Ruger Single-Six
The Ruger Single-Six is a single-action rimfire revolver produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co. The Single-Six was first released in June 1953.[7]
Ruger Single-Six | |
---|---|
Ruger New Model Single-Six (stainless) on top and Ruger "Old Model" Single-Six (blued) on bottom. | |
Type | Single action |
Place of origin | United States |
Production history | |
Designer | Sturm, Ruger |
Designed | 1953 (Old Model) 1973 (New Model) |
Manufacturer | Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
Unit cost | $534[1]-754[2] (MSRP) |
Produced | 1953–1973 (Old Model) 1973–present (New Model) |
No. built | Over 700,000 (Old Model)[3] Over 1,057,000 (New Model, as of 1993)[4] |
Variants | Old Model, New Model |
Specifications | |
Mass | 32–40 oz (910–1,130 g)[5] |
Length | 10.25–15 in (260–381 mm)[5] |
Barrel length | 4.625 in (117.5 mm) 5.5 in (140 mm) 6.5 in (170 mm) 9.5 in (240 mm) |
Cartridge | .22 LR, .22 WMR, .17 HMR,[6] .32 H&R Magnum |
Barrels | 6-groove[5] |
Action | Single-action revolver |
Feed system | 6-round cylinder[5] |
Sights | Fixed or adjustable iron sights[5] (the Hunter model has provisions for mounting a scope)[6] |
The Single-Six is currently produced as the New Model Single-Six. The term "New Model" simply means that this model includes Ruger's transfer bar mechanism for increased safety, allowing one to carry the revolver safely with all six chambers loaded. Prior to 1973, the Single-Six was produced without the transfer bar mechanism, making it less safe to carry with all six chambers loaded, and with the hammer resting on a loaded chamber. The transfer bar safety allows the revolver to fire only when the trigger has been pulled. Ruger provides the transfer bar safety upgrade free of charge for owners of any old model Single-Six,[8] though this may come with a significant trigger-feel penalty.[9]
Specifications
The New Model Single-Six is currently chambered in .22 LR, .22 WMR (.22 Magnum), and .17 HMR (initially offered with a second cylinder in .17 HM2[10]). Barrel lengths include 4⅝, 5½, 6½, 7½, and 9½ inches, available in both blued and stainless steel.
Ruger manufactures several "convertible" models that ship with both a .22 LR cylinder and .22 WMR cylinder, allowing the use of both cartridges.[5] The .22 Short and .22 Long cartridges can also be fired in the Long Rifle cylinder. For those models that ship with both cylinders, the last 3 digits of the serial number are engraved on the front of the cylinder; only cylinders that have been properly timed should be used with any given revolver. The term Super Single-Six refers to those models which have fully adjustable target sights.
In 2011 Ruger introduced the Single-Ten and in 2012 they introduced the Single-Nine. Both of these revolvers are stainless steel variants of the Single-Six design with fiber optic sights. The Single-Ten is chambered in .22 Long Rifle, with ten chambers and a 5.5 inch barrel, whereas the Single-Nine is chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR), with nine chambers and a barrel length of 6.5 inches.
.32 centerfire models
From 1984 to 1997 Ruger chambered the New Model Single-Six in .32 H&R Magnum (which allows the use of .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long cartridges). Ruger reintroduced this caliber option in 2002,[11] and in September 2014 released the Single-Seven in .327 Federal Magnum as well, in a seven-shot stainless steel variant, with barrel lengths of 4.62 inches, 5.5 inches, and 7.5 inches.[12][13]
References
- Wilson, R. L. (1996). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company, and Their Firearms. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-684-80367-4. OCLC 33820244.
- "Standard Blued model product page". Archived from the original on 2009-11-15.
- "Hunter model product page". Archived from the original on 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
- Wilson 1996, pp. 44–45.
- Wilson 1996, pp. 132–133.
- "Convertible model product page".
- "Main product page". Archived from the original on 2010-06-18. Retrieved 2010-06-30.
- "Ruger's Old Model Single-Sixes" by Bill Hamm
- Ruger safety upgrade offer (PDF)
- Shooting History-Ruger 3 Screw-Old Gun Review
- http://www.ruger.com/news/2004-11-11a.html
- "Return of the Ruger New Model Single-Six in .32 H&R Magnum" by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
- "Ruger® Single-Six® Family Distributor Exclusives Models".
- "Ruger's Red-Hot, Versatile Single Seven .327 Federal Magnum - Gun Digest". Gun Digest.
External links
- Ruger New Model Single-Six at Ruger.com
- Mike Cumpston "The .22 Magnum As A Revolver Cartridge". American Handgunner. Sept 2001. FindArticles.com. 24 Mar. 2008.