Single six convertibles

[rdf009]

I have two NM Single sixes with 5 1/2" barrels. I bought both of them used. One is pre warning (SN 64-xxxxx) and one is post (SN 261-xxxxx). The pre warning gun has only the 22 LR cylinder, and the other gun has both cylinders. I'm not sure whether first gun was originally sold as a convertible or not, but the magnum cylinder from the post warning gun fits in it perfectly. Is it safe for me to shoot? I know that these cylinders are hand fitted at the factory, so is it normal for them to be interchangeable between guns? Thanks. - Russ

 

[chet15]

I have two NM Single sixes with 5 1/2" barrels. I bought both of them used. One is pre warning (SN 64-xxxxx) and one is post (SN 261-xxxxx). The pre warning gun has only the 22 LR cylinder, and the other gun has both cylinders. I'm not sure whether first gun was originally sold as a convertible or not, but the magnum cylinder from the post warning gun fits in it perfectly. Is it safe for me to shoot? I know that these cylinders are hand fitted at the factory, so is it normal for them to be interchangeable between guns? Thanks. - Russ

Yes, is the miracle of mass production and the rules of manufacturing that have been in use since Eli Whitney's time.
Chances are your cylinder will be just fine in that other gun. A lot of others have done the same with no ill effects. Just make sure you don't have too much play fore to aft and that each chamber locks up like it should.
Chet15

 

[rdf009]

Thanks chet15. I thought that it should work, but wanted to make sure before I started throwin' lead around. At one time I had two 10 1/2" New Model Super Blackhawks, one stainless and one blued (I have since sold the blued model). One day while I was cleaning them I decided to see if the cylinders would interchange (I wasn't going to shoot them like that....just wanted to see what it would look like). Interestingly enough, the blued cylinder would fit into the stainless gun, but the stainless cylinder was just a tiny bit too long to fit into the blued gun. The forcing cone on the stainless gun must have been a tad bit longer...or at least that's what I assumed. Any thoughts?

 

[WIL TERRY]

THE 22MAG cylinder from my 1965 SUPER SINGLE SIX fits my 1995 NM stainless BISLEY SINGLE SIX perfectly and shoots beautifully. Matter of fact it fits far better than the original 22LR cylinder and since the 22MAG is blue I never end up with the wrong cylinder in the pistol.

 

[chet15]

The forcing cone on the stainless gun must have been a tad bit longer...or at least that's what I assumed. Any thoughts?

Yes, basically that's what the difference was...the barrel was screwed just a little further into the frame to its "seated position". But that's how Ruger fits their cylinders, by just grinding a little off the front cone of the cylinder till it clears.
Chet15