New to me Security Six

[daytime dave]

So I was never a big fan of Ruger revolvers. I always liked the lines and performance of the Smith and Wesson revolvers. I did buy a Speed Six brand new as one of my second or third handguns. It was too good a deal to pass up. It was a bit chunky and after shooting it and getting a set of Pachmyrs for it, it has remained in the drawer for a long time. This spring, I found a Security Six that had been very well preserved. It was in 2 3/4" and .357 magnum. I picked it up for a good price at my favorite dealer, along with a few other guns and some ammo. I took it out back today, in between yard chores. I found a Tyler t grip in my spare drawer that almost fit pretty good. It was not for the Ruger six series, but pretty good worked well. I went out with some 130 grain .38, 148 full wadcutters, 125 grn .357 and 158 grn .357. I varied the range and was from 5, 7 10, 15 and 25 yds. It shot pretty much to point of aim with all the rounds. The magnums were surprisingly light feeling in that gun. I enjoyed it and would not hesitate to take it out for everyday carry now and then.
I put it in my old border patrol holster I cut down for a 3" K frame. I paired it with my new 1 3/4" pants border patrol belt and some Safriland speed loaders and pouch. It didn't like the speed loaders too well. I enjoyed the shooting and the feel of the magnums.













I guess I never gave the six series a fair shake. While I still prefer the Smith and Wesson s in the same style, the six series guns are pretty decent. This one had a good double action trigger and shot well.

[BrokenolMarine]

I had an SP101 I carried as a backup for a while, and I really liked Ruger's Customer Service when I called with a question. The reps were spot on, part came next day air back then.

[North Country Gal]

Congrats, Dave. I'm a Ruger Six series fan these days, ever since getting my late 70s Security Six with a 6" barrel.

When Bill Ruger brought out the Six series DAs, the goal was to compete with the Smith K frame 357s, especially the Model 19. The idea was to offer a DA revolver that was built stronger than the Smith Model 19 and do it at a lower price, to boot. While he was at it, Bill Ruger also designed the Six series to be totally modular so that a user could field strip it in a minute, something you can't do with a Smith. The Ruger Six series was a a moderate success, but it never dethroned the Model 19 in popularity. In fact, Bill Ruger said he never made a dime on the Six series. It did, however, pave the way for the later Ruger GP-100, which continued the modular take down approach.

We Ruger fans, though, still love the Six series. It's not as big and clunky as the GP-100, but still a bit larger than the SP-101, so easier to shoot 357s. And it is stronger than a K frame Smith. It will take all the 357s you can feed it without going out of time or cracking a forcing cone and so on. I use my 6" as my bedside gun and trust its reliability 100%. Nothing fancy, but just a workhorse of a 357. I also shoot mine in DA, very well.

I would LOVE to find one in 2 3/4", though. Those sell quick when they come up for sale. You did very well. Congrats and welcome to the club.

[RetiredSeabee]

Very nice score Dave. I haven’t been able to find one local. I’ve asked and the shops all say they don’t stay on the shelf very long.

[North Country Gal]

Oh, and here's my Liberty Security Six, unfired with box and papers, just so you can see what one looked like back in 1976 when brand new. I don't shoot this one.

[BigAl52]

Nothin wrong with Ruger Revolvers they are all built like tanks. I’ve always liked the Redhawks. But I still like the looks of a Smith better

[North Country Gal]

And I like Smiths, too. Hard not to appreciate the fit and finish and triggers. Vintage Colts, even more so. I've never worried about scuffing up a Ruger DA, though, or shooting it too much, or wearing it out. Yeah, sometimes it takes a little tweaking to get a Ruger trigger up to par, but once there, a Ruger DA is the best load 'em and shoot revolver there is.

[Ozarkwoodswalker]

Great looking pistol! Ya have to always love one of those " new to me" guns.... its great to find a good gun....

[daytime dave]

I still prefer my 2.5" model 19, but the way this Security six handled the magnums makes me take a lot more notice of it. I wouldn't think of shooting very many .357s out of the model 19 with the stock grips and a Tyler T. This one was no problem. I'll have to take it out a lot more and see what I get out of it. Plus it was well preserved.

I love that 1976 gun NCG. It's a sure keeper.

I do have an early GP100 in 3" that seems a lot chunkier than it probably is. I'll have to take another look at it too.

[North Country Gal]

I've had a couple of GP-100s. They are great target and hunting 357s, but I tried a 3" and did not care for it at all as something to carry. Just needlessly overbuilt as a carry gun. The SP-101 was mu ch better as a carry gun, but you really have to cherry pick to find one with a decent out of the box DA trigger.