Security Six for concealed carry weapon

[absolute0]

I've recently concluded my CCW training, recieved my permit to carry and am contemplating purchase of a new piece for same. My current handgun inventory consists of an older Browning Hi-Power and a .45 Blackhawk convertable which I love dearly, but neither seems particularly well suited for this task.

After considerable deliberation, I've decided a Ruger Security Six best suits my needs as a concealed carry weapon, but I'm torn between the 2 3/4" & 4" barrel versions. Now, I've got plenty of experience handling & shooting both handguns and long guns but precious little (read "none") toting one around concealed. Both opinions and first hand experiences are welcome. Thanks!

Kurt

 

[DigMe]

Absolute,

If I was going to carry a Ruger revolver it would be the SP-101 hands down. The longer I carry the more I value big performance in a small size. The SP-101 is a revolver that you can drop into your front pocket but that will handle the hardiest of .357 mag loads (or an .38 loads too, of course). One of these with a bobbed hammer makes an excellent carry gun.

brad cook

 

[nhhillbilly]

Depends on cover garment

It depends on your cover garment and holster. I like a longer barrel. I find the 4 " conceals just as well with an inside waiste band holster. It also carries better. Good gun.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've got the 2+ and 4 inch stainless Security Six.

VERY good guns.
If the length doesn't bother you, you may as well carry the 4 inch.

They are too big and bulky for me to carry ( I carry a Kimber Tactical Ultra) so I keep the Rugers in my truck.

 

[magsnubby]

As much as i love the Security Six, i gotta agree with DigMe. I used to carry the Security Six while hunting or fishing then i got a screaming deal on an SP101. It carries and concels much easier the a Security Six.

Now it you happen to run across a Speed Six....

Just for the record i bought my Security Six nib in 1977. Iwill never part with it.

 

[obiwan1]

Actually the Browning is very good if you learn hot to properly carry it and use it. For the Security Six, I'd go with the 4" unless you're vertically challenged (I mean short) and the barrel (or bottom of the holster) will protrude from under your covering garment.

 

[absolute0]

cost IS a factor

I appreciate the suggestions fellows. I'd have no qualms with an SP 101, BUUUUT....

Bottom line, I can get a pretty nice security six for around 200 bucks, maybe less if I'm patient. An SP is gonna run around double that.

The six series' seems like an awful lot of gun for the money, feedback here and elsewhere is almost universally positive. Heck, they're inexpensive enough I might eventually wind up with both a 2 3/4" and 4"

 

[Dienekes]

I have carried a 4" Security Six concealed on a daily basis since 1981. That's roughly 8400 twelve hour days by my math.

Works for me. When I find something better I will change.

 

[Glamdring]

Dienekes, are you using IWB?

 

[sgt127]

A security Six would be alittle chunky for me to carry around all the time. I lean towards a PM9 or a 642 as everyday carry guns when I'm not working...but, for $200, I would certainly pick it up and feel very comfortable knowing that I am well armed with a perfectly good weapon. Of course, I started carrying with a full size Govt model and two extra mags...then one extra mag...then a P7M8 with two extra mags...then one extra mag...then a MK9...then a PM9....with one extra mag. As long as I have carried a gun everyday (over 20 years now) without getting into a firefight, the heavier those big guns start to feel...If I can truly have the 642 or the PM9 with me ALL the time, it beats a big gun that I didn't carry because the Hawaiin shirt or cammy vest, Milt Sparks belt and holster etc was a pain in the a$$, was too hot or innapropriate for where I was going. Just my humble opinions...

 

[Ala Dan]

Hello!

I would consider the Ruger Security-Six .357 magnum an
excellent concealed carry weapon. I've owned two over
the course of years, and never had a doubt about their
performance. I prefer the 4" barrel, stainless model cuz
most of my carry is "Mexican style". Hope this helps?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Dienekes]

Holster

Glamdring: The holster is a Milt Sparks #200 AW "Hank Sloan" style on a double-lined belt. Turns out that Elmer Keith used the same holster (except for N frame size) for years.

Not cheap--but good. My first one went about 15 years before I replaced it with an identical one.

