I seldom see any Ruger Security Six/ Service Six revolvers in my state. I found one with a six inch barrel, blued for $289. Only problem is that there is a ring/bulge in the barrel. The guy says it shoots just fine. Should I buy it? What are the chances of finding a new barrel? How spendy are they? Could possibly chop the barrel to 4 inches.

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otis

I would not buy it based on the seller's claim that it "shoots just fine." Is that "just fine" for a 2 yard self defense expert or accuracy that would please a good target shooter? I would have to test it myself and even then, why spend my reloading money and time on a gun that is inferior to my others?

I'd start by calling Ruger and asking if they have barrels and if they do what it would cost to have them replace it. If they will not do it I'd consider having the local smith shorten it to 3" or 4".

Parts kits from guns that municipalities destroyed are commonly sold on eBay. Some entrepreneurs buy the kits then separate and resell the parts. You could probably find a barrel. Unfortunately the gunsmithing charge for swapping barrels is in the $100 to $150 range. Also there are risks. Generally scrap barrels are not thrown out after they are replaced. They get tossed in the gunsmith's or the gun owner's odds and ends box then eventually resold as good barrels by who ever winds up with the box after they're gone. You might not learn the used barrel is defective until you show it the the your gunsmith. Also the gunsmith might do bad work. (Guess how I learned this stuff.)

I would also be very cautious regarding this handgun. A replacement barrel is probably available but that might factor into the purchase.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I'd pass on it. There are Security-Sixes all over the Internet for sale, of every barrel length, blued and stainless.

Look for one of those. Get a gun you can shoot soon as you leave the LGS, not one you probably have to spend money on from the git go.

I love the Security-Six, but I won't buy one that I know has mechanical issues.

I agree be cautious, there are plenty of SS without a bulging
barrel. I prefer the stainless six's myself but that's just me!
SEMPER PARATUS

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NRA Life Member
CPO

I agree with everybody else to continue your search elsewhere. I bought a stainless six inch version this year in absolutely perfect condition for $330. Prices are climbing on them but still can be found in very nice condition in the $300 to $400 range. So for $50 to $100 more than that guy is asking you should be able to find one in much better condition. Even the Auction sites have some decent guns in that range.

I have a couple of SS's but, like folks mentioned above, I would stay a mile away from it. I know S&W will swap barrels - I had it done on an M64 last year. But, Ruger has discontinued support for the Security Six - I don't think they'd do it ... and if a gunsmith takes it on and warps your frame in the process ... you'll have an expensive paperweight... That being said, it would be very difficult to find a different quality six-inch .357 for $289. I sold some knives and magazines to come up with the dinero to buy the 3-inch barrel that S&W swapped for me. Time to check your closet and garage for some stuff to sell!

Edited to add: not suggesting you're short on cash. I have a very tight discretionary budget so I wind up jumping thru hoops to come up with the cash for new projects & that's why most of my handguns are second, or third-hand...

Run Forrest, RUN!!!

Talk him down, and chop it.

I'll swim against the tide here.

Unless the ring or bulge is very noticeable and will bug you forever, you could give it a go. The pawnshop is probably right - I've had guns with ringed barrels that did, indeed, shoot fine.

$289 is good price for a Security Six. I'd try to beat him down some based on the barrel situation, and would definitely be reaching for my wallet at the $250 point.

PS - there is a four inch barrel and ejector rod on Ebay right now with no bids, three days to go, and a starting price of $30.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Lowball offer. You may be surprised.

Country is full of guns: you don't have to buy a defective one.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Where is the bulge?

If you enjoy projects like me then offer what it's worth to you and if he agrees, buy it. If not then don't buy it. Plan on the barrel needing replaced and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

$289 with a bulged barrel? Nope. It is a parts gun. I'd offer one Ben Franklin and walk if he blinked.

I've actually been down this exact path with a Speed-Six. It was a range rental with a zillion round through it. Someone shot a squib and the barrel had a slight bulge. I bought it from the range for $125.

First of all Ruger will not work on any of the "Speed-" guns. A few years ago they would, and I probably should have sent it to them then, but I bought it for a project gun. Anyway, they don't do any work now and have no parts.

Gun Parts Corp has barrels once in a while. I ordered one for a Speed-Six and got a Service-Six barrel instead. I found someone online that needed a Service-Six barrel and had a Speed-Six barrel. We traded barrels and both of us are happy. My gun is a 4", and the barrels we traded were 4" as well. I haven't installed it, as I've been kicking around the idea of a shorter barrel, but at least I have a barrel now.

I bought the gun to learn how to do a barrel change on a revolver. It's going to cost me much more to do the work than if I bought a revolver that didn't need work. I wanted to learn how to do it, and knew that buying things like tools, parts, etc. was going to be an expensive and not very cost-effective project.

Either way, the gun you are looking at is overpriced IMO. When you add the cost of a barrel (say $100) and pay someone to swap it, it is going to be cheaper to just buy a better one.

Forget the idea that it's cheaper to swap the barrel yourself. It's cheaper to pay someone to do it. To do the job even close to correctly you will need to invest in some tooling that isn't cheap either. A revolver barrel is a different animal than an auto barrel. They don't "drop in".

I'm having fun with my project, and that's all that matters to me, but I also bought a much better Speed-Six that didn't need work along with it.

I'd keep looking.

I'd offer $200.00 and re barrel it! Not too hard to find a good barrel for them.

I'd be cautious...and maybe see if you can find a replacement barrel prior to procuring it?

I'd say, keep-your-ducks-in-a-row on this one!

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Amishman44

I think that I have found replacement barrel cheap. If I can't purchase it for $250 or less, I will walk. I have a friend that used to do some gunsmithing. He will probably replace the barrel cheap.

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otis

The bulge is at about the 4 or 5 inch mark from the cylinder. I have a 4inch barrel located for $35 shipped.

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otis

Ring and bulge in the barrel is a no-go.

They are out there, you just have to be patient.

I vote no.

289$ for a bulged bbl &Who knows what else may be damaged, what is he smoking? It could turn into a money pit.