New to Me Ruger Speed Six

Dave Markowitz

Dave Markowitz

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2002
Messages
9,121
Location
SE PA
I've long been a fan of the Ruger Security, Service, and Speed Six revolvers. I much prefer them to their successor, the GP-100, which while being stronger and simpler to make, is bigger and in my experience, not as smooth.

The first centerfire handgun I ever shot was my father's blued 6" Security Six that he shot in bullseye competition back in the 80s. Between all the rounds he fired, nightly dry firing, and a Wolff spring kit, it was really smooth with a great trigger. Unfortunately he traded it off many years ago.

I have a 4" stainless Police Service Six that's been a great shooter. Last week I did some searching on Gunbroker and found that Robertson Trading Post had several Speed Sixes listed for sale at reasonable-for-2024 prices. I ordered one and picked it up from my local FFL today.

speed-six-left.jpg

speed-six-right.jpg

Aside from what are purported to be squadron markings on the left side of the frame, the gun is in excellent shape and appears to have been barely shot. It's very clean and the action is smooth for a Ruger. Lockup is solid and the timing is perfect. There is a small ding on the left of the front sight but it doesn't affect sight picture.

According to Ruger's web site the serial number places it as 1982 production.

It had a set of Sile rubber grips on it which are actually meant for a Security or Service Six with a square butt. I got this set of NOS Pachmayr Compacs off eBay for under $20 shipped. They fit the gun better and feel like they were made for me. I have a 3" S&W Model 10-8 with the same grips and it's very comfortable to shoot.

Although the Ruger is a .357 Magnum, it will see only .38 Special loads with maybe a few exceptions.
 
Very nice. Congratulations! :thumbup:

I missed out on the same model revolver only it had a factory bobbed hammer. I wanted it but really didn’t have the money. I decided to sleep on it. Someone else didn’t sleep on it and away it went. I won’t make that mistake again.
 
Mark_Mark said:
I got a Service Six

but what the difference between the 3 (speed, service, security) ???
Click to expand...

All models were made in both blued and stainless versions. The differences are in the sights and grip frame.
  • Security Six: Adjustable sights, square butt, 2.75", 4", or 6" barrel.
  • Police Service Six: Fixed sights, square butt, 2.75" or 4" barrel.
  • Speed Six: Fixed sights, round butt, 2.75" or 4" barrel.
AFAIK, all Security Sixes were in .357. Most Service and Speed Sixes were .357 but there were some that were chambered in .38 Special for departments that didn't want magnums. Some Speed Sixes were chambered in 9x19, using moon clips. I don't recall if any Service Sixes were made in 9mm.

Edit: There were some Service Sixes chambered for .38/200 (the British service version of .38 S&W) for foreign contracts, notably the Hong Kong Police.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any of these details.
 
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That is a sweet gun! I am a sucker for 3" revolvers so that one checks most of my boxes and is a serious fighting gun to boot. Congratulations on a great pick up.
 
I shot the Ruger today for the first time. Both targets below were fired double action at 10 yards.

The lower group is 40 rounds of .38 handloads with a Speer 158 grain .358 LSWC on top of 4.9 grains of Winchester Autocomp in mixed brass with CCI primers. The headshots were .38s with a 178 grain .359 Keith LSWC on top of 5.3 grains of Unique in mixed brass and CCI primers.

The load with the Keiths has been very accurate in my 4" S&W Model 15-3 and Ruger Service Six but between the Carnauba Red bullet lube and Unique, it's very smoky. As a black powder shooter I don't mind it, however.

031524-speedsix.jpg

I also shot the S&W Model 15-4 I inherited from RON in PA when he passed earlier this year, using ammo from his last batch of handloads. These were Hornady .358 158 grain LSWCs on top of 4.3 grains of Winchester 231 in mixed brass with Winchester primers. His favorite .38 load was this powder charge and a Remington 158 grain LSWC but he bought the Hornady bullets when he couldn't get the Remingtons for a while.

031524-Model15-4.jpg

Dad must've put a few thousand of that load through this Combat Masterpiece, which he bought used. The action is very smooth. I had to remove a good bit of leading when I got it. IMO 4.3 grains of W-231 is a bit warm for the Hornady bullets due to the leading, but it shoots well.

Aside from the wheelguns I also got to shoot his Beretta APX 9mm. He'd had it for several years and I always liked how it felt but hadn't shot it until today. It's a keeper with a good trigger and it shot well with Fenix Ammunition 124 grain FMJ, shooting POA = POI out to 25 yards.
 
Dave Markowitz said:
I shot the Ruger today for the first time. Both targets below were fired double action at 10 yards.

The lower group is 40 rounds of .38 handloads with a Speer 158 grain .358 LSWC on top of 4.9 grains of Winchester Autocomp in mixed brass with CCI primers. The headshots were .38s with a 178 grain .359 Keith LSWC on top of 5.3 grains of Unique in mixed brass and CCI primers.

The load with the Keiths has been very accurate in my 4" S&W Model 15-3 and Ruger Service Six but between the Carnauba Red bullet lube and Unique, it's very smoky. As a black powder shooter I don't mind it, however.

View attachment 1199430

I also shot the S&W Model 15-4 I inherited from RON in PA when he passed earlier this year, using ammo from his last batch of handloads. These were Hornady .358 158 grain LSWCs on top of 4.3 grains of Winchester 231 in mixed brass with Winchester primers. His favorite .38 load was this powder charge and a Remington 158 grain LSWC but he bought the Hornady bullets when he couldn't get the Remingtons for a while.

View attachment 1199432

Dad must've put a few thousand of that load through this Combat Masterpiece, which he bought used. The action is very smooth. I had to remove a good bit of leading when I got it. IMO 4.3 grains of W-231 is a bit warm for the Hornady bullets due to the leading, but it shoots well.

Aside from the wheelguns I also got to shoot his Beretta APX 9mm. He'd had it for several years and I always liked how it felt but hadn't shot it until today. It's a keeper with a good trigger and it shot well with Fenix Ammunition 124 grain FMJ, shooting POA = POI out to 25 yards.
Click to expand...
That's my favorite 38spl load but with Xtreme 158gr RNFP over 4.3 grains HP-38. No problems with the heavy plating on the Xtremes and easy clean up. Shot 150 of them today.
 
I wish I still owned my collection of Ruger “Six “ revolvers.. various models .. eleven of them in all .. but .. I had to move them . due to a series of health problems and medical expenses..
I had a favorite , a Stainless Speed Six , 3 inch barrel that had a incredible action job ..
I own a Security Six now .. actually for 17 years
And its not going anywhere… IMG_9039.jpeg
 
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