Ruger Security Six Troubleshooting

[helpwanted]

Acquired a 70's made security six the other day. It locks up good on every chamber, before the hammer falls with almost no wiggle and a bit of endshake similar to my other Ruger revolvers which do not spit. It was spitting a bit (lead? powder? who knows) into my left cheek so I broke it down and gave a it a thorough cleaning paying particular attention to the forcing cone, cylinder face and chambers. I did the old filed down empty brass with cotton trick to check alignment of the chambers. All looks well. It wasn't spitting on every round. Mild 158 grain plated bullets out of 357 mag cases weren't spitting, however mild 38 special plated RNs and +P JHP as well as normal pressure FMJ RN were hitting me on the cheeck. I hope to try some hotter 357 out of it. Any ideas?

 

[Old Fuff]

Use a feeler gauge to check the cylinder/barrel gap. it should be between .003 to .010, with .004/.006 being ideal. If you use lead bullets a little larger (.005 - .008 may be better. Also check and see if the barrel throat needs attention.

If you can, find a gunsmith who has a .38 range-rod gauge. "Ranging" with a gauge is to only way to check chamber/bore alignment for sure.