Found exactly what I'm looking for! Well, sort of...

[Tanshanomi]

I've been waffling back and forth between either a Ruger Shopkeeper .22LR or a Single Nine .22WMR for a while. I love the look and feel of birds-head grips, but I like the bigger boom and MUCH better sights of the S9. (Also, I find the engraving on the Shopkeeper busy and gaudy.)

But I've held off not only because I can't decide, but also because, frankly, I'm not sure I really want to spend money on another rimfire gun. I'd love a little less less punch than my Taurus TCP .380 or Ruger LCR .38SPL (I have chronic tendonitis in my right wrist), but I really would prefer centerfire, and something a little less marginal than .22WMR for unscheduled social interactions.

I happened to be over at Bud's Guns' website, and bingo! There it is: a used Single Six in .32H&R Mag with birds-head grip. Yes! Just what I want! The bad news? SOLD. Well, crap.

Oh well... at least I now know what I'm looking for — I just wonder how long it will be before I find another one for sale.

 

[Ironman615]

You do know you can purchase the bird's head grip and put it on any single six? I don't know if it comes in stainless or carbon steel, but it may be available in both. It might be worth thinking about.

 

[Tanshanomi]

You do know you can purchase the bird's head grip and put it on any single six? I don't know if it comes in stainless or carbon steel, but it may be available in both. It might be worth thinking about.

No, I had no idea. I assumed the frame was different.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You do know you can purchase the bird's head grip and put it on any single six? I don't know if it comes in stainless or carbon steel, but it may be available in both. It might be worth thinking about.

Wait a minute...... that's not right. The grip frames are not the same on all Single Sixes. Do a search on Gunbroker and look a the grip frames on other examples. The grip frame is not the same on the large grip as on a bird's head grip.

 

[Tanshanomi]

Wait a minute...... that's not right. The grip frames are not the same on all Single Sixes. Do a search on Gunbroker and look a the grip frames on other examples. The grip frame is not the same on the large grip as on a bird's head grip.

Okay, that's more along the lines of what I thought -- because it's not just the grips that are rounded, it's also the contour of the butt of the frame. It would be bizarre if the frame section between the grips was detachable from the rest of the frame.

 

[Tanshanomi]

BTW, I did find a "like new" one currently on Gun Broker, but the price is already almost $700 with 2-1/2 days left. B-I-N price is $850.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=474398672

I was hoping it would be closer to the Single Nine's price in the $500 ballpark. Not saying it's not worth that, just that those sorts of prices will definitely cool my jets. Not something I will be able to do for a while.

 

[Ironman615]

If you like, you can check out the bird's head grip frame on MidWay's website. One of the reviewers tells of using it to convert his .32 H&R Magnum Single Six to a bird's head grip frame from a standard grip frame. It worked seamlessly for him, or so he says.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If you like, you can check out the bird's head grip frame on MidWay's website. One of the reviewers tells of using it to convert his .32 H&R Magnum Single Six to a bird's head grip frame from a standard grip frame. It worked seamlessly for him, or so he says.

Ah, now I see what you're talking about. You meant you can change out the grip frame to a bird's head frame, and then add grips.

The way your earlier post read, it sounded like you could just slap the grips on and be done. Yeah that Ruger part would do it I think.

Tanshanomi, go to MidwayUSA and do a search for "bird's head grip" and the part Ironman is talking about comes right up. You could buy a new Ruger single seven in .327 mag, change out the grip frame, and shoot 32 H&R out of it. That's assuming the conversion part will work on a single seven as well. I think it's the same frame. Check with Ruger before buying.

 

[Tanshanomi]

I've been by my LGS several times to look at the Single Nine they had in the case. I was very hesitant to spend $500 on a gun that serves no practical purpose: too big to conceal, too slow to shoot and reload for PD, doesn't have a rifle's range for varmint control, not enough stopping power for a wilderness gun. With the exception of abduction by evil forest elves or the zombie squirrelpocalypse , there's no scenario where it makes sense as a weapon. It's only purpose is to be an awesome bit of mechanical art and make me want to strap it to my hip and yell "I'm callin' you out, McFly!" Yesterday, the owner's wife did me a solid and quoted a good-guy price, and thanks to our tax refund my wife was agreeable. I bit, then immediately headed to the range. My reaction? OMG, WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO DO THIS? Pure bliss to shoot. So what if it's just a range toy? 99% of my shooting is recreational range fun. I can't wait to take it to the farm and eliminate some pop bottles with extreme prejudice.

 

[captain awesome]

single actions are loads of fun. Take it out squirrel hunting. Then you will have given it a practical purpose. congrats, she is pretty.

 

[Tanshanomi]

Nah, I'm on pretty good terms with the squirrels in my yard. I would hate to anger them.