Ruger Security Six...

[ugaarguy]

...How they stck up compared to K Frame Smiths? I ask because CDNNs latest catalog list a lot of found in a warehouse NIB walnut gripped Security Sixes at $350 each. Opinions on the pistols and the price?

 

[Logan5]

That's a fair deal, depening on condition and barrel length, for a Security Six in overall "good" condition. IMHO with the factory stocks they almost require a Tyler T grip, but they'll pretty much hold up forever if you don't bend the ejector rod or otherwise abuse them. They're kind of a heavy revolver for their size, in terms of CCW, but if you select a decent belt and holster, that's not such a problem. Overall, the ones I've had have been quite good shooters, and very handy.

 

[ugaarguy]

4" Bbls. Pic in the catalog looks like the grips are the Ruger 'copy' of the magna grip, so I agree on adding the T-Grip or switching out the grip. Catalog says these are New In Box and were found in a warehouse, apparently misplaced, forgotten, or something. I understand these are close in size to K-Frame Smiths. I have two K-Frames which I really like. Anyone with K Frame and Ruger Six series side by side experience?

 

[AH-1]

when my father in law passed he left me his security six.it is in excellent condition and shoots great.they are very stout revolvers and much stronger than the smith K & l frames.
pete

 

[Jim Watson]

Picture in the ad looks like the early Security Six with more slope to the backstrap. If that is what they are selling, you will be pretty much limited to what you can do with an adapter, replacment grips for that gripframe are scarce. There is some coding in the serial number if you look that up and if CDNN will tell you what range theirs are; in case it is just a file photo and not one they have for sale.

Price is good for a NIB SS. They are hell for stout, stronger than a K-Smith, more compact than a GP-100.

 

[ugaarguy]

JW, ad also says they're 1970 producction, early three digit SNs. Grip options might indeed be very limited as you say.

 

[StephenT]

I don't know. CDNN's price of $350 for a blued Security Six seems a bit high. Perhaps a year ago, I paid about $300 for a used, but in excellent condition Security Six with the stainless finish. Excellent revolver with a smoother trigger pull than the GP-100 IMHO, but I think you could get one for less than $350 at a gun show.

 

[magsnubby]

Prices have really gone up on the Security Six guns in the last couple of years. Guns i could pick up for $150 a couple years ago are now priced around $350.

Grips for the early guns aren't that big of a problem. Several companies made grips that would fit either the 150 or 151 and up pre-fix guns. The easiest way to tell if they'll fit both guns is they will have two grip pin holes. I bought a nice pair of checkered walnut Jay Scott grips (they fit either gun) off e-bay for $10.

Or you can just modify the grip frame.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Kinda steep if you ask me, but then again, I'm cheap and used to '76 prices when it comes to SS. Anyhow, a Ruger SS will outrun a S&W in terms of abuse and maintenance. Given the choice of the two for a duty weapon, I'd carry the Ruger (and I did for years).

 

[g56]

Ahhhh the Security Six, I won this one at the State PPC Championships a number of years ago.

 

[MCgunner]

The trigger on a Security Six will slick up really sweet with just a proper weight main spring and a little honing of sear a lapping of pivoting parts. Mine was sweet when I did it. The gun is tougher, yet just as light and easy to carry as a K frame. The GP100 is heavy by comparison, but stronger I'll admit. The side plateless design of the Security Six is the main advantage in its strength. The trigger group comes out as a unit which makes it easier to clean and lube the internals, too, I really liked that. If mine had been a little more accurate with .38s, I'd have kept it. It was GREAT with magnum loads, but .38 wadcutters, normally extremely accurate in my .38 specials and the two .357s I have now, were good for maybe 3" 25 yard groups at best in that Security Six. I traded it for a much more accurate Blackhawk with 6.5" barrel. I'm sure the accuracy is gun dependent, not model dependent, just that was the reason I traded it off. I traded a M19 for the same reason and a Rossi M971 because it was accurate with .38s, but not that accuate with .357s. I'm sort of an accuracy nut I guess.

 

[slick6]

In the first two pictures below, you can compare how similar the Smith & Wesson Model 66(K-frame)and the Ruger Security Six compares, in the looks department. I certainly love my Security sixes-and, I have added some extra pictures of those:

Ruger(Heavy barrel(4-inch, Security-Six):

Smith & Wesson Model 66, 4-inch:

More Security Sixes:

 

[gggman]

Mine has an aftermarket vent rib. It has had a little trigger work, and it is the smoothest, crispest trigger I've ever seen on a ruger. It's also very accurate, and much sturdier than a S&W19.

 

[Catman253]

They're built like Tonka trucks; they'll last forever and take all sorts of abuse and keep on shootin'!
And they do take well to a Tyler T-Grip...
Here's one from 1976...


and a full shot of its six inch barreled glory...

