The Security-Six.S&W 19/66: Did Progress Kill Them?

[SharpsDressedMan]

I always hated those grips. It made the Ruger look like it wanted to be a Smith & Wesson.......

 

[roaddog28]

I don't agree with the statement the Security Six was simply a scaled up 38 special.

There's the SP-101 and the GP100. The Security Six, being an older design, just wasn't as popular as some of the newer compact magnums, nor was it as strong due to its older design that was simply scaled up from .38 Special. The SP-101 really took the place of the Security Six, far more so than the monster GP100. My family has both an SP-101 and a GP100. I refer to the GP100 as the "BFR". The SP-101 is my father's truck gun, and has been for many years.

Bill Ruger designed the Security Six in the early seventies to compete in the LE and Civilian market. The Security Six was built as a 357 magnum designed to shoot large amounts of 357s. In my earlier post I said the Security Six would wear out with a lot of 125 gr full magnum ammo. Very few 357 revolvers can stand shooting large amounts of the full power 125 gr ammo. But the Security Six was much stronger than the K frame magnum and would take large amounts of 357 ammo in the 158 gr round. The K frame could not do that without shooting loose or going out of time.
There is a well know acticle done by David Tong on the Security Six. He describes a Security Six that is a rental revolver at a range. The owner of the range estimates this Security Six has seen 1,400,000 rounds put though it without a part breaking. Now the range owner does not say how many magnums versus 38 specials but this tells me that the Security Six can take it.
I will include the link.
Howard
http://www.chuckhawks.com/ruger_security_six.htm

 

[L-Frame]

Well, I know it's not the romantic/nostalgic answer here, but I've owned a speed six and security six, a model 65, and a few other K's. I much prefer my 3" GP-100 (with the old style compact grip) for concealed carry, and my 686-5 as an all around gun to those older designs.

And, I've owned a GP-100 4" with the short shroud and fixed sights, and it's just a bit bigger than the 4" Service Six, and looks darn near identical. I always hear how big and blocky the GP-100 is, but I think the Security Six is the blockiest of them all.

Not criticizing any of them because I am a true blue wheelgun guy and have always loved the Rugers and S&W's (pre lock), I just like the GP's and 686's better.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,

Not criticizing any of them because I am a true blue wheelgun guy and have always loved the Rugers and S&W's (pre lock), I just like the GP's and 686's better.

Nothing wrong with the GP100 and the 686. I own a GP100 and I use to own a 686. There fine revolvers. I am referring to one of the posts saying the Security Six was a updated 38 special. Ruger designed the Security Six as a 357 revolver from the ground up. It was made in 38 special but mainly for LE. The 9mm was a limited run that did not sell. The Security Six was a true 357 magnum revolver. Alot of people including myself think the Security Six was a better all around revolver than the GP100. I also think the K frame magnum was the best all around revolver Smith ever made. Too me better balanced, points better and is a better carry revolver. Only the fact it was really a 38 special revolver modified to shoot 357s was its only real weakness. The GP100 and 686 are the modern replacements for the Six and K frame. I personally own several K frame magnums and love them. I also have owned and still own one Police Service Six. I am a true revolver man and have owned over 20 revolvers ranging from single to single/double action. I about as old school as it come.
Happy Shooting


Howard

 

[oldfool]

progress ain't killed mine yet
seven of 'em in the safe
ain't likely to kill 'em anytime soon, either

 

[slick6]

Well, I know it's not the romantic/nostalgic answer here, but I've owned a speed six and security six, a model 65, and a few other K's. I much prefer my 3" GP-100 (with the old style compact grip) for concealed carry, and my 686-5 as an all around gun to those older designs.

And, I've owned a GP-100 4" with the short shroud and fixed sights, and it's just a bit bigger than the 4" Service Six, and looks darn near identical. I always hear how big and blocky the GP-100 is, but I think the Security Six is the blockiest of them all.

Not criticizing any of them because I am a true blue wheelgun guy and have always loved the Rugers and S&W's (pre lock), I just like the GP's and 686's better.

