Sometimes we laugh at the fellow who buys a Walther PPK after watching a James Bond epic or the gent who was overawed by Dirty Harry and just had to have that Magnum. Yet, it is hands-off for comedy when it comes to cowboy guns, because we simply feel we must have them.
The Ruger Single Six .22 was introduced during the heyday of Western films and television shows, and remains a top choice today.
These epics were not very realistic, but they were an art form. The sets, scripts, and horse opera were done just right, and the line between good and bad guys was written in stone.
The Backstory
Colt dropped the Single Action Army after World War II. In the beginning, sales were minimal. Then, cowboy shows became ever more popular. A huge number of the 1950s era extras were former soldiers, At times, the films were shot a half-dozen at a time with a few essential elements filmed to make each unique. Yep, these were B movies, and we loved them.
At about the same time, a curious thing happened. A sport called “fast draw” became popular. The Colt Single Action Army was a rugged revolver, but not intended for constant ‘fanning’ and other abuse. As a result, Ruger gave us the Blackhawk, which could not be easily broken.
Television played a big part the Ruger’s success. Quite a few ex-soldiers with good jobs, and a little cash to spread around, wanted some type of single-action revolver. There were plenty of cheap, junky guns that entered the market that unfortunately made it to market.
The Ruger Single Six was, and is, the best of the breed — as far as rimfires go. This .22 caliber revolver was offered a clean start with new manufacturing processes that made the revolver more reliable, and accurate than any other .22 single-action. By 1954, thousands were being shipped each year.
A Better Design
The Ruger uses coil springs instead of flat springs. This is a much stronger system than anything previously used in a revolver. While the old flat springs were fine for most uses, Americans were firing their guns a great deal more for recreational pursuits. The coil springs were a good design change that allowed the Ruger to fire thousands of rounds without needing a tune-up.
The original revolver was supplied with a fixed sight. The sight, fixed in a dovetail, was superior to the old-style ‘groove in the top receiver’ style of sights.
Aluminum, steel, and stainless steel have played a big part in Single Six manufacture over the years. Barrel lengths range from 4.625 to 9.5 inches. The 6.5-inch barrel length seems to have been most common.
While the fixed sight revolvers looked nice and could be zeroed for a single load, the adjustable rear sight version quickly emerged as the most popular. The fixed-sight guns are, however, still seen in some special edition models.
There simply isn’t a better sight picture on any .22 caliber revolver than the Ruger Single Six with the adjustable rear sight and post front sight.
All the Ruger revolvers are good. I can’t tell you which to choose. If you like squirrel hunting or long-range pest shooting, the 6.5-inch model seems best. For tucking in the back pocket, the 4 5/8-inch barrel is a winner.
A word about the transfer bar action. There is a wing of fans who collect old Ruger revolvers. It is a fertile field. If this excites your wallet, you better get one while they are still affordable. However, for actual use, I do not use the earlier guns.
Transfer Bars
It is a surprise to modern shooters, but at one time, all single-action revolvers demanded that to be safe, the chamber under the hammer had to be kept empty. On older models, the firing pin would rest on the cartridge when the hammer was lowered. If the hammer was struck or accidentally reared back a bit and then dropped, the revolver could fire.
The proper firing sequence is to load a chamber, skip a chamber, load four chambers, then cock the hammer and lower the hammer over the empty chamber. Failure to do so could result in an accidental discharge if the firearm is dropped.
The geometry of the fall is such that if the revolver lands on its back and strikes the hammer, the barrel is pointed up and likely toward the person who dropped the handgun. Bad news and death or injury may result. The last such case I am aware of was perhaps 10 years ago, and I pray it will be the last.
Ruger has cured the problem of carrying a cartridge under the hammer. Around 1972, changes to the design ensured Ruger single-action revolvers were safe to carry fully loaded.
Updating Old Ruger Single-Action Models
Ruger’s new transfer bar system may be easily installed in older revolvers. How you ask? Send the revolver to Ruger and installation is free.
If you are planning to shoot the revolver and not just collecting guns, it should be installed by the factory. Remember, it won’t cost a dime. I am stressing this because this is an upgrade that cannot be ignored. The new system — if 50 years old is new — features a bar in the action that keeps the hammer pressed back and away from the firing pin.
When the revolver is cocked, the bar moves upward. As the trigger is pressed, the hammer falls and strikes the bar, which strikes the firing pin and the revolver fires. As soon as the trigger is released, the transfer bar retracts to the safe position.
