Single Six barrels

[Ruger45]

This may have been covered But my search skills can not seem to come up with it.
What years did Ruger add each different barrel lengths? And for some really good fun what SR3 did each new length start?

 

[chet15]

For the Single-Six, .357 Blackhawk and .44 Blackhawk, Ruger added the new barrel lengths in early 1959.
The first block of 4-5/8" Single-Sixes shows up at 133983, but there were a few random 4-5/8" guns earlier than that. I don't know if those earlier serial numbered frames just happened to get barreled while the 4-5/8" barrel lot was going through or not. The earliest known is 128605.
For the 9-1/2" the first block of those begin by at least 139036 with no known earlier random numbers.
The 6-1/2" Magnum Single-Six (this started out being offered as a separate series from the Single-Six .22 LR) was announced at the 1959 NRA show in March. The first guns were shipped in July 1959, with the serial number block beginning at 300000.
Chet15

 

[Ruger45]

How about 22's

 

[chet15]

How about 22's

Those were the Single-Six .22's. The LR only models were offered first, then the Mag. only 6-1/2" as a separate series, also in 1959.
Then individuals decided they could send their gun back and get the "other" cylinder fitted for a nominal fee. Here Ruger decided they were getting a lot of such requests so came out with the Convertible Single-Six. At first these were also offered as two different series....the Single-Six Convertible and the Magnum Single-Six convertible. But this logic soon wavered and Ruger combined both series and called called them all Single-Six convertibles. That's when the Magnum marking was taken off the side of the cylinder frame of the 6-1/2" guns.
Chet15

 

[Ruger45]

Thanks Chad
What year was it when they came out with the convertible?

 

[Ruger45]

If I have this right first guns through 56 where all 5 1/2" then the lightweights where added with the 4 5/8" barrel. Then 59 would have been the big year for new barrels. With the 9 1/2" and the 6 1/2" (magnum)being added.
Where all the magnums 6 1/2" or did they come in all of the available barrels?

 

[contender]

Ruger45 you really need chet15's RENE Reference Guide.
According to the Guide;
The 4-5/8" & 9-1/2" barrels were added in 1959 to the normal Single-Sixes. As noted, the 6-1/2" Magnum marked only guns also came out in 1959.
The magnum marked guns only came in 6-1/2" barrels.

 

[Ruger45]

Ruger45 you really need chet15's RENE Reference Guide.

Truer words have never before been typed. :lol: :lol:
I'm working on getting that guide :wink: :wink:

 

[chet15]

Thanks Chad
What year was it when they came out with the convertible?

1961.