Anyone bought/sold a Service Six recently?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Tallinar

Tallinar

Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
951
Location
Eastern IA
I usually try to avoid making posts like this, as the answers are usually found pretty easily on my own with a little searching, but I could use some input.

I'm trying to get a feel for what Security and Service Sixes are going for these days. A lot of my searching has turned up information that's not so recent. Has anyone bought or sold one recently, or can offer some input on the subject?

Thanks.
 
I read about them, but I haven't bought one since '85. Seems like they should be $350 or $450 for the popular models, but who knows.
 
A 30 second search on Gunbroker shows that the only two with bids are at $180 and $201.
There are several with no bids in the $350 range. Hope this helps.
 
Depends a lot on the finish. I agree with JohnBT... $350-$400 for a decent one. Add $50-$100 for stainless. I've seen a lot of "beaters" of GB lately that I wouldn't pay $250 for, but reserves are way too high, for me anyway.

Service Six goes for a bit less than Security Six or Speed Six.

They've jumped about $100 in the past 3 years. I paid ~$250 for a 95% Service Six about 4-5 years ago.
 
A 30 second search on Gunbroker shows that the only two with bids are at $180 and $201.
There are several with no bids in the $350 range. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but it really doesn't (though I detect some sarcasm). I have searched some auction sites myself as well with limited definitive findings. Open auctions mainly tell you what some people are asking and what some people are offering- but not necessarily what people are buying them for.

I was more interested in hearing from individuals who have personally completed such transactions recently, or have been following them at all. You know - some genuine comments. ;)

Anyways - thanks for your input, JohnBT and kludge.
 
The Blue Book of Gun Values is the retail guide most dealers use in my area for pricing used guns. According to this month's listings a Security 6 in 90% condition is worth $200. In 98% condition $325.

The Stainless version (Model 717) is listed at $225 in 90% condition and $325 in 98% condition. I've bought and sold a lot of guns and have found that the Blue Book is the most accurate source for what guns actually sell for in the real world. Hope this helps.
 
RickMD speaks the truth. At least it gives you a starting point, there have been so many people entering the handgun market in the last 5 years or so the prices have been driven up the on all handguns. The auction sites have also contributed to high prices.

I have learned in my gun buying that if you feel good about the deal on a gun don't get all hung up on the price, buy it. If the price doesnt work for you Walk Away. Be patient and your gun at your price will come along. Someone will always pay less for the same gun.... I say Good For Them!!

I learned early in my life that kicking myself in the butt for being cheap isn't fun or worth it. Throughout a lifetime a few extra bucks here and there is soon forgotten, but shooting that gun you bought feels so good. All the sixes are great revolvers and well worth the money they fetch. As long as the price is right for you go for it and don't look back!
 
Tallinar

I know that once you log into the Gunbroker site you can also look at all the completed auctions. That way you might get a better idea what Service Sixes have actually sold for recently.
 
I've seen them between $300 and $400 locally within the last few years. Once you get to $400, you're close enough to a new GP-100 or SP-101 that I would choose one of them first. For $250-$325 or so though, I'd definitely consider a Security Six if I was in need of a .357.
 
I have bought two 4" blued security sixes in the last couple of months off GB. The first was a 1972 late first year production that with the shipping and transfers cost me $325.

I liked the first one so much I found a second one made in 1986, very clean with a Houge grip that was a total amount of $370. I then ordered a wood target grip from ruger for it that cost $26 with shipping. The first gun had the original grips.

Since then I have bought a beretta 950bs, an S&W 36-6 and an S&W model 631 32 mag. Plus a model 10 with a 6" barrel. My gun fund needs to recover a bit. The security sixes were worth every cent they cost. I get them out of the safe nearly every night and just admire them. But then again I get a lot of guns out of my safe every night and give them a good looking over.
 
I just paid $450 for a 2.75 in speed six, and I believe it was worth every penny. These revolvers are only going up in price. They are not made anymore, and a lot of people would much prefer a 6 series gun over the sp or Gp series. Around chicagoland they don't always turn up, and when a good one does, buy it. Just my thoughts
 
I saw several 4" blue Service and Security Sixes in good to very good condition at gun shows in western NY this winter and spring in the $275-350 range.
 
Last friday I just bought a stainless police service six, looks brand new, with an equally brand new looking leather holster for $325 out the door. About 6 months ago, I bought a speed six in very good condition for $275 out the door. And about a month ago, bought a Security six for $250 but it has some holster wear and not as tight as the other two. All were 4"ers.

I consider these deals to be steals. I have seen sixes go for up to $400 before tax and honestly I think they are worth it. I just have stumbled on a few good deals. They seem to not be as popular as Smith k frames, but I like them more. I think they are becoming more popular though and prices are only going up so If you want one and can find a good one for under $400 I say go for it!
 
RickMD said:
The Blue Book of Gun Values is the retail guide most dealers use in my area for pricing used guns. According to this month's listings a Security 6 in 90% condition is worth $200. In 98% condition $325.

