At a gun show table, a Ruger three-screw and a New Model can look like twins until you touch the action. If you are weighing Single-Six, Blackhawk, or Super Blackhawk, the choice comes down to four things: action type, frame size, caliber options, and completeness. Here is a clean guide you can use at the counter.
The Lineup at a Glance
The rimfire Single-Six launched Ruger’s single-action story in 1953. The Blackhawk followed in 1955 as the centerfire workhorse. The Super Blackhawk is the heavy-frame branch built for stout loads and field use. All share Ruger’s coil-spring durability and a reputation for long service.
For current specs, Ruger lists New Model Single-Six Convertible rimfires with both 22 LR and 22 WMR cylinders, six-shot capacity, and common barrel lengths of 5.5, 6.5, and 9.5 inches. The New Model Blackhawk and New Model Super Blackhawk appear in multiple finishes and trims.
1973 Breakpoint: Three-Screw vs New Model
This is the divider collectors care about. Early Ruger single-actions load and unload at half-cock, and the hammer at rest can cover a live round. Best practice on those is five rounds loaded with the hammer down on an empty chamber.
- Three-screw or Old Model pre-1973: three screws on the right side of the frame, half-cock loading.
- New Model 1973 onward: transfer-bar safety and gate-loading without half-cock. The transfer bar blocks the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.
Ruger also favored wire coil springs over flat leaf springs for durability. That design choice is a big part of why round counts can be high without constant spring work.
Ruger offered a factory safety retrofit for earlier guns. Some collectors prefer the original feel, others like the retrofit for carry. Decide where you land, then confirm which system is in the gun you are holding.
Early Blackhawks: Flattops and Sight Ears
Flattop usually means 1955 through 1962 Blackhawks with a flat topstrap and an unguarded adjustable rear sight. From 1962 through 1972, Ruger kept the three-screw action but added protective sight ears on the frame. Both eras anchor early Blackhawk interest. Verify the topstrap and sight style match the serial range the gun claims.
Frames, Grips, and Useful Variants
The Single-Six is the smaller rimfire platform and carries light. The Blackhawk steps up for centerfire work, and the Super Blackhawk adds mass and grip options that tame recoil and support optics.
Ruger catalogs Bisley grip-frame versions in both Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk families, and Super Blackhawk Hunter models set up for optics. If you shoot heavier loads or longer strings, the right grip frame makes a real difference in control and comfort.
Calibers and Convertible Cylinders
Ruger’s convertibles are practical when they are complete and correctly fit. The New Model Single-Six Convertible ships with 22 LR and 22 WMR cylinders, six rounds each. That covers everything from camp plinking to small game without changing guns.
Centerfire convertibles appear in the Blackhawk line. A common example is a 357 Magnum Blackhawk supplied with a 9mm cylinder. It lets you practice with widely available 9mm, then switch to 357 Magnum or 38 Special for the field.
Buyer tip: spare cylinders must be timed and headspaced to the specific frame. A random extra cylinder in the box does not guarantee fit. Test carry-up and lockup with each cylinder.
Barrels, Sights, and Trim Options
Today’s New Model Blackhawk appears in blued and stainless, with Convertible and Bisley variants. The New Model Super Blackhawk shows up in Standard, Bisley, Hunter, and Bisley Hunter trims. The Single-Six Convertible line includes specific configurations such as models 0621, 0622, and 0624 with the barrel lengths noted above.
Adjustable sights are part of Ruger’s single-action identity, while the Vaquero line pursues the fixed-sight, traditional look. If you want point of impact tuned to a specific load and range, the adjustable-sight Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk make it easy.
Used-Buy Checks by Model
Single-Six
- Confirm both cylinders are present on convertibles and test fit them. Price as a single-cylinder gun if the spare is missing.
- Check muzzle crown, timing, lockup, and that the ejector rod moves freely.
- Verify the barrel length matches the stated model configuration if box or label is included.
Blackhawk
- Decide Old Model feel vs New Model safety. Check which action is actually installed, especially on three-screw frames.
- Inspect cylinder gap, endshake, carry-up, and forcing cone for even wear.
- On convertibles, confirm the second cylinder is correctly numbered or fit to the gun and that headspace is right.
Super Blackhawk
- Match barrel length and weight to how you plan to carry it. Hunter variants make optics simple.
- Under heavy recoil, the base pin should stay latched and the ejector housing should be tight. Check both.
- Look for topstrap flame cutting and erosion at the barrel-cylinder gap if fed a steady diet of hot loads.
Collector Tells and Pitfalls
- Flattop interest: 1955 to 1962 flat topstrap, unguarded rear sight. Confirm sight style and unmodified topstrap.
- Three-screw details: Three visible screws on the right side and half-cock loading. Some have the Ruger retrofit; note it and price for originality if that matters to you.
- Convertible completeness: A properly fit second cylinder is worth more than a mismatched spare.
- Serial sanity check: Use Ruger’s serial number lookup to confirm the production era, then compare expected features to what is in hand.
- Sight correctness: Make sure flattop vs ear-protected frames line up with the serial range.
On-Range Manners That Matter
Old Model loading is a ritual: quarter cock, half cock, load through the gate, and rest the hammer on an empty chamber. New Model loading is simpler: open the gate and the cylinder turns without half-cock. If you grew up on one, dry-run the other before live fire.
Ruger’s coil-spring internals are forgiving of high round counts. Adjustable sights help you zero each gun to a specific load and range. Super Blackhawk Hunter variants go further with scope-ready setups for field work.
Factory Resources and Serial Numbers
Ruger’s site is the best starting point for current trims and specs across the single-action family and for the New Model Single-Six Convertible lineup. Ruger also hosts serial number lookups and manuals at ruger.com.
Which One Fits Your Use
- Single-Six: Plinking, small game, farm carry. The 22 LR and 22 WMR convertible set adds real utility for one-gun rimfire coverage.
- Blackhawk: The versatile centerfire. Adjustable sights, broad chamberings over the decades, and occasional convertible sets like 357 Magnum and 9mm.
- Super Blackhawk: The field gun. Extra weight, Bisley options, and Hunter models serve heavy loads and optics well.
These are working revolvers at heart. Learn the three-screw vs New Model telltales, confirm cylinders and sights, and choose the frame that fits your hand and plans. Do that and you will be happy every time the hammer comes back to that last click.
