CCW: S&W Model 13 or Ruger Security Six?

[Gustav]

51% Vs 49%

IMHO Smith & Wesson 65 3 inch has better sights and a smoother out of the box trigger and better quality steel it also kicks empties out little better if sticking shells are in the cylinder as the ejector stroke is longer however on some S & W pistols loctite may be required on the cylinder release lever screw at some point in time.
Ruger is easier to field strip does not have a sideplate (more rigid frame design) no small screws to lose, also fewer parts in the whole gun also IIRC Ruger is investment cast and it uses a coil main spring.
I really liike the firing pin setup on the Ruger better than the Smith.
Tough call as both are good guns.
Too bad best feautures of both can't be made into one.

 

[OLD DOMENION]

The S&W Model 13 is a "K" frame.
The Security Six is a very strong SHOOTER. If you choose the Security Six you will need after market grips [for control] and a Wolf spring kit. www.gunsprings.

 

[Cosmoline]

I haven't found that Sixes need the Wolf kits. Unlike SP's and GP's their pulls aren't too bad. It's a matter of preference.

 

[SwampWolf]

Nomad, 2nd: As I posted earlier in this thread,when comparing them to the Model 66, not only do the models 13/65 lack adjustable sights and fully enclosed underlugs, they have significantly fatter (heavier) barrels. Furthermore, if you're after a 3" barrel, there were VERY few 66s made with this barrel length. Yes, all of the revolvers in question (13/65/66/19) have the "K" frame in common. But the closest comparison between two revolvers having the same configuration but different finishes is the Model 13 and the Model 65 and, as Croyance noted, the Model 19 and the Model 66.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Geister,
If you intend on carrying a 4" M13 I suggest you buy a good leather belt which is at least 1.5" wide. When I go fishing and carry my 4" S&W M619, I carry it in a DeSantis Speed Scabbard. That holster keeps the gun close to the body for comfort and to aid in concealment. Along with a good belt you will not be uncomfortable. I must say though, carrying my 3" Service-Six in a Speed Scabbard is much more comfortable than the 4" M619. http://www.desantisholster.com/002.html

 

[357wheelgunner]

A 4" fixed sight .357 K-frame is a fantastic carry gun.

The fixed sight S&Ws are usually set to hit POI with 158gr bullets, 125s usually shoot low.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Swampwolf: That is odd, because when I held my 3" 13 and my 3" 66 in each hand, before I posted my original post I noted:
The 66 has a 'longer' front site
adjustable rear
underluged barrel

And that my 13 has the 'combat' trigger and hammer.

But that the barrels are NOT drastically different in thickness.
(And when called on it last night I took them out again and checked... nope.)

...What can I say, I did not like revolvers till I found the 3". I have a couple
3" 65's also, and will probably be looking the rest of my life for a 3" 19...

 

[Deanimator]

I have a 3" Model 65 that I got from CDNN last year. It's a great gun. I would have preferred a 3" Model 13, because I just don't like stainless steel. Unfortunately, here in NE Ohio, Model 13s seem simply not to exist on the open market. I haven't seen a SINGLE one in over a year of gunshows.

The 3" 13s and 65s have a fabulous reputation as CCW guns. That's why I bought mine.

The last I heard, CDNN still had 3" Model 65s of various dash numbers.

 

[BADUNAME13]

I can't mike it cause my tools are at my buddy's house (He has a lath, tanks... we do our work there... (or should I say he tells me what to do and I provide unskilled labor!)

But here's what I found when comparing:
(2) 65-5's
(1) 66-3
(1) 13-2

(All 3")

The 66 is obviously slightly 'built up' for the front site, and has the underlug.
However, when held muzzle to muzzle with the other 3 revolvers, and when you look at the muzzles side by side it is apparent that the 66's barrel is somewhat thinner than the 65 and 13. (To compensate for the site is my guess.)
-I didn't notace this when looking at them from the top, it is only when looking down the muzzles that I noticed.

It is however unnotacable when you go to shoot the revolver.
(The way it feels which is what this discussion was all about I think.)

-Thanks for pointing it out to me however, it's interesting, but as I said at least to me it makes no difference in the 'shootability', maby when I become a much better revolver shooter I will be able to tell.
-I'd be interested if anyone can tell... experences please...?

 

[StrikeEagle]

I have a Smith 66 and a Ruger Security-Six... both 4".

I just like the Ruger more. I've snapped it a zillion times and the trigger (which was nice out of the box) is now fantastic. It just feels better to me than the Smith... and I have the impression that it's a bit more accurate.

