Speed Six

[ISCS Yoda]

I see a Ruger revolver thread so I have a parallel question. First, this:

Variants [of the Security Six] included a fixed-sight version known as the Service-Six, the Speed-Six in either 2 1/2" or 3" barrel lengths, some very rare revolvers chambered in 9 mm Parabellum called the M109, some more chambered in .38 Spl. and a 6" barreled version often seen with sportsmen.

(c) 2019 National Rifle Association

As my guns are still in storage I can't look at this one presently. I have a Service Six that resides in Georgia presently (long story for another time), the fixed sight version as noted above. But is my snub gun a Speed Six or a Security Six?

And, yes, I know those grips are weird on there but I hated the originals so I added those Hogues, decades ago, and they work great.

 

[BB57]

The Security Six had square butt grips and adjustable sights.

The Speed Six had a round butt and fixed sights.

Beyond that point it get complicated.

You will find that the early fixed sight guns (through about 1973) were all marked "Security Six" not Service Six or Police Service Six. Consequently, you'll see revolvers that are Speed Sixes and Police Service Sixes by features, that are marked "Security Six".

In addition, the early 150 series revolvers had a "low back. Ruger transitioned to the "high back" beginning late in the 150 series but extending into the early 151 series. Consequently, you'll find both 150 series high backs and 151 series low backs in those series in no particular order. Ruger tended to grab whatever was handy during transitions, and you see the same variation during transitions in the Mini 14 and other models.

The fixed sight Speed Six normally had a 2 3/4" barrel and a round butt, while the fixed sight Service Six had a square butt and a 4" barrel. However, you will find some round butt Speed Sixes with 4" barrels. They are uncommon but not rare.

You'll also see rare (if factory) round butt 2 3/4" and 4" fixed sight revolvers marked "Service Six". Ruger has admitted to taking Service Six frames and round butting them to fill Speed Six orders. The problem with that is two fold. The Service Sixes factory modified to fill Speed Six orders often factory letter as Service Sixes as they were often logged out based on the roll mark, not the features. And, many Service Sixes have been round butted after leaving the factory and if the work is very well done, it's very difficult to tell them apart from the factory modified revolvers.

The early Six series DA revolvers also had an un-scalloped recoil shield, while the later revolvers have a scallop. Collectors prefer the pre-scallop models.

Finally, you will also find later scallop Speed Sixes that were mis stamped as "Service Six" revolvers. The frames are actually different on the scallop revolvers and if you measure the floor plate on the grip frame, you'll find the scallop Speed Six is 1/8" thicker than the floor plate on the grip frame of the scalloped Service Six. Yet you'll find what is clearly a Speed Six roll marked as a "Service Six".

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Below are my later scalloped 2 3/4" Speed Six and my earlier un-scalloped 2 3/4" Security Six

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Thanks BB57.

The Security Six had square butt grips and adjustable sights.

You can see the adjustable rear sight, and I assure you it had square butt grips, so thank you, it is a Security Six, as I thought.

 

[BB57]

I decided to get into the more confusing aspects, so I edited my post above.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I decided to get into the more confusing aspects, so I edited my post above.

I NOTICED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Texas Star]

BB57-

That's the best explanation of the matter that I've seen.
I'll just add that the US Army and the USMC used Ruger .38's as well as a variety of S&W K-frames.

These had US markings and a lanyard ring. I think all were blued. One user was the Marine guards at US embassies. Others went mainly to aircrews, esp. on helicopters. Wouldn't be surprised if MP units had some, esp. for female personnel.

Collectors may prefer early guns without scalloped frames, but many shooters, inc. me, prefer the look and feel of the later, more evolved guns.

I think that big Hogue grip is ridiculous on a snub gun. If you use a grip that big, a four or six inch barrel makes more sense. Pachmayr used to make a round butt Presentation grip for Speed-Sixes. Those feel very good, at least in my hands. But the OP's gun has a sq. butt. Harder to find good concealment grips for. I used Presentations on my stainless Sec-Six, which had a six-inch barrel. I use Grippers on the GP-100 that replaced it. Inexpensive, pretty weatherproof, and handle recoil well.

