ruger single six 22 mag cylinder

countryfied252 · December 11, 2012, 10:14 PM

I was wondering if there was any way that i could get a 22 mag cylinder for my ruger single six. I only have the 22 lr and would like to get the mag cylinder. If i am not mistaken, each gun is fitted with a cylinder because of timming.

weblance · December 11, 2012, 10:23 PM

Many people will tell you that the cylinders do interchange with no fitting. I have no experience with this, but if you search the forums, you will find many posts from people who were in the same situation as you are, that bought a used cylinder from places like Ebay, or GunBroker, and simply dropped them in and went shooting. If I was in your situation, thats what I would do.

ohen cepel · December 11, 2012, 10:37 PM

I have extra cylinders and they have worked in the 2-3 revolvers which I tried them in. Not a large sample size, but a start. I have also read many places that they are usually interchangeable.

Drop me a PM if you're interested in buying one. Would have to look, but I may have one to sell.

Catfish · December 12, 2012, 11:38 AM

I found one at a gun show.

jmfc606 · December 12, 2012, 12:04 PM

You really should measure your cylinder with a caliper. Most of the ones I have will interchange with each other but to buy one without trying it or measuring it is a gamble. Go to www.rugerforum.com and put a WTB in the classified section and you should have a response in a day or so. Depending on weather you have an old model or a new model single six it will runn you from $40 to $125. Good luck!

PetahW · December 12, 2012, 01:28 PM

It depends upon two things:

1) When your Single-Six was made, since pre-1961 Single-Six barrel's had .219" bores, and were not bored .221"-.224" for the .22 Mag until the advent of the convertibles in 1962.

Firing the larger mag slug, under somewhat higher pressure/velocity, might present problems - why Ruger went with the larger compromise bore size for the convertibles.

2) There's a finite distance, particular to each revolver (minute in some), between the throat/rear end of the barrel and the rear of the cylinder frame (aka: recoil shield), into which any cylinder must fit exactly, leaving just enough clearance up front for a proper bbl/cylinder gap.

Factory-fitted extra cylinders are not only properly timed, but also fitted to the frame with the proper gap to maintain headspace.

Yes, many cylinders will "drop in", but you almost never hear about the mistakes, where one won't.

If I wanted to buy a used cylinder, I'd measure the length of mine, both at the outer edge and the central arbor, and ask a prospective seller to measure theirs, w/o divulging my measurements.
I would only buy a cylinder exactly the same length or a bit longer (to file/fit), but not shorter - as they're mighty hard to stretch.

.

Hawg · December 14, 2012, 05:32 AM

I bought one off ebay and it worked fine in mine. Same cylinder gap as the mag cylinder and timing was perfect.

Pahoo · December 14, 2012, 11:40 AM

My recent experience with this problem is that it's best to send it to Ruger and the cost would be $130.00 and yes, it would have to be fitted. In part, that would indicate that buying one at a Gun Show, is hit and miss. ...

Sad but on more than one occasion, I have seen orphaned cylinders at gun shows. All had serial number engraved and always thought it would be nice to get them back home ...

Be Safe !!!

Hawg · December 15, 2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

My recent experience with this problem is that it's best to send it to Ruger and the cost would be $130.00

+ shipping both ways and if I'm not mistaken they wanted 140 to do mine a year ago. Buy one off ebay for 70 or 80 bucks. If it doesn't work you can always sell it again.

El Bango · January 1, 2013, 12:41 AM

I have dropped in many replacement cylinders (in New Model Single-Sixes) without trouble.Sometime there are timing problems with the old models.

Old Grump · January 1, 2013, 03:11 PM

Hawgs gun at 25 yards with the magnum cylinder, I adjusted the sights a bit for my eyes and it shoots the same with the regular long rifle cylinder except for elevation. Like he said, no problems.

Hawg · January 1, 2013, 04:38 PM

Glad you're happy with it Grump. That's one Ruger I miss.

Rifleman1776 · January 2, 2013, 09:46 AM

Personally, I wouldn't bother.
In 40+ years I have rarely used the mag cylinder in my SS.
With all the high vel .22 ammo on the market you are pretty well covered if you feel a need for more gun.
The shot capsules in the mag size are nice however. I have used to dispatch several snakes and many chipmunks.

Bob Wright · January 2, 2013, 10:15 AM

I no longer have a convertable Ruger, but when I did, I appreciated the magnum cylinder.

At that time .22 WRF cartridges were readily available and as I could use these in the magnum cylinder, this is what I used for squirrel hunting. The slightly larger .22 WRF cartridges were easier to handle when my hands were cold.

Bob Wright

bamaranger · January 4, 2013, 12:38 AM

I like the mag cylinder too. And if were going to talk hyper performance .22 lr, lets remember that there are now hyped up. poly tipped .22mags.

My perception is that the mag, even from a handgun, hits harder than conventional .22 by a good bit. My new Christmas chronograph will tell more.

Old Grump · January 4, 2013, 05:02 PM

Till I got this gun I hadn't shot any magnum 22's in over 30 years. I forgot how much more potent they were and personally I'm happy to pay the extra for good ammo for it.

