Ruger Security Six

[Archangel14]

Saw a really good condition Security Six on sale today for $450. Stainless, looked to have a 6 inch barrel. Really well maintained. Priced at $450. I have always admired the GP100, I like a really robust revolver. But I find the trigger to be a bit on the disappointing side. How does the Security Six add up to the GP100, and is that a good price?

Thanks.

 

[leadcounsel]

I have several of both. Just as good, and $450 is a fair price for an excellent one. I've purchased 4 nice ones in the last 2-3 years, priced between $350-$400, and I felt I got a great deal on them. If I saw a nice one today for $450 I would haggle but ultimately pay up to $500. I saw a gorgeous one at a gun show last month but sadly didn't have the scratch with me nor the presence of mind to get the guys phone number

 

[bannockburn]

I greatly prefer the older Security Six to its replacement. I think it has a better balance and feel to it than the GP100. And $450 is a decent price for one that's been well taken care of.

 

[skidder]

I have both and prefer the Six Series. The trigger on the Six has a shorter pull.

$450 is not a bad price for a 6" Six. Don't be afraid to ask less; the worst they can say is no.

 

[Blue Brick]

$450 is high for 6 inch, most want 4 inch and under.

 

[bikerdoc]

I got a much carried, shot a little police trade in for 265 back in the day. 450 is a a little high but depending on condition go for it, you will not be disappointed.

 

[PabloJ]

Four hundred if in excellent mechanical condition. Last year I found 4" blued one in excellent condition for $300. I liked this gun because it was like new felt good in my hand (just like Model 19 rb of same barrel length) and lets face it the price was very favorable. I could not buy it because when I tried to open the gun by pressing cylinder release button it got stock and mechanically froze entire firearm. Since that time I pay Ruger revolvers no mind.

 

[hipoint]

I really like my security six, it's a 4 inch though. I do love the weight and balance of it whereas the GP felt a little big in the grip frame, but that's just my personal feelings and everyone will be different.

I'd pull the pin on it if you can, and try to talk them down a bit. I would have paid that for mine, but ended up getting it much cheaper.

I don't really have any complaints, I do like how easy it is to field strip the gun, the GP wasn't mine so I never got to take it apart, but the security six was intended to be taken apart with a coin. To me that's a real plus for a shtf type scenario.

I guess I do have one complaint, but it isn't much of one... there aren't many options out there for paddle holsters or replacement grips for the security six, if there are, I haven't found them yet. I would really like a paddle holster for mine just because it's easier for carry around the farm...

 

[GBExpat]

The first handgun that I ever purchased was a new, blue, 4" Ruger Security Six in 1973 at a Charlottesville, VA gunshop ... $125otd.

Great handgun ... I have always been a bit sorry that I sold it to a friend about 5 years later.

 

[Deaf Smith]

If it had been a stainless 2 3/4 inch barrel Security or Speed Six I'd have bought it right then.

I'm a fool for snubs.

Deaf

 

[shafter]

I refer the Security Six to the GP100. In my opinion the GP100 is a little overbuilt. Its just a little too big and bulky for what it is. The Security Six has more than enough strength while maintaining a similar feel to the magnificent K-Frames of Smith and Wesson.

Mine was bought used and has a surprisingly good trigger.

 

[mesinge2]

I have several of both. Just as good, and $450 is a fair price for an excellent one.

I agree and the price of the Ruger Six series guns have been rising as of late. For that price, I'd buy it and add to my collection of them.

 

[TennJed]

$450 seems right to me for a stainless, at least in my neck of the woods. I have seen a couple of Blued with a lot of holster wear for $399-$425. I would buy it at that price

 

[Cranky CJ]

When I bought my first security six, I tried it out against a gp100. I found the feel in my hand better balanced so I went with the sec six, paid 400 for a super nice stainless 4" a couple years ago.

About a month ago I spotted a police service six in the same pawn shop. The thing was in really nice condition. Practically flawless condition. Paid 450 and didn't hesitate. It seems that the 'sixes' are going up in value as I haven't seen one that I'd call a 'deal' in a long time.

I don't think 450 is too high if it really is in that good of condition.

 

[GrandmasterB]

They are definitely going up in price. But they are worth every cent too, as they are tough as nails and will last several lifetimes.

