July 15, 2023, 01:07 PM
NipperMine is a late 1960's blued Super Single Six with a 6 1/2" barrel, .22LR and .22Mag cylinders. Over the years it has had a small number of modifications. Not because they were necessary, but just because I felt like it.
While mine came (early model) with the two cylinders (brand new), there are NO electro-penciled numbers on the front of the .22 Mag cylinder. Just the recessed chambers to differentiate.
I never had the new "improved" transfer bar safety installed by Ruger. It was done in response to a lawsuit Ruger lost to a shooter who plunked a round in his leg. The sound of an old style Ruger or Colt as the hammer is cocked is akin to a harp while entering the pearly gates of Heaven. The revised system also screwed up the trigger pull (by comparison) as well as doing away with the indexing of the cylinder while loading rounds. IMHO, it ranks with blasphemy and heresy in certain religions. I always carried with five.
Modifications I did do: (1) Replaced the original sharp edged front sight with a Ruger OEM ramp style. Drawing from a holster was a PITA with the original. (2) As the gun got older, the blue anodized frame finish began to wear (holster use). Ordinarily, this doesn't bother me. I love "patina". Decided to remove the finish, polish the aluminum and smile. No, contrary to what you read, the gun didn't blow up or fall apart 40 years later. Looks quite nice. (3) Added a trigger shoe. Greatly improved the shooting over the skinny, even though it's not classic SA.
*** NOW FOR THE BEST PART OF THIS LOQUACIOUS POST - THE FUN PART ***
Yeah, it's fun to shoot under just normal conditions. But wait! There's more!
Did a lot of draw/fire with a SD Myres (original) Tom Threeperson style holster. Cocked primarily with the off-hand thumb. Faster and didn't change the grip. Many times I beat 1911 guys in popper style man-on-man drills. Funny to look at their faces.
Used to use it on woodchucks (stalked them) in the Seventies. Got wonderful hits, but the .22Mag wasn't adequate for reliable stopping. Had to get a clean centered head shot. Difficult to do consistently at 50 yards. Went back to .357 Mag.
Almost blew my ear drum out once. No muffs, jumped out of car, snuggled against a utility pole and braced the Ruger (.22Mag) gun hand against it. Fired once, screamed, put gun down, called myself an A--hole. Live and learn.
Defensive shooting group I belonged to always had interesting drills. One night had three targets up, walked diagonally at the targets with two rounds each. I did as well using the Ruger as the 1911's. Accuracy and times.
Bill Ruger was a genius and brought quality guns to the masses. Besides the above, I've owned the following: Ruger SP101 .357 Mag, MK II (2), M77 30-06. Always got my money's worth.
My references to "beating the 1911 guys" is not ego. I WAS a 1911 guy. The purpose was to show that other guns in the right hands can be just as deadly. With poppers, I also used a Seecamp .32 and Ruger SP101 3" .357 Mag for the same purpose.