Ruger XR3 frame ('53 - '62) grips
Ruger XR3 frame Old Style (1953 - 1962) grips
The Ruger Single-Six with XR3 frame (often called "old style" or "original XR3") was Ruger's first single-action revolver, introduced in 1953 as a rugged, affordable .22 LR alternative to the Colt Single Action Army
Inspired by Colt's classic design, William B. Ruger engineered a scaled-down version using unbreakable coil springs (vs. fragile leaf springs), a flat-top frame with Micro adjustable rear sight, and a one-piece black anodized aluminum XR3 grip frame — identical in size/shape to the Colt SAA for familiar feel and fit. It featured black checkered hard rubber grips, three-screw frame, flat loading gate (changed to rounded ~1957), and 5.5-inch barrel initially
Launched at $57.50, the Single-Six debuted in late 1953/early 1954 with high demand — only ~100 shipped by end-1953, surging to tens of thousands annually. Early quirks included erratic bluing (plum-colored frames now prized), non-serrated front sight (serrated ~serial 2000), and lightweight aluminum variants (1956–1958, rare today)
The grips are compatible with XR3 revolver frame:
- Ruger Single Six (pre 1962)
- Ruger Flattop Blackhawk .357 (pre 1962)
- Ruger Flattop Blackhawk .44 (pre 1962)
- Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk (2005)