Opinions: Swap Ruger Security Six for S&W L frame?

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doctorj357

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Hi Everyone, looking for opinions here

Recently I have been looking to go all S&W in my hand guns. So far I have a SW1911, a 669, and soon a Bodyguard .380. My current wheelgun, and one of my favorites, is a Ruger Security Six, SS, 6in in beautiful shape.

I'm interested (possibly) in swapping that for a S&W L frame. I guess that would be something like the 686? What I prefer in my wheelguns are the quarter/half lug barrels. Not a big fan of the full lug. But I don't know my S&W models past a 19. So could someone school me?

What I like about the Ruger, is the "built like a tank" reliability. And the fact it can eat a steady diet of .357mag. Which I'm just know learning is the case with S&W L frames too. Does anyone think I'd be going backwards if I sold or traded my Ruger for a S&W L frame? Granted I know this is Smith forum, and some opinions may be slanted. But just looking for honest answers.
 
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So you want to get rid of one of your favorite guns for a full-lug bbl you don't like? Sounds like a great plan. ;-)
 
Lol, no that came out wrong. I'm saying my favorite wheel gun, which is pretty hard to beat since I only own one, is my Ruger. I personally like S&W better, but never felt they had the same durability. Which I'm recently learning is incorrect.

But only L frame I'm familiar with is a 686. And not a big fan of a full lug. So I'm asking people to educate me what other L frames there are with a half lug barrel. And if they think that is a good, neutral, bad idea to swap the Ruger for the S&W?


Thats all
 
I love my smiths but to say they are as durable as rugers may be a stretch. I saw somewhere where they were throwing a gp100 across a parking lot repeatedly and it still shot! I doubt any smith passing that test. I would imagine a security six would fare well too. I would save and buy a smith but keep that SS. I will add a SS or a few of em if the deals ever come along but folk tend to keep them or are " proud" of em!

Personally I have room in my toy chests for several brands!
 
A Security-Six is stronger than a K, and may be about as strong as an L frame. There are non-lugged .357s (the 686 Mountain Gun) and half-lug ones also that are fairly scarce.

I agree with keeping your Ruger and finding a 686, possibly with a shorter full-lug barrel (3-4") so it is not so muzzle-heavy.
 
The M-686 has been made in limited numbers with a barrel lug that resembles that on the M-19/66. In fact, the gun looks like a big M-66. Might be hard to locate one.

Keep your Ruger. No more of that model will be made, and it offers both ruggedness and relatively light weight. Ruger fans are seeking out the remaining good SS's and value is climbing. And they are a really handy gun in a six-inch .357.

It is true that the best M-686's are also out of production, so you'll have to hunt a used one. But if you dislike the weight of the full-lug barrel, you'll likely look for awhile to find a Mountain Gun. And if you want a six-inch barrel, that weight will really be more than I gather that you want.

I sold my four-inch M-686 and got a Ruger GP-100, which balances better, in spite of also having a full-lug barrel. I think the GP also holds its cylinder timing better than a Smith. This is definitely true of the M-27 and M-28, which have heavy cylinders than wear timing sooner than on their smaller guns in .357.

Be wary of firing too many hot loads in your Security-Six. It is a tough gun, more so than a S&W M-19 or 66. But you can push it too far, and Ruger may not be able to repair it. I've read that they no longer service that model, but that was on the Net, and may not be true.

I see no reason to go "all S&W". You might look for one of the discontinued GP-100's with a half-lug barrel if you want a six-inch gun wih good balance and great durability.

Frankly, I think the medium-framed .357's make a lot of sense. But some with full-lug barrels weigh as much as a .44 Magnum!

Don't sell that Ruger. The odds are high that you'll regret it.
 
You most likely will not find an even trade as the "value" of a smith is always more than a ruger.That said I would, keep the ruger and buy a smith also.I have never sold a gun that I still wish I didnt.I have bought lots of gun on layaway plans.
 
I understand how you feel about the full lug, I'm no fan of it either. Here's some food for thought though.
Ruger first produced the GP-100 with a half lug barrel, much like your security six, but there weren't many. Just FYI, not too many know that.
S&W made a L frame model 620 with adjustable sights and a half lug and a 4" barrel. It's an outstanding L frame, and has a two piece barrel and is extremely accurate. S&W also made a Model 619 with a semi-lug and fixed sights (looks like a model 65). I own a 619, and I think it's the slickest, most accurate revolver I've ever owned, it's a permanent in my armory. I've had a couple GP-100s and Security Sixes and if I had to choose, I'd keep the 619 without question. The only problem is S&W quit making them, last year, I think.
You would probably be better off keeping your Ruger, but you might try to find a 620 unless the 4" barrel is not to your liking. I think you'll be impressed with the accuracy though.
 
