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01-15-2022, 10:20 PM
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Buying a Used Ruger Security 6 - School me in please
Hi Everyone. I'm after some feedback on inspecting a Used Ruger Security Six.
This Ruger Security Six 2.75" barrel .357 mag was recently advertised on an Australian Usedgun website. I'm intending to take a look at it in the next day or so. It's just to add to my collection and use as a range toy. This Ruger has been advertised for $450 AUD (About $340 USD in the current foreign exchange).
The serial number is 15566628. It's an ex-Security Company gun that does not appear to have done much work. It does not come with a box etc. Just the holster.
Whilst I have plenty of S&W revolvers, I've never owned a Ruger. Is there anything specific I should be looking for on a Used Ruger Security Six? Any guesses on it's age?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Last edited by Moo Moo; 01-15-2022 at 10:38 PM.
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01-15-2022, 10:22 PM
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Another photograph. Looks like a bit of wear on the sights.
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01-15-2022, 10:24 PM
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You won’t hear a whole lot of negatives. Built to compete with the S&W K frame, but stronger and better suited for .357 Magnum. I’ve had several, and I still have two Service Six guns. The 2.5” Version is especially sought after. Only issue is Ruger doesn’t support them anymore, so it couldn’t hurt to have some spare parts lying around. Easy enough to buy and you’ll probably never need them. The Six guns were built to last.
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01-15-2022, 10:39 PM
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I'm positive it would go for a lot more than that over here.
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01-15-2022, 10:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwolde
I'm positive it would go for a lot more than that over here.
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I would expect to see that at $650-700 in my area.
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01-15-2022, 10:48 PM
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From the Ruger Serial Number lookup, it looks like it was made late 1979 or early1980.
Serial Number Lookup
Great pistols, extremely rugged. Very little ever goes wrong with them. My first firearm ever was a 4 inch stainless Security Six and later I found a 2 3/4 inch just like yours.
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01-15-2022, 10:49 PM
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Looks in very good shape except for the carry wear on the rear sight. As others have said built very well and well priced. The 2.5 barrel is very hard to find in a Security Six. Grab it !
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01-15-2022, 10:57 PM
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Rugers are built like a TANK. You cannot go wrong with that one.
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01-15-2022, 11:03 PM
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That is a great price on a great gun. Just do the standard timing lockup test I can not recall ever seeing a Ruger of this vintage having any issues they are built tank tough, and simple to maintain.
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01-15-2022, 11:06 PM
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Recently purchased a stainless Speed Six .357 with 2.75" bbl, very similar to your gun, but with fixed sights and rounded grip. It was on consignment, listed for $750 but the seller agreed to my $700 offer. Sort of a grail gun so I wasn't too hard on $.
Myself, I would refrain from taking down the gun unless you really know how. There are many YouTube vids displaying takedown and the poster always says how simple it is, but I would have a bagful of parts. Even some of the posters have difficulty with the trigger unit. I use GunScrubber to flush out the internals on all my revolvers.
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01-15-2022, 11:20 PM
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I had a 4” model some years ago. Excellent gun worth far more than the price you quoted. Most all Ruger revolvers have hammer and trigger springs that are way, way too stiff. After a kitchen table trigger job on the one I had, I managed a personal best on a plate rack. 5 plates in 1.7something seconds. Not Jerry M. sort of speed, but for and old guy that didn’t shoot much, I was pretty pleased. I foolishly traded it for a GP100.
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01-15-2022, 11:24 PM
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Awwwww..........! I was gonna say it's a tank but two guys beat me to it!
It's an excellent revolver, accurate, and, well, tank tough!
I didn't like the grips so I put these Hogues on there, must be at least 25 years ago, and while I get ribbed a lot they make the gun feel so much better and it shoots great. I used to carry it whilst deer hunting.
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01-15-2022, 11:29 PM
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Yes, the factory stocks leave a bit to be desired. I got some aftermarket “target” style stocks from eBay. Much more comfortable and secure grip.
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01-15-2022, 11:31 PM
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Mine with a serial of 155-69xxx shipped in December of 1979. It is one of my favorite guns to shoot. While Ruger does not support them any more there are a number of venders who have surplus parts. It is a robust revolver and if taken care of last a lifetime in my opinion.
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01-16-2022, 01:10 AM
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Just check all functions, timing/lockup etc etc and maybe some Hogue Monos.
Wife and kids like the Hogues.
The blued one is from around '80 and is my wife's around the house gun.
Two rounds of snakeshot followed by four 158gr solids.
Bufo Toad/Snake/Gator gun for the Swamp around the corner.
