9.5" Old Model Single Six tinker toy

[biblethumpncop]

I picked up this three screw 22lr Single Six 9.5" that evidently was made in 1961. A pawn shop had it listed for $149 and I walked out the door for $117. It had an old set of Herrett grips on it and the finish was nearly nonexistent. The lockup is tight and the bore is clean. I envision a rancher carrying it throughout Idaho for nearly sixty years, and it looks like it.

The gun hasn't been converted and I imagine it isn't worth a lot to most people. I think it has a old skool kool thing going on. The grip frame is a XR-3 and the front trigger guard screw is missing. I shot it on a couple of trips to the desert and the thing is a hoot to shoot. I found an old carved Hunter holster in a bin at a gun shop and my buddy got them to throw it in free with a gun he bought, so he gave it to me. Fits great.

So, my initial thoughts are to keep this a low cost gun project. I reshaped the grips and the holster was free. Ruger sent me a box to convert it to a transfer bar and will return my parts which I thought I could sell to fund a 8 shot cylinder from Borchardt. I'm thinking of cutting the barrel down to the end of the ERH like my Flattop 44spl has. But how do I mount a sight? A dovetail would allow me to swap blades if necessary sine the gun has a drift adjustable rear sight with no elevation adjustment.

The finish is nearly gone with a little pitting here and there. Maybe bead blast the whole thing and then what? I saw videos on people Nitre bluing using molting Stump Killer. Nearly free in cost and would keep with the low cost project theme. I have a Colt Diamondback that I bought as a kid in 1985ish via my Dad. I had it hard chromed with Metalife and I have a 4" and 6" barrel on it. The hard chrome would cost about $165 on the Ruger, but that is more than I have into the whole gun!

Any thoughts on the sight and how to do it without a mill? How about finish options or the 8 shot cylinder? Here is a link to some pictures:

share.icloud.com/photos/0GvBQhg5pk_Aff67CTtgIDEhA

[harveylogan]

Nope, it’s perfect just the way it is.
PM Sent.

[awp101]

I might change the grips, but that's about it as long as it's mechanically sound.

[flyingzebra]

I wouldn't change anything, except possibly the grips.

Really cool revolver as it is.

[dhd]

I see the other opinions are the same as mine, change the grips but not convert to a transfer bar. I have little 3 screw knowledge so I'm not sure if New Model screws are the same, but I'd see about some new gripframe screws since you're missing one anyway.

Nice save you have there.

[dickf]

The decisions on how to proceed are yours to struggle with. We've all gone through it. As for sights, I have been using Two Dog's screw on sights for most of my barrel shortenings. They are beautiful, and old guys can see them.

[wheelguns]

The only thing that I would do is try to find a 22mag cylinder for it.

[Shakey]

I'll join the crowd and say keep it pretty much as it is.

If it were mine, I would just replace that grip-frame screw, fit up some grips that suited me, and clean up that front sight.

If it would sight in with that sight, I would leave it. If not, I'd either get one of Fermins or try my hand at cutting a dovetail.

Looks like a fun gun, I'd love to have it.

[princeout]

I’m in the “don’t convert” camp. The original design is a sound one. The conversion design is a compromise. No need for it if you practice proper handling.
You got a great buy!

Tim

[bushog]

I wouldn't cut the barrel.

Will Ruger refinish it? That's what I would do if the finish were to be messed with.

If so then they'll do the transfer bar safety conversion. As long as they'll return the parts you can put it back.

Anybody know what Ruger charges for a refinish and/or other details?

[bradshaw]

There is a chance Ruger will re-blue when retrofitting transfer bar lopckwork. Were the 1961 Single-Six 9-1/2” mine, clawing would be followed by bagging @ 25 & 50 yards with a variety of Long Rifle ammo, standard and Hi-V. Were the gun to shoot astoundingly well, the revolver would receive more range time. Getting acquainted with the gun may well determine its future.

Check to be sure the hammer safety notch and half-cock are not chipped, nor the trigger sear chipped, as Ruger may not want to return those parts if damaged. Best to check revolver and check factory service policy. Persons of my acquaintance who sent a gun for retrofit received gun and original lockwork.
David Bradshaw

[biblethumpncop]

Wow! I'm happy to say that the old girl is on her way to a new home where she won't be modified.

[contender]

I too would only change the grips.

But a little info.
Grip frame screws interchange,, so replacing the front (missing) screw is easy.
Transfer bar conversion; Most of us prefer to leave them alone as the action is much nicer in an OM.
Those OM long barreled guns are desirable both as collectors in pristine condition,, and the used ones are desirable as shooters.