December 11, 2012, 10:14 PM	#1
countryfied252 Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Alexandria Kentucky Posts: 34	ruger single six 22 mag cylinder I was wondering if there was any way that i could get a 22 mag cylinder for my ruger single six. I only have the 22 lr and would like to get the mag cylinder. If i am not mistaken, each gun is fitted with a cylinder because of timming.

December 11, 2012, 10:37 PM	#3
ohen cepel Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 1999 Location: Where they send me Posts: 1,013	I have extra cylinders and they have worked in the 2-3 revolvers which I tried them in. Not a large sample size, but a start. I have also read many places that they are usually interchangeable. Drop me a PM if you're interested in buying one. Would have to look, but I may have one to sell. __________________ He who dares wins. NRA Life Benefactor Member

December 12, 2012, 12:04 PM	#5
jmfc606 Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 99	You really should measure your cylinder with a caliper. Most of the ones I have will interchange with each other but to buy one without trying it or measuring it is a gamble. Go to www.rugerforum.com and put a WTB in the classified section and you should have a response in a day or so. Depending on weather you have an old model or a new model single six it will runn you from $40 to $125. Good luck! __________________ Joe C NRA Benefactor Member

December 14, 2012, 11:40 AM	#8
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Factory, might be your best bet. My recent experience with this problem is that it's best to send it to Ruger and the cost would be $130.00 and yes, it would have to be fitted. In part, that would indicate that buying one at a Gun Show, is hit and miss. ... Sad but on more than one occasion, I have seen orphaned cylinders at gun shows. All had serial number engraved and always thought it would be nice to get them back home ... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 1, 2013, 03:11 PM	#11
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Hawgs gun at 25 yards with the magnum cylinder, I adjusted the sights a bit for my eyes and it shoots the same with the regular long rifle cylinder except for elevation. Like he said, no problems. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

December 11, 2012, 10:23 PM	#2
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	Many people will tell you that the cylinders do interchange with no fitting. I have no experience with this, but if you search the forums, you will find many posts from people who were in the same situation as you are, that bought a used cylinder from places like Ebay, or GunBroker, and simply dropped them in and went shooting. If I was in your situation, thats what I would do.

December 12, 2012, 11:38 AM	#4
Catfish Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 171	I found one at a gun show.

December 12, 2012, 01:28 PM	#6
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	It depends upon two things: 1) When your Single-Six was made, since pre-1961 Single-Six barrel's had .219" bores, and were not bored .221"-.224" for the .22 Mag until the advent of the convertibles in 1962. Firing the larger mag slug, under somewhat higher pressure/velocity, might present problems - why Ruger went with the larger compromise bore size for the convertibles. 2) There's a finite distance, particular to each revolver (minute in some), between the throat/rear end of the barrel and the rear of the cylinder frame (aka: recoil shield), into which any cylinder must fit exactly, leaving just enough clearance up front for a proper bbl/cylinder gap. Factory-fitted extra cylinders are not only properly timed, but also fitted to the frame with the proper gap to maintain headspace. Yes, many cylinders will "drop in", but you almost never hear about the mistakes, where one won't. If I wanted to buy a used cylinder, I'd measure the length of mine, both at the outer edge and the central arbor, and ask a prospective seller to measure theirs, w/o divulging my measurements. I would only buy a cylinder exactly the same length or a bit longer (to file/fit), but not shorter - as they're mighty hard to stretch. .

December 14, 2012, 05:32 AM	#7
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I bought one off ebay and it worked fine in mine. Same cylinder gap as the mag cylinder and timing was perfect.

January 1, 2013, 12:41 AM	#10
El Bango Member Join Date: December 23, 2012 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 42	I have dropped in many replacement cylinders (in New Model Single-Sixes) without trouble.Sometime there are timing problems with the old models.

January 1, 2013, 04:38 PM	#12
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Glad you're happy with it Grump. That's one Ruger I miss.

January 2, 2013, 09:46 AM	#13
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	Personally, I wouldn't bother. In 40+ years I have rarely used the mag cylinder in my SS. With all the high vel .22 ammo on the market you are pretty well covered if you feel a need for more gun. The shot capsules in the mag size are nice however. I have used to dispatch several snakes and many chipmunks.

January 2, 2013, 10:15 AM	#14
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,987	I no longer have a convertable Ruger, but when I did, I appreciated the magnum cylinder. At that time .22 WRF cartridges were readily available and as I could use these in the magnum cylinder, this is what I used for squirrel hunting. The slightly larger .22 WRF cartridges were easier to handle when my hands were cold. Bob Wright

January 4, 2013, 12:38 AM	#15
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,295	mag & hyper ammo I like the mag cylinder too. And if were going to talk hyper performance .22 lr, lets remember that there are now hyped up. poly tipped .22mags. My perception is that the mag, even from a handgun, hits harder than conventional .22 by a good bit. My new Christmas chronograph will tell more.

January 4, 2013, 05:02 PM	#16
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Till I got this gun I hadn't shot any magnum 22's in over 30 years. I forgot how much more potent they were and personally I'm happy to pay the extra for good ammo for it. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

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