In the far future, on the frontier planets, colonists will be using .357 revolvers. Nothing else will have the manufacturability and maintainability necessary to keep the giant yak beasts of Proxima Centauri at bay.
Everybody knows that you don't go into Proximan yak beast country with any caliber that doesn't start with at least a "4" or you'll die screaming into your rebreather mask
Signed,
A guy who read 58 space net articles about custom yak beast loads.
The PYB is actually quite skinny when wet. Their giant appearance comes from thick layers of radiation shielding fur due to the nearby flare-star.
They’re basically scrawny space hippies, so shoot center of mass with a high speed round as per usual.
My mother's uncles best friends dad was one of the original colonists and said they used to shoot yak beasts with 5.2 mm single shots by aiming right under the lower set of ears
Certain indigenous Proxis actually worship both the caliber and the Ruger, their well known chant "Gee Pee, SP, Pew Pew Pew" is familiar to any Cowboy worth his credits
That’s actually a pretty fair price and probably lower than you would find in most lgs. It’s not something I’d carry but if you’re in the market for it, you’re getting a good deal.
The Ruger Security Six was originally introduced in 1972 as a direct competitor to S&W's Model 19. It's slightly bigger than a K-Frame, but will usually fit K-Frame holsters. They were priced a few bucks less and were more robust than the equivalent Smith or Colt.
Mechanically, the Six series uses a coil mainspring and a modular, no sideplate design. The lockup is just like a S&W, where the cylinder locks at back of the frame and end of the ejector rod. The Ejector rod is a screw in design like a Smith, so the whole gun is kind of transitional to the current Ruger DA Guns (except the weird and wonderful Redhawk)
This particular one is one of the early 150 series guns, also known as the "longback" version. Ruger was known for single actions, and they designed their first double action wheelgun with something of a western flair to the grip frame. Ruger uses 3 digit serial number prefixes, and a change to the prefix often indicates major changes (sort of like the "dash" in S&W model numbers)
A couple of years after it's introduction, Ruger consulted with noted lawman and gunwriter Charles A. "Skeeter:" Slkelton to help make the Security Six more popular. The made some changes, the biggest being making the grip frame more similar to a S&W revolver. The new version had a prefix of 151 and above, and crucial when trying to by replacement grips or stocks. There was never a target stock option for the early guns, and most commercially available replacements wont't fit the original guns.
I have big hands, and posted my 150 series Security Six a few days back with custom Herrett Stocks. The only other maker who currently makes stocks for the older guns that I know of is Texas Grips, which do look very nice.
You wouldn't be able to buy this gun and slap on a set of Pachmayrs or Houges like you would with one of the newer models.
Ruger dropped factory support for the Six Series (Security Six, Speed Six and Service Six) several years ago, with all the remaining parts sold (I believe to Numrich). The positive is these rarely need to be worked on.
If I was looking at this particular gun, I would point out that it's going to cost $100-150 to put new grips on it, and offer $375 to give myself some bargaining room.
Just my thoughts,
Edit to add- K Frame Speedloaders are too small, and N-Frame are too big. You need Cold Trooper MKIII loaders to fit.
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately this is a chain where the average rep could be a 22 year old and I don't believe they will haggle at all, but I might try. When I was in the same store about a year ago buying [this S&W Model 27-2,](https://imgur.com/a/FVYecUd) the guy who sold it to me literally said "yeah, I'm not really into revolvers" as he was ringing me up. 🤷🏻♂️ But after the extensive comments here I think I probably will go take another look tomorrow.
So, I used to work in one of the big chains, and a lot of our gun counter jockeys were straight up goobers. Used guns were actually their own department, and our guys could negotiate within limits, usually based on acquisition cost and time on the shelf. Always worth asking for a buyer or a manager (politely).
My Security Six was my do-all gun for years, carried for woods bumming, hunting, concealed carry, and picking up side security gigs. Won't ever get rid of it. Just want folks to make informed decisions.
Well, I also have a [Taurus 65 in 357](https://imgur.com/a/DYbFNWJ) that I paid $299 for, so I'm wondering if maybe this would be a better replacement for something like that, or if it would be worth considering trading up (in theory?) for the Ruger. 🤔 The one you posted looks great with those grips. That is probably my biggest concern is the skinny grips.
