ruger for ccw/defense

....

  • speed six

    Votes: 17 16.2%

  • security six

    Votes: 12 11.4%

  • gp100

    Votes: 12 11.4%

  • sp101

    Votes: 64 61.0%
  • Total voters
    105
  • Poll closed .
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R

Revolver Ocelot

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Dec 4, 2006
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Which ruger revolver do you like best for general defense/ccw use?

feel free to give in any reasons as to why you selected one over another, or info on barrel length and what not you prefer.
 
Even though I have owned and used Security Sixes and Speed Sixes and like them greatly, you might as well just go with the SP101 for carry purposes. It is a little smaller and of course there is that 5 shot capacity thing but they are more available. They will generally cost about 500 and a Security Six will be around 400-450. A Speed Six will be more than 500 though especially with the shorter barrels. I would go with the 3 in barrel model SP101.
 
Do YOU have a preference on barrel length?

My pre-conceived notions of what a revolver should be carry over to Rugers, developed from S&Ws. Case in point, I like:

<4" barrel = Fixed sights, round butt
4+" barrel = Adjustable sights, square butt

Why? Because you're either in need of concealment over shootability to some degree, or you're not. It makes sense to me... My solution, carry two of the littluns, or one of each, depending on your needs. :)

The "Sixes" are both kind of "in the middle", whereas the 101s are sort of "the two extremes" to use the word lightly. My other solution, buy them all and see which one's get carried, and which ones stay in the safe. :)
 
I just bought a SP101 the other day and I can't shut up about it. I went and shot it this morning and it is friggin great. Nice and accurate as well. Small and pretty concealable with summer clothes, with a sweatshirt it is a breeze. I got it with a bunch of accessories, hogue grips, holsters and speedloaders for $380. I saw a similar deal locally (private sale) a couple of weeks ago. If you are in a hurry it will probably cost you but if you can wait you can probably find a good deal. The GP100 is a sweet gun as well, and more for general purposes. If concealability is the main concern go with the SP101. If you want to open carry it and punch paper at 25 yards, go with the GP100 with a 4 inch barrel. It could be pretty concealed in colder weather clothes I bet.

Also, I find good deals on my state's shooting website (arizonashooting.com). I don't know if you have one but you could try and find one.
 
Speed Six all the way:

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duffman.jpg

Duffman says: "Speed Six! Oh yeah!"
 
I just bought a SP101 the other day and I can't shut up about it.

Same here. It is the sweetest shooting revolver. I got the 3" barrel, and I do not have a problem concealing it. The weight is enough to tame the magnum loads but is still not too bad on a good belt and holster IMO.
 
The older guns are fairly hard to come by---the GP is a GIANT gun.

The SP is the logical choice-----mine has the 3in tube too.
 
SP-101 with the 2 1/4" barrel here. It is a great little CCW gun. It's easy to carry and conceal, accurate and easy to handle. I had one with the 3" barrel, but I didn't shoot it any better than the shorter one. The shorter barrel was just a little bit more comfortable and ultimately I decided that I wasn't getting that much more velocity with the 3/4" longer barrel so I sold the 3" and kept the 2 1/4".

I like the GP100 but it is a tank of a gun. Good nightstand piece, but even the 3" model (which I have had also) is alot of gun for a CCW revolver in my opinion.

Like anything else with a CCW choice, it's all subjective to what your needs and preferences are. After all, you are the one that has to pack it around every day! :)
 
My 3" speed six is getting a lot of carry time lately and I really like it. I picked it up in a trade a few years ago. It was USPS postal inspector revolver that has been mag-na-ported, the trigger guard relieved for a right handed shooter, had a very good trigger job, and the hammer bobbed (all by mag-na-port). It's easy to shoot and conceal as well. Don't get me wrong, I love my smith & wessons, but that speed six is just really nice. If you can find a good condition one in any barrel length at a reasonable price, I say jump on it.
 
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SP101 is the easiest to carry concealed and is a very easy gun to shoot .38 Spl., if one wants to shoot a softer round.
I keep .357 Magnum in mine with .38 +P's in a couple of speedloaders. The speed loaders fit my Taurus 85's as well as the SP 101, so loading with .38 Spl +P makes sense.
As an all round gun, the SP101 makes a lot of sense.
 
I own a SP101 2 1/4 DA only which is the one with the bobbed hammer and a GP100 with a 4 inch barrel and the SP101 definitely wins hands down in carry. As in sitting around the house both do a fine job.
 
Blue Brick

I would love to pick up an old police service six. Carried one for several years at a military base. It was a great shooter..:D Blued 4". Wonderful revolver. Have the 3" 101 now. Slicked up the action and put a Badgergrip on it. Carries well & handles the heavy loads with aplomb.
 
I have a speed six and gp100 already (both are 3" models) and love them both as house guns, though during winter months I will carry the gp100 if the mood strikes me, I've been in need of a smaller ruger lately and have been considering picking up an sp101 but as usual can't decide whether or not to bob the hammer and can't decide barrel length though am leaning for the 2.25" dao model being it will be primarily a carry gun.
 
I go to sleep every night with a SP101 on the nightstand loaded with 125 gr. Gold Dots. I sleep well. For my everyday carry sidearm, I carry a 1911 Gov't with 230 gr. Gold Dots. The weight don't bother me.
 
I'm shocked, I went to go see about putting a down payment on a sp101 so the shop would order it and every distributer is out of them...
 
Unfrtunately Speed Sixes are priced out of the practical market.
Click to expand...

How much are they going for these days? A while back, I paid $500 for mine and it was in like-new condition.
 
I live in murfreesboro, TN

if you see any out there that are reasonably priced let me know, maybe I can arrange a transfer.

I have called around a few places looking for one but so far the shop I would buy from (who would only charge me 10% on top of the cost to them) was unable to order on account of the distributer was all out of them, theres a couple shops that I still haven't called but thats namely because I know they'll charge me close to 600 for one.
 
Ihave the 4 " GP100, 2 3/4 Speed Six and the 3 1/4" SP-101. The SP has been worked over by Gemini Customs so the comparison is unfair. Either one would work but the SP101 is just a dream to carry.
 
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