older Ruger DA's - Speed Six, Service Six & Security Six

[max popenker]

hello folk

i'm looking for any info on those older Ruger DA sixguns: when those were manufactured, how those were received by public, were any of these guns issued by any Police dept or private security agency/service?

what YOUR impressions of those guns?

and, finally - pics please

TIA

 

[Johnny Guest]

Hummmmm - - -

I believe these were introduced in the late 1960s. Seems I saw a Gun Digest cover depicting an engraved Ruger DA in about 1968. I made a holster for a pal in about 1975 for a Security Six, and they were well established by that time - - He was a cop and it was approved for duty carry.

One reason I think this was the time period was that, in late sixties, it was a bit difficult to obtain S&W K frame revolvers, so many going to the military during that time. Colt enjoyed a resurgence, filling the S&W gap, and Ruger leaped on board as well. I understand about lead time, from approval of the concept to actual delivery of the product to consumers.

While the Ruger DAs were not received with open arms by the entire handgunning community, they satisfied most of those who tried them. They were very strong for their size, simple to work on, and many had a very good DA trigger.

I don't know of any specific police or security issue in the USA. I did notice a couple of stainless Rugers being carried by French police in Calais in 1988. They were on some sort of perimeter detail and motioned me back as I tried to approach them. Not wanting a misunderstanding with the authorities in a foreign country, across a language barrier, I controlled my curiousity.

All of this series were a touch heavier than the S&W K-frames of same type.

Security-Six: General equivalent of the S&W M19/M66. Adjustable sights. 2-3/4, 4, and 6-inch barrels.

Service-Six: Fixed sight version, much like an S&W M10. This may have been offered only in .38 Spl, and in 4-inch only, but I'm not sure about these factors.

Speed Six: Fixed sight, round butt, and, I think, spurless hammer. Only in 2-3/4 inch. Slick little revolver, and perhaps the fewest made of the series.

I believe all were offered in both blue and stainless finishes.

Sorry I can't be more specific.

Best,
Johnny

 

[TallPine]

Good guns!

 

[Cactus]

Here is a photo of my Security Six. It has a Bowen rear sight and Herrett Roper stocks. The action has been tuned. This is my hunting/fishing/hiking gun. I have had it for many years and would not think of getting rid of it.

 

[MikeG]

The Naval Investigative Service used Rugers for a time as did the Army in some capacity. I have a Ruger manual for the Service-Six in .38spl adapted as a military tech manual.

I have a Speed-6 in .38 Spl, 2.75" bbl; Service-6 .357Mag, 2.75" bbl; and a Security-6 Stainless in .357Mag and 4" bbl.

Excellent revolvers

Mike

 

[Jim March]

I've never heard a bad word said about them.

They eat out of K-Frame speedloaders (10/19/66/etc) and are usually described as "Ruger's K-class" - slightly stronger than an S&W K-Frame 357, but shares the K's vulnerability to heavy diets of hot 125grain 357 ammo. This is becoming even less of a problem than it ever was as better hollowpoint designs allow 158s at 1,200 - 1,300fps to expand properly (esp. the Gold Dot-based loads by Proload, Georgia Arms, Black Hills and Speer) and those loads would be my first choice in a 4" or longer barrel K-Frame, Ruger Six-series or Taurus 357.

Tricky part: there are two variations in the grips (three, counting the round-butt Speed) and you need to know what you've got before ordering stocks.

 

[Archie]

In 1977....

When I graduated from Border Patrol Academy, I was issued a rather used four inch Ruger Security-Six. (The second version, with the "new" gripstrap design.) I was the high shooter in the sector with it for a year or so. Then I became high shooter with a M19 S&W.

The Ruger was a good reliable workhorse of a gun.

At that time, the Border Patrol had an inventory of S&W 19s, Ruger Security Sixes, and some Colt Troopers. I've still glad I didn't get one of those Trooper boat anchors.

 

[Penman]

FWIW, I read that Ruger once made a run of Service Sixes in .38 Smith and Wesson caliber, for a contract to an agency in India.

