Which revolver, security six or model 19?

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EMNofSeattle

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So I'm mulling buying another .357 magnum revolver, I currently have a 4 inch ruger service six which I love, but I want a 6 inch with target sights. Mainly for fun at the range, but I'm thinking about getting into steel shoots or maybe even bullseye. Possibly handgun hunting in the future when I have the time to get into that. Now I own the ruger, and I like it, but the double action trigger is stiff, better then taurus but still, and I own an older smith model 10 and the trigger is much smoother,

So I'm looking at either the ruger security six or smith model 19, any opinions as to which is better?
 
How much serious .357 are you planning to shoot? The Model 19's are reported to have some durability issues if you're shooting a lot of .357s. Some say that's really only applicable to the 66's (the stainless k-frame .357). Some say it's only relevant if you're shooting light-and-fast bullets, like the 125 grainers. Some say it's a potential problem with any large volume of authentically-magnum rounds.

FWIW, I have a Model 19 and love it. I mostly shoot 38's, or 38-level loads in .357 cases, out of it. But it's a tremendous gun. Very, very accurate. Great trigger. Points/transitions well.
 
Both the K frame Smiths and the Ruger -Six guns are smaller frames than the L frame (586/686) and GP-100. They also both have thinner forcing cones that are known to crack at 6 O'clock with light & fast loads. I never cracked on on my M19 or M65, but I did on my 4" Security-Six.

In short, if you're wanting to shoot a lot of full power .357 loads, you'd be better suited with an L frame or GP-100 than a K frame or -Six gun.
 
How much serious .357 are you planning to shoot? The Model 19's are reported to have some durability issues if you're shooting a lot of .357s. Some say that's really only applicable to the 66's (the stainless k-frame .357). Some say it's only relevant if you're shooting light-and-fast bullets, like the 125 grainers. Some say it's a potential problem with any large volume of authentically-magnum rounds.

FWIW, I have a Model 19 and love it. I mostly shoot 38's, or 38-level loads in .357 cases, out of it. But it's a tremendous gun. Very, very accurate. Great trigger. Points/transitions well.
Well, If I got into handgun hunting, which is a long shot since I've never been hunting, but I'm looking into it, I would probably use .357 I carry .357 when hiking. For shooting, maybe 20% I usually in my current .357 shoot 25 magnum and 100 .38 each trip, about twice a month.... I knew the early 19s suffered from forcing cone issues, I thought that was worked out in the 70s, never heard of rugers suffering that problem
 
IMO both are fine revolvers. Pick the one you like best and go with that. I personally like the looks of the M19 better. If the trigger on the Ruger is the only thing standing in your way you can always have that worked on.

For range work and hunting a 6" GP100 will probably serve you better than the other 2 revolvers and probably at a discount. If you can spend another $100 over the price of the GP100 a 6" S&W M686 or M686+ will also be a good choice for range work and hunting.
 
Based on your stated needs and For stout 357 magnum loads ,get the Ruger GP100 and call it good.
 
If you can try a Colt trooper from the days gone by .
You might just spend a bit more and end up with a old colt
 
If you can try a Colt trooper from the days gone by .
You might just spend a bit more and end up with a old colt
I can not agree at all... Even though the Colt is a fine revolver I don't think it's a good idea for the OP. He wants to shoot the gun a lot at the range and maybe hunt with it. Since it will be shot a lot and most colts are older now eventually something will wear out or break. Colt no longer has spare parts and there are very few gunsmiths know how to work on Colts. If the gun is going to be a shooter and shot a lot a Colt in not a good choice IMO.
 
The 19 probably isn't the best range gun, but then the security six isn't likely the best choice either as a range gun, they both have less than robust forcing cones.

OTOH, I have a couple 66's that have had at least several thousand full tilt H110/296 loads run through each of them, no problems as yet. Mostly 140's and 158 jacketed, but some 110's and 125's, also jacketed, I don't shoot lead. But I take great care to keep the FC's completely clean and free of any build up, which is key in avoiding failures.

As for triggers, they can be cleaned up by a decent gun smith.

