Inherited Ruger

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SuperNaut

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I just inherited this Ruger Security Six. It is a 150xxxxxx serial number that has been carried a lot but shot very little. Lots of wear and the frame is turning a nice plum color. Trigger pull is amazing.

I'm not a fan of the aftermarket grips, the bare frame seems to fit my hand better so I'm going to try to track down some original grips. This is the second gun I've inherited from my wife's grandfather, this one just took a while longer to end up with me. Hopefully it will one day go to my son.

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WardenWolf said:
Looks nice, though it also looks like it was dropped on the muzzle.
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Nope, that's just holster wear. Both sides are rubbed bright silver, but there is no pitting, scarring, flats, or gouges, they are smooth as can be.

The bluing is worn off in many locations on the gun, it looks like it was taken in and out of the holster a lot, but rarely fired since the bore is clean as a whistle and there is no plasma cutting on the top strap.
 
Sweet piece!

Go ahead with your grip restoration plan, but I would keep the after-markets. They seem to be designed for 1 hand shooting at a small black circle printed on beige paper. You may one day decide to pursue that foolishness just for kicks.
 
Very nice but I too would look for another set of grips as the original Ruger grips didn't feel very comfortable and I usually replaced them with Pachmayrs.
 
I don't know the exact changeover for serial numbers but the very first security six revolvers had a different grip frame than the later models. how many of the first version were made I have no idea but finding original grips might be hard to do
 
Most of the commercial grip sellers on the Auction sites warn folks of the two frame shapes. I am guessing this is the older hump back from the looks of what is on it. GunBroker often has listings for Ruger grips for either model.

Post a photo of the naked grip frame and likely someone can say for sure.

My Dad HAD a very low millage excellent older model.....until B-I-L stored it under a leaky sink.....now I would call it relic condition......especially after B-I-L's "gun smith" buddy tried to fix it up (Bubba! Put down that claw hammer!)

I was really looking forward to inheriting that gun that I helped pick out as a pre teen and offering it to one of my kids.

-kBob
 
SuperNaut

I believe Ruger changed the grip frame contour when they started the 151-serial number series. So given your serial number you probably will need replacement grips that were made for the original grip shape.
 
If you get on ruger website they will reblue a handgun for I believe $150. If you want to restore that one.
 
Don't you dare re-blue that beautiful plum color!
That is one beautiful gift!
Congratulations. Alot of fond memories to still make with that gun.
Agree about the grips going away.
May your wife's grandfather rest in peace.
 
Nice. I inherited my dad's Service Six (1975 vintage) when he died in 2010. He carried it during a brief stint as a Colorado deputy in the 1980s. This was during a period in which we did not know each other, he and my mother being divorced since I was very little.

Like yours, it's a soft shooter in the hand, though I don't think I've run any Magnum ammo through it. These Rugers are part of the reason the company has often been said to have "overbuilt" many of its models.

My next range session is feeling like a wheelgun one, though, and I now have plenty of Magnum ammo on hand..
 
Yeah, you guys have spotted that it is a hump-backed grip, and yes it is proving difficult to find grips!

I'm going back and forth about re-bluing, the wear is honest and frankly kinda cool. Maybe case hardening? I've never seen a case hardened Security Six before...
 
Oh boy...I'm going to get unto big trouble here but I have a Security Six which I was an inventory gun from my 1980's Kitchen Table FFL days. It sat in my locker unfired for 20 years until I decided to pop a few rounds through it. I replaced the factory 'target' grips with Pachmayr and off I went. I don't shoot my wheel guns often so she's back in the locker. I don't want to separate the gun from its original grip, sorry.
 

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Scarpia, that grip may not fit the OP's pistol since his is a 150- model and yours has to be at least a 151- or later.

I had both a 150- (1973) and 151- (1975?) Security Six and while I never checked to see if the grips were interchangeable, I do know that the frame shape underwent a noticeable change (it was "beefed up") between the two models.
 
Yep mine is a humpback 150, and it looks like your's is a later 151. I think I've found a place that will make some original style grips out of G10. Then I think I'll have the barrel and cylinder hot blued, but leave the frame plum.
 
SuperNaut

Please post some photos when you get it back from being refinished as I would like to see how it looks with the plum colored frame. I had an HK P7 that had a plum colored finish and the factory said it could have been a combination of 1) composition of the metal, 2) heat treatment, 3) and/or composition and strength of the bluing solution.
 
I have a 150 SN made in 1972 the first year of production that has the original wood grips. They don't fit my hand, too small. I would be willing to make a trade for the grips you have now. Send me a PM if you are interested. Thomas
 
Ruger has never had a beautiful bluing, alas. You might want to have your revolver hard chromed and, if so, I enthusiastically recommend Mahovsky's Metalife finish. It will give you a like new stainless look and will last forever. Your gun can look like my stainless Security-Six, and for not a lot of money!

Security-Six_001a.jpg

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