[Trebor]

I picked up a nice Ruger Speed Six the other day. It's a standard 4" barrel with a 160- serial number. It came with an extra set of Pachmyr grips, so I'm pretty sure this would be one of the later models where grips are still available.

I don't know much about the whole "Six" series, other then the basics and that they have a generally good rep.

Anything I should know? Any tips or tricks in terms of care and maintainence or tune-ups or ammo selection?

EDIT: Btw. mine is a blued .357 Magnum. How common is that compared to the .38 Specials?

[novaDAK]

Yes. The only Ruger "six" that had the grip issue is early Security Six revolvers with a 150- serial number. I have one and fitted Pachmayr Grippers to it just fine, just leaves a small space towards the top where the later frames have more backstrap there.

Simply put, the "Six" series (Security Six, Service Six, Speed Six) are rugged durable revolvers capable of handling a good diet of full power .357s while being smaller than the GP100 but bigger than the 5-shot SP101.

[wnycollector]

Simply put, the "Six" series (Security Six, Service Six, Speed Six) are rugged durable revolvers capable of handling a good diet of full power .357s while being smaller than the GP100 but bigger than the 5-shot SP101.

I couldnt agree more with the above statement. IMOHO "Six" snubs are the best .357 CCW's ever made to take a steady diet of full power .357s.

[Dienekes]

Fine guns. The only issues I ever had with a bunch of department ones and "a few" of my own is that the ejector rod should be blue loc-tited and the area under the ejector kept clean and dry. Same applies to S&Ws or any DA revolver so that's nothing remarkable. Do that and they are more reliable than any Timex ever was.

Hot 125s are a little rough on the throats. Otherwise they are unbreakable. Best .38/.357 DA revolvers ever made IMHO.

Kuhnhausen's book on them is exhaustive.

[Fat Boy]

I was thinking that the speed six was made with a short barrel and the service six (fixed sights) came in longer lengths for law enforcement carry, etc.

I personally think the entire "six" series may be the best .357 mag's made as far as reliability, durability, strength, and so on.

[DaveinPA]

I'm kind of partial to the Speed Six as well. I recently got this one:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm152/Dave_in_PA/Picture088.jpg

They are increasing in price as demand seems to also go up. I'm going to bob the hammer, smooth the trigger face and carry it.

[stormspotter]

There were some speed sixes made with 4" barrels. They show up on gunbroker and other sites every now and then.

Just FYI here is a listing of one.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122069778

[wnycollector]

A 4" round butt SS Speed Six is on my "buy on sight" list...if the price is right!

[stormspotter]

If I find a stainless Service Six at the right price, I might be tempted to get it and round the butt in the style of the Speed Six.

Just the name Speed Six seems to command a premium price.

[9mmepiphany]

both the speed and service models were available with either the 2.75" and 4" barrel. they were produced in .38spl, .357mag and 9mm.

the "six" series were the first mass production wheelguns with swingout cylinders which did not use a side plate to access the action. it was also the first which used an inward press to release the cylinder.

Bill Ruger once said that he didn't think they ever made money on the sales of the "Six" line

[rishooter]

I was issued a 2 3/4" stainless Speed Six on my LE job to replace the Model 10's we had been issued earlier.I also was authorized to carry a Sig 226.I loved the Speed Six-it came with Pachmayr gips,and it was the only firearm I ever "cleaned"the qualification course with.We qualified 4X a year.We carried .357 110 grain JHP's,either R-P or Federal.
I got rid of the Sig,which I only packed after they banned SA autos-I traded in my Colt Series 70 1911 on it for which I am eternally sorry.:(

[coach22]

I've had mine since 1981. A 2.75 inch stainless 357,
with Pachmayr Compacs and loaded with
Buffalo Bore 158 +P 38's.
Ruger made a spurless hammer that was easily installed
and made the gun fire double action only.
Who knows? Ruger might still have one on the shelf somewhere.
It is the go to gun in my house.

[MCgunner]

I've owned a Security Six and a SP101 and, just me, but I much preferred the SP101. The Security Six, with a Hogue nylon grip on it, had more felt recoil and more muzzle jump than my SP101 with Hogue rubber grip. I'd like to get another SP101, fine little carry revolver, lighter, stronger, and easier to shoot to boot than that Security Six was.

I traded the Security Six for a Blackhawk in .357 and it was a danged good trade. :D But, the Security Six/Speed Six is a much stronger design than the K frame Smiths with which it competed. It would still shoot loose eventually, but the forcing cones gave less problems and it'd last a lot longer than a K frame with a steady diet of hot stuff. I did not, however, find my M19 had the muzzle jump or felt recoil with the same loads as did the Security Six. That thing was rough to shoot.

[Travis Bickle]

IMO, the Ruger Sixes are some of the finest all-around wheelguns ever produced. The only bad thing about them is that the triggers generally suck, but that can be easily fixed by any competent gunsmith.

I recently bought a Speed Six myself and I'm liking it more and more each day. It's a stainless .357 with the 2 3/4 barrel.

Only thing is, service is on the way out for the Sixes because they've been out of print for so long. So if you think it may need any kind of repair, send it in to Ruger right away, because later may be too late.

[Trebor]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

I picked this revolver up primarily so I'd have another gun to loan out to students in the classes I teach.

I figured the Ruger's durability will be an asset for this role. And this finally let's me pull my normal carry gun, a S&W Model 65 with a 3" barrel, out of my "loaner gun" rotation and replace it with the Ruger.

[Travis Bickle]

Here's a good review from Chuck Hawks's website:

Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum Revolver (http://www.chuckhawks.com/ruger_security_six.htm)

The review deals mostly with the Security six, but the Speed Six is essentially the exact same gun, only with fixed sights.

[chuck_in_texas]

I've had my security six (4" barrel) in 198???? It's had literally thousands of rounds fired through it ----mostly .38s with cast bullets, with an occasional couple of dozen jacketed 357 to keep it "cleaned up". I had to replace the cylinder latch after the first 10 years, but nothing other than that. the blue is a little worn, but it keeps on shootin'

(I did have a gunsmith work on the trigger a bit, but otherwise it's just fine!! Best bargain I ever purchased

[Trebor]

Is there anything I can do to lube the internals to smooth up the trigger a bit?

I don't want to stone the trigger myself, but maybe clean out the old lube and relubricate.

How would I remove the trigger group to do that and how hard is it to take it apart and put it back together?

[madcratebuilder]

I use Tetra grease on my action parts. I have a 2.75" Security Six, I used a Wolff spring pack and polished all moving parts. Some very light stone work, just looking for burrs, not removing metal. SA came out real nice. DA was slightly reduced and considerably smoother, a very even pull weight for a coil spring action. An excellent carry revolver that I have 100% faith in.
Some early sixes used Redhawk springs, so if you get a spring kit and the new sprigs are about 3/8 shorter you have a Redhawk spring revolver.

If you don't have a manual, you can down load one, it well walk you disassemble. Several web sites on disassemble and maintenance around.

[wnycollector]

How would I remove the trigger group to do that and how hard is it to take it apart and put it back together?

A picture (or in this case a video) is worth a thousand words:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96lc7XGZIxE

[L-Frame]

I'm a six fan, but personally prefer the GP-100 fixed sight 3" to the speed six. Just one of those subjective things.