Single Six - back from the dead

[Justin10mm]

I have an old model (1971) single six convertible with a 6 1/2 inch barrel and fixed sights. My mom bought it for my dad new, the only handgun he has ever owned. So it dose have some sentimental value to me.  

It is in pretty bad shape, most of the frame and ejector housing finish is gone, along with minor rust spotting and blue wear. It was mostly used to kill rats with shot shells, I have shot hundreds myself with it.

A few years back I decided to shoot some 22lr out of it to see what it would do. I set up a peace of paper about a foot square, at about 10 yards. Out of 6 shots, only 3 hit the paper, and they were all side ways.

So I figured the barrel was gone but was still curious, so I decided to give it a good cleaning. I had to force the cleaning rod down the barrel the first few times, a lot of what looked like metal shavings came out. . . . .  Fast forward about three hours of running soaked patches and brass brushes down the barrel, I finely had to give up, as the patches were still coming out dirty.

Now, low and behold, It can shoot. I got about a 3 inch group at 25 yards shooting 22lrs.  

Back to today, It has been siting in the gun safe since then. I took it out this morning and shot 22 mags out of it at 25 yards. Despite the high wind and shiny fixed sights I managed to put 6 shots in a group less than 1 1/2 inches right were I was aiming. Needless to say I am very happy. I wonder what it will do after I finish cleaning the barrel?

Some day when finances allow, I am going to have it customized and refinished back into its former glory. I want to turn it into a John Taffin (Perfect pack-in pistol) in 22 mag. I will tell you my ideas for it in another post.  

Do you have a similar story?  

 


    

[Swampman]

Ruger will refinish it for a fair price.

[Lloyd Smale]

im sure it was just leaded up from the bird shot. Get a good lead cleaning solvent and wet the barrel with it and let it soak over night and then brush and patch it. It may take a few nights to get it all out. Another good way to get the lead out is to wrap steel wool around your brass cleaning brush.

[Justin10mm]

Back again. For starters the 6 1/2in. barrel makes carrying it too burdensome, I want it cut back to 4 inches along with the new ejector housing (old one is chipped). I would also like a target style front sight ( old one fixed, worn). Then I want the old aluminum grip frame polished (cheaper than new one).  Also a new set of wood grips. Possibly a new hammer, I like the buisly style, but since this is an old model without the safety upgrade, I don't know how easy that would be. And of course re blue the frame, barrel and cylinders. Not to mention a good cleaning of the internal workings.

A short barreled six gun in 22 mag would be very useful around my ranch. I know I could go buy a new one for a lot less, but any one can do that. You can't just throw away 40 years of family history.

Now if I just could find the money!               

[Rainman/GA]

Back again. For starters the 6 1/2in. barrel makes carrying it too burdensome, I want it cut back to 4 inches along with the new ejector housing (old one is chipped). I would also like a target style front sight ( old one fixed, worn). Then I want the old aluminum grip frame polished (cheaper than new one).  Also a new set of wood grips. Possibly a new hammer, I like the buisly style, but since this is an old model without the safety upgrade, I don't know how easy that would be. And of course re blue the frame, barrel and cylinders. Not to mention a good cleaning of the internal workings.

A short barreled six gun in 22 mag would be very useful around my ranch. I know I could go buy a new one for a lot less, but any one can do that. You can't just throw away 40 years of family history.

Now if I just could find the money!               

Alan Harton would be the gunsmith I would pick. I understand he does a lot of welding on Old Model hammer notches, so I'm sure he could either build you a Bisley hammer or mod the one you have now.  Here's an article describing some of his work:  http://www.gunblast.com/AlanHarton.htm

[Justin10mm]

Ya, I heir he is located in Huston. He would probably be my best option, being only a few hours away from me. I saw the thread about a custom blackhawk in 327 mag he did for another member. I like what I see. 

[Dand]

Keep in mind, the 22 mag loses a lot of poop in a 6 in barrel and even more in the 4 inch. I have chrono'd my 4 3/8 Colts with both. But I hear ya, I much prefer carrying 4 inch barrels.

[johnjohn]

Not to belittle your ideas,but if it had been my dad's, I'd leave it alone and just remember how "things were".

[jimster]

Some day when finances allow, I am going to have it customized and refinished back into its former glory.

Nothing wrong with that, your dad got it brand new, I think he would not mind one bit seeing it look like the day he took it out of the box.

A long time ago I gave my dad a like new Colt .32 hammerless (1927) with the box and papers it came with, a rare find, and I gave it to him for fathers day. I sent it to Eagle grips just before that, and they fit Sambar stag grip panels on it (back when they were more reasonable in price)  He looked at this and said I should not give it to him, it was worth too much.  I told him he didn't have a choice it was a gift. Anyways, I told him to enjoy it, and joked around with him saying just give it back to me when you pass on, he laughed and said he'd take it with him.  When he passed on years later Mom handed me the box and said he wanted me to have this. My story is not quite the same, as this pistol never got used or shot, he just fondled it, played with it, and wiped it off all the time.

I think you would enjoy that revolver in original like condition for many many years, just like your dad did. 
 

[gcrank1]

+1 that, though I like your ideas for a carry piece. To re-furb it (the right way) and have the memories each time use use it would be priceless (hey, its that way now without the re-furb, right? and its shootin' good too). Have you noticed how many posters say,' I wish I had....(what I let get away).'
Maybe get the carry piece too, or build another one up, and make your own memories with it.

[Justin10mm]

I am a very practical person. I would never sell the gun, but every thing I own should have a purpose. The way it sits, I really have no use for it, other than for the occasional rat in the barn, it just sits in the safe. Why not give it new life?

I know velocity suffers in a short barrel, but you would still get more power from a 22mag than a standard 22lr, better selection of bullets also.   

[gcrank1]

Way back I read an article on the S&W Kit Gun in 22LR vs 22WMR, and I think 4". The gist was that, yeah, in Mag you loose a fair bit of velocity, but it was still more energy at 50yd(?) (if not farther?) than the 22LR was at the muzzle. Anyway, it convinced me that a 22WMR, even in a short barreled revolver, was way better than a 22LR.
That said, Im not convinced (and I have had and do have 4" and 6ish" revolvers) that a 4" in that size piece is that much better to carry than a 6 1/2" unless you are sitting a lot, where a high ride holster for a 4" gets it off the seat. In fact, my preference now is a Doc Holiday type shouder rig which keeps the gun out of the way more when actually doing things more than walking.
But hey, its America (still, so far) and you do what trips YOUR trigger.

[Brett]

If it were my Dad's gun I think I would probably either leave it as is or maybe send it to Ruger for a factory restoration.  I would keep it as a range gun and as a piece of memorabilia of my dad.

Then I would go out and look for the gun to build and use as you intend.  Then when I pass on I would leave both of them to my daughter (my only child) so that she would have Dad's and Granddad's guns.  Sort of a historical record.   

[Hank08]

Justin10mm,  Here's ,kinda, what it would look like, shorter barrel, polished grip frame, better sights, stag grips(you wanted wood) Bisley hammer.  Cross draw holster, best for sitting in vehicle, riding horse, etc.
H08

[Brett]

Hank, did you make the holster pictured with the SS in your post?   It looks pretty sharp. 

[Hank08]

Thanks Brett, Yep, that's my favorite holster design.  Have made a bunch of them for guys who ride horses (lots of them here).  They like the cross draw design.  Here's another