Single Six rescues

[Gunny268]

Joey...Thank you for the offer, but I won't need it. The ERH on the gun is steel. And if you look closely, you'll see that it too got a bit of a sunburn. Once I'm satisfied with all of my mechanical endeavors on the gun, I'll address the problem of its grayed surface patina (the boil the gun experiment). Which means I will be forced to stop shooting it for a while. Fortunately, I've got a backup gun already prepped and ready to fill in. It's a NM with one of Ronnie's SBH spurred Single Six hammers. For me, ergonomically speaking, it's just about the perfect setup. I've posted it on this forum before, but here it is again.

Oh, and I've reinstalled the original OM hammer back on the sunburnt gun. It at least, allows me to cock that gun correctly with my gun hand.

 

[Joey]

Joey..."Rust Bucket" huh? That gun would be the perfect candidate for an experiment I've wanted to try for a while now.
A complete disassembly, thorough degreasing, and a (perhaps couple of) 40-minute boils in distilled water. Curious just to see how much of the surface ferrous oxide is converted back into ferro-ferric oxide.
The end of this barrel was exposed to heat which had a surprising effect. I'm timid to do the experiment on this gun because it shoots so well.
View attachment 95594

What do you use for degreasing, Gunny? I was going to do a boiling using 909/distilled water, but I think they quit making it. I have used simple green and alcohol on small parts, but I want to be sure the shorty is thoroughly degreased before it's bath.

 

[Joey]

I used to make the OM trigger spring adapter. .
View attachment 95799


But I put so many NM grip frames on OMs I discovered a simpler adapter, a .22 LR case.
Install the forward NM trigger spring pin in the front hole in the grip frame. Then as you install the grip frame, drop the 22 case with the trigger spring and plunger inside of it, into the trough in the grip frame at the rear of the trigger guard. Install the grip frame. The 22 case is captured in place by the spring tension in front, the pin at the rear, and the bottom of the hammer base on top. It's not even visible once assembled.

View attachment 95791


Then I wanted Bisley triggers in some of my OMs with NM grip frames.
So I spliced an OM trigger sear to a NM trigger. The 1st one I did was tig welded, the rest I silver soldered.

View attachment 95793
View attachment 95795

Thaks you for the .22 cart. tip, Hondo. I have 3 NM reds, I went and got on and a .22 shell and I can see how that would work. Trouble is, I have no NM trigger spring retainer pins. I think all 3 of these are from gf replacements, so the pins would have been used on the replacements. Midway time.............

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I had the opportunity yesterday to pick up a Single Six but passed. Wasn't what I was in the market for....I passed on a few things that I would have normally of scarfed up. It seems every time I have a couple things I am directly looking for I never find them and pick up others stuff and depleting my "fun fund" aka "gun & bourbon fund". I did find a decent used Blackhawk 357 but wasn't looking for stainless....I contemplated for quite a bit over compromising and picking up the BH....or since I stumbled on the Single Six picking up both....I passed.

But now revisiting this thread I'm sort of regretting not picking up the Single Six......typical behavior....lately.

 

[Joey]

I know what you mean, man. I regret the ones I passed on almost as much as the ones I sold!! I have grown to appreciate the single six old model, never had a NM. They just look, feel and shoot right!

 

[Gunny268]

I know what you mean, man. I regret the ones I passed on almost as much as the ones I sold!! I have grown to appreciate the single six old model, never had a NM. They just look, feel and shoot right!

Gents, I'm beginning to lean hard in that direction too.
Joey...I degrease a gun using a bore swab, AP brush, and a non-chlorinated carb cleaner bath. Then a serious dunking in an acetone tank. NO Spark or Flame producing activity until any/all vapors have dissipated. I also pay special attention to the firing pin and recoil plate if I haven't already removed them. (You'd be surprised to see how much gank, or even rust, is on the rebound spring because almost nobody thinks to clean or lube it.)

 

[Joey]

Thanks much, Gunny.. Some good advice about the acetone. Kinda like throwing dry oak sawdust in a burn barrel! I value my eyebrows too much!!
I wasn't planning on removing the firing pin, just blow it out with compressed air. Then oil it real good when finished with the bluing. I have a coupla stainless steel pots for the bluing, will have to get a pan for the acetone, maybe a ss drywall mud pan. I have a couple stripped and prepped .357 barrels to practice with.

 

[el caminero]

Not a boast, but i have twice shaved the shoulder on a barrel to set it back and reduce the b/c gap, and filed it to a better fit than the poor old thing came with. On one i simply filed on the erh to make it fit, so dident need redrilling. One was an old german .22 da, and the other was a rough rider. NO Rugers were Harmed in these experiments. i still have the lil ol da, but the rr has long since been traded off.
Oh, and i refiled the notch for the barrel pin, too. Everybody could use with a snakepistol they wont miss if something happens to it.

 

[Joey]

Just got off the phone with Ruger concerning re-blue of shorty, They will not do this. It is policy that ANYTHING they get in for repairs, re-blue etc. is returned to as shipped specs. So anyone else doing a project Ruger, NM or om, rifle etc. if it is sent in, it is returned to factory specs, I remember them telling me this about trigger pull.

 

[Gunny268]

I'm guessing that that's pretty much an industry wide position for liability reasons. I've also heard that probably most, if not all, of the high-end custom gunsmiths have the policy (a couple actually confirmed) of not working on a gun built/customized by another smith.

