Security Six/Police Service Six/ SpeedSix

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RugerMcMarlin

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Why did Ruger discontinue this series in favor of the GP100s?:fire:

I feel SS series far superior to GP100s. Miss them? Or good ridance?
 
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I recall reading an interview with Bill Ruger where he said, he wasn't sure they ever made any money on the SS series. The GP-100 was a more modern design that they optimized for modern manufacture.

There was almost a move at the time by S&W (L-frame) and then Ruger (GP-100) to offer a Colt Python (I-frame) .357 sized revolver to compensate for LE departments going to qualification with their carry loads
 
I have no idea why they were discontinued but I can say without hesitation I will not be getting rid of my older Police Service Six.
The used prices on these revolvers are inching up.
They are no Colt Python but who cares since they were built like a tank.
 
One time out of sheer boredom,I took a Stainless Police service six, some jewelers rouge, and a Dremel tool and, about 4 hours later I had the only Nickel plated Ruger PS Six ever made.;)
 
Did not know that. Of course mine was still stainless, but I had people ask.

BLUEBRICK post your picture of yours again, so they can see what were talking about.
 
I like all the Six series guns. BUT, I also think that the GP-100 is about as good as it gets in a wheelgun, especially for the money. I am particularly partial to the 3".
 
BLUEBRICK post your picture of yours again, so they can see what were talking about.
Click to expand...

Mine is stainless, no production model only prototypes. Ruger has been selling rare and one of a kind prototype guns on there auction site. I think now they use gun broker.
 
Ruger was never one to rest upon his laurels. Hence the Blackhawk because the Super Blackhawk with a re-engineered trigger system. Look also to the evolution of the original semi-automatic P-85 to the P-95. Each gun became progressively better by reducing the parts and multi-tasking those fewer parts. The changes reflected better engineering with each design.

As good as the Security Six and its siblings were, the Redhawk was a step forward and Ruger decided that he could build a better revolver than the Security Six. Hence the GP-100 and SP series.
 
I think Bill Ruger made a big mistake discontining the Security Six series revolvers. Its well known that Bill said they never made any money on these revolvers. But Ruger made and sold over 1.5 million of them. Its hard for me to believe that Ruger did not make any money on these revolvers. Even though the GP100 is suppose to be stronger there is no doubt in mind that the Security Six was more than strong enough and reliable enough to compete. Stronger than the S&W model 19 it could take the steady diet of 357 magnums were the model 19 started shooting "loose" after a certain round count. S&W made the model 19 and 66 until 1999. Long after S&W introduced the L frame 586/686 to address the issues of the K frame shooting 357 magnums S&W still sold them and enjoyed a huge market for the medium frame revolver market. Ruger stopped making the Security Six in 1988 and I think they lost a huge amount of money because of this decision. Not everybody will buy a larger revolver like the GP100. They are heavier and with the full underlug to me don't balance as well as the Security Six.
I will never sell my Police Service Six 4 inch. It is to me the best double action revolver Ruger ever made.
Regards,
Howard
RugerServiceSix.gif
 
I just bought two security sixes. The first was a first year late 1972 model. I love the smallness and the light weight. Its more like a model 15 that shoots 357 loads. The second is a 1986 model and while its a little heavier with the thicker barrel its still several ounces lighter than a GP100.

They make excellent trail guns and seem to be plenty accurate. I carry a model 65 in my truck and after a few more test it may be switched out for the security six.
 
Lots of good Rugers were made.

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Smiths to!

Deaf
 

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To me the 4" stainless Security Six was the perfect combination of size, weight, balance, design, and function in a medium frame .357 revolver.
 
I like both the GP100 and the Security/Service/Speed Six series. The Sixes are just the right size for a carry 357 Magnum. The GP100 has less recoil due to the weight. I had a six incher and shooting full loads was like shooting a 22lr, almost.
 
I don't like the GP 100. It is unnecessarily thick and heavy. In my opinion the original Security Six carries and handles better and it will still stand up to all the shooting you are likely to do. Used .357 revolvers have been good deals at guns shows since law enforcement switched over to semi-autos in the late 1980’s and flooded the market but prices are starting to go up. If you want one this is the time to get it. Bill Ruger is not making any more of them. They will never be as cheap as they are right now.
 
The GP's are thicker and heavier but I think that they are still great guns. I think that the fixed sight GP's are actually very "six" like, especially when they had the compact rubber/wood grips. The 4" fixed with the short underlug is much more streamlined and elegant than the 4" adjustable sight GP. And, the 3" GP with the old style grip is my all time favorite handgun.
 
Well, I will consider trying those. they don't sound like the one I shot early on.

I really like the speed six, and security sixes. I think they are about perfect, so any changes seems like backing up to me.

Just horsing around with some guys on the pistol team 1 time, on a dare, probably after I was running my mouth. I was challenged to shoot the Air Force Qualification course,and all the stages, with my 2" stainless security six. After it was all done, I had scored a 287,
which in those days rated another "cluster " device on the Small Arms Expert ribbon.Just about everybody had the ribbon. You had to qualify every year. The instructer was there and saw it ,so he counted it towards my annual for that year.We usually were required to use the S&W M15, 4" 38. We all were shooting alot in those days though.
 
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Get the Security Six, one of the best revolvers I have ever owned.
 
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