Security Six vs. Model 19 Combat Magnum

[camar]

I own both with 6"bbl. The Ruger is stainless, the S&W is blued. I fire both a lot. I use reloads of 173gr.LSWC in both. So far after maybe 10yrs.(?). no cracks or end shake in the Mdl.19, just as tight as the day I bought it. I know it was not made for a steady diet of .357 Mag., but my thinking is if you have a .357 Mag. you use .357 Mag. in it.
With that said the Ruger Security-Six seems to be the better of the 2.

 

[NoirFan]

What dash model did you buy? In 1977 the Model 19-4 had the gas ring moved from the yoke to the cylinder. I'm curious as to wether this was a fix for your problem or potentially a cause of your problem.

Radagast, it is a 19-2. It hasn't had a problem since the factory fix but the question is still in the back of my mind every time I shoot magnums through it.

 

[Radagast]

Noirfan: Thanks. Sounds like S&W applied their fix to the 19-4 version, so later guns shouldn't have that problem. I understand your hesitancy, I wouldn't go long distance driving in a car with a history of breakdowns, even if it is fine around the city. Same for a gun that has broken in the past. It may be a cool range toy, but there would always be that 'what if' in the back of my mind about serious uses.

 

[MCgunner]

My 19 was better in every way than my security six other than the SS was a stronger frame. The 19 is worth more money, equal condition. I did a trigger job to the SS and that make it MUCH better in DA. It shot acceptably, just not quite as well as the 19. I'm talking bench accuracy at 25 yards, not anything non-quantifiable like "feel" and such.

That said, as a shooter, I prefer my Taurus 66s to either. The 4" one is just amazing, more accurate than I am.

Given the choice, though, I'd check bought out for condition, equal condition, i'd have to go with the K frame.

 

[MCgunner]

I have a 4" 19-3 that I bought new. It's relegated to wadcutter or +P loads but it's nice to know I can stoke it up if I want.
I've done a lot of reading on the split forcing cone issue and concluded it's a steady diet of super-hot 110 or 125gr loads that cause the issues. YMMV

I'm sure the 125 grain stuff is hard on the K frames. I had a split forcing cone, bottom where the flat is....on a M10! I shot mostly wadcutter stuff in it, wasn't hot loads that did it. I'm convinced it was lead build up on the forcing cone since almost nothing, but cast lead ever went through it. I rebarreled it and it still lives in my possession. I scrub the bore now with chore boy religiously. Haven't had a problem with the new barrel. But, yeah, that forcing cone can be a problem on the K frames.

No doubt the Ruger's frame and round forcing cone are superior. If the Ruger is in better condition, that would sway me toward it. The trigger can be cleaned up if it's stiff with a spring. The action has probably cycled enough to smooth it out if it's been shot much. I also like the ease of take down and the coil springs in the Ruger.

Anyway, up to you, really. I'd really wanna check wear condition and such of the two guns. Equal wear, i'd sway toward the Smith, personally.

 

[StrawHat]

Nothing like a Ford/chevy debate to get things going!

Having owned both the Security Six and the Model 19, I would ask what you intend to do with the revolver? IT will make a big difference on what you buy. If it is a hunting revolver, either will do. Hangin it on the wall to look at, either will do. For target work, I have always preferred the S&W action and accuracy. In my hands the Rugers have a gritty action that never cleaned up. Some S&Ws have needed to be smoothed, but they always were able to be cleaned up if needed.

That being said, both of the Security Sixes have been sold and the S&W M19 is also gone. In this size of a revolver, I prefer the 38 Special and have several K frames so chambered.

 

[Hangingrock]

The M-19 was brought into the market place in the era of 38spl shot most of the time and 357Mag occasionally. The 125Gr 357Mag loading used continuously resulted in split forcing cones. The Dynamics of that forced S&W to market the L-frame. At that point law enforcement agencies were staring the transition to semiautomatic pistols.

I had an early Security Six and a GP100. They were both serviceable but my preference was S&W - K frames.

Fast forwarding to today my usage of revolvers has declined to the point of only three revolvers in my collection a N – K & J.

 

[bcp280z]

I would mainly like one for playing around at the range, I already have a few CC, just trying to expand my collection. They have this cool factor ( I know they are diff calibers, But I already have a 38 so trying to keep all my guns 38 or 40 for now) But think Taxi Driver or Dirty Harry, just big classy looking revolvers.

And that my only experience with wheel guns is my 438 snub, so I would like to try out a bigger/longer revolver, I've got 3 diff sized 40's, why not more 38's? And with the addition of the famed 357..

 

[Owen Sparks]

So here is a relivant question, why did Ruger stop producing the security six and start making the even chunkier GP-100? I much prefer the Security Six and se no advantage in an even heavier frame.

 

[slick6]

We probably will never know the reason the Security-Six was dropped. Bill Ruger wanted to drop the Security-Six against the wishes of his engineering team-as they wanted to keep the Security-Six in the line-up along with their GP100. Afterall, Smith & Wesson still kept their Model 19/66 in their revolver offerings even after introducing their new L-frame revolvers. This was probably the biggest "Blunder" that Bill Ruger had ever made!

 

[Kiln]

Can't speak for the Model 19 but the Security Six is awesome. Easily the best revolver I've ever owned.

