Ruger Speed Six

SW CQB 45 · Feb 14, 2021

Going back in time, I want to kick myself for selling a 65-5 3" that I picked up for under $300 when they were not popular.

Now clean models of 3" smiths are 3-4 times what I paid some 20 years ago.

Every now and then I see a Ruger Speed Six and I know they came in 3" variants.

While I know they have some desire.... how does a Ruger Speed Six bone stock action stack up against a smith wesson of equivalent size?

are they easily tuned/timed?

are there smiths that perform action jobs on Rugers?

I watched one on Gunbroker (2.75" barrel Speed Six) sell well under what Smiths are selling for.

thanks in advance

kbm6893 · Feb 14, 2021

Rugers are different, not worse. The Six guns had nice triggers. I have two left, both Service Six’s. I had a 2.75” Speed Six. Very nice gun.

Rugers can be worked on pretty easily. Watch some YouTube videos.

Sevens · Feb 14, 2021

Across multiple Security/Service/Speed Six revolvers, GP-100 revolvers, SP-101, LCR and Redhawk revolvers (add them all up and I’m talking a number approaching two dozen) there is ONE THING that has seriously impressed me to the point where I am a true believer:

These damn things never, never, NEVER have timing issues! I’m saying never!

In revolvers, my choice is S&W K-L-N frame, that’s what I love best, but S&W revolvers occasionally (or arguably... too often?) have timing issues.

I have never experienced timing struggles with Ruger DA revolvers, and the only Ruger DA revolver model that I don’t have experience with is a Super Redhawk.

The S&W is my favorite but I like the Ruger DA revolvers a lot. No brand I have ever seen is more reliable with timing than the Ruger.

hittman77 · Feb 14, 2021

Yeah, what kbm said and .....

The 3 inch Speed Six's are pretty scarce. Think they were limited to special runs like for US Postal Service, maybe a trial run for US Secret Service, etc.

99.9% were 2.75 inch or 4 inch.

lihpster · Feb 14, 2021

In all my time on this earth, I have never personally met any Ruger owner, including myself, that had an issue with a stock Ruger product of any kind. The damn things just work. I know that there are some that don't work, there has to be, I just never ran across them.

biku324 · Feb 14, 2021

I did. Several of us were issued brand new Security Sixes in the NMSP in October 1980. They did fine on the range with 38 wadcutters; when we started firing 125 grain Federal JHP 357s, several locked solid with the first or second cylinderful. Rangemasters there condemned them and sent them back. Dunno what the issue was, but I had owned a couple prior to that with no similar problems ever.

Sistema1927 · Feb 14, 2021

My 2.75" .357 Speed-Six has a great trigger, but that might just be a result of the fact that it has had a lot of ammo through it.

Recently purchased Redhawk and SP101 came with horrible triggers. I finally got the SP101 to be half way decent with some polishing and shims, but the Redhawk is a work in progress.

Grayfox · Feb 14, 2021

Proud owner of a pair of Security Sixs here. A 4" Blue and a 2.75" stainless.

The Ruger Six series revolvers are probably the toughest medium frame .357s ever built. You can't hurt these things.
The trigger pull is different from a S&W, but not bad at all.
These are great guns!

I wish I could find more of 'em.

SW CQB 45 · Feb 15, 2021

I was following this guy and it sold today. From a looks standpoint, it does not look bad. My hand is oversized.... and on Kframe RB I can make a Smith work with a Tyler T or similar grip adapter.

Not sure if they make the grip adapters for Rugers.

I will start looking at Rugers more. thanks for the info.

NICE-Ruger Speed Six .357 Mag snub nose Stainless (Mfg 1981) - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 891890333

waffles · Feb 15, 2021

Miss my speed sixes something fierce. Absolutely lovely guns, just bummed out that they're finally getting their due pricewise.

Gunhacker · Feb 15, 2021

I have a Speed-Six and two SP-101's.

All benefited greatly from some Wolff Springs, some smoothing of the edges of main spring hammer strut, and dry firing with snap caps while watching the boob tube.

There are a variety of aftermarket grips that I think you'll be able to find something that suits you.

robertrwalsh · Feb 15, 2021

I had both a speed six and a security six. Built like military trucks. Kind of ugly but solid as anything. I tuned them both a bit, easy to do.

erikpolcrack · Feb 15, 2021

I have an old Speed Six 2-3/4 inch .357. Love it - well worn - has best DA trigger pull of all my revolvers, including my Combat Masterpiece and my 1955.

SW CQB 45 · Feb 15, 2021

I know I held a 3" Model 19 some year ago. It belonged to a retired officer. She told me it was going to her kids back then. It had some rust or browning to it.

I want to run into her and ask again. if its a 2.5" I will be disappointed.

I must be a needle in the haystack kind of guy as 3" Speed Six is what would be a cool find.

I did some googling this morning.... and one has to be careful as some are marketed as 3" but in reality they are 2.75".

thanks to everyone for the info

hittman77 · Feb 15, 2021

SW CQB 45 said:
Not sure if they make the grip adapters for Rugers.

Yes, I believe they're the #8.

Fits the Security and Service and Speed Six's, both square and round butt and the Redhawks too.

hittman77 · Feb 15, 2021

Here's some 5.5 inch Redhawks with the Tyler T Grips.

And a couple of Security Six's without them.

Erich · Feb 15, 2021

Gave this to my brother.

Kept this.

The 65-5 had been tuned and was more refined from jump. The Speed Six is more robust and can certainly be tuned...but I doubt to the level of refinement the Smith reached. Either should do you just fine.

SW CQB 45 · Feb 15, 2021

a bobbed Ruger!!!!!!

thats the first thing I would do!

SW CQB 45 · Feb 15, 2021

quick somewhat off topic story.

I was assigned as Investigations Lt between 2006 and 2012. I was major crimes call out.

Part of my assignments was responding to crime scenes and property management supervisor.

I recall a Ruger blued small revolver (going off memory it was a Speed Six but it could have been a Security Six) covered in blood. Had to 70s to early 80s manufacture.

We secured it as evidence and the family told me they wanted it destroyed. As property supervisor, many guns covered in blood and the time it takes for property dispositions... many months to over a year will go by. Almost every gun I encountered covered in blood through the processes of time, the blood destroyed the exterior.

This Ruger came back through me as an officer related to the family wanted it and the owner OKed the release to him. I told the officer that it was covered in blood at the time of recovery and expect it to be destroyed.

Much to my amazement when it was pulled from Evidence.... the blood dried and broke off the finish and the blued exterior was perfect.

sipowicz · Feb 15, 2021

In regards to Erich’s post, many years back I had two friends (still have one of them) who wanted a home protection gun. Not being gun folk I steered them to the 38/357 k frame in 3” which many consider a perfect nightstand gun. Anyway, one friend went for the 65 and the other the 2 3/4” Speed six in stainless. I was never a Ruger fan but I must say I actually like the Speed Six a little better. I never bought one but I did eventually pick up an SP101 which is another great shooter.

Added note...I even find the Speed six a bit more stylish as it doesn’t have that humongous top strap some other Rutgers sport.

Ruger Speed Six

Member

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Similar threads