Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Includes all Post 1973 New Model Single-Sixes, Blackhawks,
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chet15
Posts: 734
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:28 am

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by chet15 »

Carbineguy wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 5:08 pm Chad, regarding the John Wayne guns, I was looking around and discovered that there are two different model numbers; 6535 as well as 6536. Both seem to be the same but one may be blued stainless. Is that the case? Were there make-up versions of the 6535 too?
Don't know. I only thought there was one model/variation. I see both are listed as running from DUKE00001 to DUKE01250, but then the 650- guns showed up in my research.
Chet15
Ruger8r
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Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:28 pm
Location: Glendale, CA

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Ruger8r »

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Finally brought the gun home. Sure is a nice six gun. The numbers on the front of the cylinder are actually electro penciled. But smaller and neater than I've seen before.
The rear of the cylinder and grip frame are stamped S. What do these "S" stampingss denote?
I assume the grips are cherry wood with grain showing. Is that correct?
Looks like maybe three rounds were fired based on the look of the cylinder and there was a little residue in the barrel. Does the factory fire more than one test round and do they run a patch through after?
As it's 1 of only 358 I'm trying to decide whether to shoot it or not. Buffalo Bore makes some interesting +p ammo.
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"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
chet15
Posts: 734
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:28 am

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by chet15 »

The "S" is Ruger's proofmark.
Not sure about the "S" on the grip frame... perhaps the initial of the employee who fitted it.
Chet15
Phownman64
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat May 25, 2019 9:10 am

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Phownman64 »

chet15 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 11:35 am Did a little research on these...

There were 358 of the SSM5F (Ruger model 6517) made in 2015...650-57519 to 650-57894. That 99 you remember on the Davidson's website is just the number that says Davidson's had more than 99 in stock at the time.

Other interesting info...
There were 363 of the KSSM5 made (Ruger model 6518), also in 2015...650-57152 to 650-57517.
There have been 612 of the latest version of the RB-32AW made. These are different than the earlier RB-32AW because the latest run has a blue carbon steel hammer and trigger. Lipsey's probably did all 612 of these. 650-57937 to 650-58550. Produced 2017 to 2020.
One of the jewels of this late .32 Single-Six production is an SSMBH-4F produced in 2016 and 2017. These are different than the earlier SSMBH-4F because these have a blued cylinder frame whereas all the earlier SSMBH-4F had the color case cylinder frame. There are only 57 like this! 650-57645 to 650-57934.

And my research pulled up another interesting nugget. In 2011 Ruger did a run of what they are calling Ruger model 6536. Well, the 6536 was the John Wayne "DUKE" model with 3-3/4" barrel and birdshead grip frame. But the Duke also had a special serial number sequence of DUKE00001 through DUKE01250. So what are these other 6536's that are noted between 650-57104 and 650-57133? Are they really 3-3/4" barreled guns or do they have the standard KSSMBH-4F barrel length of 4-5/8", and Ruger made a mistake calling them a 6536? I'm thinking they might indeed be an overrun to the DUKE with 3-3/4" barrel and so were not marked with the DUKE special features and were numbered in the standard .32 Mag Single-Six serial number sequence. So if that's the case, RARE GUN!!! Only 30 made!!! 650-57104 to 650-57133. Who will be the first to confirm?
Chet15
Found this on G.B. Unfortunately the gun pictured doesn't match the box.
The model number and the S/N do fall with the parameters that you mentioned.
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Ruger8r
Posts: 403
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:28 pm
Location: Glendale, CA

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Ruger8r »

Just circling back on this. I don't understand why the 06517 doesn't get more love. It's the only 5.5" barrel FS 32 and one of only two all blue models with only 358 examples. Go figure.
We've determined that the JW guns are model 06535 but there is a printing error on the outer box calling it 06536, hence the confusion. 06536 is the model number for the 30 KSSM-4F mystery guns. Interestingly, it turns out the Williams Distributor special KSSMBH-4FI, 436 made, is model 06534.
"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
Ruger8r
Posts: 403
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:28 pm
Location: Glendale, CA

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Ruger8r »

I decided to make this gun a shooter so I started working the action. It was pretty stiff so I got some light out in there, which helped but there were some rough spots, like it was binding. I cycled it a few times to smooth things out and before I knew it this hella turn line happened.
I have ordered a Power Custom half-cock hammer & trigger kit with lighter springs. I'm wondering, though, if I should return the gun to the factory to have this issue looked at before installing the kit. Will Ruger re-blue the cylinder as part of a repair? Will the PC kit fix the problem? Should I just suck it up and trouble shoot it myself?
There were some annoying burrs around the trigger opening in the grip frame that I carefully took down. The top of the grip frame stands proud above the cylinder frame, exposing a sharp corner. Would the factory correct that and re-finish the frame?
Part of me wants to have the grip frame stripped and polished.
What do you guys think?
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"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
Ruger8r
Posts: 403
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:28 pm
Location: Glendale, CA

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Ruger8r »

Well, I finally got it all back together with some mods. The blue Power Custom hammer and trigger look great and, with a 17# spring they touch-off at about 2 3/4#. The half-cock feature is handy and I like the extra click. You have to re-shape the pawl a little but it's easy to do.
I sent the cylinder out for re-bluing -just hated that turn gouge. I've seen the same thing on several .32 Single Sixes in on-line photos. I think it happens because the cylinder stop is a little sloppy on the trigger pin and gets cock-eyed enough that the sharp edge of the stop grabs metal. Prodigious shimming fixes that and improves trigger pull - just take care that all components operate freely and are in alignment. I shimmed the hammer, too.
This was a daunting task for the first-time opening a Six but it was worth it. Went through three pawl springs. The stainless transfer bar was a bit short and oddly shaped causing intermittent mis-fires. I changed it, along with the hammer strut, for blued items to get the OM look. The hammer spur is knurled instead of grooved, which is neat. Black plastic grips complete the look.
Here are some pics:
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"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
Ruger8r
Posts: 403
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:28 pm
Location: Glendale, CA

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Ruger8r »

Couldn't resist doing this:
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"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
flattop44
Posts: 2351
Joined: Tue May 06, 2014 2:31 pm
Location: Alabama

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by flattop44 »

Good job, the blue one looks great. The latest is another good looker.
FT44
Ruger8r
Posts: 403
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 1:28 pm
Location: Glendale, CA

Re: Ruger 06517 SSM-5F

Post by Ruger8r »

Same gun.
That factory replacement, short, stainless grip frame had been fit to a GKNR5F that I picked up. Figured it would look better on my .32. It is a little wide of the cylinder frame, especially on the left (apparently the GKNRF frames are slightly asymmetrical). I like it a lot and some day should have it trimmed to fit better.
The grips are by Henry Lance at Texas Grips.
"My greatest fear is that, when I die, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them." Anonymous Collector
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