Ruger Security Six. Good Bad, Indifferent?** Pics added**

[Double-O-Dave]

I have one of the earlier models - a 4.0 inch barreled, blued steel version with adjustable sights. It took me quite a while to find it as I haven't seen any used Security Sixes for sale for many years. I am in agreement with what other forum members have said about it. It is built like a tank, and it requires a gunsmith to do a trigger job to it. Mine is as accurate as any of my S&W .38/.357 revolvers. By the way, the SS uses the same speedloaders and leather as the K frame S&W revolvers. I think Ruger did a really good job with the adjustable rear sights. They are built into a bit of a recess which helps keep them from getting banged up, or snagging when you draw, but they are still visible. By the way, mine was used, but in good shape when I bought it for $325.00 OTD. That's about the going price for a comparable S&W, but the scarcity of the SS on the used gun market helped me make my decision. I've got my eyes on a stainless steel SS now, but the owner wants too much for it.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[Bat Guano]

Carried a 4" .357 Ruger for years for work; put thousands of factory .357plus plenty of wadcutters through two of these guns in those years. Had to replace barrels on both for forcing cone erosion (and spitting) but truth was that it was pretty abusive use. (I was an instructor). The guns themselves held up fine and I still use them. In 2 3/4" it was the agency issue gun. They're not elegant but tough and will outlast a K frame gun.

They are still my choice for a medium frame .357 to be carried all day. Dropping them from the line was not a smart move.

 

[RonJ]

Worst revolver I've ever owned. Even after being sent back for repair the ejector star wouldn't seat properly without help. Everyone told me that my gun was a fluke.

 

[Skeptic 9c]

Security company trade-ins are selling for $300 to $350 almost always in Stainless Steel and .38 Special. .357s are selling at $400 - $450 for a nice one with box. A few Speed Sixes in .357 disappeared fast from a local dealer.
I have a 4" Heavy Barrel blue Security Six, it's my best "all around" revolver, but heavy. Front sight has a white insert and the rear a white outline.
Geoff
Who shoots lighter bullets in .357 Magnum as he ages.

 

[imjin138]

I have handled them and if I were to buy a used gun today it would be a Speed six or security six it looks like it would make a great field piece.

 

[310nightguard]

I just bought one a couple of months ago. My trigger is exceptionally good; it must have had some work done somewhere along the way. It was built in 1978.

The gun is very accurate and reliable. It was very dirty when I bought it, but cleaned up well and is now a good looking gun.

All of this for only $300 bucks... if they had another one, I would buy it too.

I read two reports that I found online of range rental guns that had over 1million rounds fired through them... I guess you can take that with a grain of salt, but it seems to me that they are built like all other Rugers... tough as hardened nails, woodpecker lips or whatever other cliche that you want to use.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Lowback Speed Six

I don't have a Security Six but have this early model "lowback" Speed Six...round butt, fixed sights. Its tough enough and I have no doubt it will keep on going...shoots good too but not as slick as my S&W and Colt .357's.

If I had to pick a .357 revolver from my stash that would probably last forever this would be the one.

 

[Rule3]

tough as hardened nails, woodpecker lips or whatever other cliche that you want to use.

Never heard that one.Hope it's not copyrighted cause I'm gonna use it!

 

[sigp220.45]

I have two, and I'll buy any I see at a decent price.

This is my nightstand gun, loaded with .357 Silvertips and currently sporting Pachmayr round butt compacts:

I got this early 150 series for $275 about three years ago.

I never worry about them breaking.

 

[38-44HD45]

Here are my Speed Sixes, a 4" blued and a 2 3/4" stainless:

Also have a stainless 6" Security Six. They usually had terrible triggers from the factory, but they are monkey-easy to put in a good trigger pull. Hell-for-tough, very accurate. I keep mine loaded with Remington 125gr. SJHP Nuclear loads.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I ran into one of those deals that don't happen too often. My brother wanted a .357 revolver, and I found a friend who had a Service Six that he had aquired from a LEO. He said he didn't shoot it or want it around anymore, and I got it for $75 bucks. My brother has used it for target shooting, HD, IPSC, and IDPA. He really likes it. I have a GP-100 that is my work horse for testing reloads, and instructional purposes. It is one of my more accurate revolvers. I won't be getting rid of it anytime soon!

