Ruger DA Convertible?

[MinorLV]

Hello all...

This may be a silly question but has Ruger ever made a true DA convertible? I am reasonably new to the Ruger world and it appears that all true convertibles seem to be single action. As a DA guy, the idea of a DA convertible would be really neat. Look forward to the education...

Best,

Michael

[O M CRAZY]

To my knowledge Ruger has never offered a DA in the convertible format.

O M CRAZY

[MinorLV]

Thank you for the feedback!

Are there engineering challenges with DA convertibles?

Minor007

[O M CRAZY]

I am not a DA guy, but I would suspect so. I know on the Blackhawk the cylinder has to be fitted to the frame, but I don't know what it takes on a DA.

Sorry,

O M CRAZY

[CottonBayou]

I think a double action convertible would be an excellent product and would sell well if produced in the right calibers.

I'm sure I am not the only one here who remembers the S&W Model 53 .22 Magnum revolver. For those who do not know, it was not a .22 Rimfire Magnum but was chambered for the .22 Jet, a sort of crazily necked down .357 case that was fired from a six shot, impeccably fitted, perfectly polished and beautifully blued K-framed masterpiece. It was marked "22 Magnum" on the side of the barrel and had two firing pins, one for the centerfire Jet cartridge and one for the .22 rimfire cartridges that were fired from stainless steel inserts that were inserted in the Jet chambers. Accuracy using the rimfire ammunition was not stellar, no doubt due to the necessary clearance for the inserts in the chambers. They started producing these with a separate .22 rimfire cylinder and crane that could be swapped out. These did not last long as the interest in the Jet cartridge waned. Loaded to full pressure, the long sloping case had a tendency to back out and tie up the cylinder and when loads were backed off, performance suffered. Think of it as a S&W Hawkeye in regards to it's success in the marketplace.

One thing I will never forget is the noise that thing made when it went off! Around 1971 or '72 I bought a used, like new 6" Model 53 with the inserts and the box. I believe that was the most godawful high pitched blast one could imagine. I sold it after a while for $175.00-and made money! Of course I wish I still had it.

I do not think for a minute Ruger would produce a revolver to the standards of that Model 53 as to fit and finish, nor do they need to. The additional cost of an extra cylinder and crane should not be that great and would allow it to be sold for a modest increase over a standard model. I am all for it.

[MinorLV]

Thanks for sharing. I took a look at the model 53 you referenced and it is pretty neat. That said, I really like the idea of a Ruger 357/38/9mm convertible DA option a lot. I have a long way to go with my DA collection but if I ever strayed it just might be a convertible SA.

Ps - anyone care to share thier thoughts on the best SA convertible?

Best,

Michael

[ElNumeroUno]

No real ideas on the convertible DA, but the Model 53 Smith in 22 Jet brought back memories. I bought one used in about 1967 with the 8 3/8" barrel for $60 at a Pawn Shop. It was very accurate in the Jet and not too bad with the inserts and 22 LR. What I really remember was the muzzle blast. I am sure that shooting it in those days is one of the things affecting my hearing today. I traded it and some cash for a really nice 1866 Winchester. Don't have it anymore either. Both of these are two that I wish I still had.

[O M CRAZY]

Minor007,

Ruger produced several duel cylinder guns. I am only familiar with the Old Models, because that is what I collect. They had an extra cylinder for the .22 /.22mag., the .357mag./.38 /9mm, and the .45LC / .45ACP. No cylinder needed for the .44mag. / .44spacial. These are still produced today in the New Model. I do believe they also made some New Model guns in different calibers for their distributers but I am unfamiliar with those. Perhaps another member can fill in the models and calibers.

O M CRAZY

[RoninPA]

Ruger has never made a DA convertible that I know of (but who knows what lurks in the Ruger R&D rooms). It wouldn't be as easy as a SA due to the crane configuration. I suppose you could build a replaceable crane/cylinder assembly and have the crane be removable via a screw through the right side of the frame. You would also have to modify the trigger assembly to be able to modify the frame to hold a crane locking screw. You couldn't easily have just a removable cylinder due to the extraction/ejection system of a DA. But a completely easily removable crane/cylinder/ejector rod assembly would be doable but probably pretty pricey. Just not real feasible in my mind.

Right now I think the best that they do (to keep them affordable) is the dual use cylinders like the magnum calibers (shoot magnums or specials) and the .45 Colt/.45 ACP Redhawk. I suppose you could get another crane/cylinder (built from parts) and use a 9mm cylinder and then just swap them out as you see fit. Just don't know what accuracy you would get with the 9mm but you can do it with the Blackhawk and I haven't heard anyone complaining about a lack of accuracy (but I wonder how many people with the 357/9mm convertible models actually shoot 9mm's from it). I have a Super Single Six and I think I have only shot 6 rounds of .22Mag through it just to see what it did. Typically I just shoot .22LRs.

[Watertender]

I have a magazine published by Guns & Ammo in 1994 called "Complete Guide To The .38 Special & .357 Magnum".... In it is an article called "3 Way Shootout" by Chuck Karwan. It's an 8 page article showing 3 Ruger Six Series Revolvers that he set up to use 2 cylinders each to test 9mm .38 Special & .357 Magnum in 3 different barrel lengths. He had a 2&3/4" Speed Six, a 4" Speed Six & a 6" Security Six. They were all Stainless models & the Speed Sixes had the bobbed hammers. So there have been Ruger DA Convertible Revolvers but none produced as a stock item from what I can gather from reading an old magazine.