 

[cal01]

I am very partial to the Ruger "Six" series. The first gun I ever purchased when I turned 21 in 1976 was a Speed Six. I still have that revolver and the several other Six series pistols I have purchased. They are, in my opinion, the finest double action revolvers Ruger ever made.

BTW, my 1976 revolver has the inscription "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" on the side. I expect DHS to require that I grind that off sometime soon.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Much better balance and feel than a GP100 IMHO. Bought my stainless 4" Sec. Six new about 31 years ago at a bicycle shop for $289. Bought a nice 2-3/4" stainless Sec. Six off Armslist a year ago for $375.

The GP100 I owned never came close to the Six in any department. It was just a heavy brick of a gun; unexceptional in every respect.

The DA trigger on a Sec. Six isn't smooth and slick like a Smith. It talks to you and tells you what's going on. You can feel the cylinder lock drop in (well ahead of hammer fall) and know that the break comes next.

With some practice, this can be used to quickly stage the trigger for DA shooting. Pull quickly to where you feel the lock drop in, then steady the sights, squeeze a little more and off she goes. Once I got the hang of it, DA rapid-fire was more consistently accurate than SA slow-fire. I've never been able to shoot a Smith, a Python, or (especially) a GP100 nearly as well as the 4" Sec. Six.

 

[skidder]

I took my GP and Security Six out the other day and compared the actions. Nothing wrong with the GP, but the Security Six felt more refined. I also prefer the balance and POA better on the Security Six.

My favorite 357 is my 4" Security Six.

 

[Confederate]

It all depends on whether you're going to be spending your time on the range or out in the field. If on the range, I recommend the S&W 686. It's just a better gun in my view. Or, go for the GP-100. Both guns are designed with heavy underlug barrels that make staying on target easier.

If out in the field--camping, hiking, hunting--go for the Security-Six. With its lighter barrel it's easier to pick up a moving target (not to mention being lighter). The SS also is designed to be taken apart in the field using only the rim of one of your cartridges. It also has a full handle on the gun where the GP-100 has a stub. Not a huge issue, but it throws the balance off in my view. Ruger also argued that one spring could do the work of two better than two springs.

Bull! Two springs work better than one spring, and few people would dispute it. It's like doing more with less. You don't do more with less, you do less with less. I think the GP-100 is a kludge. It's a boat anchor. I originally bought a Security-Six for self defense and it's a great drawer gun. You can use the GP-100 for self defense, too, of course, but it's basically an overbuilt Security-Six. The problem is, there was no need for an overbuilt Security-Six. It's like the Super Redhawk. Some people like heavy revolvers that weigh as much as rifles, but me? Not so much.

Everyone has their own needs, but since you asked for opinions the above is mine. Others will vary.




The S&W 686, one of the best .357s ever designed (top) and the
Ruger Security-Six. The latter is far easier to carry and to pick up
moving targets with.




The Security-Sixes are easy on the eyes and easy to carry.

 

[Drail]

Overbuilt? Well, yeah it really is. Ruger builds guns like fireman entry tools. You ain't gonna break THAT! Nice to see the old Rugers. Great photos.

 

[Confederate]

The point is, the Security-Sixes were overbuilt in many ways, but without being overly heavy. You had a solid frame gun with modular, oversized pieces. I'm just saying it was a great gun to begin with. But when S&W built its K-frame magnum into a stronger frame series, that was great. But Ruger needed a new gun they could cut corners on.

 

[kvtcomdo]

Got two(2) 4" models. One Stainless the other Blue.

Can't get me to say a bad word about them.

Great little guns.

 

[Crashbox]

Well, for the record I paid $500 for my Security Six 6" in excellent condition, complete with original box and Owner's Manual. Beautiful firearm that I've never shot (yet).

 

[Bud0505]

I bought a 1973 blue, 4" Security Six yesterday at the gun show in Jax Fl for $325 OTD. I would rate the gun at between 90 and 95 percent. I installed a 12# mainspring today and the round end of the strut still had all the bluing on it. I smoothed the strut and hammer with a little 0000 steel wool and put it back together. Will fire it at the range tomorrow or Tuesday.

 

[Armybrat]

Bought my Service Six .357 new in 1977 - the frame has mellowed into that plum color when you look at it at an angle: