Single Six, old 3screw type, 22 value?

[Jal5]

I posted this on the SA forum but thought I would get more response here:

I may be going to an auction next week and in the catalogue this Ruger single six, in 22 cal with a 22 mag cylinder caught my eye. Looks good like it was well taken care of, blued with plain wooden grips. How can I determine the value for bidding purposes? I have the serial no. and from Ruger webpage this is a 1970 model that has not been upgraded by Ruger to my knowledge.
What should I look for when I inspect it for problems?

thanks,
Joe

[deltecs]

I personally believe the older 3 screw Single Six to be a better made and finish than the later models.  The 22 mag cylinder shoots much better than the standard .22 LR in the ones I'm familiar with.  These are slowly becoming more and more of a collectors items, so bidding may be high.  If you can buy it for the price of a new Single Six or slightly higher, I'd say go for it.  Do not have the hammer block installed or the value drops substantially, unless you have the original parts available to replace it.  In the 4 5/8" barrel, this was a nice handling SA.

[S.B.]

All the old 3 screws I've felt had much smoother actions.

[Jal5]

It sold for $325 a little too much for my budget. There were a lot of collector items there and WWII knives, etc. so people were spending a lot of money. Maybe next time.

Joe

[44 Man]

I've seen 4 of them come through Jay's in the last year.  One was converted, the rest were not.  They sold from $175 to $250.  I thought of buying one but owned one when I was in my 20's.  It was ok, but not that good of a shooter.  Instead I bought a used 'Pre Warning' New model Single Six 22/convertible with the 4 5/8" barrel and the original box for $200 and I love it!  44 Man

[Ladobe]

My current OM Ruger's includes a Single Six 22 MAG (only).    I like it because I like all the OM Ruger SA's, but I still prefer to carry and use the OM Bearcat I've had for 3-4 decades.   I've also had a couple of convertable Single Sixes over the years (both OM & NM), but I preferred the Colt New Frontier Buntline convertable I bought when they first came out (early 70's) that I used for tree rat hunting for many years.   While I have owed several NM Ruger's, I didn't keep any of them.   For this old phart anyway, a SA is supposed to go clickity-click-click when you cock it... not just click, and be loaded 5.

[Jal5]

I believe that one was a pre-warning model, in any event too high for me!
44Man I would have picked that one up in a hurry too for $200.

Joe