New to Me Ruger Speed Six

[Admiral_Ken]

Yes, a 3" speed six is the holy grail. They were made for specific government contracts, issued to postal inspectors, and game wardens, perhaps others. Rumor has it that for every 10 2.75" models, there was one, 3".
The 3" ones bring a premium price. I bought one on gun broker that was listed as 3". Upon receipt, it was only 2.75". Contacted the seller, supposedly, employee rounded up. After much discussion, they gave me $150.00 back and I kept it. Now I have two.

 

[stonebuster]

Yes, a 3" speed six is the holy grail. They were made for specific government contracts, issued to postal inspectors, and game wardens, perhaps others. Rumor has it that for every 10 2.75" models, there was one, 3".
The 3" ones bring a premium price. I bought one on gun broker that was listed as 3". Upon receipt, it was only 2.75". Contacted the seller, supposedly, employee rounded up. After much discussion, they gave me $150.00 back and I kept it. Now I have two.

I see 2 3/4" Speed Sixes advertised as 3" often. My first Speed Six was this GS-83 NYCPD 3" DAO 38spl. It led to my buying several more Six Series revolvers.

 

[jleonard]

The wife has one in .38 spl

 

[shoebox1.1]

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.

Off topic. I hope my first hand loads ever of 3.8gr of w231 under berrys 148 DEWC wadcutters shoot well at 1.121 Col. (38 special round)

 

[golden]

I have owned a SPEED SIX, a SERVICE SIX and 4 SECURITY SIX's. All were good, but some better than others. My Speed Six had a trigger job and it was the best shooting snub nose I owned. I also stopped in a gun shop on the way to the range one day and was looking at a used COLT Official Police, but the clerk said, have you tried this Security Six. Terrific! I bought it on the spot and went straight to the range where the smooth trigger really impressed me. Someone had done a terrific trigger job.
My other SIX'S had average trigger jobs and I eventually sold them, but kept the Service Six and my smooth Security Six. I will probably get another snub nose, but the prices have been climbing on the SIX'S.
In my opinion, they are far and away, the best medium size .357 revolvers made. Better than the S&W Model 19 and 66, which are marginal for full power .357 ammo and better than the GP-100 RUGER'S, which are heavier and usually have a rougher action, the MATCH CHAMPION excepted.
The only downside to the SIX'S, aside from the price climbing is that RUGER no longer supports them.

They are comfortable for concealed carry. Can handle a steady diet of .357 magnums and came in a useful variety of models.

The heavier S&W 586/686, RUGER GP-100 and COLT Python are all heavier and bulkier. Only the COLT'S have really smooth double action triggers out of the box.

Jim

 

[Dave Markowitz]

If you go on eBay or Gunbroker you can find parts kits for the Ruger * Six revolvers, created from disassembled guns. I picked on up so that I have a supply of spare parts for my Speed and Service Sixes. I don't expect to ever need spares, but I figure it's like having an umbrella: If you have it you won't need it but if you don't have it you will.

 

[CajunBass]

I think the second handgun I ever bought was a 2 3/4" Speed-Six. It was either the second or the third. It would have been a great carry gun, but you had to know someone, who knew someone, who knew someone else more important to get a carry permit in those days. I didn't know anybody.

Still it was a really nice gun, but got sold or traded off to buy something else, as did a couple other Ruger Security-Sixs I had. When I got bit by the bass fishing bug, they all pretty much went away to fund boats, rods, reels, and a few tons of plastic worms.

Yea, when I got through with the fishing about twenty-five years later, I didn't have a thing to show for all those guns I'd sold.

But I sure caught a LOT of fish.

 

[Blue Brick]

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.

There are no absolutes with Ruger. Private parties could buy 38 specials. Special runs are very common. We even have PS6's modified at the factory into Speed6's.

 

[Blue Brick]

.38 special security six (rare?)

www.rugerforum.net

 

[drobs]

Nice!

My pair of Security Six 357 mag revolvers.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

There are no absolutes with Ruger. Private parties could buy 38 specials. Special runs are very common. We even have PS6's modified at the factory into Speed6's.

Quite true. I was generalizing.

AAMOF, I recently sold off a 4" fixed sight GP-100 in .38 Special.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Yes, a 3" speed six is the holy grail. They were made for specific government contracts, issued to postal inspectors, and game wardens, perhaps others. Rumor has it that for every 10 2.75" models, there was one, 3".
The 3" ones bring a premium price. I bought one on gun broker that was listed as 3". Upon receipt, it was only 2.75". Contacted the seller, supposedly, employee rounded up. After much discussion, they gave me $150.00 back and I kept it. Now I have two.

USPI contract in the 1980s. I have one.