I agree!!! My first pistol was a three screw flat loading gate. My dad gave it to me about 50 years ago. Put thousands of rounds through it!! Eventually it was looking a bit tired. I sent it back to Ruger for a complete refinish and overhaul. It's now residing in the safe. I replaced it with a slightly newer three screw but with the later loading gate. That will be given to my son shortly. Every collection needs a SA, and a .22, why not combine the two???

 

Family stuff makes em even better!

 

In my case, while I have a Single Six and love it dearly, the gun I have had the longest and still use frequently is my Winchester 52B, named Bertha since she's a member of the family.

At one point or another, all of my kids have shot her, at the bottom of a field on the farm where I mowed a 50 yard range. I really miss that place.

She now wears a Unertl 10x scope, age appropriate.

 

Gotta love a gun that has the family history and memories

 

I bought one years ago and they are a great pistol especially in 22 mag.

 

Must have gun & rationale ...

I think the very first must have gun would be a shotgun of some type. And the very first handgun would be a Ruger convertible. Between those two guns, you can get done about everything that needs getting done.

 

IMHO, the first handgun a young man should have would be a Single Six or a Colt equal.

It is a gun that will prove useful and enjoyable for a lifetime.

 

For me by 1968 Single Six and my 1973 Woodsman Match Target are must have. Really right now they are the only 22lr handguns that I need. Gotten rid of everything else. The others just did not match up to these two.

 

This thread struck a chord with me. Over the years I had owned 2 different old model single-six revolvers and eventually traded them off on another "I want". Finally several years ago I got a chance to right the two wrongs by buying a like new Super single-six convertible with my favorite 4 5/8 inch bbl length. This one will not get away from me.

 

I figure if you want a single action rimfire revolver, the Single Six (or Nine, or Ten) is certainly a fine way to go.

 

I picked up my Single Six new in 1999 and since then it has become one of my most often fired guns. It is a 5.5" stainless. It is quite a good shooter and one I have no plans to part with anytime soon!

 

Just another pic of my 74

 

Very nice. And, I have to agree. It makes a great gun.

 

Mine a ruger marked 22 mag, three screw. passed from mu father many years ago.

 

Do you still have the .22 LR cylinder???

 

My dad still has the first single 6 I ever bought. Convertible, built in 1969 IIRC. Hasn't been "upgraded for safety" and never will be if it stays in the family.

I've had a few since then but never as nice as that one. I occasionally shoot his and consider getting another...then get sticker shock and decide to just shoot his again if I need to.

 

I prefer single action revolvers over all other handguns and the single six is at the top of the 22 heap IMO. As to "everyone" needs to own one, not really, as some people don't like them at all. That is like telling me I need to own a Glock which I have no intention of ever doing. Different strokes for different folks.

 

.22 WRF (WIN. RIMFIRE) SINGLE-SIX RUGER / STURM, & CO. SINGLE SIX WIN. RF 22 MAGNUM 1960 3 SCREW BEAUTIFUL! 6 INCH " BARREL

 

I have owned probably a dozen over the years and they seem to slip away eventually, thinking the latest may stay....

Weaver 2.5-8x is now on a T/C Contender in .22 Hornet and a Burris 2x is on the Ruger.

 

I've sold 3 or 4 of them through the years. And sold my bearcat. Still have my 5.5" stainless one though.
Is it a must have? I think so. At least one. Would I keep it over my S&W Pre-K or 48? 🤣🤣🤣 Not a snowball's chance in hell!
Don't get me twisted, I like the Ruger, but K framed Smith and Wessons are absolutely magic.

 

Here is a magnum marked Single Six. These were made from 1959-62. All were made with a 6.5" barrel.

 

No kidding! I guess I've never looked into it, but I never knew they made these! Kind of cool.

 

Wow, thanks for sharing!!!!

 

Ruger (until recently) has manufactured firearms that are now highly sought after. Any "old" Ruger, particularly a Single Six is a must IMHO.

 

They are one of the strongest, reasonably priced, 22lr revolvers out there. Definitely fun to shoot.

 

I liked my Colt's New Frontier 22LR better but anything with a ramped front sight like it had I just cannot define well. Got a Ruger SSS convertible in blue and put a Ruger Mk? undercut front target sight on it, one simple screw and done. Nice target sights now! No Way was I gonna mod up a Colt's; sold it for big money as it was and kept the Ruger.
At one time I considered the Ruger Bisley 22 version but every time I handled one it felt too big & heavy. The Bearcat is too small for me and I never shot one that was accurate enough at 15yd (small game distance for me) to buy.
Guess that makes the Single Six a Goldylocks Gun, jussttt right.
I also like the fact that they have been around long enough to become a classic in their own right, though I think the SS may have aged better than I have.

 

Some of mine, upper right hand gun is a colt new frontier.

 

I've
bought and sold a few Rugers over the years and don't own one presently.
They are a bit more expensive these days as is most everything.
Picked up a Great Western yesterday at a show and although these shoot well, they are full size and heavy!

 

I bought my last Ruger Single Six, used, several years ago and they were very reasonably priced back then.