 

[Gunny268]

Back to Single Six Rescues...
I'm not yet done with my current victim, and now this. A call this morning from one of my LGS(s). Went in and talked to an Oil Patch guy moving back to Oklahoma who was trying to sell a broken (?) OM Single Six. Yeah something's broke. Long story short, I didn't pass on a $115 parts donor (or maybe shooter grade if repaired (?) OM Single Six of 1954 vintage.
The gun...

The problem...

Bubba Smith had produced a gun that "when you cock the hammer, it wouldn't stay cocked."
I'm absolutely positive I've got a serviceable OM Single Six hammer...hiding somewhere.

 

[Joey]

WOW!! What a deal!!! I wouldn't have passed on it either! That's my birth year, just turned 72. What is the ser # if you don't mind. I have a ss from '54.
Does look like it has been Bubba-fied. If you can't find a hammer, let me know. I have a couple or 3.

 

[Randyzzz]

Back to Single Six Rescues...
I'm not yet done with my current victim, and now this. A call this morning from one of my LGS(s). Went in and talked to an Oil Patch guy moving back to Oklahoma who was trying to sell a broken (?) OM Single Six. Yeah something's broke. Long story short, I didn't pass on a $115 parts donor (or maybe shooter grade if repaired (?) OM Single Six of 1954 vintage.
The gun...View attachment 95998
The problem...View attachment 95999
Bubba Smith had produced a gun that "when you cock the hammer, it wouldn't stay cocked."
I'm absolutely positive I've got a serviceable OM Single Six hammer...hiding somewhere.

What a deal! Better buy a lottery ticket! Yes, I’m curious too. What’s the serial?

 

[Gunny268]

Ladies and Gentlemen!...Ser# 53XX. Trigger's sear tip had also been shortened beyond belief. I found an OM Single Six hammer and trigger (set) that I had stashed away for just this kind of thing. I plan on fitting them up to this gun later today. And hope to test fire it tomorrow morning. This may turn out to be one of those days that I might actually enjoy in my retirement.

 

[Randyzzz]

A 4 digit for $115. Yep. Go buy a lottery ticket. Now.

 

[Joey]

Mine is ser # 34xx. I will give you 230.00 for it right now!!! Just kidding, man. Couldn't resist!

 

[Gunny268]

Joey,,,I hope to turn you as green as "Shrek" when you see this. Sights are "dead nuts on" @ 20 yds.
My work is done and this puppy needs no improvement. I think I'll keep it. :cool:

 

[Joey]

You mean greener, Gunny! I went green when you first posted about it!!! I got this one last year with a presentation case for $165.00, thought I had done good. But you definitely took the cake! And I can't blame you for eating it!!!

 

[Joey]

But if you ever decide to give it away, you know where to find me!

 

[Joey]

Ruger has had Rust Bucket since Monday, still haven't heard from them. I am not going to press them, I know they are busy, and will take some time to get it into the system and evaluate it. Have some patience and breath deeply, Grasshoppa..............

Shorty has been at the smith's less than a week, don't expect to hear from them for at least another 2 weeks. Meantime, I am getting prepped for the bluing. I have to get some acetone; I have about used up my supply. Degrease some 0000 steel wool for carding as I don't have access to a carding wheel. And buy or borrow a propane cooker to heat distilled water on. I have the Mark Lee Express Blue #1. I have 2 stripped and prepped .357 barrels, roll mark removed, I am going to experiment with. I have enough to keep me busy for a minute.......

 

[Joey]

Got a call from Ruger while ago, Rust Bucket is on the way back from it's bath!!! At no charge!!!!!! I will post pics when I get it in.

 

[Hondo44]

How did you swing no charge??

 

[Joey]

Out of the goodness of their heart, I guess. She apologized about how long it took, said it was a free gratis due to that! This calls for a letter of thanks to the higher ups. If I can find out who to send it to.

 

[Hondo44]

Wow, two weeks is what they quote and pretty standard or less. How long did they have it?

 

[Joey]

Almost exactly a month. Shipped Feb 23. They told me 2-3 weeks when I first called them.

 

[Hondo44]

Wow, I'd wait a month for a free factory re=blue!

 

[Joey]

I wasn't upset, just curious as to the progress when I called Friday, They gave me a free barrel and re-blue on an om 41 mag a couple years ago. The erh screw lug had broken off, and whoever tried to repair it had drilled thru the barrel, It now sports a nm barrel, but for free, i couldn't complain! I have 2 om 4 mag 4 5/8 barrels, just need to put one on. I can't say enough about the customer service.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

A 4 digit for $115. Yep. Go buy a lottery ticket. Now.

Buy several.

 

[Joey]

Rust Bucket has shipped and due Friday.......... Before.

I will post after when it gets in!

 

[Joey]

Got Rust bucket back today. They sent it in a padded hard plastic box. A well wrapped gun.

I sent it with no grips, They returned it with well fitted rosewood grips on the xr3 frame! And the bluing on the gun and the powder coating on the gf look beautimous!!

Would someone like a pair of Rosewood squashed chicken grips for a xr3 om grip frame?

I sent it with the flat gate, serrated er button, steel erh, xr3 gf and the double slotted base pin latch as shown in the before post. It came back with everything but the original base pin latch. I guess that is a small price to pay for a free bluing.

All in all I am happy with the results, But I kinda miss the old Rust Bucket!! Kinda like Pigpen on Charlie Brown!