Shoots nice at 100yds plus as well.
Took the Mrs two rounds of CCI snakeshot to dispatch a big Bufo with the K22 so I bought her the Ruger.
K22M
Ruger
629/4"
Ruger with whites and Mexican silver coin.
Modded Ruger pic from the interweb.
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Last edited by Imissedagain; 01-16-2022 at 01:19 AM.
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01-16-2022, 04:24 AM
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Here's a recent one, torn down on my gunsmith's bench. 'Twas apparently full of fouling and gunked-up lube. As he pointed out to me, the cylinder assembly is a bit more to deal with than on a Smith.
Can't go wrong with one, especially at that price. Oh, and I 'think' that rear sight body is alloy. If you're not happy with Majik Marker as a touch-up, Birchwood Casey makes something called Aluma-Black. It's a bit like cold-blueing, but for aluminum.
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01-16-2022, 05:06 AM
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No worries, It's a great gun .
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01-16-2022, 07:39 AM
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As everyone else has posted, a great gun. Go to the Ruger home page and look for downloadable manuals, they should still be posting for the Security Six.
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01-16-2022, 09:01 AM
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Not much I can add other than I love mine! 
But be aware that they haven't been made since 1988. Aftermarket stocks and holsters are getting kinda hard to come by. But they are out there.
I truly believe the biggest mistake Ruger ever made was discontinuing the Six Series line of revolvers.
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01-16-2022, 09:23 AM
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I'll buy Security Sixes all day long at that price. When it comes to durability, the Ruger makes an S&W look downright fragile.
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01-16-2022, 09:50 AM
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Add my name to the plus list. Had a 4” stainless for my first handgun and it was my best handgun.
Wish it hadn’t been stolen!
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01-16-2022, 10:08 AM
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That price would be "Grab it NOW!" in the US of A. Last one I saw was twice that in US $.
Geoff
Who owns a 4" Heavy barrel Security Six .357.
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01-16-2022, 10:14 AM
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I had a crack at one a couple years back at a good price, 4"....after reading this, kind of regret passing on it!
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01-16-2022, 10:16 AM
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Any ammo concerns?
I don't want to drift this thread too much, and I just don't own a Ruger Security Six, but my Son-In-Law bought a GP 100 when he got out of the Army many years back.
I'm thinking it was a GP 100 but being a used gun it may have been a Security Six. He brought it when visiting (they live in Ohio) and gave me two boxes of Remington Peters factory ammo in trade for 2 boxes of Mag-Tech from my stash.
The Remington Peters ammo just would not let the cylinder close on his Ruger. The rim thickness was just a few thousands too thick, and this was factory new ammo. The Mag Tech, Winchester, S&B and all other ammo I had on hand would chamber and close, and go bang very nicely in that Ruger, just not the R-P.
On the other hand the R-P worked just fine in my Model 19, Model 66 and the Colt Python that I had at the time.
I don't know what the ammo situation is in Australia and I don't know if R-P ammo is even still made but have any of you Ruger owners ever experienced something like this. Again...sorry I just can't remember if it was a Security Six or a GP 100. It was stainless finish.
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01-16-2022, 10:26 AM
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I have owned a Security-Six, a Speed-Six, a GP-100, a Blackhawk, and a Super-Blackhawk. Never had the slightest bit of trouble with any of them. The only one I don't still have is the Security-Six, and I greatly regret selling it in my foolish younger days.
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01-16-2022, 10:31 AM
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$340 USD is about $200 cheap if it were for sale here.
Excellent guns, no complaints ever. Darn shame they quit making them.
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01-16-2022, 10:49 AM
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I recently had the chance to buy a security six , 4" stainless that was in fantastic shape for $350 . Needless to say it came home with me . The original factory stocks are in perfect shape . I have shot full power 357 magnum loads in it and didn't find the factory stocks a problem . A friend of mine , retired LEO had shot a few rounds of 38 special , then wanted to try some 357's . The first 357 round brought on quite a recoil , he stepped back , said , " I wasn't expecting that " . I said , " Ron, it's a 357 load , not a 38 special , what were you expecting ? " We both had a good laugh . I have NO intention of selling my security six and would love to find a snub . Regards Paul
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01-16-2022, 12:29 PM
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Great price! Buy it!
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01-16-2022, 01:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grayfox
Not much I can add other than I love mine! 
But be aware that they haven't been made since 1988. Aftermarket stocks and holsters are getting kinda hard to come by. But they are out there.
I truly believe the biggest mistake Ruger ever made was discontinuing the Six Series line of revolvers.

