New-to-me Ruger Service Six; DOB Request

[jad0110]

As some of you know from a prior thread, I recently purchased a blued Ruger Service Six, 4" barrel, for $275. It has fixed sights and a square butt frame, and will make an excellent carry gun (IWB) once I confirm it's reliability. In terms of balance, it is very close to feeling just as great as a 4" K-Frame, IMO. I especially like the deeply cut notch for the rear sight and the prominent front blade. Noticeably easier to pick up than the sights on a fixed-sight S&W. The DA pull is smooth, without too much stacking. Again, fairly close to being as nice as my S&Ws. I've not been able to shoot it yet, and won't have time to for a while, but the gun did pass the revolver checkout sticky perfectly. The fair amount of holster wear just adds character .

The S/N is 160-79xxx. Anyone have an idea of the DOB?

As for carrying, I already use a Beltman gunbelt. I have had good success with the FIST #20 for my S&W Model 15s, but was thinking of a Tucker Gunleather Texas Heritage IWB holster for this one. Any other suggestions?

And, as always, here's some eye candy of my latest acquisition. Maybe not as elegant as K-Frame, but certainly not ugly. I actually think it looks pretty good. Better looking to my eyes than a GP100 anyway.

 

[bestseller92]

You can find the DOB (or at least the YOB) of any Ruger firearm here:


http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/PS-SerialNumberHistory.html

 

[jad0110]

1985, I found it ... thank you for the link. I've marked it for future use.

 

[PI Rob]

Congrats on a great purchase! I think the fixed sight Rugers are great looking guns. I've been looking for one for awhile now with no luck. Enjoy it!

 

[Blue Brick]

E-mail Ruger they will send you a letter on your DOB.

 

[jad0110]

BTW, there is some mild pitting on the grip frame. Would 0000 steel wool be the correct thing to use to get some of that off?

 

[bestseller92]

That is a great looking Ruger, btw!! I love my GP100, but I do want a Security Six!

And I would LOVE it if Ruger would make a 5 shot .44 Special on the Security Six frame!

 

[Ed Harris]

1985 is toward the end of production of that model when I was QA manager at the Newport, NH facility which made them. Service Six and Speed Six revolvers made during that era 160- and later prefixes were the best that Ruger ever turned out. I had just completed transitioning the quality program from Mil-I-45208 to Mil-Q-9858A for various federal agency contracts pending at that time. Large LE orders for domestic departments as well as the French and India orders were also ongoing, so there was a heavy quality emphasis throughout the plant which benefitted civilian production as well.

Barrel thread diameter and bolt circle on the Security Six frame are not large enough to do .44 Special, but a GP100 would handle it. If you have about $5 million to pre-pay set up and tool tryout to build the first 10,000 units I'm sure Ruger would be happy to make them for you.

 

[roaddog28]

Congratulations on your new revolver. You will not be disappointed with Police Service Six. Its reliable, simple in design and is accurate. The weight and feel is perfect for carry. I have a Police Service Six 4 inch and I compare it to S&W model 10 because of its simply no nonsense design. Again, enjoy your purchase.
roaddog28

 

[jad0110]

Thank you again everyone.

That's a mighty nice Service Six roaddog. Great minds think alike!

I've always had great respect for the Ruger Six series. I always thought they were under appreciated, which seems to be changing these days. I'd still love to find a 2.75" or 3" in good condition for a reasonable price, in a blued finish if I'm lucky enough to have a choice. Sadly, I think a lot of folks who owned these guns assumed that since they are an "indestructible" Ruger, they can beat the snot of them (rough handling and lots of max + pressure loads) without concequence. I say this because some of the loosest revolvers I've handled (endshake) have been Ruger Sixes.

Ed,

Very cool information, I've saved it for my records. Almost makes me tear up just thinking about it!

 

[bestseller92]

I betcha a Ruger .44 Special, roughly the size of the Charter Bulldog (a GP100 sized .44 Special would not appeal to me greatly), but built tank-tough like a Ruger, would sell.