2" 10 or 2 3/4" Speed-six...help me decide

[Charles]

A 2-3/4" Speed Six was the first gun I ever bought with my own money back in 1987. I sold it to a friend a few years later and I wish I had it back. Great gun. You'll have the advantages of a longer sight radius and ejector rod stroke, as well as better balance for shooting. I doubt you'll notice that much difference in appendix carry unless you wear your pants really low. Another plus is that Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot ammo is easier to find in .357 than it is in .38.

Bottom line, though, is which individual gun you like better. Both companies have turned out some good and not-so-good examples of revolvers over the years. I'd take a super nice m10 over a dog of a Speed Six any day. You're the only one here who has put his hands on both the particular revolvers in question. Which one is better put together?

 

[cowart]

S&W revolvers are much easier to maintain and service.

Can you shed some more light on that?

 

[sipowicz]

The action on my old 2 3/4" Service six was much nicer than the standard Smith out of the box.....and the extra 3/4 inch made it very pointable....wish I still had it....

 

[vipermd]

I have carried a 2 3/4 speed six on and off since 1986. It has seen thousands of full house 357's and I have the arthritis to prove it. It always runs, and with the rd count I know it very well out to 100 yds ( groundhogs). It is what goes on when I am baiting bear or just in the woods. My 500,44,41 all 4" would also work, But the speed six is lighter, faster and very comfortable. It also has better balance than a 2" 10 or 64 in my hands. Enjoy

 

[Charles]

Can you shed some more light on that?

I think what Mr. Sinko is alluding to is the fact that the Smiths have removeable sideplates whereas the Rugers do not. It's a bit tougher to get at their innards.

 

[hittman77]

Speed Six. Great little gun, and they are getting very hard to find. The Model 10's are easier to track down, at least in my area.

I second that notion.

 

[Mickey D]

I second that notion.

I'll third. Ruger Speed Six is a sexy little gun. Getting hard to come by also.

 

[signsrup]

OK....so I got distracted. Ended up with this instead. Satisfied the craving for the time being.

 

[motorpat]

I have owned and carried,at times, a 2" Mod.64 and like it very much. It is also a great shooter. IMHO this weapon is a real keeper.

 

[Beachcomber]

I have to agree with "motorpat"... I own a 2" Model 64 and find it a real pleasure to shoot and carry, so I'm going to have to give you a vote for the 2" S&W Model 10.

 

[NE450No2]

You made a great choice.

 

[cowart]

I think what Mr. Sinko is alluding to is the fact that the Smiths have removeable sideplates whereas the Rugers do not. It's a bit tougher to get at their innards.

That's a bit of an odd thing to say! Once you have the grips off, you can get to the innards of a Ruger without any tools. Opening up a S&W requires removing at least 3 screws, and you need to know the "trick" for properly removing the sideplate. You also need some kind of tool(s) for removing and reinstalling the rebound slide.

 

[signsrup]

The Speed Six is the one Ruger I would like to own. A 3" GP would be OK too, but I don't HAVE to have one.

I am done buying for a while now. I picked up the 3" 66 that's shown in this thread, and then I stopped by a local pawn shop today. He had a 3" 64 DAO, and a 4" 65 transition gun with a recessed cylinder (no pin). He said he would sell both for $650, so I left with them.

The 64 DAO fits the bill for carry, and replaces the 3" 64 I sold (regretably) a few months ago. It will keep me from dinging up my 3" 66 too.