Considering a Security-Six

[wanderinwalker]

Okay, so the hunt is always continuing for something new and different, isn't it? Just when I thought I had all the guns I need and thought I knew enough to buy more ammo and practice.

The LGS has a nice, used Ruger Secuirty-Six, stainless, 6", .357 for $335. It looked to have been fired minimally; almost non-existent erosion on the cylinder face and top strap. I didn't check its timing, but I did check the action in both DA and SA, and it is pretty slick and smooth, far better than the last GP-100 I checked. The only flaw I noticed in my quick inspection was some nicks and scratches in the wood stock on one side.

Realistically, I don't need it. I have a S&W 629, and love to shoot it. But, a nice 6" .357 in stainless for a little over $300 is tempting. It would be easier for my girlfriend to manage, cheaper for me to shoot and I suspect it would make a heck of a nice walkin'-in-the-woods gun and/or nightstand gun.

Anyway, what else should I be concerned about? Does the timing on the Rugers really hold up as well as the legends say? I may check it again Wednesday more closely before making a decision, but if the bore is good and the timing is okay...

 

[dewidmt]

Built like a tank! One of the older posts here mentioned that Ruger put 10,000 rounds of full-house .357 through the Security-Six before it went out of time...I've owned 3 of em and never had a problem.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the Ruger Security/Service/Speed-Six family are some of the finest mid-sized wheelguns Ruger ever made...i would much rather have one that a GP-100 or SP-101

they actually tune up pretty nicely and are much more rugged that a S&W M-19

 

[Moonclip]

Try to get them to go $300 and buy it.

 

[Virginian]

I had one like you describe. Excellent gun, no hesitation recommending it at all. The grip area and the barrel shape are different, but otherwise the Security Six and the GP-100 are very, very similar in design.

 

[dbarale]

If the serial # is 150-xxxx or low 151-xxxx, the grip frame is different and it will be hard to find aftermarket grips for it.
Otherwise good price, no problems, go for it!

 

[GRIZ22]

One of the older posts here mentioned that Ruger put 10,000 rounds of full-house .357 through the Security-Six before it went out of time

Actually it was 10K rds of 125 gr 357 with zero problems. The first one being tested to have timing problems was at about 15K rds and the others went to 20K and the test discontinued as they didn't want to shoot up any more ammo.

Ruger Security/Speed Six is much more durable than any K frame 357 and is the same size. Great revolver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wanderinwalker]

Well, I may just see if he'll go for $300 for it.

I ask about the timing because I like to shoot DA revolvers in DA. I refrain from too much of it on my .44, because I don't want to batter it too badly. There are already signs of wear at the edges of the locking notches on that pistol, though they are from me. This one was also almost LNIB when I bought it.

As much as I love my Glock 17 and other semi-autos, the wheelguns just seem to work better for my hands. Now if only I could shoot them as well on the move as I can a semi! (To be fair, I can't routinely make 50-yard hits on a silhouette with the Glock, but can with the Smith in SA-mode.)

 

[GBExpat]

I owned 2 Security Sixes that I bought in the '70s, one 4" blue, one 2¾" SS. The latter I CCWed and shot more than the first.

Both were great pistols. I was talked out of each by different friends a few years apart.

 

[MCgunner]

Good gun, but mine had a nasty muzzle flip with heavy loads that even my SP101 doesn't have. The SP101 is easier to shoot with heavy loads, believe it or not, so I'm quite happy with it. Besides, it's a stronger design than the Security Six while lighter and easier on the hip. For this, I give up a round in the cylinder gleefully.

 

[slick6]

One thing to remember, is that initially, the early 150 serial number series prefix Security-Sixes had a sloping rear upper frame design, which was found to cause the serious muzzle flip! However, with the 151 and up serial number prefix Security Sixes Ruger had changed the frame design by raising up that area of the frame just above the hammer to fully correct this muzzle flipping problem!

 

[stevegc]

I have several Security Six's, a GP100 and 2-SP101's. I love the Security Six's and SP101's...the GP100 is just to big...but a good gun.