Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Single Six

Thinking about grabbing a single six 22 as my first handgun. I’ve heard that they have decent accuracy although reports vary. I’m curious if newer ones are likely to be more accurate, as with Ruger’s rifles. I’m not looking for a precision instrument, however - just something fun and accurate enough that I can learn to be a decent shot with it.

Also, I’m leaning towards the 4 inch barrel. Seems more handy for a gun I’d like to carry on the trail someday. Am I giving up much with a shorter barrel?

Perfect gun for what you describe.
Cant comment on the newer vs older models but doubt you’ll be disappointed with the accuracy either way.

Only downside is they’ll only last about a bajillion rounds

They are accurate enough, but sometimes a bit harder to wring out accuracy for some folks.

Learn it, hit with it & you'll be way ahead when it comes to hitting with handguns.

And yes, they are likely as dependable & long lasting as a handgun can be.

Don't be concerned at barrel length at first. As my eyes aged I thought I needed a 6.5" over my preferred 5.5". As it turned out, a 4.625" has become my favorite.

Don't sweat it. Get one, have fun!

I’ve had 3 of them. One was a 9.5” none of them were accurate enough for me. I suggest checking out any of the Ruger mark series. I have a mark 2, 3, & a 4, all accurate. And lots of aftermarket accessories if wanted.
Or a Browning buckmark. Had one of those once, still regret selling it. It was very accurate.

Ruger Bearcat might be a great option for your needs.

I have a Single Six Hunter that has given me everything I need / want accuracy wise. I use it for squirrel hunting, with only the factory open sights, and have taken more than I can count. It doesn’t mind Federal Bulk for plinking, but it hates the Remington bulk box stuff. I hunt with CCI Velocitors out of it and they do extremely well.

When the leaves start to fall, we use crab apples as little “reactive targets”. It turns into friendly competition as we slowly get further and further away. The Hunter does have a decent amount of weight to it, with a 7.5” barrel, but I don’t mind in the least and don’t think twice about it when carrying it in the field. Though, for your application, a shorter barrel makes more sense.

Here is one I took. If I recall correctly, it was just over 20 steps to get to him.

This. While my Single Six is not inaccurate, for accurate find a MK-something with a target barrel.

Whatever you get, a good .22 handgun is one of the best investments you can make, just like a good .22 rifle. Many now just jump right in with a CF, but recoil and noise can interfere with you figuring out what you’re doing wrong, and right.

One of the best parts is that all that ammo that failed to perform for you in your rifles will be just fine for most purposes in a handgun.

As a first handgun, I'd stay with the 6 5" barrel. A lot easier to shoot well than a shorter one. No sense getting frustrated early on...

My 6.5" has always been accurate enough for my purposes.

No question about it, the Single Six is a first rate .22 revolver, and even the crappy one's are minute of a bunny's head at 25 yards. I have always had the convertibles and the .22 mag cylinders always seem to be the best shooters. But I've never missed anything with a Single Six that was the revolvers fault!!

Hard to go wrong buying a Ruger Single-Six.

Thanks guys, I am gonna go for it. When I find one, I'll pick one up, either with the 4.62 or 5.50 inch barrel length.

Single-Six is never a mistake.

I had the 4.62" 22lr/22wmr long ago, regret letting it go.

Now I have a 6.5" 22lr/22wmr. I don't have any complaints about the accuracy, but my 22/45 Target does beat it a bit.

25 yards, standing, modified Weaver,

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The problem with convertibles is there's a difference in bullet diameter between the two cartridges so the barrel has to have a 'compromise' bore diameter to shoot both. Generally, it turns out that the .22lr won't shoot as well as the magnum in these guns. If smaller groups give you the warm fuzzies get one or the other. If you need a utilitarian revolver that covers a lot of tasks, get the convertible.

I learned to shoot handguns with a single six.

I shot 300 to 500 rounds through my fist 3 screw single six, every weekend for about 10 years.

Nothing like lots of rimfire shooting to sharpen hand-eye coordination.

It had a 6-1/2" barrel. Have owned three screw single sixes in 4-5/8" 5-1/2" 6-1/2" and 9" barrel lengths.

My all time favorite was the 4-5/8" which I regretfully sold recently.

Have been thinking I "need" one of the new Wranglers, especially since they come with the 4-5/8" barrel.

Virgil B.

Correct, though I am not sure the bore size of convertibles are a compromise. I believe it is sized for the larger .22 Mag, so .22 LRs generally aren't optimal in the convertibles. I bought a convertible as a trap gun a few months back and honestly, I am not even comfortable shooting cats in a trap at 5-10 feet with the only brand of .22 LR I have tried (Aguila) thus far. Maybe CCIs, American Eagle or whatever else would be better. Time will tell I guess.

A few different brands of .22 Mag are plenty accurate through it though.

I see you have the standard cylinder in there MontanaMarine. What brand of .22 LR did you shoot that group with?

My 1957-58 three-screw Single Six has a adjustable rear sight and just assumed that the Single Six always had adjustable sights. Wrong. A New Model Single-Six is available with a integral rear sight.



https://ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixConvertible/specSheets/0629.html

Went to the local gun store, no single-sixes, as expected. They did have a wrangler in black cerakote. The availability combined with the vastly cheaper price is awfully tempting. I think I will stay strong and hold out for the right single six when it comes along. It wouldn't take too much convincing to make me go for the wrangler, though...

Mine is a 6.5" from the 70's and it's accuracy has never ever been an issue. I've never heard the gun described as having accuracy issues, but this is the internet.