Speed Six, revised

[jframe]

Just thought I'd show off the finished product. Couldn't find a number 8 T grip, so I went with Badger walnut boot grips. The devil to fit; I had to order another grip pin from Numrich, as mine wasn't original, and one grip panel actually broke a chunk off, fortunately on the bottom. Gorilla Glue is awesome stuff on a clean wood break. Anyway, got them on, but they are VERY snug, so I don't plan on removing them much anyway. I may get a red ramp front sight from Numrich, but right now they are sold out. I think this is a pretty all business .357, and I just need time and place to shoot it, lol! I'm thinking I'll retire my three inch K frames; they are getting up in value almost too much to carry a lot anyway.

 

[ibewbull]

Nice carry setup.
If Ruger brought back that frame it would nice. The GP is not the best concealed frame and SP 101 is heavy for a 5 shooter.

 

[KLYDE]

Mark,
I grabbed one of the bobbed hammers from Numrich also. Haven't put it in yet. Was it a drop in installation? They look sharp with the checkered top area.

Good looking Speed you have there.

 

[jframe]

Klyde, mine just fell right in. I tested for push off and so forth, no issues.

 

[Maddog 521]

Now that's nice.

 

[oneflycowboy]

Looks very good. They are getting very hard to find and the price is going up on them all the time as a result. They go real fast on GB.

That one's a keeper.

 

[Bat Guano]

Nice little gun. My agency issued 3" Speed Sixes, but I always preferred the 4" guns. Used a Service Six 4" for quite a while, then went to a 4" Security Six. Along the way I accumulated some others, but always stayed with the 4" barreled guns.

One is a .38 Special 4" Speed Six in stainless, a minty Boston PD gun. The thing locks up like a bank vault. Put a set of Spegels on it. Got one of the spurless hammers around, plus some spare parts, courtesy of an armorer's school.

They're still great working guns, and a lot better looking than the most recent Ruger revolvers!

 

[BigBill]

It's one of the best, most rugged 357 revolvers ever made.
A few years back with all the hoopla about the plastic guns my lgs had one security six in blue 6" barrel used but looked brand new for $199. I grabbed it as the priced it in the case. It's the only used one I ever seen. My original one has the 2 3/4" barrel in s/s. It's my only snubnose.

 

[GF]

Who woulda' thought that the Speed Six, Rugers value priced fixed sight revolver, would ever fetch high prices and be considered a collectable.

I bought one at a gunshow years ago for $175 and promptly ordered factory rubber grips for it. It's the revolver I always shot "heater" rounds through. Factory and reloads, I've shot ammo outta' this gun that I wouldn't have from my Mod 19.

I think I read that those bobbed hammers still can be cocked for single action, is that correct?

GF

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Very nice!

That's one slick carry gun right there.

 

[Bat Guano]

Quote: "I think I read that those bobbed hammers still can be cocked for single action, is that correct?"

Just checked a spare that I have. The top has a small checkered flat. Said flat is actually more useful for DE-cocking. The trick is to start the hammer to the rear by pressure on the trigger, and when the hammer has come back far enough to get a good purchase on (and over) it with the ball of the thumb, to complete cocking with the thumb and hammer only. Letting the hammer down is even trickier. The checkered portion on top may help, but it's pretty small. I prefer to let it down VERY carefully while pinching the sides of the hammer between my thumb and forefinger. (Also while keeping the gun pointed away from anything I'd rather not shoot.) The transfer bar setup makes me feel a bit better, may or may not prevent a mishap. Practice helps...

These techniques work on a bobbed M37 Smith. I've never had one get away--yet. Truth is that I've never felt the need to put the spurless hammer into a Six, and only dropped it in to see if it'll work.

 

[hdfinder47]

Just purchased a Speed Six snubby with factory bobbed hammer from an old gentleman who bought it new in 1976 (yep, Liberty model). 97% with mint original grips, no box, etc.. Great balance - can't wait to shoot it.