Ruger revolver questions

[Trebor]

I'd like to learn a little more about Ruger revolvers. I've heard good things about the old Speed six/Security Six/Service Six guns and I'm wondering what the practical differences are between the older guns and Ruger's GP 100 guns?

What are the differences between the Security/Speed and Service Six'es?

How do the Ruger guns, both the "Six" line up and the GP/SP guns, compare in size and weight to the S&W guns?

I'm not a real fan of the GP 100, but I'm wondering if I should hunt down an older "six" series gun.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Byron]

This is jolting my memory. The security six had adjustable sights and was in barrel lengths of 2 3/4", 4" and 6". the original grips were similiar to the small grips on S&W K Frames. The speed six as I recall had a bobbed hammer and was 2 3/" barrel.It was fixed sights. The service six was a fixed sight 4" police style revolver. Later Ruger came out with stainless versions and a neopreme style grip as an option. Like the GP series, it was sub assemblies.It had the one tradional locking latch for the cyclinder. These were very strong guns. If I am in error, someone correct me. Byron

 

[JohnKSa]

They're plenty strong, but not like the GP100s.

Some people prefer the earlier guns because they are lighter.

 

[twoblink]

The newer ones like the GP and SP series have double locks, and are built like tanks. Some of the people on this board have shot literally 10K+ rounds through their GP's without a hiccup or any signs of aging.. (I mean aging on the gun, not the people )

 

[444]

The Security Six is a wonderful revolver. I have owned one in the past and shot one a few hours ago. Very nice revolver.
That being said, I wouldn't trade my GP100 for one. I consider my GP100 to be the epitome of revolver design.

 

[Jim March]

The Security/Service/Speed series frame loosely corresponds to an S&W K-Frame. More or less. Slight beefiness advantage to the Ruger (as usual). Quite good guns - a VERY heavy diet of the hottest 125grain Magnums will beat them up but it's simply not necessary to do all your practice in those. If you MUST practice with carry fodder, the Gold Dot 158grain slug loaded to around 1,250fps by Proload and Georgia Arms is getting notice as a viable alternative to even the best 125s; I won't say these guns can eat an unlimited diet of those, but certainly a hell of a lot.

The GP is more like the L-Frame, but stronger and with significant design flaws eliminated (such as the sideplate issue, the lack of on-crane lockup on the S&W, ease of total takedown, etc). You simply cannot break one short of woefully improper cleaning drills and/or disgustingly over-pressure handloads and even then you've got to work at it. Cor-Bon and others use these as development mules without a failure. "Tough" doesn't begin.

(Then again, if you really do want stronger, there was a run of 5,000 Ruger Redhawks done in 357Magnum. These are just silly-strong...reloaders have reported 1,800fps+ from 158s and other totally-psycho-in-anything-else experiments. World's strongest DA 357, period. Ruger ended production, deciding it was just gross overkill. The Blackhawk in 357 is almost as crazy-strong and may match it, although I think the cylinder dimensions are a wee bit smaller.)

 

[444]

"Then again, if you really do want stronger, there was a run of 5,000 Ruger Redhawks done in 357Magnum."

Out of those 5000, I have two of them.

 

[Trebor]

Thanks for the info. Here's a few more questions:

I've heard that the Ruger revos can have problems with trigger reset or "free wheeling (?)" triggers. I'm not exactly sure what the issue is here and how much of a concern it really is. Can anyone comment on this?

I have fired a friend's GP 100 several times, with both .38's and .357's, and I must so I don't like it very much. The gun doesn't seem to fit me very well and I can't seem to hit anything with it. I like the rugged rep of the Ruger guns and I'm wondering if the older "Six series" guns would work for me better than the GP.

I'm also considering a 9mm revolver. Does anyone have experience with the Ruger 9mm guns they can share?

Did Ruger make any revolvers with a 3" barrel?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Jim March]

Rob, the GP is available in a fixed-sight 3" (and 4"), and adjustable-sight 4", 5" and 6".

What most people don't realize is that the factory grip on the fixed-sight GPs is *smaller*. It's closer to SP101 size and is more "round-butt-ish".

Both guns have the same internal "grip stub". Lett grips sells all the parts to swap from one type to the other for about $40, unless you want extra-fancy inserts. (Lett is Ruger's gripmaker.)

A lot of people are VERY happy with adjustable-sight 4" GPs set up with the smaller grip. You should look for a range rental fixed-sight gun, confirm it's wearing the smaller grip and see how that feels.

I believe there are also completely different alternatives by Hogue, Eagle, etc but am not up on what's out there. I imagine a small "deep cover" grip is popular.

Mind you, I'm *guessing* that the problem is a larger fixed-sight-type GP grip in too small a hand - or even normal hands. This is the most common complaint about GP grips. That same grip is used on SuperRedHawks - it's *big*. Doesn't feel right to me, and I'm 6'4".

Edited to add: Not familiar with the reset/freewheel issue you mention. Consider posting a query to that effect on the wheelgun forum at www.rugerforum.com

 

[tbeb]

I own a blue S&W Model 15 with a 4" barrel (15 is a .38 special with adjustable sights) and a stainless Ruger Speed Six .357 magnum with 2 3/4" barrel. The trigger finger reach is a little shorter on the Ruger when they both wear stock grips. They both have had trigger work. Empty weight is "about" the same but the Ruger feels a little heavier. I've always been a Smith man but of these two I like the Ruger the best.

