Which Single Six do I have?

[mreed911]

Short version: Won a Ruger Single Six at an online auction (reputable) for $175 and it was listed as a 32 CAL Single Six, NOT the "New" model. Serial number seems to match the old Single Six from 1971 or so. Ruger's site, however, doesn't list a .32 Single Six in that timeframe.

A call to Ruger left THEM confused - they're reviewing the pics and their docs, too.

Here's a link to the auction with pics. I'll have the gun in hand either this weekend or early next week - it's being shipped FFL to FFL for pickup.

Any information you have would be helpful and thanks!

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/26357284_nice-vintage-ruger-32-cal-single-six-pistol-revolver

 

[usbp sw]

To me it looks like an old model single six in .22, if I'll turns out to be .32, I would suspect that someone altered it.

Take care, Steve

 

[mreed911]

To me it looks like an old model single six in .22, if I'll turns out to be .32, I would suspect that someone altered it.

Hard to read, but the roll mark says 32 CAL. Confirmed by the FFL shipping the pistol to my FFL prior to it being sent.

That's what's got me confused.

 

[usbp sw]

I'm confused! The old model Ruger left us in 1976 and the only .32 single six revolvers I've seen from Ruger have been the .32 mag. The problem is that the .32 mag came out around 1984. Let us know what you find out and good luck.

Steve

 

[mreed911]

I'm confused! The old model Ruger left us in 1976 and the only .32 single six revolvers I've seen from Ruger have been the .32 mag. The problem is that the .32 mag came out around 1984. Let us know what you find out and good luck.

Thanks! I'm excited, even if it turns out to be a franken-gun, it's a $175 franken-gun!

It'll be my first Ruger wheelgun. I've had a P95, and still have my LCP, SR-22 and 10/22.

 

[Hugh]

Old Model, looks like it says .32 Cal to me, also appears that someone has replaced the front sight.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I believe that is a RUTGER (note the T ) They were made in India I believe.
They are chambered in 7.43mm. the grip frames were made of a special pot metal that the bluing falls off of after 10 years.
I will give you $10.00 for it. I need one to use to drive nails with.

You did good. It will be interesting to see pictures and hear the story after you get it.

 

[mreed911]

I believe that is a RUTGER (note the T ) They were made in India I believe.
They are chambered in 7.43mm. the grip frames were made of a special pot metal that the bluing falls off of after 10 years.
I will give you $10.00 for it. I need one to use to drive nails with.

You did good. It will be interesting to see pictures and hear the story after you get it.

I love it! I have a bad feeling this is the start of a new addiction, though.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum.
Ok, a 3 screw main frame. Old Model, that type was done away with by 1973,, not 1976. The 32 H&R mag wasn't introduced until 1984-1985. It was in a New Model main frame.
What I see is the possibility of a custom gun.
Stripped grip frame & polished shiny.
Different front sight.
Rear sight area looks a bit "off" as well.
If I see it correctly, I see a 20 prefix in the serial number. That would be for a 22 LR.

That said,,, there have been a few custom caliber conversions done on OM's to where they were converted to 32 cals.
And yes,,, the custom gun folks can remove a rollmark & re-stamp what it is. I've seen PLENTY of OM Flattop 357's that were re-done into 44 specials & you can not tell the 357 info was removed & re-marked as a 44 cal.

My thoughts are "custom" if it's a 32 cal.

 

[usbp sw]

Sorry about the 1976 date, I think I was thinking of the roll stamp change (pre-warning) 1973 was the old model cutoff.

 

[Poco Oso]

I think Contender nailed it. If you zoom in tight it looks like the 3 was stamped over a 2. Single six custom re chambered from a .22. Nice score!

 

[mreed911]

I think Contender nailed it. If you zoom in tight it looks like the 3 was stamped over a 2. Single six custom re chambered from a .22. Nice score!

Thanks! About to head to Altanta for a day, but I'll hopefully have it in either on Saturday or early next week to see what I've really got and I'll report back with pics!

 

[street]

Sorry about the 1976 date, I think I was thinking of the roll stamp change (pre-warning) 1973 was the old model cutoff.

I think that the date for the warning roll stamp was 1978 not 1976!!!

 

[usbp sw]

I'm trying to work from memory but the last year before any warnings appeared was 1976. Ruger, and other manufacturers, use up old inventory during transitions, I was under the impression that 1977 was a transition year for the warning rollmark. Of course I could be mistaken, since nothing regarding Ruger is ever etched in stone.

Regards, Steve

 

[DGW1949]

OM .22 for sure.
If it's truly a .32, somebody built it into one.
I've seen more than one OM Ruger with a NM cylinder, or barrel, or both...and reboring aint unusual either.

No matter how the bottom line to the mystery turns out though....it's still a nifty little gun.

DGW

 

[street]

I'm trying to work from memory but the last year before any warnings appeared was 1976. Ruger, and other manufacturers, use up old inventory during transitions, I was under the impression that 1977 was a transition year for the warning rollmark. Of course I could be mistaken, since nothing regarding Ruger is ever etched in stone.

