I currently have a Speed Six in .38, haven't got to use it much. People seem to love them. I saw a Model 65 for about $400 in a shop, seemed like a good price and it'd be nice to be able to use .357 as well as .38. I'd sell the Speed Six to fund the Model 65. The shop owner suggested I "hold on to the Speed Six because they don't make them anymore," but they seem common enough... So I was wondering if it'd be worth it to make the upgrade. They're both 4" barrels.
S&W Model 65 VS Ruger Speed Six?
- Thread starter addedpulp
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I'd keep the Speed Six. I had one in .357 and sold it back in the early 90s. I've been kicking myself ever since. The previous owner had a trigger job done on it, and it was fan-friggin-tastic. If I still had it, I wouldn't ever think about selling it. It's a great revolver.
The Smith model 65 is a great gun, also. It's one of my favorites, as is the Speed Six.
The 65 is a lot easier to come by.
The only thing you're giving up to the 65 is caliber, and if you use good +P hollowpoints like Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWCHP +P, you're doing just fine for a defensive gun.
The Smith model 65 is a great gun, also. It's one of my favorites, as is the Speed Six.
The 65 is a lot easier to come by.
The only thing you're giving up to the 65 is caliber, and if you use good +P hollowpoints like Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWCHP +P, you're doing just fine for a defensive gun.
jrod
Member
KEEP THE SPEED SIX!! 
I had to sell my 4" .357 Speed six in 1987. I still wish I could've kept it.
I had to sell my 4" .357 Speed six in 1987. I still wish I could've kept it.Thanks for that. Yeah, my main interest in the 65 is the caliber. Is the Speed Six uncommon? Is it likely to be worth something down the line? I haven't seen many 65s, but when I bought the Speed Six, the seller had a bunch of them, but it seems they've all sold now.
Blue Brick
Member
+1 Ruger
Blue Brick
Member
BTW 4 inch Speed Six is very rare.
SwampWolf
Member
I'd go for the Model 65. A great revolver with a better trigger (sa and da) than the Ruger imo. And the .357 Magnum chambering makes it a very versatile gun-able to handle .38 Special wadcutters all the way to full-house magnums.
Zebraranger
Member
I'd keep the Six and figure out a way to get the 65.
I wouldn't trade or sell the Speed-Six either, they really are special.
I may be a bit bias as the only ones I'd be able to buy would have to already be in the state
I may be a bit bias as the only ones I'd be able to buy would have to already be in the state
MachIVshooter
Member
Only if you're into collecting old Rugers.
I wouldn't have to think for even a millisecond if I had to decide between my M65 and my Security-Six. Bye-bye Ruger.
Just goes to show how preferences differ.
I'd take a Speed-Six over not only a M65, but also over a M13, M19, M66 and it would be a close call between it and a M686/586...yes, I've owned all the S&W models mentioned...but then I think the Ruger "Six" family are the nicest DA revolvers they've ever made and I consider them the best mid-sized .357 Magnum to carry.
They do take a different understanding of the action to tune, but they can be tuned just as nicely as a S&W can, as long as they retain the ability to set off Magnum primers
I'd take a Speed-Six over not only a M65, but also over a M13, M19, M66 and it would be a close call between it and a M686/586...yes, I've owned all the S&W models mentioned...but then I think the Ruger "Six" family are the nicest DA revolvers they've ever made and I consider them the best mid-sized .357 Magnum to carry.
They do take a different understanding of the action to tune, but they can be tuned just as nicely as a S&W can, as long as they retain the ability to set off Magnum primers
oldfool
Member
I wouldn't give up a k-frame for a Six, but I wouldn't give up a Six for a k-frame either.
I would keep the Six and work towards the day of getting a K to go with.
You have to shoot both a mighty lot to figure out which you personally like best, and it sounds like the OP has done neither.
Way too many gun forum posts saying "I wish I hadn't sold..." (so don't sell or trade until you do know)
I would keep the Six and work towards the day of getting a K to go with.
You have to shoot both a mighty lot to figure out which you personally like best, and it sounds like the OP has done neither.
Way too many gun forum posts saying "I wish I hadn't sold..." (so don't sell or trade until you do know)
I'd ask how much you think you'd shoot 357s out of the 65. I probably wouldn't trade. The 38 speed six is the same strength revolver as the 357 Speed Six and is concidered by many to be a stronger revolver than a K frame. You could even have the six rechambered.
sidheshooter
Member
I think you'd regret selling the six. I say that with confidence, because you like the gun, and, as mentioned above, the world is filled with people who really regret selling a gun they once liked; mainly because they still like it-even more after it's gone.
That said, I only have one of the myriad Ruger DA revolvers that I've owned left, but I'll never sell my 3" RB 65-3. S&W 65s are awesome.
That said, I only have one of the myriad Ruger DA revolvers that I've owned left, but I'll never sell my 3" RB 65-3. S&W 65s are awesome.
Cosmoline
Member
The Smith trigger is better, but no way should you trade off a Six. I made that mistake back in the days when they were still cheap and regretted it. I won't mention what I sold the bicentennial marked one for (weeps)
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