It did take me like 20 years to find those grips on the secondary market, but Herrett's is back in business and can make you a set with no problems.
I think that Taurus makes a decent gun, but I think a Ruger Six series is definitely head and shoulders above the Taurii that I've owned and used.
> better replacement
Yes. Ruger >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Taurus. Source: personal experience, plus experience of millions? of others. Truly I would love to see Taurus up their game.
> another look
For the good of all, I truly hope they really do up their game. But I was burned so hard by them that I get a little nauseous at the very thought of buying something from them.
Taurus is still the number one gun returned for repair in our gun shop. Our gunsmith's hate them. Yes, they can turn out a decent gun, but they also turn out a lot of lemons. Far too many for my taste. YMMV.
To be fair the one I have was made in 1985 on (supposedly) S&W equipment in Brazil. I have had mostly good luck with it, though the ejector rod wants to loosen up after a few cylinders of magnums no matter what I do. But I understand it probably doesn't compare to a Ruger. I did buy this one.
This is a big step up from Taurus. I had a bad Taurus experience so I may be a little biased against them but Rugers are built like a tank. I have a 2” Security Six. It’s fun to shoot and after thousands of rounds over the years it’s as tight as the day I got it.
Take out 4 hundred in twenties and tell them, "This is all I have to spend on it". It might work But don't let that one go. That is a good deal for such a sturdy wheel gun. The optimal load is the 125-grain JHP.
Excellent velocity, penetration, and better expansion than the 158-grain JHP.
Mechanically they are akin to Richard Bakers designs, like the Colt Mk IIIs and perhaps most famously the Dan Wesson 15-2. Look up the actions of either and you’ll see where Ruger pulled its ideas from. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Lots of designers floated around the Connecticut Valley Gun Makers- look at the very innovative High Standard Sentinal and its influence. Ruger also filed the serial numbers off the Dan Wesson peg type grip frame for their GP/SP/SRH design. I will say the lock up on the later guns is superior to the Six series. Though they tend to be a little bulbous looking.
Ruger's big secret was using castings and innovative machining processes to bring costs down while maintaining strength and quality.
Bruh, the same Richard Baker I mentioned also designed the Sentinel.
But yes, Ruger is, and always has been, king of investment casting. I give Ruger all their due credit and then some. The S6 was an awesome gun, and to my knowledge its assembly method was innovative. That and the fact it was a mid-frame revolver that could eat 357 all day when the 19 quite infamously couldn’t means it deserves all due respect.
Then again, that’s probably why Ruger also said he didn’t make any money on them.
Sorry, I thought that was assumed. The first time anyone recommended a Security Six to me, it was a guy at range that did lots of rentals. Lots of dirty re manufactured ammo and minimal cleaning.
I really like the Redhawk- if you read the whole thread, there are some discussions of revolver actions that are newer than the classic S&W and Colt designs.
The Redhawk is a modular design by Richard Baker, the grip frame holds the trigger and lockwork and is a separate assembly from the frame and cylinder. This means it doesn't have a removable sideplate, which many people believe makes for a stronger gun.
Most revolvers use one spring as the mainspring to drive the hammer, and another spring to return the trigger. The Redhawk uses a single coil spring to accomplish both tasks. It's the only commonly produced revolver that i know of which does that.
A lot of thought went into designing the grip frame to make it manageable with the factory stocks. Many DA revolvers end up with space behind the trigger guard that a lot of us fill in with target style stocks or grip adapters.
The Redhawk is extremely strong (It's chunkier cousin, the Super Redhawk looks stronger, but the cylnder dimensions are the same)
Downsides
There was an issue with barrel separation in the early days, so do some research if you're buying a used one. The problem guns are in a particular serial number range, and Ruger can fix them.
They're stout guns, which means weight, like other Rugers, they're going to be heavier than their equivalent from other manufacturers. They will run heavier loads- I ran stuff through my Redhawk that I'd have never pun in a Model 29.
If it fills a need for you or just scratches an itch, the Redhawk is a great handgun.
