Difference between Security Six and GP100?
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RON in PA
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I consider the GP100 a heavier product improved version of the SS, better able to handle hot .357 loads. Ruger did have problems with the Sec. Six and full 125 grain 357 loads. The grips on the GP100 are the most comfortable out of the box grips on any revolver I've shot. Remember the last Sec. Six was made in the mid-1980s and eventually parts might become a problem. The previous comments aside the Security Six is still a great gun and an excellent condition one will last one or two lifetimes. It is lighter, more like a K frame S&W and the triggers usually very good from lots of shooting. If you intend to shoot mostly .38 special ammo and you like the feel of the SS over the GP 100 I wouldn't pass on one. You can't go wrong with either.
moxie
Member
The Security Six is somewhat lighter and handier than the GP-100. I've shot many thousands of hot .357s, mostly 125 gr., through mine (4", stainless, Hogue monogrip) with nary a problem. Beautiful trigger. Very accurate. I've not heard of any problems Ruger had with the 125 gr. loads. A used Six in good shape will likely be a lot cheaper than a new GP. Of course that applies to a used GP as well. Also look at Speed and Service Sixes. The Security Six has adjustable sights while the Service and Speed Sixes have fixed sights. The Speed Six has a round butt grip frame, while the Security and Service Sixes have a square butt. Speed Six snubbies make excellent CCWs.
Handle both, shoot both if you can, and decide which is best for you. They're both great guns.
Handle both, shoot both if you can, and decide which is best for you. They're both great guns.
Shear_stress
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The Security Six has a full size grip frame. The GP100 has a "stub" grip frame. Also, the latter has a locking piece between the yoke and frame (instead of between the ejector rod and barrel) and a fixed (non-rotating) ejector rod. Both are great guns.
The GP100 is less expensive to produce than the DA-Sixes were. The main advantage of the GP100 is the front lock-up being right at the front of the cylinder, instead of out on the end of the ejector rod, but that is a slight advantage, more theoretical than real. I have heard very little about strength issues with the DA Sixes, and only on the internet, with nobody claiming their own DA Six had problems. S&W K-frames have had issues with full-pressure 125-grain loads, over time, due to a thin area of steel in the forcing cone area, adjacent to the crane. The S&W L-frame was developed to remedy that issue, with full-thickness metal all the way around the forcing cone. The DA Sixes have the deeper frame, and always had the full thickness of metal around the forcing cone. Don't take my work for it; compare the weapons yourself. BTW, I am not bashing S&W K-frames; I like them too! They just need gentler treatment regarding harsh loads. As for the Ruger sixguns, I regularly carry both a Speed Six and GP100, and have several of the latter; both are great sixgun designs. I doubt I will wear out any of mine in my lifetime.
Cosmoline
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I've never noticed any problems with the Sixes and "heavy loads." I've owned near a dozen now from various vintages in various states of repair. Ruger all but admitted that the only reason they stopped making them was because the GP design reduced production costs.
I like the GP/SP/SRH design but the SS has superior balance and a better trigger while retaining the easy takedown and minimal parts. The Sixes are fantastic with full house magnums, and there's no need to limit yourself to specials. They're sort of an improved K frame magnum, which makes them very close to the absolute ideal magnum carry piece in my book.
I like the GP/SP/SRH design but the SS has superior balance and a better trigger while retaining the easy takedown and minimal parts. The Sixes are fantastic with full house magnums, and there's no need to limit yourself to specials. They're sort of an improved K frame magnum, which makes them very close to the absolute ideal magnum carry piece in my book.
Essentially it comes down to size and weight. The Sixes are handy, durable, an eminently serviceable guns that rival the Duracell rabbit for longevity. The GPs are NOT what I would call "handy". But they are a Six on steroids with the best grips ever put on a duty-sized gun. Whereas my Sixes have definite bounce with .357/125s, the GP is just a big old Labrador retriever.
Have carried and used the Six guns constantly since 1980, and I have made sure that I have "enough" of them so as to never run out. I did have two of them overhauled and rebarrelled at the factory, but that was only after they developed forcing cone erosion from hot 125s and started spitting objectionably. Getting to that point involved shooting (literally) cases of factory loads. BTW also took the factory armorer's course on both types.
The Six is still my carry piece and will remain so.
I have one GP 4" which is incredibly smooth and makes me look like the world's best pistol shot. When I go off into the sagebrush it is no longer too big to carry in a Bianchi UM84R.
Best solution is (at least!) one of each.
Have carried and used the Six guns constantly since 1980, and I have made sure that I have "enough" of them so as to never run out. I did have two of them overhauled and rebarrelled at the factory, but that was only after they developed forcing cone erosion from hot 125s and started spitting objectionably. Getting to that point involved shooting (literally) cases of factory loads. BTW also took the factory armorer's course on both types.
The Six is still my carry piece and will remain so.
I have one GP 4" which is incredibly smooth and makes me look like the world's best pistol shot. When I go off into the sagebrush it is no longer too big to carry in a Bianchi UM84R.
