Ruger Security Six

Genetically Swiss · Nov 26, 2018

Sure, I recognize it's not a S&W. But I just bought a stainless steel 4" Ruger Security Six from a retired gentleman who was in law enforcement. Revolver was made in 1982 and is pristine, less than 100 rounds through her. Honestly, I have always admired the Security Six, liking it more than the GP-100 (although the GP is a very fine revolver, IMO), as it's lighter and just as stout.
So, my question to you guys, objectively, how would you rate the Security Six against the 686? I wanted a nice, early 686, but alas, none to be found, particularly at the price point I paid for this Security Six ($399).

GS

robertrwalsh · Nov 26, 2018

The 686 is much more nice looking in my opinion. The Ruger is built like a Skoda army truck. Not real pretty but very, very tough.

Genetically Swiss · Nov 26, 2018

robertrwalsh said:
The 686 is much more nice looking in my opinion. The Ruger is built like a Skoda army truck. Not real pretty but very, very tough.

I cannot disagree with that. The 686 does have beautiful lines. And I could pound nails with this Ruger, go shooting and not lose zero. Trigger is undoubtedly better on the 686 too.

GS

BLACKHAWKNJ · Nov 26, 2018

I have a 6". VERY accurate, and after I gave it an "action job" with an aftermarket spring set very pleasant to shoot.

Oscar Zulu · Nov 26, 2018

I did the same thing a couple of months ago. A 4" stainless, mine is from 75. A friend who is handy took some stones to the action to true things up. He installed a Wolf spring kit, and I believe a mainspring from a Ruger 101 he had in his shop.
I added a Tritnium Big Dot sight on the front (the medium one). This proved to be to tall, so I ordered a taller rear sight blade from a Ruger Redhawk. And a Tyler T-grip.
I wound up with a revolver tougher than even a 686 (no worries of cracked forcing cones or load restrictions) that is the same size and weight as a 66.
The action , while not quite S & W crisp and smooth is very nice. I like it.... A lot.
Oscar Zulu

squidsix · Nov 26, 2018

I dunno. I have a Ruger Police Service Six snubnose that I think is the cat's pajamas. This one has a tritium front sight for Ruger P-90 (same fitment as the sixed-sight revolvers).
I find them to be the equal to K-frames of the same size for shooting accuracy and utility. The S&Ws are prettier, ESPECIALLY when comparing models with the Ruger safety billboard on the barrel.

loknload · Nov 26, 2018

As stated above the 686 is more refined, the Security Six, a no frills workhorse.
Both handguns have their positives.
I have a 4” in both and I like both!

Ashlander · Nov 26, 2018

Among my many revolvers, I have an old 4" blued Speed Six as well as a 2012 3" 686 Plus. Both are great guns. The old Speed Six has a better trigger (both single and double action), but it's been smoothed in for about 40 years. The extra weight of the 686 helps with both keeping a steady hold as well as recoil. I'd get rid of a lot of my revolvers before those two.

BTW, the Speed Six is my night stand gun.

beagleye · Nov 26, 2018

I love the speed sixes and security sixes. for long term reliability and durability, top notch!

Admittedly S&W has gone for a more refined revolver, and I have a lot more smiths than I ever will have Rugers, but Rugers have a niche too and can't be disregarded.

doublesharp · Nov 26, 2018

I've always been proud of my Speed Six and I like Rugers very well in general. Big fan of SP101s also, especially 3". I see them in the 400-500 range regularly.

BigBill · Nov 26, 2018

Nothing on the planet will match my ruger security six, police service sixes in there size and strength. Have mine since ‘76. It’s not a s&w, no screws to come loose. I like my s&w with the history about them but my ruger’s go to the range.

With any gun just moly it up and let it wear into it self.

357-RevolverGuy · Nov 26, 2018

squidsix said:
This one has a tritium front sight for Ruger P-90 (same fitment as the sixed-sight revolvers).

I never knew they shared the same front sight fitment. This will be useful knowledge in the future, thanks.

Bayou52 · Nov 26, 2018

I purchased this Sec Six brand new in 1979. It's got multiple thousands of rounds down the tube and is still tight all the way around. The factory grips were too small for me, so I switched them out at the time I bought the revolver (1979 price of grips - $19.95).

A great shooter, for sure:

Bayou52

GypsmJim · Nov 26, 2018

I have twice as many S&Ws as Rugers. My Smiths are better looking and have more refined triggers and such, but my early Security Six is the most accurate revolver I own, even after several thousand rounds down the tube.

daddio202 · Nov 26, 2018

The Rugers are great guns and thats why so many of us S&W guys own one. But there is reason why they are cheaper than 686's. The S&W just looks better! I paid under $300 for mine 2 years ago basically LNIB.

RobertJ. · Nov 26, 2018

Bayou52 said:
I purchased this Sec Six brand new in 1979.

I bought my first .357 in 1979, a blued SS, for 177.50!

Sadly, in a moment of bad judgment, I traded it away.

Someday I'll be at the right place at the right time and buy another. No, they're not as nice looking as an S&W, but they're a great gun.

BB57 · Nov 26, 2018

I also prefer the Speed Six and Security Six to comparable GP100 models.

Ruger's move to a grip stub in the SP, GP and Super Redhawk series was a positive step in terms of making the revolvers much easier to adapt to different hand sizes. For example with good grip choice, my hand can fit a Super Red Hawk perfectly, while I can't manage the long trigger reach of an N frame regardless of the grip.

On the other hand I'm not a fan of full underlug on the GP100 (or on the 686 for that matter, and the 686 performance center guns are just plain ugly).

Weight wise my 2 3/4" Speed Six falls right in between my 2 1/2" 686+ and a my 2 1/2" Model 66.

In terms of triggers, the Speed/Service/Security Six revolvers tend to feel slightly more mechanical, but the pull weights on average are comparable to S&Ws of the same era, with perhaps a bit more variation from revolver to revolver than S&Ws.

I prefer the Rugers with the scalloped recoil shield to the non scalloped revolvers, but looks wise the the Model 66 beats both the Six series and the 686 series revolvers.

cowboy4evr · Nov 26, 2018

The Ruger " 6 " series are nice enough revolvers . The biggest problem is that if you need parts , Ruger does not support that series anymore . So if I owned one I would take it a little easy on it , no hot loads and it will out last the owner . Regards, Paul

shouldazagged · Nov 26, 2018

Years ago I had a 4" Security Six, terribly cosmetically challenged. Very little blue left. But it was a nice shooter until I suddenly needed cash and sold it.

I'm a devoted Smith fan, and I know this is heresy, but I've always thought the Ruger push button cylinder release was a superior design to the S&W.

Grayfox · Nov 26, 2018

I believe the Six series were the best DA revolvers Ruger ever built. I've said a thousand times that I think that discontinuing the Six series was the biggest mistake Ruger ever made.
Instead of trying to compare one to the 686, think of it more as a K-frame on steroids. It was made to compete with the S&W Models 19 & 66. Roughly the same size and weight. But one Hell of a lot tougher. No need to be careful of ammo choices or worry about cracked forcing cones in a Six. It'll eat anything you wanna put in it till the cows come home and ask for more.
No, its not quite as pretty as a Smith. But they're beautiful in their own way. Totally reliable, accurate and tough as nails.
I've got a blue 4" Security Six and love it. I've been wanting to add a 2.75" for years, but just can't seem to run across one for sale around here. Those that have 'em, keep 'em!

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