 

[warwagon]

The security six was the adjustable sight version of the service six, I had both early in my career, and found they just didn't work for me. Nothing wrong with the guns, just the fit was not right.

They are very strong, and the disassembely is a very good selling point, however I would suggest that you try one(rent?) before purchasing, just to be sure it is the gun for you.

Best,

Blair

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks for all the replies folks. I think I'll try to handle one locally and if it fits me I'll wait till I find a deal on one.

 

[wixedmords]

Not to sidetrack the thread,

but anyone here have a rubber Monogrip on their Security Six, serial number 151 or higher?

I am looking to change to the Monogrip, but I remember in the 80's that I put one on another Security Six I had and it had a little too much material around the backstrap.

Just looking to see how the modern fit of the Monogrip is.

Thanks.

 

[fastbolt]

I've had a bunch of different Security/Service/Speed-Six revolvers, in barrel lengths ranging from the shortest to the longest, blued & stainless.

Only really had problems with one of them.

Rugged, dependable, reliable revolvers made during the heyday of Ruger's QC.

Some of the guns really need the adjustable sights, though, when it comes to POA/POI.

On the other hand, the best of the breed I ever found was a stainless 4" Service-Six Heavy Barrel (fixed sights on the Service-Sixes). POA/POI matched with various loads at reasonable distances. I like it enough to modify the grip frame to a Speed-Six profile, and have the gun MagNaPorted and Duty Tuned (although I immediately replaced the light hammer spring installed when it was tuned with the standard factory spring, since this was an off-duty weapon). I kept it, although it doesn't get much use anymore. never plan on letting it go, either.

Odd as it may seem, I never really found any of the after market grips to fit my hand as well as a Tyler T-Grip on these guns.

I think Ruger did themselves a disservice by discontinuing this line, although the GP-100 line is serviceable. I just don't feel like owning one, although I may eventually pick up a 3" model ... maybe.

I agree that the higher than original retail pricing isn't wonderful. I doubt I'd pay more than $200 for a good one, and that's one that I could personally hold and examine. Of course, I've already had my share of these revolvers, so I can afford to feel that way, I suppose. Whatever the market will bear will set the pricing ...

 

[vynx]

I saw one of these for sale just this morning - used stainless, 6 inch barrel the slim wood grips - looked to be in real good condition $265.

I didn't ask to hold it becasue I knew if I did that I'd be putting money down on it.

But I have been thinking of it all day.

If its in as good a shape as it looks do you think $265 is a good price? Remember I live in California and this is not on the aproved list so only private parties can sell them no FFLs are allowed to buy them and sell them.

 

[Nail Shooter]

MCgunner
Senior Member

"The trigger on a Security Six will slick up really sweet with just a proper weight main spring and a little honing of sear a lapping of pivoting parts. Mine was sweet when I did it...."
****************************

MCgunner is right on the money with what he says. You can get the triggers almost "Smith-like" with a little work.

I have a 6" s.s. Sec Six bought new, and a 3" s.s. mod 66 S&W bought used. The Smith is maybe just a touch smoother in the action (and has prettier lines IMO), the Ruger is very confidence inspiring and accurate too. I used the Ruger to shoot the IHMSA silhouette game for awhile, and it handled a fair amount of heavy loads just fine. Both are great guns. I want a 2 3/4" version someday.

NS

 

[GrandmasterB]

Not to sidetrack the thread,

but anyone here have a rubber Monogrip on their Security Six, serial number 151 or higher?

I really like the rubber Hogue monogrip on my 4" Security Six.

 

[bcuzimisu]

talk the dealer down, tell him its an old gun and youll pay 250 for it. then buy it and try not to smile all the way to the dirt pit and shoot the sh#t out of it. Hit the target six out of six times with the sights aligned for your eye after a few hundred rounds then smile all the way home. I LOVE THIS GUN!
Buy it.

 

[wixedmords]

I really like the rubber Hogue monogrip on my 4" Security Six.

I had that exact gun around 90'. What a beauty.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Way back when the feds did some tests where they fired 10,000 rounds of full power lightweight 357 Mag ammo through Ruger, S&W, and Colt medium frame wheelguns. The Rugers stood up much better than the S&W and Colts did. So we got the S&W L frame and Colt King Cobra, heavier duty medium frames. Ruger trumped those w the GP100, but by then the switch to autos was in full swing.

I have two GP100s, 3 and 4 inch bbls, both SS, FS, half lug. Like 'em as much as the Security/Speed/Service Sixes I remember.

 

[tcdrennen]

FYI, any holster for S&W K frame fits the Security Six like a glove.

When I was working security gigs that required a wheelgun, the 4" Ruger was my baby. My partner favors S&W, has a nickeled 6" 586; yes, the trigger's SLIGHTLY nicer, but she paid >$300 for it used while my ruger was $240 new.