they ever make them without any markings?

Sometimes you have to really look close at the front of the cylinder to see the scratched markings. Sometimes the powder residue is such that it will hide them.

Here's what the Single-Six instruction manual looked like for guns shipped 1961 and later as convertibles...

But...always one to keep an open mind, if your gun absolutely does not have any markings on the front of the cylinders, the only thing I can claim is factory error. It wasn't Ruger's policy from March 1961 to current times to not mark the front of both cylinders of the conertible with the last three digits of the serial number.
Chet15

 

[scmedic]

Thanks, Chet! A lot of information to digest there =)

 

[Coogs]

Since we moved into the New Model realm with the "star" marked single cylnder guns, don't forget about the .22 l.r. only single sixes from the 1980's. They were marked, in the same location as the "star" marked models, in front of the trigger guard, with an "arrow"/ "house" mark. Less than 3 months total production, model was designated SSR. SSR-4, SSR-5, SSR-6 and SSR-9. Very seldom ever see one...........Coogs.

 

[scmedic]

Actually shot the old single six again today: shoots like a dream as always! Almost no fun b/c it shoots exactly where you point it no matter what! Had about a 3" group at 25 yards and I'd say that's more limited by my eyesight than anything! haha! My brother said: "Really is there any way to MISS with this thing??" So we've been doing a lot of single-hand and off-hand shooting for an extra challenge

Gave it a good deep cleaning as always and made double-sure to clear out any carbon deposits or anything from the front of the cylinder which would cover up any markings, but nope, no markings... You could chalk it up to 40 years of shooting, etc., but the lack of wear in the rifling indicates to me that this thing hasn't really been used too heavily. I think that someone somewhere along the line dropped a .22 LR cylinder from a LR-only SS into this gun and it just happens to work great without any timing issues!

Coincidentally there was a fellow at the range who saw me shooting it and asked if I knew much about them. He showed me his new model SS which had only the .22 WMR cylinder. He had concerns about the firing pin hitting the cylinder (you could see indentations from misfires/bad strikes) and I dropped the cylinder out: sure enough the last three of the S# engraved on the cylinder were entirely different from the gun he had. I'm just lucky to not have issues that severe! Can you imagine what kind of wear that puts on a firing pin??

 

[Hondo44]

What are the details about these "K" series, Big Larry?

BTW I really appreciate the information you guys have. You've been super helpful already!!

When the Stainless (K code in model number) new models 1st came out there as a shortage of SS cylinder barstock. So Ruger shipped guns for a short time w/ LR cylinders only and stamped w/a star as mentioned above.

 

[Hondo44]

The left side of the gun reads only ".22 CAL" and not ".22 LR" if that helps at all.

Thanks for any info!!!

Convertibles and single cyl guns are both stamped 22 CAL. 22 Mag only guns are stamped 22 Mag or MRF, I don't have one to look at.

 

[chet15]

When the Stainless (K code in model number) new models 1st came out there as a shortage of SS cylinder barstock. So Ruger shipped guns for a short time w/ LR cylinders only and stamped w/a star as mentioned above.

Hondo44...I wouldn't say that was the case. I think Ruger was looking for more products to help fill every customer need. Most owners never put more than a few rounds throught their WMR cylinder if at all. But I think after the star marked production in 1975 that Ruger came to the conclusion (obviously through distributor orders) that everybody wanted the extra "added value" of the convertible model "in case" they ever did want to shoot Mags through it, so the LR only models were dropped.
Ruger continued to offer and manufacture the convertible models during the same time the star marked LR only guns were offered in the 74/75 time period.
A mere 11 years later in 1986 however, the old timers must have forgotten the sales lesson learned in 1975 as they again tried an LR only model in the four barrel lengths of their blue models (the arrow or "house" marked guns"). This time Ruger only offered the LR only "SSR" models and dropped the convertibles for a short period. The experiment worked and it was obvious after this that the public wanted the convertible.
Chet15

 

[Big Larry]

And here we have a KNR-5 shipped 7-1975. As good as it gets, # 63-94030, came from Gun Broker Auctions in 2007. I thought about selling it, but every time I take it out and look at it, I change my mind. It appears to be 100% complete and is unfired. Darn those safe queens. Big Larry

 

[chet15]

And here we have a KNR-5 shipped 7-1975. As good as it gets, # 63-94030, came from Gun Broker Auctions in 2007. I thought about selling it, but every time I take it out and look at it, I change my mind. It appears to be 100% complete and is unfired. Darn those safe queens. Big Larry

Big Larry:
Check out the grips on that one...Ruger shipped a few stainless guns in that time period with rosewood panels...the same type shipped with the Colorado Centennial.
Chet15

 

[Big Larry]

How do you tell the difference? I'm not too good with wood. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[Hondo44]

When the Stainless (K code in model number) new models 1st came out there as a shortage of SS cylinder barstock. So Ruger shipped guns for a short time w/ LR cylinders only and stamped w/a star as mentioned above.

Hondo44...I wouldn't say that was the case. I think Ruger was looking for more products to help fill every customer need. Most owners never put more than a few rounds throught their WMR cylinder if at all. But I think after the star marked production in 1975 that Ruger came to the conclusion (obviously through distributor orders) that everybody wanted the extra "added value" of the convertible model "in case" they ever did want to shoot Mags through it, so the LR only models were dropped.
Ruger continued to offer and manufacture the convertible models during the same time the star marked LR only guns were offered in the 74/75 time period.
A mere 11 years later in 1986 however, the old timers must have forgotten the sales lesson learned in 1975 as they again tried an LR only model in the four barrel lengths of their blue models (the arrow or "house" marked guns"). This time Ruger only offered the LR only "SSR" models and dropped the convertibles for a short period. The experiment worked and it was obvious after this that the public wanted the convertible.
Chet15

I bought my star KS 4 Single Cylinder # 63-30100 brand new on 4/16/75. All I know is I was very curious about the single cylinder and at the time, the writeups reported the barstock shortage as the reason and that since the stainless guns were new, Ruger wanted to get as many as possible out the door as fast as possible.

 

[Big Larry]

Good info. There are not a lot of guns around from bygone years still owned by the original owners. I have a 1954 Remington 513-T that I got for my 13th birthday. Still looks like new. Thanks for the great info. I can always count on the guys from this Forum. Thanks, Big Larry

 

[chet15]

I bought my star KS 4 Single Cylinder # 63-30100 brand new on 4/16/75. All I know is I was very curious about the single cylinder and at the time, the writeups reported the barstock shortage as the reason and that since the stainless guns were new, Ruger wanted to get as many as possible out the door as fast as possible.

Hmm. Hadn't heard that before. I do know their other SA production didn't drop off one bit though. In fact Ruger made tens of thousands more SA's than they did the year before.
Chet15

 

[Hondo44]

I bought my star KS 4 Single Cylinder # 63-30100 brand new on 4/16/75. All I know is I was very curious about the single cylinder and at the time, the writeups reported the barstock shortage as the reason and that since the stainless guns were new, Ruger wanted to get as many as possible out the door as fast as possible.

Hmm. Hadn't heard that before. I do know their other SA production didn't drop off one bit though. In fact Ruger made tens of thousands more SA's than they did the year before.
Chet15

I remember also, the single cyl guns were looked at with disdain by prospective buyers. That told me to BUY IT (smile)! I wasn't that savvy about Ruger collecting at the time, but I immediately thought...hmm...future collectible??

Right after that I found another KS-4 Liberty Model convertible, but used, no box. Also bought it anyway and still have it as well. The KS-4s not being cataloged got my attention as well.