Which single six to buy?

[clmautz]

Hello!

I've found 2 6.5" Single Sixes at the local shop to buy.  

One is a 62-xxxxx number, stainless, .22lr cylinder only, for $239.

The other is a 263-xxxxx number, blued, both cylinders, seems fairly new, for $249.

Looking on Rugers website, I see 62- prefix guns are '72-73.  The 263- is 95-01.

Both are in great condition, the stainless one a bit smoother, but it has some black marking on the stainless - almost looks like something on it.  Guy at the store thought it might be a flaw in the stainless, but I don't think so.

The 263- is in about mint condition.  It has both cylinders.  

I noticed the Sturm/Ruger stamp was on the top of the bbl on the stainless, it was on the side on the blued gun w/ the new warning msg.

Which should I buy - should I jump on the early gun?  Is there any collectibility or rareness?  

This is one I hope to teach my girls to shoot on, field hunt and plink with, and hand down someday.  I was gonna get a Heritage Rough Rider but decided on the Rugers when they wouldn't come down off $199 for a convertable  .22lr Blued Heritage.

Thanks!

Chip

[Mike357mag]

Go with the ruger single six, I would prefer both cylinders no matter what.  If you know you will never desire  to shoot 22 magnums then I would go with the stainless.  Ruger will only sell you a new cylinder if you send the the firearm for them to match it up.  I don't see any collector value any any of the 2 rugers.

Mike H

Single six is the best revolver to teach kids with, I still remember that was the first revolver I ever shot.

[BlkHawk73]

 I don't see any collector value any any of the 2 rugers.

    Depends, if the single cylinder one was shipped that way and has a star on the underside of the cylinder frame just in front of the trigger gaurd it's got a bit of colectabilty to it.  

  I've got a 6 1/2" blued one and I really like it.  In .22 lr it may not be super accuarte as it's bored for the ever so lightly larger .22 magnum bullet.  while certainly no tack driver, it's still a great range plinker or handu little trail gun.  Very good for teaching the fundamentals to a new shooter. Will use mine when my son gets old enough.

[clmautz]

Thanks for the replies! I'm going in tomorrow, I'll let you know which one I picked up.

I'll have to post some pictures... ;-)

Chip

[Tacoma]

As long as the frame of the SS version isn't marked .22 lr only" then you can have ruger fit a .22 mag cylinder to it for about $55. However, by the time your done paying for the work and shipping, you might just buy a brand new one.

[clmautz]

It called to me.

Frame is marked 22lr - but not .22lr only, and not .22lr/.22mag, or convertible, or anything.

Should it be?  The serial # puts it around '73-74.

Doesn't really matter, as I only shoot .22lr...

and I love it.  Perhaps some CLC grips...

Chip

[Joe VTANG]

Blackhawk73 wrote
[/quote]Depends, if the single cylinder one was shipped that way and has a star on the underside of the cylinder frame just in front of the trigger gaurd it's got a bit of colectabilty to it.

What's the significance of the star?

Thanks,  Joe