Mike Armstrong
Hunter
Found a 1976 "Liberty" Single Six 5 1/2NM with both cylinders and box and paperwork at a local part-time gunshop; paid $300 plus sales tax and the CA backgound check fee ("DROS" pronounced "gross"), so it came to just a hair under $355 OTD.
I could get a new one online with free shipping but with new price, tax (now CA makes receiving dealers charge sales tax on online gun sales), and dealers and DROS fee, it would have been just under $517 to take it home.
The "bad:" gun has chipped walnut grips; at least one panel needs replacement (ugly, not unsafe). There are a few very tiny pinpoint rust dots scattered over the frame and barrel bluing, only noticeable up very close. Slight bluing wear on the very end of the muzzle and front corners of the Magnum cylinder from holster carry; bluing just off the sharp corner edges there.
The "good:" the gun is tight as a tick; shows no signs of quickdraw abuse or dry firing. Sights are original and unbuggered. Bore is perfect; shows no signs of shooting erosion or leading. Gun looks like the Magnum cylinder was fitted and never taken off: .22 LR cylinder shows no signs of wear at all and looks like it was just left in the bag. Gun fits the Bianchi holster I use for my Colt New Frontier 6" perfectly (I'm retiring the Colt; too pretty to bang up).
If this gun will shoot, I'll make it my new rough country trail gun. I'll just leave the Magnum cylinder in it since that's what I carry anyway. Bronze wool and Kroil off the rust dots, cold blue any that leave obvious bright spots. And save my money for one of the sets of custom grips that several forum members make! If it won't shoot, I'll consider getting it converted to .32 H&R (LONG savings horizon on that one.....).
This gun is just what I like: old enough to be interesting, worn enough to be affordable and so I won't feel guilty carrying and shooting it. And that "Liberty" inscription is nice to have. And the "warning" is nice to NOT have!
What do you think about the price? I'm very happy with it, especially in Costifornia, but how does it compare to other places?
I could get a new one online with free shipping but with new price, tax (now CA makes receiving dealers charge sales tax on online gun sales), and dealers and DROS fee, it would have been just under $517 to take it home.
The "bad:" gun has chipped walnut grips; at least one panel needs replacement (ugly, not unsafe). There are a few very tiny pinpoint rust dots scattered over the frame and barrel bluing, only noticeable up very close. Slight bluing wear on the very end of the muzzle and front corners of the Magnum cylinder from holster carry; bluing just off the sharp corner edges there.
The "good:" the gun is tight as a tick; shows no signs of quickdraw abuse or dry firing. Sights are original and unbuggered. Bore is perfect; shows no signs of shooting erosion or leading. Gun looks like the Magnum cylinder was fitted and never taken off: .22 LR cylinder shows no signs of wear at all and looks like it was just left in the bag. Gun fits the Bianchi holster I use for my Colt New Frontier 6" perfectly (I'm retiring the Colt; too pretty to bang up).
If this gun will shoot, I'll make it my new rough country trail gun. I'll just leave the Magnum cylinder in it since that's what I carry anyway. Bronze wool and Kroil off the rust dots, cold blue any that leave obvious bright spots. And save my money for one of the sets of custom grips that several forum members make! If it won't shoot, I'll consider getting it converted to .32 H&R (LONG savings horizon on that one.....).
This gun is just what I like: old enough to be interesting, worn enough to be affordable and so I won't feel guilty carrying and shooting it. And that "Liberty" inscription is nice to have. And the "warning" is nice to NOT have!
What do you think about the price? I'm very happy with it, especially in Costifornia, but how does it compare to other places?
