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

[johngalt]

Of course you should both get the 686 and keep the Ruger!

I have a 686 and GP-100, which I don't know how it compares to a Security Six. I like the 686 is much more than the GP-100.

I'm not really a fan of the full lug either. It is ok on a 4", but too heavy for a 6". I would like a 6" with the partial lug.

 

[shooter686]

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

If you dont want a full lug in the smith line-up, its the K frames and the N frames. K frames reportedly had some issues with certain full house .357 loads. N frames no problem. The L frame solved the k frame issue.

Now, at the risk of kicked off the board flamed into the next county - its my humble opinion that Rugers are the most durable, stoutest, most reliable factory firearm for the dollar on the market. They just never measure up to a Smith in the weight (heavier), style (they have their own), and feel (Smith actions beat a Ruger any day IMHO) departments. I prefer Smiths over Ruger (excepting of course the single action Rugers....)

Now - regarding your contemplated Smith purchase, do your research here to see what will fit your needs. An L frame has the durability thing all wrapped up!

Just my $0.02,

Shooter686

 

[mesinge2]

I say keep the Security Six, but then I have 6 of them.

 

[C/O]

I love my 686, but if I were you I would keep the Secutiy Six.

 

[roaddog28]

I have all three mentioned. A 686, GP100 and a Ruger Police Service Six. To me the Service Six handles better. My Service Six is close to my K frame magnums in the way they handle.
Regards,
Howard

 

[steamloco76]

Variety truly is the spice of firearms. I also own a 686, GP-100, Security-Six and Police Service Six. I would definitely keep the Security-Six and save up for a 686. The Security-Six has a good balance to it, good trigger when worn in a bit and in my opinion is the optimum Ruger DA revolver. Not too big, not too heavy and very durable.

 

[Doug Add]

Like you, I don't much care for the look and feel of a full lug revolver. That is why I picked up a 4" 586 on which the previous owner had cut down the lug. I do have a regular 4" 686, but the modified 586 just feels better to me.

Here is a picture of my two L frames, though I have since replaced the cherry grips on the 686 with Ahrends cocobolo retro bananas:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...mith-friend-picture-thread.html#post135960325

I'll join the consensus and urge you to keep the Ruger if at all possible. My father-in-law has a 1976 model 4" Police Service Six that is great fun to shoot, and he promised it would be mine one day (if I outlive him, that is). A 2.25" SP101 is one of my regular carry guns. All will be passed down to my son, and I have no doubt will still be excellent shooters for his children as well, should he be blessed with a family.

 

[VaRecon]

I would get the 686 if you plan to feed it an abundance of .357.
I personally got rid of mine because I preferred the more ergonomic 66.
I did realize before making this decision I shoot more .38 in the weaker K frame.

 

[bigun]

Bill Ruger designed the Security-Six from day #1 to fire the .357 magnum rounds continuously. So the larger S&W L-frame isn't required for durability.

 

[stantheman86]

+1 for a lot of the above, I would keep the Ruger, it won't bring you enough in sale value to justify getting rid of a good gun you are attached to. Ruger made over a million of the Six series, they are rising in price but are not rare, except for some less common variants.

It's a fact that the Security Six is a little more durable than the L-frame. Rugers may not be as "slick" as a S&W, but like was said above, Bill Ruger marketed them as duty guns that would take the light .357 that were tearing up the k-frame magnums of the early 70's era, and to offer the gun at a lower price point than the S&W.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I have a seriously finish challenged SS Service Six Ruger.....it is accurate, rugged, reliable, and it ain't for sale....
It ain't gonna win any beauty contests, and I don't get it out and admire it like I do my Smith revolvers, or some other handguns I own...in fact, to me it is the Glock of the revolver world....it ain't pretty, but it works...and I can fix it without tools, and it will shoot most anything you can stuff inside of it....but if I lost it, I would replace it....

 

[Muley Gil]

Keep the Ruger. If you still want a M686, save up or trade in something else.

 

[lhump1961]

I'm behind all the K frame bashers 100%! I have several of those crappy, weak things and I know they are going to break for sure just like everyone says! I have been putting .357 loads down them and I am sure they will fail any day now...but it has only been 25 yrs so maybe I haven't given it enough time....

 

[ColbyBruce]

"I have a seriously finish challenged SS Service Six Ruger"

My feelings are hurt. I put a good bit of time into bead-blasting that sucker to clean it up. I felt like Leonardo Di Vinci when I was done. I thought I had created a masterpiece.

Oh well, I still have my day job.

 

[MP1983]

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.

couldn't agree more...

keep the Ruger 6, you'll regret it if you part w/ it...

 

[Worn_Holster]

I was reading this old posting, and I am amazed that on this S&W forum, there are so many members that hold such high regard for the Ruger Security-Six.

 

[M3Stuart]

I would buy the S&W first. Then either keep them both or sell the one I liked least. Or sell them both and buy something else. That's how life is; you never know what's gonna happen.

Edit: just noticed this is an old thread - oh well.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

The common response to trading off a gun from most people is,"I wish I still had it!"

lhump has it right. I regret selling so many of my guns over the years, wish I still had most of them. Keep the Security Six no matter what, it will never fail you. You will miss it if you sell it (do not ask me how I know eight times over).

The 686 is a nice gun (but I prefer K over L frames). Buy it, you are sure to enjoy it.

 

[BigBill]

I would never part with my ruger revolvers, never. The ruger has no screws to retighten up after they shoot loose. That's all I'm going to say about that.

I like my S&W because of the American history about them. There still fine revolvers

But I can hammer my rugers with stout loads.

 

[jackruff]

Keep the Ruger!!