TIME TRAVEL: Ruger Security Six, 1977

[SharpsDressedMan]

As mentioned in another thread, I recently purchased a Ruger Security Six to go with a pair of Farrant grips I found at a gunshow....for $15 (that was for the grips, not the gun). Farrants can go for $60- $200 depending on condition, design, etc, and the person buying them. "Fuzzy" Farrant died quite a few years ago, but was renowned for his innovative designs and quality of worksmanship, making to order for the individual, one at a time by himself. I used to be a gun snob back in the 70's, working as a cop, and packing a S&W 19. When the Ruger Security Six came out, it wasn't as stylish as the S&W's, and had a heavier action. Smiths just "felt better". Never bought a Ruger Security Six.....til now. The grips fit like a glove, and fit the size of my hand well, also. I happened to have a few "vintage" holsters, in the form of Safariland belt and upside down shoulder holster. The combination of gun, grips, and holsters screams "1970's", and the gun was made in 1977, and preceeds the infamous "warning" on the barrel. I couldn't ask for more. Well, I did ask for more, and got it. The gun printed 4 of 6 cutting each other, with two just below, at a full 25 yards (those flyers are very likely human error on my part). Load was a full power 125gr JHP. Target enclosed. This adds to the very many positive things recently posted by high roaders regarding their Security Sixes. Thanks, SR Co.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[bannockburn]

Nice bit of time travel there sir. At the "time" I preferred the Security Six to the comparable S&W Model 19. The Six just felt better in my hand; it had a good balance and feel to it. My favorite was the later heavy barrel 4" model. Never did take to its successor, the GP-100; it just didn't feel the same. I would love to see Ruger do a reissue with the Service and Security Sixes.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Nice bit of time travel there sir. At the "time" I preferred the Security Six to the comparable S&W Model 19. The Six just felt better in my hand; it had a good balance and feel to it. My favorite was the later heavy barrel 4" model. Never did take to its successor, the GP-100; it just didn't feel the same. I would love to see Ruger do a reissue with the Service and Security Sixes.

+1 on all points. Once I got used to my Sec. Six, back in the '70s, I preferred it to my Python and could shoot it better. The 4" heavy barrel version is the perfect .357 IMHO.

 

[W.E.G.]

Security Six vs. full-size Glock

 

[Confederate]

Those are some strange looking grips, but if they work for you, super!

The older Security-Six, shown by W.E.G. got the gun off to a bad start, as the grip angle was off by a little. Third party grips made it much better though, and the Tyler-T grip adapters were astoundingly good. They used to be just a few dollars, but now they're much more expensive. Here's a review from a late-70s gun article on the Ruger:



I bought my first Security-Six in Utah, where stainless steel was easy to get. Although this isn't the gun, these are the grips that came with the gun:



The newer GP-100 Rugers look very similar to the Security-Six, but if you take the grips off, you get only a stub. This not only reshifted the weight of the gun, but saved Ruger a few bucks in the process. (I personally like the Security- and Speed-Sixes.)

 

[Zebraranger]

Those are some very unique looking grips. I picked up a vintage 1978 Security six a few months back. I changed the grips out and it fits my hand perfectly. Its well balanced and a very accurate shooter. I usually take three or four handguns to the range when I go shooting, and since I've had the security six, its made the trip just about every time. It makes a nice nightstand gun too.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Those are "retro" grips very nice.

My Security Six happens to be a 1977 also.

You have to love gun shows and Sec.Sixes.
I found these grips labeled Speed Six in a box of old stuff for $10.00 if I bought the Williams sight for $15.00.

When I took out the grips there was an orange tag inside reading Security Six ,they still needed a little dremel work but fit and feel great now.

Congrats on such a rare find.

 

[Paul7]

I used to have a Security Six with the old narrow grips and it was the most painful handgun I've ever shot. I recently got a Colt Trooper for $325 and it is a far better gun.

 

[JR47]

I bought a Security-Six in the mid-1970's. The original grips wouldn't let me hold it tight, they were too small. I changed them for a set of Daly Combat Grips, and it fir fine. The grips finally cracked in 2008, and were replaced by a set of Hogue wood grips.

Selling a gun because the grips were too small seems a bit excessive to me.

 

[slick6]

In 1978-79 Ruger came out with their "Big Grip" which was a target grip which greatly solved the problems that the small service grips had caused during shooting, with the Security-Six. I agree with JR47 regarding selling a gun because the grips were too small. A Colt Trooper .357 with service grips would also be more painful to shoot than with target grips. Ask me how I know?

 

[bannockburn]

I think I had one later model Security Six with the larger walnut target grips. Before that I primarily used Pachmayrs on all of them.

 

[Cosmoline]

Very interesting woodworking. I've never seen grips quite like those. I have seen some Danish pipes from that era that are similar, though. The natural wood grain and organic shape was very fashionable.

Now all you need is sideburns, handlebar mustache and no hair cut for five months.

 

[roaddog28]

Great looking Security Sixes guys. My opinion is the Security Six is the best keep secret in the double action revolver and the best double revolver Ruger made even over the GP100. I have S&W K frame magnums too but my Police Service Six still is one of my favorites.

roaddog28

 

[Gottahaveone]

Must have been a lot of Sixes made in 1977, that's when mine was made as well. I've had it for about 25 years and it's one of my few "never trade/sell" handguns.
Hope you enjoy it

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Just had it out again today at, this time at 50 yards. It put all but one of the shots in the blue on the same type of target shown above. At least I know it is sighted dead on. I aimed about 1" below the top of the blue, and it dumped the shots dead center. I guess that translates into a 3" drop at 50 yards with a 125 grain full load.

 

[moxie]

I changed the original wood grips to Pachmayr which was a big improvement, then to Hogue Monogrips which was even better.

 

[Leadhead]

Confederate, Who makes/made your grips?

 

[gb6491]

Leadhead,
Those look to be Herrett Shooting Stars on Confederate's stainless Security Six with Millett sights.
I have them on several of my revolvers and really like them. I trimmed, thinned, and reshaped a pair for my Speed Six:

Regards,
Greg

 

[FatChance]

For reference, here is a picture of the Security Six I bought brand new in the late 70s with the larger factory target grips:

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I got this book in 1975.

No wonder I gave every Security Six a second look.

I just bought mine last year, did not make the connection with the book till about a week after, when I wanted to look up its cost new.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Gotta love those Low-Backs

 

[Dr.Rob]

C&L: Nice leather and a great old revolver.

 

[Lucky Derby]

gb6491-That is an awsome Ruger. Love those grips.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Cocked&Locked,

I just dated my blued Security Six... 1974! Yes a low back and the back of the cylnder recoil shield is not scaloped.

I dated it only because I have a pair of Ruger Security Six 'target' stocks and they didn't fit!!! They fit my Service Six, but not the Security. Then it dawned on me the rear of the recoil shield did not look like my other Security Six/Service Six guns! Yep, a low back.

Now does anyone know if Ruger made those 'combat target' stocks for lowbacks?

Deaf

 

[Cocked & Locked]

C&L: Nice leather and a great old revolver.

Thanks!

Cocked&Locked,

I just dated my blued Security Six... 1974! Yes a low back and the back of the cylnder recoil shield is not scaloped.

Mine had Too Tall Pachmayr grips on it when I got it...thought I would never find a set of original low-back roundbutt Speed Six grips for it. The Tyler T-grip is for a Colt but fits the Ruger well enough.