GS
 
There is no bad answer here. Both are superb firearms.
The Ruger having a bad trigger is overblown. As is the S&W forcing cone issue.
Pick the one YOU like the best and/or find the better deal on.
Now some are recommending the GP100 or L Frame S&W. Also good choices, but I suspect you are like me, since you brought up the -Six and the K frame, and find the GP100 &, to a lesser degree, the L frame to be overweight and bulky for what you get in return.
 
Both are excellent choices, so there is no wrong answer. But chalk me up for a vote to Ruger!!!! When in doubt with revolvers, go Ruger...
 
The Model 19 will typically have the better trigger than a Security Six but I also like the modular design of the Ruger. If I were putting a lot of .357 rounds through it I would probably opt for a Model 686 or a GP100. In the end it's what ever works best for you. Let us know what you decide on.
 
How much serious .357 are you planning to shoot? The Model 19's are reported to have some durability issues if you're shooting a lot of .357s. Some say that's really only applicable to the 66's (the stainless k-frame .357). Some say it's only relevant if you're shooting light-and-fast bullets, like the 125 grainers. Some say it's a potential problem with any large volume of authentically-magnum rounds.

My Model 19 split the forcing cone with a steady diet of 158 grain heavy loads. I was shooting IHMSA standing class with mine when it cracked.

So, like ATLDave, I shoot light to heavy 38 Special loads in 357 Magnum cases in the Model 19 these days.

While I am a S&W fan in part due to aesthetics, Ruger makes fine firearms.
 
the mod 19 I can find is 550 and the security six is 479

The price for that Security Six sounds unusually high unless it is in immaculate, nearly new condition.

You're not going to wrong with either. Given my handle, I'm obviously a big fan of my model 19. I also have a Security six. The six is the one that sits in the holster on my night stand, while the S&W sleeps in my safe.
I know the S&W was designed for duty use, by none other than Bill Jordan, the king of border partrol agents who was in more gunfights than I'd even care to think about.
But by almost all reports, the Ruger was the more robust of the two guns. I don't remember who it was, perhaps Skeeter Skelton who shot several tens of thousands of full power .357mag through a pair of Security Sixes and they were fine. I'm sure someone can correct my faulty memory in short order.

For purely range use with mostly .38s, my vote goes to the Model 19. Mine is my most accurate gun, smooth and a pleasure to shoot.
For duty, the vote would go to the Ruger. My security Six has a trigger that's actually nearly as good as the Smith, and it's rugged build and reputation for reliability gives me tremendous faith in my weapon. (I'll admit though, that both guns have proven to be exceedingly accurate.)

In the end, you won't go wrong. Just pick one and go with it.
 
I can not agree at all... Even though the Colt is a fine revolver I don't think it's a good idea for the OP. He wants to shoot the gun a lot at the range and maybe hunt with it. Since it will be shot a lot and most colts are older now eventually something will wear out or break. Colt no longer has spare parts and there are very few gunsmiths know how to work on Colts. If the gun is going to be a shooter and shot a lot a Colt in not a good choice IMO.
I completely disagree, for one thing, the OP said he is only shooting 125 rounds twice a month. Secondly, Colt DOES work on their revolvers, they have parts and can refer you to others who have parts. But then I wouldn't know, I've never had a problem with my Colt revolvers. IMHO the Colt or Smith would be a more finely crafted gun with better triggers than the utilitarian Ruger. The pre-'69 Troopers often have Python-like triggers. The average shooter won't wear out any of them.
 
I completely disagree, for one thing, the OP said he is only shooting 125 rounds twice a month. Secondly, Colt DOES work on their revolvers, they have parts and can refer you to others who have parts. But then I wouldn't know, I've never had a problem with my Colt revolvers. IMHO the Colt or Smith would be a more finely crafted gun with better triggers than the utilitarian Ruger. The pre-'69 Troopers often have Python-like triggers. The average shooter won't wear out any of them.


I looked after you suggestion, but I can't find any troopers on armslist for less then 900 which I'm willing to spend 6 I will keep eyes open though, I don't know too much about colts other then that they cost some $$$ these days
 
I personally would go with the S&W, but I'm a fanboy! Ruger makes strong durable firearms, and the security six is a good revolver, however, I like the feel, and shooting characteristics of the 19 much better. YMMV
 
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