I don't agree with your statement, "I think the Security Six is the blockiest of them all". IMHO, this doesn't fit at all! First, you know that a S&W L-frame is a larger frame than a medium size K-frame-and, the L-frame is blockier. By the same token, the Security Six is K-frame size and the GP100 is L-frame size-therefore, being larger and blockier than a Security/Service-Six-especially, in the full lug adjustable sight models.

I like both the S&W K & L-frame revolvers as well as the Security-Six and GP100-but, I like the Security/Service-Sixes the best! However, my favorite GP100 is the fixed sight half lug 4" model-since it strongly resembles the Service Six-as you had indicated! However, looks is purely subjective-so, everyone's opinion is valid here! To each his own, I always say.

 

[Blue Brick]

the Security Six would wear out with a lot of 125 gr full magnum ammo.

Do you have any examples…?

 

[PzGren]

A couple of years ago I saved a very neglected and rusty Service Six for $140. I restored and rust blued the gun with barely any cost involved and came up with a fine shooter. The action came out pretty well and has the best trigger characteristics of the four Ruger revolvers that I kept. But I still prefer the D/A pull of a good S&W over any Ruger like a Korth over the S&W.

 

[22-rimfire]

For years I ignored anything Ruger made and my first Smith revolver was a Model 57 (41 mag) because Colt didn't make one. My first Ruger was a Mark II 22 pistol acquired around 1989 to offset field use (or abuse) of my HS Victor. I think Ruger revolvers moved into mainstream in quality and popularity with the introduction of the Redhawk. I didn't notice Ruger until the SP-101 and GP-100 came out and both are in my opinion raging successes. Folks like the underluged barrel even though it adds weight. Then I backed up to the Redhawk and liked it. Gun writers of the day raved about the Redhawk; I ignored them at the time.

 

[420Stainless]

Progress eventually kills everything. I'm glad I got mine though. The Model 19 is great and I shoot my Security Six as well as any revolver I own regardless of market value. Nothing in any manufacturers common current .357 models would be worth trading either for to me. However, the current models shoot just fine and there are plenty of flexible options.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi, I don't have a personal experience but I will give you a some link. The Security Sixes he decribes had a lot of 125 gr magnums put through them and the barrels wore out and eroded. But like I said most 357s will out wear out sooner with the 125 gr magnums with extended used. The Security is a strong revolver. I have one. The revolver has seen many, many magnums. But like I said in my previous post I stick with the 140 to 158 gr. Here is a link from a poster on Smith & Wesson that had some Security Sixes that wore out do to heavy use of 125 gr ammo. There are some other posts on forums like the firing line and even Ruger forum.

Do you have any examples…?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/156542-show-us-your-service-revolver.html

 

[Blue Brick]

No pictures, unfortunately...But I used two different Ruger 4" DA .357s from 1981 until retirement in 1994; putting literally cases of factory 125grain Magnums through both and replacing the barrels. To say that I trust them and have a soft spot for them would be an understatement.

Pictures would be nice.....I like visual evidence.

 

[roaddog28]

I agree

Pictures would be nice.....I like visual evidence.

He did not include any pictures. I also read on the Ruger forum once about a fella that had a Security Six with the same problem. Another poster on the Ruger forum said he wore a GP100 shooting about 1000 rounds of 125 gr full power ammo.
Now I own a Police Service Six and a GP100 and I have never had problems. I shoot 357s all the time. I don't shoot the 125 grainers much but I have. Personally, I don't like the round anyway. Too much recoil for me.

The only reason I mentioned it on my post was because I believe shooting the full power 125gr ammo will wear even the Security Six out faster. The round is very hard on the forcing cone and backstrap area.

All of my Rugers are my strongest handguns I have. Along with my GP100 and my Service Six I have a New Model Blackhawk 4 5/8 barrel. This revolver will shoot any 357 round whether heavy or light grain.

Regards,
Howard

 

[Magnumite]

I shot out the forcing cone and breechface twice on my Security Six. Set the barrel back the first time (gunsmith did) and I replace the barrel on the second occasion. I didn't use 125 grain magnum ammo but I did shoot large amounts of 158 grain magnum class handloads. The gunsmith inquired about the powder I used. I told him. He said it burns a little hot and leads to erosion like that. I lowered the powder charge for that powder and eventually started using another powder altogether.