 

[BB57]

BB57-

That's the best explanation of the matter that I've seen.
I'll just add that the US Army and the USMC used Ruger .38's as well as a variety of S&W K-frames.

These had US markings and a lanyard ring. I think all were blued. One user was the Marine guards at US embassies. Others went mainly to aircrews, esp. on helicopters. Wouldn't be surprised if MP units had some, esp. for female personnel.

Collectors may prefer early guns without scalloped frames, but many shooters, inc. me, prefer the look and feel of the later, more evolved guns.

I think that big Hogue grip is ridiculous on a snub gun. If you use a grip that big, a four or six inch barrel makes more sense. Pachmayr used to make a round butt Presentation grip for Speed-Sixes. Those feel very good, at least in my hands. But the OP's gun has a sq. butt. Harder to find good concealment grips for. I used Presentations on my stainless Sec-Six, which had a six-inch barrel. I use Grippers on the GP-100 that replaced it. Inexpensive, pretty weatherproof, and handle recoil well.

A number of police departments also ordered Ruger Six series revolvers in .38 Special.

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I really like the Pachmayr Compacts on my Speed Six, but I've never found them for a Security Six.

 

[1-1917]

I have a Speed Six that's one of my favorites and it's a Bicentennial version.. (-:}

Liked that explanation up there.

 

[Sevens]

Mine is a 1980 Service Six. Or, rather, it was before Bill Davis morphed it!

 

[woodsltc]

My Speed Six is one of my favorites....it's what I carry the most when hiking, camping or when hunting in the southeast.

Don

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Isn't it written on the right side?

 

[BB57]

Isn't it written on the right side?

Sometimes the roll marks are not correct on some of the Rugers (see my post above), so there can still be some doubt unless the person understands the configuration differences.

 

[sceva]

The early Six series DA revolvers also had an un-scalloped recoil shield, while the later revolvers have a scallop. Collectors prefer the pre-scallop models.

Like this one in .38 Spl

 

[biku324]

I have original square butt Security Six grips someone could have for postage. Just PM.

 

[Erich]

I was carrying my Speed Six the other day - not terribly larger than the little 9mm SP I picked up not too long ago.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I think that big Hogue grip is ridiculous on a snub gun.

Did I not specifically note this in my original post - - ?

And, yes, I know those grips are weird on there but I hated the originals so I added those Hogues, decades ago, and they work great.

I specifically said that in order to spare the Forum from wiseacre remarks but, okay, you had to do it!

I probably added those Hogues in the very late 80s or very early 90s. Other than not liking the original square butt grips I think that I put the Hogues on because I could not find any other grips for that gun. Realize that we are talking about 20 plus years ago and carrying concealed was not exactly in the forefront of my mind or anyone else's at the time. I just wanted some kind of comfortable grips.

But........I did carry that gun concealed several times in an Assault Systems (later known as Shooting Systems) OWB nylon holster, hidden under a camouflage jacket during deer season. Technically, but quite arguably, under the old Texas law it was legal. I was covered by a couple of exemptions that used to exist prior to the current license to carry rules. Anyway, for the record, they ARE comfortable and the gun is accurate with them on there.

So let's just say that they are weird, as opposed to ridiculous. Howzdat?

 

[1-1917]

For a gun intended for self defense, the grip that works for you is what should be on the gun. I'm not going to care one bit what it looks like. For a safe queen you think is a collector maybe grips make a difference. Heck, I put rubber grips on a beautiful Registered Magnum when I shoot it..

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have always thought I wanted a Security Six , 357 magnum probably with a 6" barrel as I only have one 357 with a 6" barrel , a model 28 Smith . My sister and her ex had one , it was a real pleasure to shoot , accurate as all get out . Regards, Paul

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Sorry, wrong forum.

 

[kbm6893]

A number of police departments also ordered Ruger Six series revolvers in .38 Special.

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I really like the Pachmayr Compacts on my Speed Six, but I've never found them for a Security Six.

I have a Speed Six in blue. Came with the factory wood but they never fit me right. I put Pachmayr grippers on mine like the one in your pic. Felt way better but don’t look proportional to the gun so I went to the Pachmayr Compacts like the other one in your pic. Still better than the factory wood but much more streamlined and still shoot well with them.