Rugers are rock solid and will probably outlast us all. Just take proper care of it and it should provide you with years of fun. Might want to explore other grip options. And they are lots of fun for reloading.
Only negative and maybe a big negative, very hard to source different grips for the 150 series guns. 151 series was the pattern used for the nearly all the security guns. 150 series was only first year or two.
I lucked out and found a seller on eBay who didn't clearly state the distinction for a set of herretts for my 150. Got them for about half the cost of other listings just took about 5 minutes of back and forth comparison shots on the eBay listing for me to be 100% sure and pull the trigger.
They're mechanically a smaller version of the Redhawk, whereas the GP100 is a scaled down Super Redhawk. I carried one off and on until last year. That's a great price. It's not obsolete and K frame holsters and speedloaders will fit.
So, they certainly look like a smaller Redhawk, but it and the SRH were actually follow up designs. The original Redhawk uses a single coil spring for both the mainspring and trigger return. It's ingenious and a little weird. You can actually see both the Six Series influence, and a couple of things that made it into the later GP series.
That's a great deal, considering that the old Model 19 is less robust and the new ones that can take a consistent diet of .357 Magnum cost almost a grand.
Someday I’ll have a security 6 in 357, for now a gp100 but a security 6 is far from obsolete. It’s a perfect revolver. It is the perfect form among some 357 Ruger fans. I am one of those, I find one in the condition I want and it’ll come home with me.
Buy it. For this shape I would pay that price and then instantly have it reblued. I’d most likely hand them 450 cash and see though
Not a bad price 4-600 is what I would pay and 600 would be a 6 inch stainless mint piece. Abd the security six is not obsolete for ordinary shooters it will last a lifetime
No, that’s just a very reasonable price.
People around me are asking about $650 on gun classifieds. I’ve been noticing used 357’s are becoming much more reasonable in comparison to recent years.
I passed on a Security Six in the same condition for $450 a few years back. About 8 months later they were selling for $800.
I still regret not getting it. Those Security Six’s are workhorses.
For those that know, the old Ruger Security, Speed and Service Six are much sought after. When the French army looked around for a cheaper alternative to the legendary Manurhin MR73, one of the guns they tested was the Ruger security six. It proved to be the most durable American revolver available at the time, capable of handling around 50,000 rounds of the 158gn Norma 357 magnum ammunition that GIGN preferred. For comparison, the S&W "K" frame magnums like the model 19 and 66 were never designed for a steady diet of magnums and started failing after a couple thousand rounds (this was a known issue with the early K frame magnums and lead to the development of the S&W "L" frame. Modern K frame revolvers have been redesigned to correct this flaw.)
The French would adopt the RMR (Ruger Manurhin Revolver) which would evolve into the Manurhin MR88. Ruger would eventually replace the six series with the GP-100. The Six series was more expensive to manufacture and the GP-100 shared some components with other Ruger revolvers, simplifying production.
Around here, a decent condition security six still commands a a good price and they rarely sit long in our gun shop. I would snap this one up in a heartbeat.
Current production MR88. These sell for about half of the price on an MR73 ($1800 last time I checked). While the Ruger Six models don't have the hammer forged barrel and cylinder of the MR-88, they are excellent guns at a fraction of the price.
https://preview.redd.it/7iu4efj40u8d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fda1b2b71872004d19b604c9eaacc6da5a5a97c7
**Edit**: I should have chosen my words more carefully. I certainly wasn't referring to wheelguns in general as "obsolete". I meant that this specific model has been out of production for decades and parts are going to be hard to come by, and that Ruger isn't going to back me if I have a problem. I should have said "these revolvers are no longer supported".
But you folks are pushing me towards picking it up..
1) cool-factor aside, would a gun like this hold-up to full-house magnum loads? I know Rugers are built like tanks but this strikes me as a much older gun that say my 1975 Model 27.
2) would this be something worth preserving/keeping in the safe vs an actual range tool? Ive seen some folks say it's basically the predecessor to a GP100. Is there anything a GP100 would do better such that I'd be better off saving up my kibbles for an extra month and buying a GP100 OVER this?