If you can get it for a good price, grab it. Like was stated above, they are built to last.


WG840

 

[safearm]

While I had to carry the issue M15 from my agency on duty, I used a 6" Security Six for competition in our Police Pistol League. With a Trapper spring kit and a light hone job, the DA pull was as smooth as any S&W. For me, it was plenty accurate shooting .38 Special 158 grain LSWC.

 

[The Highlander]

Tank strong little guns. I've never owned one, but have shot a couple. My local gun pusher had a really beat one a while back, and had it priced like it was NIB or I would have bought it for a truck gun. It had an amazingly smooth action, but looked like the North end of a southbound mule on the outside. Would have made a perfect shooter.

 

[animalmother]

I picked up 3 within the last few years. Sold one to a friend and kept two. Really like them as range guns. I bought a near NIB one from a co-worker for $300 (way to good a price to pass up) and another LNIB one from AA for a little over $300.

 

[RobertJ.]

The SS was my first .357. I had it for years, it was a great handgun, extremely accurate, but I traded it for an SP-101. Now, among my .357's, is the GP-100, which I also think is an excellent pistol, just a SS that's been improved.

I realize this borders on blasphemy on this site, but I've been shooting Rugers since I was a kid in Alaska, and have always had at least a few in my collection.

 

[ENGINE18]

Dang, now I want a Speed-six w/a short barrel!

 

[Frizzman]

Security Six Good

The first handgun I bought back in 1977 was a 4" stainless Security Six. I still have it and after thousands of rounds including lots of reloads, its still going. The action has gotten smoother with use. It was worth every penny of its relatively modest price when I bought it new in April 1977. I always liked the ability to "field strip" it without tools for cleaning and repair(not that any repair has ever been needed). In short, go get it!

 

[Rule3]

Well, I went and picked it up. Even had a box for it. Do not know if it is the original box but they did not serial number them so its the old cardboard box for a SS, and barrel length. I need to clean it and take some photos.

Pics to follow

 

[paladin42]

I've had a few. My favorite was the SS in 9mm. I had to give up fixed sights as my eyes aged.

 

[GUNFUNCO]

I am a fan. The round butts with fixed sights are called Speed Six. The Security Six was later renamed the Service Six. Most Security and Service Sixes were adjustable sights, but fixed sight versions are cataloged. Later ones had the ridiculous "Read the Manual" warning plastered across the barrel. I would look for one old enough not to have that. The 1976 models are nice with the "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" engraved on the left side frame. They aren't particularly rare, as all Rugers made that year carried the roll mark, but it is a nice touch. I have three of them.

The design for detail stripping them for cleaning is very ingenious. There is no excuse for a dirty one. The guns are strong and reliable. Compared to the later DA Rugers, I think they are quite handsome. Accuracy is combat grade - adequate but not stellar.

ETA: On pricing, they can usually be found for good prices, but some people (think popular gun auction site) think they are worth the moon. I have bought them LNIB for less than $400 but have seen them over $600. The snubs go for more than the 4-inchers. Because they are less common, nice 6 in. specimens sell higher than 4-inchers as well. Post warning guns go for less than pre warning guns. 200th year commands a small premium. I prefer the fixed sight models because they are cleaner in design but I have both designs covered. A fixed sight square butt is rather difficult to find. I don't think they made an adjustable sight round butt (Speed Six). The Speed Six is generally pricier than the Security or Service Six. There is not much premium for stainless over blued. I am pleased to say that I have never seen a nickel plated one.

I always thought the speed six was round butt and fixed sights, security six was square butt and fixed sights and security six was square butt and adjustable sights. I'm not sure if they ever made a round butt with adjustable sights.