There are several non-full-lug L-frames available in .357:

-The 686 Plus 2004 Stocking Dealer Special (SKU 164284)
-The 686 Plus Mountain Gun (SKU 104200)
-The 620
-The 619
-The 520 (2005 and later - earlier versions were on the N-frame)
 
Keep the Ruger. I had my 4 inch stainless out last night changing grips. I have many Smiths but have never been without a Security Six for over thirty years. It has never let me down.
 
Seems pretty anonymous to keep the Ruger. I actually had the half-lug GP-100, blued about 2yrs ago. It was nice. Had no issues with it. Don't really remember why I sold it. But I actually like the looks of Security Six more.

Thank you all for the information. My toychest space is limited, but in due time, I think I can make room for another Smith. Right now I'm saving my money for a silencer. Michigan recently lifted the ban on them. So now I'm questing to get my first silenced weapon..... that shouldn't be too expensive.....:rolleyes:
 
I own a 4" 686 that I enjoy shooting, but my son owns a 4" GP100 that I also enjoy when it's my turn. The Ruger is a rugged revolver. It may not have the "finesse" of a 686, but that's subjective. My humble opinion is if you can afford to buy a 686 without trading the Ruger, do so. I don't think you'll regret it. They are both fine guns.
 
keep the Ruger! The Security/Speed Six, later GP-100 and little SP-101 are excellent guns. I also applaud Ruger for not putting locks in their wheelguns.

Older S&W's are more refined, better finished and prettier than older Rugers, but Ruger has always made a damn solid blue-collar revolver.
 
The common response to trading off a gun from most people is,"I wish I still had it!" If you have a gun you like, and Rugers have plenty to like, then try to avoid the greener grass syndrome. I am proud to own mostly Smith's and they are my favorite but we have many Rugers in the family and they are staying, too!:)

The responses you have gotten so far illustrate why I like this forum. No bashing of other manufacturers of the guns we all love. Each offers it's own appeal and should be appreciated for that which it was designed. Try talking about a Smith at the Ruger site and check the response.
 
There are guns I've owned in the past and don't miss. But I regretted letting a 6" Security Six go almost immediately after trading it (on a 4" GP100, no less, which I could never get to shoot for squat), and still do 15+ years later. Tough, handy (as 6" guns go), and accurate, with a great grip shape. At the moment I'm satisfied with 38s out of a Model 10, but if I were in the market for a DA 357 I would be hard pressed not to look for a Security Six again.

Keep it. You've already got a great gun.
 
I'm a big fan of the older Ruger .357 series made in the 70s and 80s. I had a ss short barrel security six that was given to me by my father and was stolen, later replaced it with a ss speed six (love that little gun). Recently I've been looking for a 6" .357 ss revolver and considered another security six. Frankly I just don't care for the blocky look of them and could not do it. Had Ruger made the service six (or speed six) in a 6" barrel I would have bought one. They have a much cleaner look than the security sixes and the resale values are rising somewhat faster than the security sixes (especially the speed six).

I have always preferred the looks of the older S&W revolvers and did allot of research to see what models were available in .357with the 6" barrel. I finally opted for an N frame, blued S&W M27-2. This one was made back in 1976 and so it has the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder chambers. Although I wanted ss for durability, the high polish blued finish and checkering detail made it just too cool to pass up. The extra weight over the security six should help with recoil. They are considered one of the finest revolvers S&W ever made so resale values should remain strong.

If you are happy with your security six, like other have said there is no compelling reason to sell it. They are just great guns. But if you decide to look further into a S&W, be sure to check out the model 27 or the sister model 28.
 
I have several Colt Pythons, several K,L,N-frame revolvers, and many Security/Service/Speed-Sixes! Although I love all of these guns for different reasons, I've always had a special place in my heart for the Ruger Six series revolvers! You cannot judge these revolvers because their prices haven't caught up with Smith-Wesson. The Security-Six and the other Six Series revolvers are reliable, and as tough as nails! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I disagree that the six Series revolvers are not as pretty as Smith-Wesson revolvers! This is true in terms of blue finished revolvers but, comparing them with stainless Smith-Wesson revolvers I find that the Rugers are as pretty or prettier! The fact that these revolvers aren't made anymore is just icing on the cake! Remember, reliability and durability, was Bill Ruger's middle name(aka: Bullet proof)!
 
i wouldn't get rid of a gun i love just to be all s&w. i like variety. lots of good guns out there. i'd wait til i could just buy a s&w. then if you love it you can sell one. ruger makes a tough gun.
 
my security six has a place of honor in my safe. thousands of rounds of .357 have gone thru it. know how many times it has failed to fire? none. i love my smiths and will never give any of them up. that said i have owned my ruger for a loooong time. keep it, you will regret selling it for sure!
 
I'd look into a model 28. An N-frame .357 mag will never die. Ruger makes a great product, but they are just not my "style" outside of a Blackhawk and a Super Blackhawk. If you like your Security Six, then I say keep it also.
 
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