CaliCoastie
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i love both, if i had to choose one model? at least base model, GP-100. just for teh varity but mine arnt leaving my house any time soon.
Ruger "Six" series vs. GP100
- Thread starter Panzerschwein
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ChasMack
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- Jan 13, 2011
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I love my Speed Six. It's not too heavy,fits my hand perfect, shoots great and will last long after I am gone. I am tempted to get another at a reasonable price. Too bad Ruger does not bring them back, seems enough people like them to make it profitable.
My general issue with GP-100 is that it's simply overweight and oversized for what it offers, and that is - 6 shots of .357.
S&W 686+ at least offers higher capacity in exchange for the added bulk and weight.
GP-100's only real advantage (other than being easier to shoot due to being heavier) vs new S&W model 66 or old Security Six is the durability. But for most people that durability doesn't make any difference since they'll never shoot enough hot .357s to wear either of these guns down.
S&W 686+ at least offers higher capacity in exchange for the added bulk and weight.
GP-100's only real advantage (other than being easier to shoot due to being heavier) vs new S&W model 66 or old Security Six is the durability. But for most people that durability doesn't make any difference since they'll never shoot enough hot .357s to wear either of these guns down.
Deaf Smith
Member
Since I like short barreled guns, then the 3 inch GP is just as good as the 2 3/4 Six'es. Now that does not mean I'll turn down a good Security Six if I see one, but my 'Canadian' GP-100 is real good.
My GP-100 'Canadian' (police trade in.. in Canada they can't even own 3 inch barreled guns, even the ones they were issued in the police forces) with my Blackjack 'Fighter Pilot' knife I use with it.
Long guns, well that underlug on the GP just makes it heavier, and the GP does not need the weight.
Deaf
tubeshooter
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I agree with pretty much everything that has been said.
I own a 4" Security Six and have handled a few GP-100s. The Six feels more trim and handy. I also like the more traditional look.
People swear that the Six is tough and I believe them, but the GP100 feels even sturdier. Overbuilt, even.
I like and respect both guns. Ruger clearly states that they have very limited parts to help with any Six-series guns; I suspect you'll be able to get parts and service for the GP100 for at least another 30 or 40 years. Maybe much more.
I own a 4" Security Six and have handled a few GP-100s. The Six feels more trim and handy. I also like the more traditional look.
People swear that the Six is tough and I believe them, but the GP100 feels even sturdier. Overbuilt, even.
I like and respect both guns. Ruger clearly states that they have very limited parts to help with any Six-series guns; I suspect you'll be able to get parts and service for the GP100 for at least another 30 or 40 years. Maybe much more.
Deaf Smith
Member
And here is what a GP looks like compared to a Security Six (and several others)
And I love 'em all!
Deaf
And I love 'em all!
Deaf
hAkron
Member
I bought a blued 4" Security Six a few years ago for $250. Try doing THAT with a GP-100.
bearman49709
Member
I've owned both before and if I wanted to buy one now it would be the GP100.
earlthegoat2
Member
Ive owned 3 six series revolvers and I have never considered a GP100. If I found a GP100 at the prices I found the sixes at then I probably would have bought one.
MrDig
Member
I have shot both and prefer the balance and feel of the GP100, that is just my preference both are fine firearms.
Lucky Derby
Member
Those Canadian GPs are the nicest GPs. Trimmer than the regular 3".Since I like short barreled guns, then the 3 inch GP is just as good as the 2 3/4 Six'es. Now that does not mean I'll turn down a good Security Six if I see one, but my 'Canadian' GP-100 is real good.
My GP-100 'Canadian' (police trade in.. in Canada they can't even own 3 inch barreled guns, even the ones they were issued in the police forces) with my Blackjack 'Fighter Pilot' knife I use with it.
Long guns, well that underlug on the GP just makes it heavier, and the GP does not need the weight.
Deaf
RealGun
Member
That seems rather tangled logic. The heft of a GP100 is what makes it a good .357 in seriously Magnum loads. I have enjoyed even extending the barrel length selection to 5"...a wonderful gun and crazy accurate. Not my favorite carry though. The guns scaled to 38 S&W Special still rule there.
Someday I'd like to shoot one of the 6" Security Six .357s.
Today I'm picking up a like new Stainless Police Service Six in .38 S&W Special. I project it to be a nice carry piece for me. I already own a Security Six .357, a bit punishing with the concealable grips but one of my favorite carries.
@RealGun
it's not my logic that is flawed. You just didn't really try to see my point.
Any revolver over 33-34 oz. is "heavy enough" for comfortable .357 Magnum shooting and adding more weight is not really necessary. Yes, a bit more comfort, yes, a bit faster follow up shots, but also less comfort while carrying.