The Stainless version (Model 717) is listed at $225 in 90% condition and $325 in 98% condition. I've bought and sold a lot of guns and have found that the Blue Book is the most accurate source for what guns actually sell for in the real world. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

LOL. I'll take ten 90%ers at that price then! Cash in hand! Call me!
 
Here is a very accurate estimate for the Six Series.

Speed Six 2.75 or 3 inch $450 to $550.
Police Service Six 4 inch $300 to $375.
Security Six 4 inch $350 to $400.
Stainless is worth about $50 more. The 2.75 and 3 inch are worth more than the 4 or 6 inch barrel. Of course condition will dictate price.

I have a Police Service Six 4 inch blued that I paid $350 for 2 1/2 years ago. I would not sell it. I have kept it and sold S&Ws. That is how much I like it.
Hope this helps,
Howard
 
My local gun store had at least two Security Sixes in the used case this past weekend. One 4" and one 6" (w/aftermarket wood grips) both blued, in good condition over $300.

I paid $300 for my 4" Security Six two years ago in like new condition.
 
About six months ago, I bought a blued one with 6" barrel for $260. The seller was a pilot in VN and was sold the gun while he was in the Army. I don't know if these were issued or what, but he never took his out of the box and the gun looked brand new. Then another friend told me that I had paid too much. Oh well.
 
elano said:
I consider these deals to be steals. I have seen sixes go for up to $400 before tax and honestly I think they are worth it. I just have stumbled on a few good deals. They seem to not be as popular as Smith k frames, but I like them more. I think they are becoming more popular though and prices are only going up so If you want one and can find a good one for under $400 I say go for it!
Click to expand...

From the standpoint of a guy who just wanted a good revolver but was aware that Security Sixes had been out of production (meaning limited support/parts availability... at least in my mind), the last one I saw for $399 was priced too high for me. Another concern I had after owning one is that the design of the grip was changed at some point. I think guns that have a serial number beginning with less than "151" have limited availability of aftermarket grips. My gun was accurate and reliable and introduced me to .357 snubbies, but the standard grips were too small for me to control magnum loads in it and I couldn't find any better grips to fit it. I sold it - but I'd own another with grips that fit my hands better without hesitation if the right opportunity came along. Anyone considering one for a "working gun" should do the research and figure out if they're going to need aftermarket grips before buying.
Having said that, I passed on one at $299 a few years back. I should have looked harder, done more research to see what grips were available, and maybe given it a chance. Lock up was like a bank vault and I could have probably got it for around $275 OTD.
I agree with you that they're more solid than a S&W K-frame. In truth, my concerns of spare parts availability are kind of unfounded. I don't think it would be an easy feat to break a Security/Speed Six. I think you could probably use one every day for the rest of your life and not do more damage than wear the finish off.
Price is subjective. If you pick up a Security Six and it fits your hand like it was made for it, and you've got the $400 to buy it, and you just know that it's going to make you happier than any handgun you've ever owned - buy it! Never pass up the chance on a gun you want when it's there and you can afford it - buy it... especially if you can talk them down to $350!
 
Last edited:
I kinda had some of the same concerns as you initially, goon - as far as how available are replacement parts, as well the post-151 grip frame change. After a bit of research to see if the parts and grips are out there, I was pretty comforted. If I do buy one, I will limit myself to the 151 or later serial number pretty much just because of aftermarket grip availability. As for other parts, I feel pretty safe.

As to your earlier comment about getting near the price of a new GP100 or SP101 - that's definitely a consideration I had. But all the new GP100's and SP101's I find still tend to be closer to $500. Aside from that, I don't care for the blockiness of the GP100 (as I intend to use the Six for CCW), but also prefer a full size 6-shooter to the SP101. The major appeal of the Security/Service Six to me is that it offers similar feel of a K-frame Smith, while being stronger than the K frame; is less bulky than an L-frame, and simply more affordable to me than a Smith.

I've decided I will walk away from the one I was considering buying at this time. I've had my eyes open for a 4" stainless Service model for awhile now. Had one in very good condition offered to me online for $390'ish (before shipping/transfer fees, which will combine for me to the tune of $50). After doing some more research on what similar condition guns have sold for recently and hearing some folks here, I think I will just continue to keep my eyes open, and jump on a better deal when it comes around.

Thanks again folks!
 
A couple of weeks ago I sold a stainless 4" Service Six for $350. It was a CAI trade-in and was a little rough but the action was tight and good.
 
As long as it was in good to very good condition, I would pay $250-275 for a Security Six. Local shop has one for $300, but its been in there for a while.
 
Look at the completed auctions on Gunbroker at revolver that actually sold. You well see the blued Security Six goes for $300-350 and the stainless for $400+/-. 27 pages of completed auctions, 29 Security Six's listed as of today.

Add about $50 to the above prices to cover shipping and FFL fees.
 
Thanks, but it really doesn't (though I detect some sarcasm).
Click to expand...

My apologies if that somehow came across as sarcastic. I assure you that it was not meant that way. I phrased it the way I did to indicate that I hadn't spent a lot of time looking into it. I really didn't think my personal experience in the purchasing of one would be relevant as I bought a 1977 model in the early 80's. I still have and enjoy it.
Best of luck......
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top