Holiday greetings to one and all. With the holiday spirit(and bonus/OT money in mind) and a present for myself the subject,. I stumbled on a Ruger GP 100 3 inch barrel at my local weapons emporium. Simultaneously, I also stumbled on a Ruger Speed Six snubbie on another sight. Both .357, both around $500.. I should add I'm a Ruger devotee and looking for a shooter(range gun-ccw)but with an eye for value as well. I like the Sp/GP line but also considering up tick in value of the Security Six line. your opinions are desired and welcomed.
Speed six or GP100?
- Thread starter swissfist
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WestKentucky
Member
I disagree with Merle. I have had poor luck with GP series guns. The Six series was wonderful. I would jump all over any six series that tickled my fancy. The 3" go would just aggravate me. I love 3" guns but am so anti-GP100 that I would be let down when I saw a screaming crow rather than a fancy S&W marking. Of the two, the Six is the better gun for my money. The GP will last forever, but I wouldn't necessarily consider that a good thing...it may be a lifelong friend, but it may just haunt you.
Panzerschwein
member
What was wrong with your GP100?
I have found them to be excellent, if a bit overweight
WestKentucky
Member
Not one but two...back to back junk barrels. Adjustable sight guns that couldn't consistently hit a 5 gallon bucket at 7 yards. One was visibly chattered, the other slugged big. This was in a time where they were outsourcing their barrels though. I came out ok in the end but I still can't force myself to look at a Ruger DA revolver other than a Six series. Even the LCR turns me off. Their SA revolvers are wonderful, wish I had a similar experience with the DA. I would love to buy a .327 but I won't buy a Ruger unless I stumble into a Single Seven, and at the prices they go for...it ain't likely.
Panzerschwein
member
I see. My 6" GP100 will put every round into a quarter size group at 15 yards offhand, and I'm not a great shooter. Sorry to hear you got some lemons but I assure you your situation is not typical.
Kookla
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Go for the GP, as the Speed Six is old enough that parts are becoming a problem.
This is my thought as well.
RealGun
Member
The rounded grip frame of the Speed Six makes it special and the better concealment gun among the Sixes. The GP is okay though because of the compact rubber grip with inserts that can be purchased. The 3" GP is usually fixed sights, but mine, converted to 41 Special, originally a 38 Special, has adjustable. Every Ruger I bought new except one went back for something, usually related to their outsourced cylinders. One Service Six 38 had to be retired in exchange for a special price on my Match Champion. They don't service guns that old for lack of parts.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
If it were me I would buy the Six-Series revolver if you want to carry it.
entropy
Member
I agree with AchAngelCD; The speed six is a better carry gun; parts can be found, and there's always Jack First if not.
Coyote3855
Member
No experience with the GP series, but I love my Speed Six with the 2 3/4" barrel. One of my favorite carry guns, very accurate and tank built.
RealGun
Member
Parts availability is sketchy. Things like barrels have to be bought as salvaged, with quality surely variable. But I would say this argument is why the Sixes these days cost $500 instead of a $1000. Interarms Rossi same story. Sauer and Hawes and a limitless list of others are also junkyard supplied guns.
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I have a 9mm Speed Six, and found this out. I was lucky, as all it needed was a mainspring, and those were universal thus still available.
By the way, the Speed Six was greatly favored for CC, until it got so old that parts became a problem.
357smallbore
Member
I own both. Any day and everyday I will take the Speed Six. Super smooth action and trigger. I believe better concealability for ccw work. As accurate as you need it to be for its intended purpose. For me the Speed Six, and the Redhawk 357 are the very best revolvers Ruger has ever put out in double action. The GP is a brute. Its an awesome handgun. But for a ccw carry gun, it just cant beat the Speed Six.
As for spare parts. Mine is 33 years old. Thousands of 357 and 38 down the pipe. Never once had an issue. I call this wasted worry. You wont wear it out.
As for spare parts. Mine is 33 years old. Thousands of 357 and 38 down the pipe. Never once had an issue. I call this wasted worry. You wont wear it out.
muzzleblast...
Member
Speed six. It is a classic
Confederate
Member
Go with the Speed-Six.
You'll most l likely never need parts. There are Security-Sixes that have hundreds of thousands of rounds through each, and few need any parts replacements. And if you do, it'll probably be a pawl or something easily obtained.
The older "Six" series are, in my view, much better guns. I don't care for the single-spring design of the GPs, nor the balance. Ruger removed the grip frame from the GPs and then added it (and more) to the barrel and front of the gun, utterly destroying the balance. If you pick up a Security-Six and a S&W 686, you'll find a similar balance (not weight). But pick up either and a GP-100 and you'll find the balance throws the bulk of the weight to the front of the GPs. Like with an improperly balanced knife, one may grow used to it, but as I [gracefully] age, I have a few aches and pains I didn't twenty years ago. And when I pick up a GP, the pain I got in a boating accident years ago shoots down from my shoulder and into the top of my arm and elbow. I think there's a reason revolvers are balanced the way they are, and Ruger destroyed that balance. I'd pay extra and get a 686 if I had to.
Still, it's a personal matter.
You'll most l likely never need parts. There are Security-Sixes that have hundreds of thousands of rounds through each, and few need any parts replacements. And if you do, it'll probably be a pawl or something easily obtained.
The older "Six" series are, in my view, much better guns. I don't care for the single-spring design of the GPs, nor the balance. Ruger removed the grip frame from the GPs and then added it (and more) to the barrel and front of the gun, utterly destroying the balance. If you pick up a Security-Six and a S&W 686, you'll find a similar balance (not weight). But pick up either and a GP-100 and you'll find the balance throws the bulk of the weight to the front of the GPs. Like with an improperly balanced knife, one may grow used to it, but as I [gracefully] age, I have a few aches and pains I didn't twenty years ago. And when I pick up a GP, the pain I got in a boating accident years ago shoots down from my shoulder and into the top of my arm and elbow. I think there's a reason revolvers are balanced the way they are, and Ruger destroyed that balance. I'd pay extra and get a 686 if I had to.
Still, it's a personal matter.
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RealGun
Member
My GP handles 357 power much better than my Security Six. I especially like the 5" barrel and would describe it as well balanced. These are just such different guns. Practice will establish a comfort and skill level with either one.
Deaf Smith
Member
If the Speed Six is in excellent condition. That is tight, no end shake, no crane shake, to cylinder shake. Real solid... then I'd get it! You can always get a GP-100 later.
Deaf
Deaf
Ironicaintit
Member
What deaf smith said!
A speed six in good shape is getting harder to find, whereas a good GP100 is pretty much readily available....
So I'd get the speed six while the opportunity's knocking.
I have one of each and do love them both.
My speed six does have a better perceived balance than the GP, and its size is better to suited to CC as well.
And then next year, use your bonus for the GP!
A speed six in good shape is getting harder to find, whereas a good GP100 is pretty much readily available....
So I'd get the speed six while the opportunity's knocking.
I have one of each and do love them both.
My speed six does have a better perceived balance than the GP, and its size is better to suited to CC as well.
And then next year, use your bonus for the GP!
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