Ruger Single Six New model "1976" or "new" ?

[y2k600f4]

My local gun shop that primarily buys collections from estates (amazing on how many people just "collect" firearms and never shoot them); I have purchased a few guns that were either NIB or New w/o box apparently never shot either mint or near mint in condition for a discount over what I could get the same or equivalent model new.

Anyway they have a Ruger Single Six New model .22 (1976) new in box with extra matching 22WMR cylinder that came from an estate. It is 5.5" SS and want $375+tx. Bud's sells them new for $445 delivered (plus xfer fees of course); for comparison. Any pros to get the older/newer one ? Thanks.

 

[Kernel]

That's a great price. Should be no difference. IIRC, 1976 was about the time frame when Ruger started putting that god awful "Warning" message on the barrel. Maybe your's won't have it, which would be a plus IMHO. New ones come in a nice $10 plastic box, which is robust and actually kinda handy for storage and transportation. The old one would come in a fragile cardboard box that would have to be babied and put aside, lest it get damaged by day-to-day handling. Those are the only things I can think of that's changed with the SS since the mid 70's.

 

[richie]

I would check out the '76 model and see if its a Liberty gun, collectors find them desirable, and you say its new in box. Thats a decent price for a liberty gun.

 

[CraigC]

I'd take the older gun. A 1976 should be a "Liberty" model and will NOT have the barrel warnning. Those started in 1978.

 

[y2k600f4]

Here is a pic of the 76 (only one I have); don't think it is a liberty edition.

 

[CraigC]

Yep, the regular barrel address is so much more appealing than that damned warning label. I've had the label removed from several of my Rugers.

 

[Kernel]

I thought only the small run of 4-5/8" stainless guns had the "Liberty" markings.

My SS has the warning label on the underside of the barrel, in front of the cylinder pin, where it's far less noticeable. Aesthetically, it makes it somewhat more tolerable. It’s like a zit on your girlfriend’s shoulder, instead of her face.

y2k, that's a great photo of a really nice pistol. Saved it to my permanent file.

 

[461]

All Ruger guns produced in 1976 are "Liberty" guns and have the Liberty roll mark on them. If it doesn't, it's not a 1976 gun.

 

[richie]

Y2K----, Look on the top of the barrel, if its a liberty gun it will have stamped( Made in the 200th year of American Liberty ) What you show in your picture is not the warning that everyone hates, thats just the company stamp, my liberty gun has the same stamp in the same place.

 

[CajunBass]

I'd get the older one, simply because it's less expensive. The "Liberty" thing doesn't add much to the value from what I've read. They made a bunch of guns that year and they all, apparently, got the "liberty" mark. Having the box would be more important to me anyway but I admit I'm not a real collector. You can check the S/N on Rugers website, or go to RimfireCentral.com and there is a post in the Ruger/other/single-six subforum with the same information, and get the year of manufacture.

The barrel warning started about 1978 I been told. I know I've got a '77 10/22 that doesn't have it.

Lately every time I got by my LGS they've got an old Single-Six in there. I think they see me coming and get them out. I've been ignoring a 1958 three screw (unconverted) for a month now, but nobody else will buy it for me.

 

[y2k600f4]

It is indeed a "liberty" model, it has the stampings also called Ruger and got the exact date of manufacture. Includes box, original owner's manual, etc etc not a collector either but I guess those things are a plus.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

 

[woad_yurt]

Get the older one. It'll be finished more nicely.

 

[bannockburn]

y2k600f4

Definitely get the older model!

 

[Rodentman]

Here's the Liberty marking on a Service Six...