 

[jar]

Max, I always found that the Security and Service sixes were better balanced than the new ones. They didn't have the greatest trigger in the world but it was still pretty nice. They were great concealed carry guns.

Jim Richardson

 

[E=MC^2]

Years of production for Speed, Service, and Security Six. From Ruger's Website. It says 1972-1988.

I have a Speed Six built in 1977. Great shooter. It's as solid as the day it was built. Zero slop. I just came across it this summer for $199, I think. The area shop took it in as a trade-in.

My neighbor patroled with one for 25 years before retiring. It still sees regular use.

They were great concealed carry guns.

I believe that. Their contours are very smooth, all around. I carried mine inside-the-waistband for a few days in an inexpensive GunMate holster. If I was a dedicated revolver shooter this would be my full-size carry choice.

Interestingly, my wife can't shoot anything worth a damn except the Speed Six. She loves it. It's loaded with a cylinder full of 125gr JHP under her side of the bed right now.

They eat out of K-Frame speedloaders (10/19/66/etc)

Those work, but the speed-loader companies list them in the Colt MKIII size. The cylinders and their dimensions are slightly different than the S&W K's. HKS has a varient marked Speed, Service, and Security Rugers, as well as, Colt MKIII. They are stamped "M3" on the release. The HKS loader for the S&W K-frames have a "10" stamped on the release, or "10A".

 

[James Bondrock]

Those work, but the speed-loader companies list them in the Colt MKIII size. The cylinders and their dimensions are slightly different than the S&W K's. HKS has a varient marked Speed, Service, and Security Rugers, as well as, Colt MKIII. They are stamped "M3" on the release. The HKS loader for the S&W K-frames have a "10" stamped on the release, or "10A".

HKS speedloaders do not hold the cartridges very rigidly, so the cartridges can wiggle a little bit to allow for the different spacing between chambers. Colt D-frame revolvers can be fed from S&W K-frame speedloaders in a pinch. It is always best to use the right one for the gun, of course.

 

[James Bondrock]

Tricky part: there are two variations in the grips (three, counting the round-butt Speed) and you need to know what you've got before ordering stocks.

To the best of my knowledge, no one makes aftermarket grips for the early production models, those whose serial number prefix is 150. The 151-prefix is no problem.

 

[max popenker]

Thanks, folks

one more question: what are differences between old *-six'es and GP100, other than different grip frame/design and barrel shroud/lug shape?
are there any internal differences?

 

[Jim March]

Toughness.

The GP100 is stronger...considerably. If the *-Sixes are "slightly beefed K-Frames", the GP100 is a slightly beefed up L-Frame and can handle an unlimited diet of any sort of hot 357, and even cope with stuff a bit over-spec .

Cor-Bon uses GP100s as 357 development mules, and have never managed to break one.

The GP is heavier though, so some prefer the balance of the older series. And some view the older action as "slickerier" by a bit, although GPs can be broken in or tuned nicely.

I didn't realize the old *-Six series cylinder wasn't exactly K-sized. Huh.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the service-six was available with the 2.75" and 4" barrel. besides .38spl and .357mag, there were limited runs of .38 S&W and 9mm for overseas contracts

the speed-six was simply the service-six with a round butt frame

the nicest security-six i ever saw had a 4"python barrel screwed on it...whole thing had been done in electroless nickle

 

[Mark G.]

I am much more comfortable with my speed 6s (357 & 9mm both 2 3/4 inch barrels) than my GP 100(3 inch barrel). To me the speed 6 seems to have better balance than the GP 100. I don't know if that has something to do with the extra 1/4 inch longer barrel on the GP 100 or what. The weight of the two are comparable. My speed 6 weighs 35.2 ounces and the GP 100 weighs 34.9 ounces. The action between the two feels the same. To me it just comes down to which one feels more comfortable in your hand and I like the feel of the speed 6s.

 

[E=MC^2]

one more question: what are differences between old *-six'es and GP100

I think the biggest difference is that the "Six" line was produced from solid bar-stock steel, while the GP line uses cast MIM technology. The MIM is more economical to produce.