I once owned a GP100 and found it to be a very good revolver. It, or a Security Six/Service Six/Speed Six would be a good choice. Security Six has adjustable sights, and I think a square grip. Service Six has sguare grip and Speed Six has round grip--both have fixed sights. The GP100 weighs more than the other three. If I was buying a revolver with adjustable sights I would buy a GP100.

 

[Bob F.]

My wife's first handgun was a Speed six stainless in 38 Special. It has a conventional hammer and weighs a ton. Now wears Pachmyers. I'd like to try Jordan Troopers on it. It's pretty much a "safe Queen' Now since she got a SP-101 DAO. I smoothed the action a tad and it's a sweetheart. Much smaller and lighter than the Speed Six, a fine carry piece if you're into wheelguns. I like the 3" bbls. they seem to balance and point better for me.

Bob

 

[Trebor]

Thanks for the info guys. I currently have Smith 10 and 28-2 and I'm trying to round out my knowledge of revolvers a bit. I'm looking for a 3" gun for CCW and Rugers are the ones I know the least about currently. I'm tempted by the SP101, but not sure if I'd like it better or worse than a J frame or snubby K frame.

 

[9mmepiphany]

sounds like you're in ther market for a 3" smith m-13 or a 2.75" ruger spee/service six...of the 2 the ruger is stronger and will standup to more magnum loads before needing service.

i think the security/service/speed six family are idea CCW wheelguns. they are the strongest in their size class and are the least overbuilt ruger handguns ever produced.

the speed six was available in both the 2.75" and 4" barrels. the difference between them and the service six were the buttframes. the speed models are round butted

 

[E=MC^2]

What most people don't realize is that the factory grip on the fixed-sight GPs is *smaller*. It's closer to SP101 size and is more "round-butt-ish".

Very interesting information.

I purchased a 4-inch Speed-Six last summer and both myself and the wife loved it. She then takes over posession by default.

I decided I'd look into the blued 4-inch GP100 version but could only find adjustable-sighted models. Didn't really care for the grip, compared to the Speed-Six anyways. I ended up purchasing a new 3-inch SP101 which I recently gave my father as a gift.

I think I'll check into the fixed-sight GP100 version again. Of course if I come across another 'Six series' I'd buy it in an instant.

 

[James Bondrock]

Did Ruger make any revolvers with a 3" barrel?

The GP100 is available in a 3" barrel with fixed sights. The Security Six and Speed Six were available with 2 3/4" barrels.

 

[James Bondrock]

I've heard that the Ruger revos can have problems with trigger reset or "free wheeling (?)" triggers. I'm not exactly sure what the issue is here and how much of a concern it really is. Can anyone comment on this?

I have never heard of a free-wheeling trigger. The trigger reset can be an issue until you familiarize yourself with the gun. If it is not allowed to return fully forward after firing a shot (aka "short-stroking"), the trigger will seem to freeze or lock up when you pull it again for the next shot. The Smith & Wesson action is more forgiving of this than Ruger's. Just practice with it (BTW, do not lose finger contact with the trigger when it resets, which will cause you to slap at the trigger and push your next shot off target) and you will be fine.

 

[Bob F.]

The SP-101 is, or was, avail in 3". I know at one time the .357 was; and sa-da or dao (bobbed hammer). The SP-101 is a lot more compact than the earlier "6's". The hottest factory 357 mags are a handful IMHO, but everything else (from midrange .357's on down) are "pussycats". I'd prefer the sa-da and bob the hammer myself, leaving the sa capability that you don't get with the factory bob (dao). IMHO, you really need to handle a 3' 101 before laying your money down, that's one sweet piece!!

 

[Nick96]

The Ruger Security, Service & Speed Six series (all the same frame and innards) were basically competitors to the S&W K frames. The only difference between the Security, Service & Six series were butt shapes (round or square) and sights (adjustible or fixed). I happen to think they were superior to the S&W K frame (mediun Frame) revolvers at the time of their production. Difference is the K Frame S&W is still in production and the Ruger Six series is not. While the Six series are very good firearmes - if I were to buy a new medium frame revolver, it would be a S&W K frame rather than a used Six Series revolver.

The SP frame Rugers are small frame revolvers (slightly larger than the S&W J frames) chambered primarily in .357. For size, weight and caliber - I think they are the top choice for a durable small frame, shootable revolver in this caliber.

The GP series is more like the L frame S&W's. The Rugers are generally regarded to be more durable - but the S&W's are typically better finished with better triggers. So as far as I'm concerned - it's a question of preferance (though the Rugers tend to run a few buck cheaper than the S&W's).

If you can find a Ruger Six series revolver in good condition that you really like for under $300 - then get it. Otherwise spend a few extra bucks and get a new S&W K frame. If you want a S&W L frame size revolver - I'd go with the GP 100 instead (just cause I tend to like Rugers better).

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you don't mind used guns and you're not adverse to having custom work done on it too...

i'm personally very partial to a security six with a python barrel added to he front for balance (both physical and visual). i think the 4" looks great, but i'll bet you could make a 2.5" python barrel work too (there is alot of meat in the underlug)