Buying a Used Ruger Security 6 - School me in please

[Moo Moo]

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.

 

[Moo Moo]

Another photograph. Looks like a bit of wear on the sights.

 

[kbm6893]

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.

 

[glenwolde]

I'm positive it would go for a lot more than that over here.

 

[lihpster]

I'm positive it would go for a lot more than that over here.

I would expect to see that at $650-700 in my area.

 

[mckenney99]

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.

 

[Baxter6551]

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 !

 

[RCL-09]

Rugers are built like a TANK. You cannot go wrong with that one.

 

[merl67]

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.

 

[kaaskop49]

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.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[epj]

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.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

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.

 

[epj]

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.

 

[dscampbell]

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.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Imissedagain]

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.

 

[VictorLouis]

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.

 

[Soliderity]

No worries, It's a great gun .

 

[sheppard]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Pisgah]

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.