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Every Six gun that I have owned (and I’ve owned one of each, including a 2.25” Speed Six) fit perfectly in a S&W K frame holster for the same barrel length. If he buys a holster for a snub K frame it should fit perfectly. Maybe not a Kydex holster since they’re so exact to the model but certainly any leather holster. If he buys a complete trigger group and complete cylinder for his model he will be prepared for any highly unlikely parts breakage.
Last edited by kbm6893; 01-16-2022 at 01:16 PM.
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01-16-2022, 01:51 PM
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The first center fire handgun I purchased was a Security Six. I foolishly sold it. I now own three and the 2 3/4” is a rock solid revolver.
You will do well to acquire it.
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01-16-2022, 02:03 PM
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Bought my 6" stainless in 1976-still have it. Trigger pull was too heavy, a set of Bullsye /Trapper springs solved that while retaining 100% reliability.
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01-16-2022, 02:03 PM
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The security, service, and speed six are excellent guns. I've been looking for a 2 3/4 inch barrel one for a long time. Very difficult to find here. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with my snub nosed 686, 66s, 64, and SFVI.
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01-16-2022, 05:58 PM
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I bought a new Security-Six back in the early 80's for around $250.00 (i'm old - getting hard to remember). Sold it ten years later for the same price, and sorry to this day that it's gone. With .357's, the factory grips immediately feel too small. With .38 spl. HBWC tartget ammo, it was a tack driver.
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01-16-2022, 06:33 PM
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If one were to look at a thread to validate a long-ago decision, this would do it.
I have a 2 3/4" stainless Security Six like the one OP posted.
I bought this specific revolver for two reasons:
1. My PPC guns (primary and a back up; the back up never had to take over for the primary though) are both Ruger Six based. That primary has had a lot of rounds fired (albeit .38 wadcutter, not .357) between practice and matches. High but easy miles. It has only ever had one problem (more on that anon), so it has proven Ruger's ability to deliver a reliable revolver. This experience established my history with Ruger DA.
2. Prior to my division (Patrol) in our department acquiring S&W 686s (which I pushed), our issue revolvers were 66s. We had a lot of problems with timing issues with them. When I went through the two week CA POST rangemaster course in 1980 I was on my third 66 by the time I finished the course. The one 66 I really liked, despite the issues, was the 2 1/2" 66. Size, weight and balance were (are) perfect. To get these benefits in a more robust revolver, and with my Ruger experience in mind, I bought a 2 3/4" Security Six. I put on a nylon Hogue Monogrip and took it to the range. I was sold on it with the first shot. That assessment has never varied.
Back to my once-ever failure on my Ruger PPC revolver. Somewhere around ten years ago, after seldom shooting this revolver after retirement, I took it out of the safe to dry fire it. The trigger would not return. I knew the trigger return spring had broken, which disassembly showed to be the case. But this was not a Ruger failure. One of the steps taken to make this into a match revolver was replacement of the stock trigger return spring with a lighter version. It was this light spring that had (finally) broken. I ordered a replacement, and fifteen minutes after I received it the revolver was up and running again. I did note that this replacement light trigger return spring wire was of slightly greater diameter than the one it replaced, so perhaps the aftermarket had learned something in the interim.
I think these are great guns. Glad to see the rest of you are right.
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01-16-2022, 08:46 PM
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No one can throw rocks at the quality and durability of the Security 6. But to me, it has always had an odd appearance vs. S&W and Colt revolvers.
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01-16-2022, 10:24 PM
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It's a Ruger. Overbuilt for a good reason. They expect shooters to use them, and not necessarily collect them. No j-frame model made yet. They aren't the same design, just a similar look. Even Colts, Taurus, even Rossi's. All are a little bit the same, and a lot different inside their side plates.
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01-17-2022, 12:29 AM
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I purchased this 6 inch 150 serial number range gun from consignment before all the covid **** down. I looked for a long time to find the Herrett
grips, no rubber grips made for 150 serial numbers.
The gun shoots fine.
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01-17-2022, 01:11 AM
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Great gun at a great price. The stainless 2.75" Security is one missing from my collection. I have a stainless 6" Security Six I bought in the early 80's, I have 2 4" Sixes, one in stainless and one in blue. A 2'75" blue Service Six and a blue 2.75 Speed Six, both in .38.
Speed Six
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01-18-2022, 04:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glenwolde
I'm positive it would go for a lot more than that over here.
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About a month ago I sold my Postal Inspector 9mm SS 3" barrel Speed Six for $650. I already miss. But I needed the $$$$!
I still have my 2-3/4" barrel blue .357 Ruger Security Six. It's a real tack driver!
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