Ruger Speed Six

[Tony2much]

I bought this Speed Six in the late 90's from a pawn shop for $160.00. In the early 2000's I went through an ugly divorce and sold most of my guns, but kept the Speed Six. It was my bedside and camp gun. I've since bought several S&W's and a few others, but this Ruger will always hold a special place in my collection. Reliable, accurate, versatile and robust.

 

[seldon14]

I like the 6 series guns, but find anything shorter than 4in to look real ugly on them, same for the gp100.

 

[diyj98]

In all my time on this earth, I have never personally met any Ruger owner, including myself, that had an issue with a stock Ruger product of any kind. The damn things just work. I know that there are some that don't work, there has to be, I just never ran across them.

I don't remember ever having a problem with one of their revolvers, but I've had a numerous problems with their other products. Their customer service is top notch, but quality control sucks. Just a few of the problems I've had is a MKII 22LR with the dovetail cut crooked, one of their 9mm autos (I can't remember which model) that wouldn't feed anything, and a couple of the older M77's that wouldn't put off rounds consistently. Ruger stood by everything, but they sure let some lemons out. I've also seen issues in Rugers belonging to others. But that said, I've owned a number that have been great.

 

[gnystrom]

Over the years I too have owned a number of Ruger revolvers. All their DA models were rock solid guns and trigger work can be done by the owner if they have any skill at all. My latest is an SP101 .22 and a little bit of polish and a new 14# hammerspring and it is a delight to shoot DA which says a lot for the 22's that do really need a heavy hammer strike to ignite the crappy ammo coming out of some manufacturers.
The Security Six is a revolver I would snap up in a second if I ran across one at a reasonable price.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I have 3 Security Six, a 6" SS, 4" SS, 4" Blued. Also have a 2 3/4" Speed Six and a 2 3/4" Service Six, both in 38 special. Tanks!

Speed Six:

 

[sipowicz]

My SP101 is a Gemini Custom with fiber optic front and tuned action. It's a real sweet shooter. I never carry it since my 442, Cobra, or DS fill that role well enough....I mostly use it to teach new shooters the fundamentals before they go auto crazy.

 

[dsf]

I passed up a stainless Speed Six in 9mm a few years back - $475.00 was "too much" at the time.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

It's true - you never really miss the extra money you spend, you always miss the deal you never did.

 

[Bhfromme]

It's true - you never really miss the extra money you spend, you always miss the deal you never did.

Wise words indeed.

 

[moresnowdays]

So I'm torn. A guy has a Police Service Six with 2 3/4inch barrel. He also has a Speed Six that is a rare USPS with 3inch barrel. Both with boxes and papers. The USPS Speed Six has some cosmetic blemishes, but both are good mechanically. It would cost me about $1800 for the pair, but I don't have that kind of funds at this point. Any thoughts if I could get enough for the USPS Speed Six to make getting them to keep the Service Six worth while?

 

[beagleye]

It seems like you could load 38 special loads for any of the six's in 38 special like a S&W 38/44 load, AKA the heavy duty load.

 

[Muley Gil]

It seems like you could load 38 special loads for any of the six's in 38 special like a S&W 38/44 load, AKA the heavy duty load.

The only difference between the .38 special Sixes and the .357 Sixes is the depth of the chambers. The .38s were built for the PDs and the security companies that limited their officers to .38 special only.

 

[beagleye]

The 38s are less pricey.

 

[hittman77]

The 38s are less pricey.

Unless the seller knows they're a little scarce compared to the 357s and more desirable to many collectors!

 

[hittman77]

So I'm torn. A guy has a Police Service Six with 2 3/4inch barrel. He also has a Speed Six that is a rare USPS with 3inch barrel. Both with boxes and papers. The USPS Speed Six has some cosmetic blemishes, but both are good mechanically. It would cost me about $1800 for the pair, but I don't have that kind of funds at this point. Any thoughts if I could get enough for the USPS Speed Six to make getting them to keep the Service Six worth while?

In my world, that's way too much money unless both are new in box.

Not counting pandemic or panic pricing, some would argue that the USPS Speed Six is worth about $750 if in MINT condition with no box. The Service Six is a pretty common variation unless its something odd like 9mm.

 

[sceva]

It seems like you could load 38 special loads for any of the six's in 38 special like a S&W 38/44 load, AKA the heavy duty load.

Easily; As I understand it the ONLY difference between the .357 and .38 Spl Six Series is the depth of the chambers.

 

[indigo22]

I went out looking for a used S&W Model 10 HB a couple years back. All they had were 4" pencil barreled ones. I took one last look in the case before making my final choice and spotted this Police Service Six hiding in the back. It followed me home. It had been ridden hard and put away wet, dropped a couple times on the concrete but everything passed the function test. She sure cleaned up well.

Recently added a night sight (SP101)

 

[Kwjj]

3" Speed Six GS-83 NYCPD

This is my only speed six.The letter Ruger sent said it is designated as a Model
GS-83NYCPD chambered in .38 special. Also stated is was manufactured for the
New York City Police Dept., however due to an over run, it was sold to a Ruger Distributor.
Regards , Ed......

Note: Forgot to mention there is a star stamped in the Yoke of the revolver and also a Star is on the shipping box next to serial #

 

[SW CQB 45]

SCORE!!!!

I found one and send the $$$ for it tomorrow.

I hope to find a Tyler T and holster for it.

Pics hopefully in a few weeks.

thanks for the schooling

 

[ME94]

I have no regrets, because I sold this speed six to my best bud . We have been best buds since we were 4 and we are blood brothers. I bought a speed six that was advertised as a 3", should have done a little more research because it is actually 2.75 oh well still like it a lot. I guess I need to take a picture of it.

 

[kbm6893]

This is my only speed six.The letter Ruger sent said it is designated as a Model
GS-83NYCPD chambered in .38 special. Also stated is was manufactured for the
New York City Police Dept., however due to an over run, it was sold to a Ruger Distributor.
Regards , Ed......

Note: Forgot to mention there is a star stamped in the Yoke of the revolver and also a Star is on the shipping box next to serial #

If it has the star it made it to the NYPD Equipment Section, waiting to be purchased by a new recruit. The Equipment Section were the ones who put the star on it. The switch to the semi auto was so abrupt that the first class that went in after the change was announced had to switch their money orders to pay for the guns they were going to buy. So I'm sure the guns they had in stock were sold to a distributor.