To load a modern single-action with a transfer bar system, simply open the gate, and load the chambers as you rotate the cylinder. Next, close the loading gate. After that, you’ll cock the hammer fully to the rear. Press the trigger and fire.
The Ruger Single Six Around the House
For those who take the time to practice, the Ruger Single Six is a very accurate firearm. While I use mine primarily for recreation, the Single Six is a great hunting revolver. It will take small game cleanly, and it is an excellent choice for ridding the property of pests. In fact, I have dusted off several snakes around the house.
Recently, my pet got into a fight with a copperhead. The Ruger Single Six finished the fight. Canine Lupus Dingo is immune to rotten meat, roadkill, and may swallow bees and fire ants at will, but I did not wish to test her system against snake venom.
The Ruger is so much fun to shoot, and .22 caliber ammunition so easy to handle. I have tested the revolver extensively with quite a few loads. Accuracy was good. With the aid of a shooting rest, careful trigger control, and the sights properly aligned, accuracy was good. A five-shot group of two inches was the average. Occasionally, a much smaller group was fired. Here are velocity results of some of my favorite loads in .22 Long Rifle.
| Load | Velocity | Comment |
| CCI Quite 45-grain Segmented | 700 fps | Oddly enough, this load functions in the Browning Buck Mark. |
| CCI 29 grain CB Cap | 555 fps | This is a fun load! |
| Blazer 40-grain Round Nose | 900 fps | A good, accurate load that is well worth stocking up. |
| Federal Small Game Match Hollow Point 40-grain | 998 fps | Intended for long-range use, it is an excellent all-around load. |
Most Ruger Single Six revolvers sold today come with a .22 Magnum cylinder fitted at the factory. I don’t use my magnum cylinder nearly as much as the .22 Long Rifle. It is certainly a good option though.
Here are a few results with the magnum cylinder. Accuracy was generally as good as the .22 Long Rifle. In fact, some revolvers may be more accurate with the .22 Magnum cylinder.
| Load | Velocity |
| CCI Magnum 40-grain FMJ | 1,241 fps |
| CCI Maxi Mag 40-grain | 1,249 fps |
Specifications
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnum – .17 HMR, .32 H&R Magnum have been produced in the past
Capacity: 6 rounds, but some models were designed to hold 10 rounds
Overall length: 11 inches (5.5-inch barrel)
Weight: 33 ounces (5.5-inch barrel)
The Ruger Single Six is a favorite handgun that gets the job done!
Do you own a Ruger Single Six? Are you a fan of cowboy guns? Share your best single-action story in the comment section.
With the .22 Magnum cylinder in place, the Ruger Single Six is a formidable small game revolver. This special edition revolver features a fiber optic front sight. Occasionally, Ruger makes a special run of fixed-sight revolvers. The author’s personal Ruger Single Six is an accurate and reliable handgun. The stainless-steel Ruger Single Six is a rugged outdoors revolver.
How hard is the triggerpressure as a standard.
Can it be taken down to normal in an easy way
Great article, Bob! Thank you; I couldn’t agree with you more about how the Ruger Single-Six is such an excellent pistol. My wife got me one for my birthday back in 2000. Mine is the stainless steel version with a 5.5″ barrel, and I painted the back of the front sight blaze orange so I could see it better. I absolutely love this revolver! I mostly keep it loaded with the .22 magnum cylinder; it hits dead on at 25 yards with Winchester 40-grain jacketed hollow points; and the .22 Magnum shot cartridges are good for water moccasins out to 25 feet; that makes this a great boat gun for snakes, and also a great farm gun. With the .22LR cylinder in place, CCI Quiet rounds hit dead on at 16 feet, which is useful for small varmints and also just for some quiet fun shooting. To anyone who has been thinking that they might want to get one of these, but hasn’t actually gotten it yet, I say, “Go ahead and get one; you will be happy that you did!” Thanks again, and blessings to all. Dave
Excellent piece on the Ruger Single-Six L.R./WMR. I would like to know the manufacturer of the holster/belt combination showcased in the article.
I wish Ruger would make enough to supply the demand. Seems as though they now only make large caliber guns rather than fun guns that use cheap ammo.
Like Jack, I have an old H&R .22 bought second hand for $100.
It holds 9 rounds and is a hoot to shoot either in single or double action.
It’s my Wife’s favorite shooter.
Who is the manufacturer of that gorgeous leather holster/belt rig? WANT! MUST HAVE!
Single Six was my first handgun purchased in 1980 and still a favorite. Trained many new shooters due to single action and no recoil which builds confidence to move on to larger calibers. Replaced grips with Hogue rubber to accommodate my large hands. Taken countless squirrels and rabbits while snow shoeing Recommend to anyone starting out as it versatile and runs good as new 30 + years later.