Best solution is (at least!) one of each.
trickyasafox
Member
I own a security six, 2-3/4in blued version. It's a great gun- i'd buy it again in a heart beat. Mine is an original 150 prefix, made in 71 or 72 i think. . . I looked it up a while ago but i have since forgotten.
I only have shot a gp100 a handful of times, and they are very nice as well- but the security six just fit my shooting style a bit better, and was a bit lighter. (this is obvious as barrel length was also different, but on same length models I believe the sec six is still lighter)
be aware that 150 prefix guns are hard to find aftermarket grips for. the stock ones aren't bad at all, but im not a target grade shooter either.
http://gunzand****.blogspot.com/2007/07/ruger-security-six-150-prefix.html
there's a link to my blog article i wrote about my security six. It's got some decent pictures i took as well too if you need some for comparison.
replace the stared out letters with Sh and it to get to my blog- profanity filter doesn't like my website address.
I only have shot a gp100 a handful of times, and they are very nice as well- but the security six just fit my shooting style a bit better, and was a bit lighter. (this is obvious as barrel length was also different, but on same length models I believe the sec six is still lighter)
be aware that 150 prefix guns are hard to find aftermarket grips for. the stock ones aren't bad at all, but im not a target grade shooter either.
http://gunzand****.blogspot.com/2007/07/ruger-security-six-150-prefix.html
there's a link to my blog article i wrote about my security six. It's got some decent pictures i took as well too if you need some for comparison.
replace the stared out letters with Sh and it to get to my blog- profanity filter doesn't like my website address.
RON in PA
Member
Checkmate: Based on comments in Wilson's Ruger book mainly.
Why is the GP100 cheaper than the Six guns? If in fact this is the case maybe there is less handfitting or labor involved. Ruger did claim that building the Six gun was a learning experience and that they made little or no money on them. Maybe they didn't charge enough, keeping the price low to keep undercutting Smith. They were making inroads in the LE market before the switch to hi-cap semis. They also sold many to the military for MP use.
Why is the GP100 cheaper than the Six guns? If in fact this is the case maybe there is less handfitting or labor involved. Ruger did claim that building the Six gun was a learning experience and that they made little or no money on them. Maybe they didn't charge enough, keeping the price low to keep undercutting Smith. They were making inroads in the LE market before the switch to hi-cap semis. They also sold many to the military for MP use.
TonyB
Member
my 1st gun was a gp100,still the most accurate gun I ever had.
this Christmas,my father gave me his security six(SS4")I've laways loved it and it will be my "forever gun"that will be handed down to my step son someday.the trigger is freaking sweet.I'll see how it stacks up accracy wise to the gp.
the sec six is k frame sized,and the gp is somewhere between k and L.I wouldn't hesitate shooting 357's in the six all day long,rugers are tanks.
this Christmas,my father gave me his security six(SS4")I've laways loved it and it will be my "forever gun"that will be handed down to my step son someday.the trigger is freaking sweet.I'll see how it stacks up accracy wise to the gp.
the sec six is k frame sized,and the gp is somewhere between k and L.I wouldn't hesitate shooting 357's in the six all day long,rugers are tanks.
wuchak
Member
I just put a 4" stainless Security Six (that doesn't even have cylinder ring and appears unfired since it left the factory) on layaway at a local shop. As soon as I picked it up I was in love. It is the best feeling and most naturally pointing revolver I have ever held. The shop/range owner said he thinks it's the best revolver Ruger ever made. They have a speed six that has been a range rental for 20 years that still locks up tight and has never had a problem. The Speed/Service/Security Six line is slimmer and easier to carry concealed than the GP100. It's frame size is between the SP101 and GP100. Now I want a Speed Six with a 3" barrel. It will fill the gap between my 2 1/4 SP101 and 4" Security Six and might just be the perfect concealed carry revolver.
S&W came out with their larger L-frame revolvers to handle the continuous shooting of the .357 magnum rounds. Their .357 magnum K-frame revolvers were never designed for this-as they were only intended for practice with .38 special rounds and to utilize the .357 magnum rounds for duty usage as needed. On the other hand, the Ruger security-sixes were designed from day one to shoot the .357 magnum rounds continuously. Ruger did not introduce their larger GP100 revolvers(L-Frame equivalent)due to these Security-sixes experiencing problems-but, only to offer an equivalent L-frametype revolver to compete directly in the market place with Smith & Wesson. Over one million of these Six-series revolvers were produced and their history had proven them to be very strong and reliable. Their inherent strength is a major reason why these guns literally stole the show from the S&W K-frame .357 magnum revolvers in the LE marketplace around the world-because they just were so much stronger than these K-frames and had held up so well in service! So, if you want a strong medium sized, easier handling revolver-get a Security-Six(Or, their equivalent: Speed-Six or Service-Six)and not to worry about their strength-these guns will outlast you! Just get the larger GP100 if you desire a larger L-frame equivalent revolver from Ruger!
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