Security-Six, Speed-Six, Service-Six - What's the difference?

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Monster Zero

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Ruger aficionados,

What's the difference in these three, except that Ruger stopped making them all and replaced them all with the (oversized, IMO) GP-100?

TIA
 
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Ruger aficionados,

What's the difference in these three, except that Ruger stopped making them all and replaced them all with the (oversized, IMO) GP-100?

TIA

The short answer is the Service six and the Speed Six both have fixed sights.

The difference between the two is that the Service Six has a square butt gripframe and the Speed Six is a round butt.

The Security Six has an adjustable rear sight and somewhat beefed up top strap to accommodate it.

EDITED TOADD PICS (everybody loves pics)

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Both blued guns are 357 Magnums, the stainless gun is a 38 special.
 
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In a nutshell.

Security Six- Adj sights square butt. 2 3/4, 4 and 6 inch barrels
Service Six- Fixed sights square butt. 2 3/4 and 4” barrels
Speed six- fixed sights round butt. 2 3/4 barrel only.
 
Had all three (at one time or another); wish I had a few of them back!

Still hoping Ruger might start making them again.
 
Also, there were (at least) two fundamentally-different versions of the Security Six.

The 150- version (my first handgun purchase in 1973) sported a different frame than the 151-version (bought one of these in 1975) and beyond.

And here's an example of each. Both are Security-Six's. (mostly just to show off).

A 150 series from 1972

1RugerSSa_zpsdhaxzn9m.jpg

And a "post 150" series from 1975. This one sports Ruger factory targets, but I at least can't tell any visual difference in the two anyway. I did prove to myself that grips from one will not fit the other. :)

RugerSS357_zpslgqzxruz.jpg
 
I believe there are examples out there of square butt and fixed sight 2 3/4” barrel guns that are marked Security Six. I seem to recall having a 150 series example.
 
The 150- version (my first handgun purchase in 1973) sported a different frame than the 151-version (bought one of these in 1975) and beyond.
I have a 1972 150 series and was wondering what the frame differences were. I like the 150 version, but like Cajunbass, I couldn't spot the differences.
One other related question, I'm trying to find tru-glo type sights for it but can't find a drop in set or a gunsmith who could maybe adapt some available pair.
 
The Security-Six and it's variants were more or less identical in basic design with minor differences in fixed or adjustable sights and a round or square butt. All are double action and probably slightly stronger than S&W K frames even though they are similar size.

The Security-Six was the first in the series and was made with a square grip frame and most had adjustable sights. Next came the Service-Six and it was manufactured with fixed sights and a square butt grip frame. Last but not least came the Speed-Six which was manufactured with a round butt grip and fixed sights.

I think the Six series of revolvers are great but like the K frame revolvers they needed to be beefed up for constant .357 Magnum use.
 
I like the 150 version, but like Cajunbass, I couldn't spot the differences.

If you look at how much of the base of the hammer shows, that is the difference. The 150 series has more hammer showing, that is why they are referred to as "low back".
 
In a nutshell.

Security Six- Adj sights square butt. 2 3/4, 4 and 6 inch barrels
Service Six- Fixed sights square butt. 2 3/4 and 4” barrels
Speed six- fixed sights round butt. 2 3/4 barrel only.

I want to say that there were 4" Speed Sixes as well, and a 3" special order for the US Postal Inspectors Service.
 
I seem to remember having seen a "Police Service Six" with a 4" barrel, square butt, in 38 Special only. Maybe it was just a "service--six" but I remember the word "Police" in there too.

If you look at how much of the base of the hammer shows, that is the difference. The 150 series has more hammer showing, that is why they are referred to as "low back".

By George you're right. Thanks for the info. 'Preciate it.
 
The early Security Six had a very gradual recoil shoulder (the hump at the top of the back strap). Complaints about the difficulty in keeping a consistent grip firing Magnum ammunition (I know this because I owned one and complained) led Ruger to redesign that back strap and give a more pronounced, Smith & Wesson like recoil shoulder.

Dave
 
I think the Six series of revolvers are great but like the K frame revolvers they needed to be beefed up for constant .357 Magnum use.[/QUOTE]

I've seen Ruger Service Sixes go 20,000 rds of full magnums, different bullet weights, with no issues.

I've also seen a S&W Model 19 need to be retimed after 1500 rds of full magnums.
 
I have a stainless speed six born on date 1982. And a Security Six blued born on date 1979. The Security six is a 4 incher. I love both these weapons. The Speed is in my ccw rotation. They can handle almost any stout load put together. I reload and shoot mild 357's out of them. Paid $245 for the Speed in 2003 (like new condition). Bought the Security Six from estate sale. Gun was new and never fired. Paid $350 for in in 2018. I am loooking for a good Service Six to round my Six Series out.
 
The -Six series gun were made for full power loads whether it be 38spl.(+p even), 9mm and 357 Mag, and yeah the Service/Police and the Speed have fixed sites unless it a custom work, and the Service/Police has a square butt grip where the the Speed has a round butt grip, and the Security has a sqare butt grip. Also all three will fit in to S&W M19 K frame size holster, my 4" '76 "Liberty" Security-Six does.
 
I seem to remember having seen a "Police Service Six" with a 4" barrel, square butt, in 38 Special only. Maybe it was just a "service--six" but I remember the word "Police" in there too.





By George you're right. Thanks for the info. 'Preciate it.



I have a Police Service Six. It's a. 357. Bought it because I wanted a longer barrel for a woods gun. I like my Speed Six for carry. The Speed is the heavy barrel version.
 
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