Security Six Barrel swap?

[wilkersk]

I inherited a Security Six with a 6" barrel. I used to own one with a 4" barrel and a nice big front sight. I miss that revolver! Can I swap my 6" barrel for a 4"? How hard would it be to do it myself, assuming I can find one?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It takes special equipment and expertise - usually at the factory level, or by a gunsmith with such training - to change a revolver barrel. It is screwed extremely tightly into the frame, and your new barrel may not index correctly when screwed back into the frame, usually requiring machining of the shoulder, an equal amount removed from the breech end and the forcing cone recut. Ruger will not do it as your donor barrel was not originally made for your particular gun, and it might well exceed the cost of another gun with the desired barrel length to have a gunsmith do it.

 

[wilkersk]

Thanks! I think I'm gonna look for a S&W 629 4" stainless. I'll keep the Sec. Six in memory of the f-n-law.

 

[Ed Harris]

They quit manufacturing the Security Six about 1986-87 when the GP100 series first came out. I expect that the supply of customer service repair parts is probably exhausted by now, but it wouldn't hurt to contact Ruger and ask if they could or would rebarrel the gun for you. I had my Security Six and a Police Service Six factory refurbished about 2 years ago. Total cost was less than a reblue at the local shop. I was original purchaser, so was able to ship factory direct for repair, and they returned direct to me. The guns came back looking like new, cylinder end play gone, new replacement factory rosewood grips and they returned my old parts.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A six-inch barrel is a little unwieldy for CCW, but for static defense situations (e.g., home or business), or just a fun day at the range, it is fine. It has a longer sight radius which will increase your accuracy, reduces recoil and blast and imparts more velocity to the bullet.

 

[Confederate]

There are a number of reasons why you might want to keep the 6-inch barrel. As noted, the longer sight radius and higher velocity are factors, but also consider that most modern 6-inch .357s are pretty obnoxious with full underlug barrels that are nice to shoot at the range but a pain to carry and use in the field -- but the Security-Six remains light and easy to carry and shoot, plus it packs a hell of a punch in any barrel length.

That said, it doesn't cost anything to pick up the phone and call Ruger. I doubt parts are difficult to come by and the 4-inchers have their charms.

Is your gun stainless or blued?