Bisley in Single six .22 discontinued, why?

[His lordship.]

I have a Ruger Single six in .22 RF that is about 10 years old, it is the Bisley model.  I had wanted this version over the standard when I went to buy one due to the better grip and hammer shape.  At the time of purchase the gun seller told me that they reduced the price as it was not selling for a long time, good deal for me!

I have read that some Colt shooters don't like the look of the Bisley as they are used to what is seen in the cowboy movies.  Been looking at the new Ruger catalog and they only offer a Bisley in the larger calibers, despite a nice selection of finishes and variations in the standard model in the Single Six, no Bisleys at all.  How odd!

Were the sales on the Bisley .22 that bad?  Or was there something else that caused Ruger to drop that model?

I noticed a strange thing when I was putting my Bisley back together after putting in new target springs,  the two larger screws on the bottom near the trigger guard would act up if the 2 top grip frame strap screws were not put in and tightened before checking function of the gun.  The 2 bottom screws would actually bind up the hammer and cause it to stick when pulled back.  I took the gun apart several times to find out why, there was no reason for the gun to act up like that, perhaps some bending of the structure?  Hard to believe on such a heavy revolver.

 I have lots of experience with Colt cap and ball guns, never experienced anything like that.  The bottom screws on the Bisley were not touching anything concerning the hammer, and even if they were why would they function ok after all the screws were put in?   

Thanks.

[BlkHawk73]

  Bisley's have never been a really high-volume model as they're very much a love 'em or hate 'em thing.  Now add to that that the .22lr ones were not convertables as their standard Single Six kin were and even fewer took a second look and dropped the $ on the single cylinder Bisley model.   In the end, just like the other Bisley models, they simply weren't popular enough to remain in production and use resources that could be better utilized on other models. 

[DennisB]

Market-driven, I guess.  Too bad, too, considering some of the ugly stuff Ruger's putting out.  My 22LR Bisley is a fine little shooter, as are the 41 mag and both 45 Colts.

[BlkHawk73]

Market-driven, I guess.  Too bad, too, considering some of the ugly stuff Ruger's putting out.  My 22LR Bisley is a fine little shooter, as are the 41 mag and both 45 Colts.

  "Ugly" is in the eye of the beholder...to each their own.  Regardless, it's what SELLS not what's PRETTY that matters.    I would prefer a nice Bisley to the semi-autos lately but gain, to each their own.   With the 12 or 12 Bisleys here, none are a .22lr.