Regards, Steve

RENE states that NR4, NR5, NR6, NR9, KNR5, KNR6 with "WARNING" statement on left side of barrel. Serial number range 66-00406 to 69-99999 and 260-00001 to 263-XXXXX. RENE also states that Super Single-Sixes made in 1978 started at serial number 65-94609. As you can see the "WARNING" statement started in 1978! It is possible with the way that Ruger builds their guns that the statement may have been started the last week of Dec. 1977, but no one has a "WARNING" gun with a letter from Ruger with a shipping date before 1978. Most of the experts on Ruger seems to think that 1978 is the starting date for the "WARNING" statement. If you have any documentation that proves different I would love to see it. We are learning new things about Ruger every day, and as you said nothing about Ruger is etched in stone.

 

[usbp sw]

Thank you for clarification, I typically work from memory and ball park figures are adequate for me, until someone with the exact details steps in.

Regards, Steve

 

[street]

There are a lot of good information out there about Rugers. And the books are not that expensive and they are well worth the expense. Sometimes being in the ball park is OK if you are wanting to see a ball game but being in the ball park is not OK if someone offers you a 10 in. 357 Mag. with a serial number in the 44XXX serial number range. It's a 5 digit number so it's in the "ballpark", but for all of us that have studied the books then you know it's not right. Spending $2000 for a gun that's not right would have paid for a lot of ball tickets.

 

[usbp sw]

Agreed, I realize that I should probably expand my library, particularly regarding Ruger firearms. I currently own one book that is dedicated specifically to Ruger firearms (the Ruger #1 by J. D. Clayton) and as I recall it is somewhat dated. I own a fair number of Rugers but I really don't consider myself a collector, I just really enjoy shooting them. Although, if you have any recommendations for good books, I'm all ears.

Thanks, Steve

 

[Poco Oso]

I highly recommend!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Digest-Book-Ruger-Revolvers/dp/1440237174

 

[usbp sw]

Thanks, I'll look into it.

Regards, Steve

 

[Hondo44]

mreed911,

You got a tremendous buy and you're gonna' love that one!

Rollmark does appear to read .32 CAL when I blow it up , an overstamped 2, so it's not a big name custom conversion, but no matter. The front sight is filed down and from an old model Super single six (the adjustable sight model).

Definitely not a factory model, nor did whoever converted it use a Ruger .32 barrel (it would have the Instruction manual warning, but could have been removed; and would have to be a 1st year, 1984 .32 barrel because the threads changed in 1985 on all single sixes, or it would need re-treading). The barrel was probably rebored or made from a custom blank.

Nor a factory .32 cyl., it's a 22 length cyl, probably reamed to .32 S&W Long. Compare to the two .32 single sixes below.
Ten minutes more chamber reaming and it will also shoot the .32 H&R Mag if it doesn't already. But the cyl is too short to go all the way to .327 Fed Mag.

And of course, the firing pin was changed from RF to centerfire. The grip frame is the original XR3-RED size with anodizing removed.


Here's one of my Old Model .32 conversions using new model .32 Ruger parts plus the cyl has had the chambers lengthened to also shoot .327 Fed Mag:

Started with a 1959 vintage 22 Mag ‘only’ Single Six: conversion to .32 H&R Mag with a factory barrel and cyl., and OM Super Single Six factory sight. Has since been changed to a NM factory ramp sight filed to sight in for elevation and re-serrated the correct 50 lines per inch.

Had to enlarge the loading gate chute slightly for the larger cases.

In these two shots, you can see where I plugged and re-drilled to lower the firing pin and recoil plate for center fire. Owner also wanted the retrofit safety transfer bar installed:

My NEW MODEL .32 conversions to .327 Fed Mag.

.32 H&R Mag/.327 Fed Mag and .32-20 convertible: Bisley hammer with modified spur, Stainless Steel grip frame, steel ejector rod housing, SBH grooved trigger w/web removed, Colt ejector rod, and free-spin cylinder pawl:

Let us know as soon as you get it! If it has the Ruger address on top of the barrel, the barrel was rebored.

 

[Poco Oso]

Beautiful work. Great information and pics, Hondo. Things like this are what makes this such a great place.

 

[Hondo44]

Thank you. It's what makes Rugers even more fun than just shooting and/or collecting them.

 

[mreed911]

Quick update: this should arrive at my Austin FFL tomorrow. The FFL the auction house uses was a PITA to work with and wanted to gouge on shipping, so I ended up negotiating with them to simply send them a label they could use (Priority Mail to my FFL). I should have pics and data tomorrow night.

Side note: their transfer fee - $25. My FFL transfer fee? $7.50.

 

[mreed911]

Okay, it's in, and so are the pics! First off, it's definitely a converted 32 (from a 22). Testing different ammo, it's 32 S&W Long. 32 H&R don't fit, nor do .327, of course. Pics are below. There are zero markings on the barrel of any kind, nor on the cylinder.

Left Side Markings

Left Side

Right side

Serial Number

Hammer and Loading Gate

Down Barrel to Cylinder

Forcing Cone

Inside Rear

Cylinder Side

Cylinder Front

Cylinder Back

Overall, I love it. Sure, it's a conversion... and it's not lock, stock and barrel brand new. I don't know the provenance on it. It's not the ultimate collector's dream... but it's unique (or at least rare) and appears to have been very well done and well-intentioned. I can't wait to test it out at the range, clean it up, and bring it out for special occasions, stories, range days, etc. At $175 ($225 all in with fees, shipping, etc.), I'm VERY happy.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[contender]

As you have found, a custom job.
I'm SURE someone spent more than $225 having it done. It's not got any collector value, but as a shooter, it'll be just fine. Enjoy it!