Tried IWB very briefly but couldn't tolerate it... strikes me as a solution in search of a problem.

 

[DigMe]

strikes me as a solution in search of a problem.

That strikes me as the most overused cliche on gunboards.

I don't really see how that saying applies though as many people have a need to have a holster which allows them to tuck their shirt or wear a short shirt but still remain concealed and IWB is one of the few ways to go that route without buying a pocket pistol. So how is an owb holster a solution to that exactly?

Remember everyone: Think before you cliche.

brad cook

 

[Cosmoline]

My four inch Security Six proved too big to conceal and was pretty heavy. The Speed Six would be the way to go if you want to stay with the old line Rugers. Right now I have an SP-101 that's very easy to conceal. It also fits in the front pocket of a jacket, which is very very nice as it allows a "code yellow" carry without causing any undo stress. Very potent little revolver.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

I love my Security Six and Police Service Six but for concealed carry I wouldn't attempt it. Just to big to conceal and the extra weight. A Ruger SP101 would be a much better choice in my opinion.They are available in many different Calibers. I picked up a Discontinued SP101 last year a unfired NIB 9mm.It has the 2 1/4" bbl. Really a nice little gun.I'll never use or shoot this gun but it was to nice to pass up.Yep! If it were me wanting to buy a revolver for CCW the SP101 would be my first choice with a 3"bbl in 357 mag

Ruger Redhawk

 

[tc300mag1]

I would go with the 4 inch myself in stainless if ya can get it there not a super light gun but the weight doesnt bother me some people complaine but never know till ya try

 

[Glamdring]

Remember a 4" 357 is about same wt as a full size 1911 or Hi-Power (ie 32-38 ozs), if you use a Secret Service grip (or other compact grip) they are not as big as you might think.

IMO if you can CCW a full size 1911/P35 you can CCW a 4" revolver (K,L, or N frame). Four inch N frames are about 38 ozs.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Great revolvers, easy to carry.

I think this really is a personal decision, but yup I do have opinions.

Lightweight pistols are easier to carry, and harder to shoot with. This is especially true with revolvers, that weight is a big part of what makes them controllable. This conflict is part of that personal decision I mentioned above.

Glamdring's post is exactly right.

I had a 4" Security Six that did well in a Sparks IWB. I still have a 2 3/4" Speed Six (same gun but has fixed sights) that still does very well in the same IWB. This gun is too good to ever let go of. This old series of Rugers has a grip that is even better than the Smith K frames. If you are comfortable with IWB, the 4" is what I would pick: that longer barrel helps a lot with muzzle blast and putting rounds on target.

The ::few ounces:: more that the four inch barrled model weighs over the other lighter pistols will help too. An easy way to make this point is to shoot one of the new superlightweight .357 magnums with full power loads. Then shoot an old N frame with the same rounds. See which one is easier for you to shoot with. Among other stuff, this means your rounds hit the felon trying to kill you, instead of missing him & hitting someone's grandma down the road. Real life.

And the weight thing works both ways. First, no doubt about it. at the end of a long day, a pound or two of pistol can feel like a pound or two of rock: really uncomfortable. But I always make myself remember two things:

First, is my familys' safety worth a little discomfort to me?
Second, I think Jack O'Conner said it best, why complain about a pound or two "extra" weight of your firearm, when too many of us are ten pounds overweight? That fits me right now, I'm losing more than a pound or two of fat, & that makes an extra few ounces of good controllable handgun seem more comforting.

Medical and similiar issues are different, and we can work with those.

My opinionated old fart thoughts. Best to all.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

I carry my Security Six 4"bbl in a bianchi black widow. With a button-down shirt over a t-shirt I don't even know it's there and I am pretty sure noone else does. It is a little heavy but with a good belt it is not a problem. I am 6'2" 240lbs so what is concealable for me may not be for a little skinny guy.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

My "always" gun is my SP101, but I do carry one of the security sixes quite often.

The security sixes are only slightly harder to conceal than a 5 shot snubby. Barrel length is you biggest issue. But if you can carry a semi with a 4" barrel/slide, that security six should be no problem. And you get 6 instead of 5 rounds.

You've made a good choice, just don't skimp on the belt and holster.