Now, GP-100 not only is heavy but also its cylinder diameter is larger, than k-frames or Six series which makes it even more difficult to carry.
For the added size and weight all you get is... "added weight" and... more durability that you'll most likely ever need.
S&W 686+ for the added weight compared to model 66 gives you higher capacity. And S&W 686+ is in fact lighter than GP-100.
S&W model 66 offers almost equal comfort (the difference in weight is ONLY 3,4 oz.) , same barrel length, same capacity, high durability with lower cylinder diameter and less weight (even though 3,4 oz. is not much, it makes a difference). Basically the same goes for Service/Speed six.
For me the added weight is rather a disadvantage, since it weights way more than "enough". I guess "enough" differs from person to person.
it's not my logic that is flawed. You just didn't really try to see my point.
Any revolver over 33-34 oz. is "heavy enough" for comfortable .357 Magnum shooting and adding more weight is not really necessary. Yes, a bit more comfort, yes, a bit faster follow up shots, but also less comfort while carrying.
Now, GP-100 not only is heavy but also its cylinder diameter is larger, than k-frames or Six series which makes it even more difficult to carry.
For the added size and weight all you get is... "added weight" and... more durability that you'll most likely ever need.
S&W 686+ for the added weight compared to model 66 gives you higher capacity. And S&W 686+ is in fact lighter than GP-100.
S&W model 66 offers almost equal comfort (the difference in weight is ONLY 3,4 oz.) , same barrel length, same capacity, high durability with lower cylinder diameter and less weight (even though 3,4 oz. is not much, it makes a difference). Basically the same goes for Service/Speed six.
For me the added weight is rather a disadvantage, since it weights way more than "enough". I guess "enough" differs from person to person.
OP
OP
Panzerschwein
member
I completely agree with you.
To me, the GP100 is a better target shooting or hunting revolver. For a "packing" revolver or service revolver, the -Six series makes more sense all around. Still plenty tough, but handier and quite a bit lighter in weight while still well balanced and fairly controllable with magnum loads. I've only shot one Security Six, and it had a 6" bbl but felt far handier than my 6" GP100 which I will be getting rid of soon.
It's not like Ruger needed to beef up the Six series guns. I've never heard of any having problems like the similar sized K frames had.
The similar sized K frames had issues with the flat bottomed forcing cone cracking from heavy use with 125gr hot loads. Not aware of any similar problems with the Six series.
The GP is just heavy for the sake of being heavy IMO.
The similar sized K frames had issues with the flat bottomed forcing cone cracking from heavy use with 125gr hot loads. Not aware of any similar problems with the Six series.
The GP is just heavy for the sake of being heavy IMO.
RealGun
Member
But the real issue is "hot 357's", isn't it? The heavier gun wins. We cannot force the world into our view of a caliber, but in my opinion the 357 is a beast that needs to stay in a beast of gun.
Ironman615
Member
I would prefer the Security Six over the GP100, mostly because it is a little bit lighter. It's still plenty strong enough for .357 use. I have a 4" Security Six and a 6" GP100. I like them both, but I prefer the Security Six.
JohnBT
Member
"There is a legend that a Ruger exec said they did not make any money on sales of Security Six series"
Mr. Ruger said it in a magazine interview I read many years ago. What he said included "...counting the development costs..."
John
Mr. Ruger said it in a magazine interview I read many years ago. What he said included "...counting the development costs..."
John
JohnBT
Member
This is a different interview.
http://hunting.about.com/library/weekly/aastbillrugerd.htm
"ST: The Security-Six.
WBR: Well, that was our first double-action revolver. It’s given great service, but my recollections of it are of the difficulty we had in learning how to make the inherently more intricate double-action revolvers. I don’t think we made a penny out of any Security-Six, but many shooters still like them."
http://hunting.about.com/library/weekly/aastbillrugerd.htm
"ST: The Security-Six.
WBR: Well, that was our first double-action revolver. It’s given great service, but my recollections of it are of the difficulty we had in learning how to make the inherently more intricate double-action revolvers. I don’t think we made a penny out of any Security-Six, but many shooters still like them."
Arizonan
member
For ccw I carry my Speed Six. As for a camp gun and forest/mountain carry I would take my 4in GP any day. Both serve a purpose. Both are over built. Both win in reliability. Both win in looks. I would have to give the nod to my GP if I could only take one though. I believe I would be able to do more with my 4in weapon then my 2 3/4 Speed Six. I like the Security six also, but not as well as the GP.
frankiestoys
Member
The GP for me ,I prefer the full under lug and its built like a tank frame. Mine is pretty sweet , trigger job,fully polished SS and Hogue wood grips , loaded up with Bufallo bore its a pure
Animal! Love it!
Animal! Love it!
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