Ruger would be my choice.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The last I heard, CDNN still had 3" Model 65s of various dash numbers.

Deanimator,
Can you please provide a link because when I went to the CDNN site I couldn't find any revolvers for sale.

 

[Deanimator]

Deanimator,
Can you please provide a link because when I went to the CDNN site I couldn't find any revolvers for sale.

1. You have to download their PDF catalog. There are never any guns on the website itself.

2. For some reason, they're not showing handguns in the latest PDF. Call the number on their website.

 

[MTS Cop]

I have no experience with Rugers, but I do own a 4 inch M13. It's a fantastic weapon, wish I could carry as my duty gun. I wouldn't worry about the fixed sights, they've never been a problem for me.

 

[sm]

Marko's post #23 expresses my answer.

 

[bpisler]

Don't forget about grips,there's more grips
available for the smith compared to the
security six.

 

[Croyance]

Nomand, 2nd wrote:
And if we add adjustable sites and an underluged barrel to a 13 what do we get?...

Okay, I get the rest of what you are saying. But I do feel these additions change the feel and balance of a gun.

 

[Confederate]

Regarding the quality of steel, Ruger's quality control is superior to Smith's. And about the 13's cylinder, the notches are directly above the chambers. This is strange in that Ruger's cylinder is slightly larger, but its notches are offset, adding even more strength.

The 13 has a beautiful bluing job if it's an earlier vintage and that alone may make getting a 13 the way to go. Sights? The Speed-Six, which is fixed sights, has every bit as good of a sight picture as the 13 (if not better).

A 2.75-inch Ruger Speed-Six may be what you're actually looking for.

This is a 3-inch Ruger Speed-Six. It's very hard
to beat this gun!


.

 

[L-Frame]

Confederate,

Where did you get that Speed Six. Sweet!. I've never seen a 3 incher, only 2.75's. Is that factory, or did you have a different barrel put on?

 

[Brian Williams]

I have a 3" 13 and a 4" 65, that Speed Six would be a nice addition to my clan. I would love to find a 3" Speed Six in 9mm.

 

[Geister]

Thanks for all the replies. It seems like the opinions are split between each gun. Right now I don't really have a preference for either just yet.

What exactly makes the Ruger trigger inferior to the S&W trigger? Is it just harder and grittier? Or does it stack (increases the trigger pull) during the pull? I don't want a gun for carry if it stacks.

The Ruger is on average about $50 less than the S&W Model 13. Now, if I can polish the trigger on the Ruger myself using a dremel tool and a spring kit to make it almost as smooth as a tuned S&W without spending over $50, the Ruger is still in the running.

I'm definately going to get a 1.5" or even a 1.75" width belt. I'm also starting to buy my pants two sizes larger to accomodate the belt and holster. I'll keep an eye out for a Speed Six as well, Confederate, but you sure can find the Security Sixes easier.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Ruger firearms uses an entirely different type of spring than the Smiths.

 

[Confederate]

The Speed-Six (above) was a .38 Spc. that was subsequently chambered for .357. It came with a 3-inch barrel and had rounded grips. The fellow who rechambered the gun is a stickler for tolerances and jacketed bullets dropped into each chamber catch without falling through.

The gun's balance and action are superb. I put in a new spring and extensive dry firing made the action like polished glass.

I hate taking it to the range for two reasons: 1) It gets dirty; and 2) people keep trying to buy it! But it is an astounding gun. Security-Sixes, all in all, were the best .357 magnums in that they were the right size, the right weight and, most importantly, the right price! Bill Ruger said he never made a dime off of them and I believe it.

 

[Geister]

Yeah, but will the trigger pull increase during the pull, Nomad?

 

[StrikeEagle]

Security-Sixes, all in all, were the best .357 magnums in that they were the right size, the right weight and, most importantly, the right price!

Exactly so.

 

[BADUNAME13]

Yeah, but will the trigger pull increase during the pull, Nomad?

Hua?
You lost me.

From talking with gunsmiths, (Forgive me if I mess this up, working off of memory, this is not my area of expertise.)
The Rugers type of springs are harder to work on... lighten... (Don't want to get into leaf and coil types... cause that's not where my knowledge is... I imagine google could help.)

Not saying that it cannot be done, it is just that the Smith type of spring is more naturally inclined towards a better trigger pull/working on it from my minimal understanding of the subject.

I'm not the one to ask, but I'll share what info I've got.