Here’s the straight answer, and I’ll keep it clean, technical, and grounded in how Ruger single‑actions actually work.
🔧 Short version
No.
You can physically insert a six‑shot cylinder into a Ruger single‑action without timing it, but the gun will not function safely or correctly unless that cylinder is properly timed to that specific frame.
🔍 Why
Ruger single‑actions (Bearcat, Single‑Six, Blackhawk, etc.) rely on three critical relationships:
1. Hand-to-ratchet timing
The hand (pawl) must rotate the cylinder so each chamber lines up with the bore.
A different cylinder = different ratchet geometry = timing changes.
2. Bolt (cylinder stop) lockup
The bolt must drop into the cylinder notch at the exact moment the chamber aligns with the bore.
If the notches are even slightly off, you get:
- late lockup
- early lockup
- cylinder drag
- or worst case: off‑center firing
3. Endshake and headspace
Even if the timing accidentally seems close, the cylinder must also match the frame window:
- bushing length
- cylinder length
- headspace
- barrel‑cylinder gap
A random six‑shot cylinder almost never matches all three.
🧠 The real rule
Ruger cylinders are not drop‑in parts.
They are fitted to the frame at the factory.
Even cylinders from the same model and year usually require:
- pawl fitting
- bolt timing adjustment
- ratchet stoning
- endshake correction
- forcing cone alignment checks
🛑 What happens if you try it “as is”
You can get:
- misalignment
- spitting lead
- light strikes
- cylinder drag
- or a chamber firing out of alignment with the bore
None of that is acceptable on a single‑action.
✔️ What is possible
A gunsmith can absolutely fit a six‑shot cylinder to a Ruger frame — but it must be timed, checked, and test‑fired.
Jackalope I would want to have the cylinders timed and headspace checked. But I care about my fingers and eyes.