I am a member of SASS (Single Action Shooters Society). We have monthly shooting matches where the shooters dress in Western Cowboy outfits and shoot two single action revolvers (period correct) as well as a lever action rifle and a pump or double barrel shotgun (also period correct) at metal targets. the seniors take place usually in façade faced structures that resemble old town buildings, general stores, sheriff office, saloons and other structures. Check us out on YouTube. And definitely get the bug to try it yourself. I think it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!
I have four single sixes and a Colt New Frontier Buntline, And a Uberti Stallion. I like single actions and have center fire single actions too.
I thought I would buy a new wrangler but the Single Sixes are much better in fit and Finnish so I will pass on the Wrangler. There is a big price difference now though than when I bought mine, they were much cheaper then.
My Dad still has the single six I learned to shoot on. My Brothers too, my daughter. We don’t shoot it much these days dad wants to keep it working. So we got Ruger Wrangler’s. We have a blast with them. I enjoy my time with dad this way, he’s in his 80’s now something to get him out now and then.
I will one day teach my Grandchildren on them when they are old enough.
Hey VC, good guess, and my bad. My apologies to the author. I stand corrected.
Hey ROCK IT
I guess you missed this part of the article
Most Ruger Single Six revolvers sold today come with a .22 Magnum cylinder fitted at the factory. I don’t use my magnum cylinder nearly as much as the .22 Long Rifle. It is certainly a good option though.
Here are a few results with the magnum cylinder. Accuracy was generally as good as the .22 Long Rifle. In fact, some revolvers may be more accurate with the .22 Magnum cylinder.
Load Velocity
CCI Magnum 40-grain FMJ 1,241 fps
CCI Maxi Mag 40-grain 1,249 fps
I got my first Single-Six when I was still a teen in the 70’s. It was 5″, and had the quarter-moon front sight. It was always strapped to my hip when hunting deer with my .30-30, in order to quit their suffering. Then I got married young, and money got tight, and I sold it. Still regret it. As soon as I was flush again, I went back to the gun shop where I sold it, but of course it was gone. Later I bought another, newer Single-Six with the interchangeable WMR cylinder, and adjustable sights. But again, the wife’s car broke down or some such thing and we needed money, and my toys always seemed to be expendable to her. Selling that one was my 2nd regret in about 3 years.
I still like the Single-Six, but nowadays it’s about 3 times the price I paid back then. I’ve got a Wrangler to plink with now.
Love my Single Six. Used a Mark II for small bore target shooting, (Yes – even won a trophy), but the Single Six was my version of a “KIT” gun. Being able to swap .22LR and .22 WMR cylinders was why it was such an ideal “KIT” gun. Modern .22 LR and .22 WMR ammo makes it even a better choice.
What? No mention of the fact that these also come with the optional .22 WMR cylinder swap? Back in the early 70’s, I was looking for such a revolver, unfortunately, or fortunately, Colt also made the Colt New Frontier in .22/.22WMR at that time, and when comparing the two, the Colt had the familiar 4 clicks when cocking the hammer; C O L T. When I cocked the Ruger, being a novice at the time, I thought it was broken as it only had FULL COCK, and no clicks, so I ended up buying the Colt. While I do wish at times I had purchased the Ruger, to go with my Blackhawk, seems they only made the Colt New Frontier for only a few years at best, and so it is now more of a collector item, and having the familiar case hardened frame with everything else being black, it is a beauty. Surprising at the range, few people are old enough to have ever seen a REAL Colt Single Action in .22/.22WMR. I still hope to someday own a Single Six (or Eight, or Ten). LOL
I own the 5 inch Single Six and love it. It came with the magnum cylinder also. I got huge brownie points when I tagged a cotton mouth that scared my wife half to death. The brownie points were sorely needed at the time, lol. It’s simple, rugged, dependable and, in my opinion, it’s just a good looking firearm.
Don’t have the Ruger Single Six. As close as I get is an old H&R 949 in .22 bought at a pawnshop. It holds 9 rounds and is a hoot to shoot either in single or double action.
Several things with “Liberty Model]1776-1976 to hundred years of American Liberty]”:rough chambers,cracked loading gate.
I wish I had gotten the 9.5″vs the 6.5″version
The noise/recoil of the 22 magnum is such that I’ll use a 38Spec chambered revolver instead,and only use 22LR in the Single Six
CCI stingers burn dirty in theSingleSix.