Not that MIM products aren't strong-as-hell, but it's common for 1911 owners to switch out factory MIM parts with bar-stock steel aftermarket ones. The thought is that areas like the sear and hammer notches could snap if the MIM pieces were weaker in that area of the part. I've never seen it happen though.

There was a quote by Bill Ruger where he once said he never made a dollor on the "Six" line of revolvers. They were just too expensive to produce. This could mean that the GP line was introduced to cut costs.

 

[Cosmoline]

I have an early production Security Six (with the smaller stock) and love it. Balance is perfect, and it fits my hand and shoots easier than any GP-100 I've used. Oddly felt recoil is less with it than with much larger revolvers. The best thing about these old guys is PRICE. I got mine for $100 at a pawn shop, and after $80 at Ruger it's looking and shooting real fine. I've rarely seen them for more than $200 or $250.

 

[Poohgyrr]

They are solid revolvers, and probably a good price if you find one. A friend still has an old stainless snub Speed Six maggie that just keeps trucking along. Pachy Compacs fit it well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

e=mc^2 - are you sure about the original six's being made from bar stock? i seem to recall all rugers being casted...that's what sets them apart.

the major advantage of the gp line is the crane lockup and the stud "grip frame"

poohgyrr - if your friend wants to part with that speed-six, let me know...i'd really be interested if it were in 9mm

 

[RON in PA]

Ruger revolver frames (all) are made from investment casting. I am not aware of any use by Ruger of the MIM process. Bar stock was used for cylinders and barrels.

 

[4v50 Gary]

The San Francisco Sheriff's Dept. issued them for a while. Some of the older deputies still have them (the guys who refuse to transition to Glocks).

BTW, regarding speedloaders, I found the HKS loaders for the Mark III Colt or Python also worked. These were the earlier HKS loaders without the little plastic stabilizing fingers.

 

[Jubal Early]

Security Six 38 for CHP

In 1982 or 82, the California Highway Patrol tested some Security-Sixes for carry by their officers. These revolvers were all stamped with the initials CHP. They had 6 inch barells and full size cyliners, but were only drilled deep enough to chamber a .38 not a .357. In effect you had a very heavy duty .38.

In late 1982 CHP decided to stick with their S&Ws. and returned the Security-Sixes to Ruger. There were about 500 made and some were re-sold to dealers. I got one in 83 or 84.

It is a lot of fun to shoot and very accurate with very little recoil since it is so heavy for a .38.

 

[RayVet]

I have had 2 Security Sixes, both 4 inchers. First one bought in '79, It was stolen and relpaced by a Heavy Barreled Target Model in '84.
They are strong and reliable shooters, but they came with heavy gritty triggers. I smoothed them up, per a gun mag article, by clipping off a few coils from the main spring and polishing the hammer/sear. Good as they are, they will never be as smooth as a good Smith.
I still have that heavy barreled, one and keep it handy, as an "Old Faithfull".
BTW: In 1980 I was vacationing in England. Went to the Brithish War Museum and met the Firearms Curator (great Guy..er..Bloke). He told me that they had destructo tested all of the .357's by firing increasingly higher pressure loads, until they let go (usually split cylinders and blown topstraps). The Security/Speed Six was by far the strongest DA 357 tested.
The Ruger Black Hawk was the strongest SA.

 

[usnavymasterchief]

I have a blued Security Six .357 Magnum with the 2.75" barrel. This baby has an adjustable rear sight (they all do I think) and she is DEADLY accurate out to 50 feet. This revolver is around 25 years old and is still as tight as it was when it was new. I bought it a few years ago for $150.This puppy had been abused and shot a bunch because it took a lot of hard work to get the lead out of the rifeling but now the bore looks good as new. If the darn thing wasn't so heavy I would use it as a daily CCW. The trigger action is the smoothest I have ever experienced in a D/A-S/A revolver it may have had a trigger job at some time in it's life but I don't think so. I constantly amaze people at my local indoor range when I step up to the line cold and pop off six quick ones all in the black. This is the most accurate handgun I own. I love mine and won't part with it and as has been said you can find them in pawn shops and gunshops very inexpensively. But let's keep how good they are a closely guarded secret so the price stays down. These really are fine revolvers and terribly under-rated.