Chris06897
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Any comments regarding the pros and cons of these two "wheel" guns?
S&W .38 Model 10-3 vs Ruger Police Service-Six
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Oscar Zulu
Member
Can't go wrong either way. The Service Six has a reputation of being "Built like a tank," and they do seem to hold up to the use of heavy loads better. The Smith and Wesson has the reputation of having a better trigger, which they generally do. Other than that, they are very close in weight and size. A holster for one should work for the other.
I believe most if not all Ruger Service Six are chambered in .357 Magnum, which opens up a lot of ammunition options.
OZ
I believe most if not all Ruger Service Six are chambered in .357 Magnum, which opens up a lot of ammunition options.
OZ
rockquarry
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I'm not a collector and don't buy, sell, or trade guns often anymore. Looking at the situation from one angle, if I was going to buy one or the other assuming each is in good condition, I'd go with the S&W. If they were side by side and priced right, I'd probably buy both. The S&W will almost always be more desirable, be easier to sell and will likely retain resale value better. That's not a criticism of the Ruger. It's a good, stout revolver.
robertrwalsh
SWCA Member
I have had both and used both. Assuming you want something to shoot I would be inclined towards the Ruger. If you want something that will hold value better, I would go with the S&W. It isn't that hard to improve the trigger on either without a lot of trouble or expense.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
kbm6893
SWCA Member
Model 10’s are never gonna be collectors items, aside from maybe the 10-6 in .357 made for the NY State Police. They made millions of them, so forget about collector value.
Ruger Service Six (or the Security or Speed Six), have steadily been increasing in value. I paid $399 for my Service Six 5 years ago. Look on gunbroker for what they’re going for now. They haven’t made them in over 30 years.
If the Service Six is in .357, as most of them are, I’d take a .357 Ruger over a run of the mill Model 10. And I have 2 Model 10’s and a pre Model 10 M&P. I like them very much, but I don’t like them any more than my Service Six. It was the gun I chose to fire my first reloads out of 7 years ago.
Ruger Service Six (or the Security or Speed Six), have steadily been increasing in value. I paid $399 for my Service Six 5 years ago. Look on gunbroker for what they’re going for now. They haven’t made them in over 30 years.
If the Service Six is in .357, as most of them are, I’d take a .357 Ruger over a run of the mill Model 10. And I have 2 Model 10’s and a pre Model 10 M&P. I like them very much, but I don’t like them any more than my Service Six. It was the gun I chose to fire my first reloads out of 7 years ago.
For some the option of shooting .357 in the Ruger would be a bonus others might not care. For me it probably come down to condition and price. If in the same condition and prices the same I’d probably go with the S&W. If S&W was beat up and the Ruger was in good condition I wouldn’t think twice about going with the Ruger.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
There are a lot less Ruger Six series revolvers in circulation, and there is always a market for them. Buy either, or both, and you won't be sorry. There is no downside here.
bulletslap
Member
If condition is equal the Ruger will be more valuable in my experience. The Model 10 will be smoother, lighter, and more “elegant”. The Ruger will be stronger and easier to field strip.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I think Sherry Campbell devised that ad while she was the PR person at S&W. It's clever, but doesn't address the GP-100 crane lock and other issues.
Dave.357
Member
I would have to take a .357.
S&W might be more refined.
But in this case I would lean
Towards the Ruger because
.357 is a better all purpose
gun.
S&W might be more refined.
But in this case I would lean
Towards the Ruger because
.357 is a better all purpose
gun.
GypsmJim
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I personally have both. I didn't think about "ugly" until I heard someone say it on the internet. Money / value is of no concern to me. I like to shoot them both. However, if for some reason I had to sell one of them, the Ruger would be the one to keep.
BTW, I paid $85 for my Security Six, brand new, out the door.
BTW, I paid $85 for my Security Six, brand new, out the door.
Texas Star
US Veteran
Why a 10-3? A 10-6 seems a better match to the Ruger, and S&W has a better finish. Either has stainless options, better in real world use.
Ruger Sec-Six series guns sometimes have looser crane fitting, fixed in GP and SP models, with crane locks.
Rugers endure really heavy use and hot loads better. Smiths looked better until The Lock required recontouring the frame.
Ruger Sec-Six series guns sometimes have looser crane fitting, fixed in GP and SP models, with crane locks.
Rugers endure really heavy use and hot loads better. Smiths looked better until The Lock required recontouring the frame.
Model 10. But the choice really is what fits your hand better.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Model 10. But the choice really is what fits your hand better.
Is that stamped Model 10? Looks like a pre model M&P to me.
I'd take the Model 10 over a Service-six..... I'd take a 3" Speed-six over either!!!! 
Haven't seen one in decades!
Haven't seen one in decades!
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If all original, it is some form of model 10, possibly from Detroit PD (who really liked 5" nickel guns).
![DSCN2116[1].jpg](https://cdn.smith-wessonforum.com/attachments/400/400053-94a717dc43e7ce2e1de4e4baf50a622f.jpg?hash=SwOljCivp7)