 

[Jonah71]

Can't speak for the Model 19 but the Security Six is awesome. Easily the best revolver I've ever owned.

I agree. It's a great gun. I have the 1972 model. Fired about 20 rounds of .357 and 30 rounds of .38 spec. through it yesterday to releive stress after just leaving the hospital where I took a stress test. Also put about 20 rounds each through the old 3 screw and a box through the CZ 75B. Got my heart rate up faster than the chemicals they shot me up with at the hospital but I certainly felt better!
I don't recall ever firing a M19, and I'm sure it's a great gun. It would have to be to stand up to the Sec.Six imo. Now I'll be looking for one to try out myself.

 

[Walkalong]

Both are great. The SS has a really nice DA when it is smoothed up. As nice or nicer than the Smith. The SA of the Smith is going to be better, at least for range work.

 

[oldfool]

now those are great pics of both, Walkalong !
you don't often see Ruger Sixes that nice

cannot comment on the versus
The Ruger Six is the most respected 357 I don't own
would though if the woobie bear didn't have such expensive taste

 

[JWJacobVT]

I own a Smith19/686/27, I am issued a GP100. I much prefer the Smiths and so do the students I teach. Nicer trigger pull, both SA & DA. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DM~]

I have two M-19's, one in 357 mag., and the other in 44 spl... I've also owned several security sixes, they are all long gone now, but the 19's are still here and won't ever be sold. The 19's are much nicer revolvers, and do everything i need them to do!

DM

 

[roaddog28]

I have both. A S&W 19 along with a 66 and 13. I also have a Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch. Both revolvers are very good. The strenght goes to the Security/Service Six. Double action trigger will goe to the S&W. But a Security Six will break in and have a good trigger. My Police Service Six does.
Security Sixes will shoot 357 magnums at a higher round count than a model 19. As far as using the 125 gr full house magnums. Any revolver that is subject to shooting a lot of 125 gr full house magnums will erode the forcing cone and have a more frame cutting than shooting heavier grain rounds. I know one forum member that melted a Ruger GP100 in the forcing cone and throat of the barrel shooting a lot of full house 125 gr magnums. This round is very hard on any revolver.
I shoot heavier grain magnums. Even a model 19 will last longer shooting a heavier grain round.
The prices on both revolvers are high. I would find a better deal and buy the one that is in the best condition.
Good luck,
Howard

 

[S&W-Keeper]

Get the Smith,that is to much to pay for the Ruger,nice but to high.

 

[Ala Dan]

I think you all know what camp I will be in~! Of course, the Smith & Wesson
camp; as I believe they made some of the best of the older lots of firearms;
including model 19's. I have a pristine model 19-3 factory nickel, in the
original factory gray-blue box, with all docs and tools. I also own a 6 target
model, w/o box or docs; and a 66-4 (2.5" stainless) the same way. All are
excellent firearms; and I prefer 'em over the Rugers~!

 

[4v50 Gary]

Generally the DA triggers on the S&W is better than on the Ruger. S&W triggers are a bit longer and the transition of energy is smoother. That said, the Ruger is a superior firearm in terms of durability. You don't have to worry about screws coming loose or the ejector rod coming undone and preventing you from opening the action. There's no sideplate on a Ruger and the Ruger will take more abuse than any S&W will.

While I have more S&W revolvers than Rugers, I prefer Ruger for its ruggedness.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

The S&W's are beautifully fitted and finished, and are much more aesthetic. However, if you intend to shoot it, and shoot it a lot, the Ruger takes the lead. It beats the Colt Python for the same reason, should you be a shooter.

 

[2ndtimer]

[QUOTEThe S&W's are beautifully fitted and finished, and are much more aesthetic. However, if you intend to shoot it, and shoot it a lot, the Ruger takes the lead. It beats the Colt Python for the same reason, should you be a shooter.
][/QUOTE]
+1! While I have never owned a Model 19/66, my shooting buddy did back in the late 70's, while I had the Securty Six stainless. His had the smoother action, was esthetically pleasing, and after a couple of thousand rounds, the split forcing cone. My Ruger was corrosion resistant, accurate, reliable and still ready for more after more thousands of rounds. I think the reason Ruger discontinued it was to make sure that the GP-100 would be successful in the market. It is even more durable than the Security Six, but I prefer the handling of the 4" heavy barrel Security Six to the heavier bulkier GP-100. (Truth be told, I prefer my 4" Model 28 to all of them)

 

[bigtubby]

Owned all the sixes in 2 3/4" they are all gone got one 19-3 snub I would never sell it and am looking for another one. However I only shoot .38+P out of it I have L and N frames for shooting full house .357's I believe most of the failed forcing cones were on the dash 5 and later something about the crush fit barrel also heard it was carbon buildup on the forcing cone created hotspots causing them to crack.

 

[easyrider604]

I am very happy with my Security Six in stainless and my S&W 66.

They feel different enough to warrant owning both and shooting both.

I plan to keep them both for a very, very long time.

 

[BBQLS1]

Neither, they want too much at just under $500 each. Both should be under $400. The Smith might be worth more if it's something special. I doubt it is.



The Ruger will be stronger, the Smith will be smoother.