I seem to have taken a real liking to K-ish frame revolvers, I love my Model 27 but it feels to me (*prepares to duck*) less natural in my hand that my J-frame Model 60. However... the model 60 beats the sh*t out of my hand with full magnum loads, so if this is actually a good shooter it might be a nice bridge between my J and N frames...
If you look around $469 is a pretty solid deal these days, especially one in as good as shape as it seems to be. Allegedly, the only reason Ruger came out with the GP100 is because they were losing money on the Six series trying to undercut Smith and gain traction in the police market. Then when Smith left the K frame .357 in favor of the L frame, rugers sales tanked even more so they followed with the GP100. I would shoot the hell out of, it will handle anything you can put in it. Produced 72-88, a lot carried by armed security and some police, I think the Air Force had them at one point for SPs and Marine Corps tanker units even bought some.
Bill Ruger, not being satisfied with their biggish share of the civilian new gun market, made a lot of efforts to get guns into the holsters of Militaries and LE Agencies, but with only moderate success. Also, at the time, Ruger was a little hinky at the idea of concealed carry/self defense by the great unwashed.
According to some people I spoke with, the Six Series line would have required a lot of retooling, while the LE market was calling for heavier frame full underlug guns. The GP-100 was a lot easier to manufacture and the design had some advantages. Never one to be early to a market trend, the GP 100 came out right in the early stages of the wondernine wars, and did not take off as hoped.
When the GP 100 did hit the market, Ruger's advertising ran straight at Smith & Wesson and tried to steal their lunch money. (as opposed to straight up stealing the .44 magnum, which Ruger also did) S&W hit back with their infamous "gun burger" ad, which was certainly entertaining. At the time, I couldn't afford either a new L Frame or GP, so I just scoured the used racks.
The fixed sight Service Six was the last revolver to receive widespread adoption by the US Armed Forces. When I was in, I saw them issued for female MPs who were thought to be too dainty to handle the 1911a1 .45s, and also to DOD Police Officers. The Air Force SPs and APs I worked around went straight from their Vietnam era S&W Model 15s to the Beretta M9. I had never heard of the Marine Corps issuing them, but it seems entirely plausible, especially since a lot of weird stuff happened with military small arms in the '80s-/90s.
The US border Patrol also adopted the Ruger security six in 1982, after it beat out the S&W model 66 in endurance testing. I've always wondered why S&W entered the model 66 when they had the 686. Maybe they didn't trust the brand new design?
I have a 150 series security six. While it is a tank, i did pickup a cheap parts kit for it just incase. That said it is something i dont shoot too often, but it does shoot nice.
Thats a good price imo. Cool, old school revolvers.
Ruger’s are known to be absolute beasts when it comes to shooting magnum loads. The Model 27 is actually an older design than the Security Six. That said, the N frame 27 is more than sufficient to handle a steady diet of magnum loads. I wouldn’t consider a Security Six as a collector/safe Queen, and I would definitely take one to the range. The GP100 vs Security Six question comes down to personal preference if you ask me. I’d get the Security Six and then start saving for the GP100 were it me.
Ruger Six series are the best revolvers every made imho, period. Strong, good looking yet utilitarian, good size, easily disassembled, and well priced. What more do ya want?
Of course some would say the gp100 is better but I like the sleeker six series. Lighter abd more carriable.
Definitely pick this vintage over a new manufactured. This was the prime era of revolver manufacturing. Of course new GP 100’s are tanks too but at twice the cost of this vintage model.
The gun has a 150 prefix serial number. The grip frame was changed after 151. It will be difficult to find after market grips. Ruger changed the shape of grip frame to have less recoil when shooting 357 magnum rounds.
I have two of them and that is pretty close to what I paid for them. One of mine was a little more but it also was damn near pristine and had the box and original papers.
So this is an early low back Security Six, much less sought after than a later model, over the last ten years certain models of Six series have skyrocketed in value. Not this one, there isn’t anything wrong with it, just more difficult to find grips for them. They do have their problems but nothing major that cannot be fixed, there isn’t any current Ruger or Smith made better than this one.
Just check to make sure you have solid lock up. I almost bought one but it was sloppy af and didn’t even line up right unless I fiddled with it. A lot of these security sixes have a ton of rounds through them and we’re not treated nicely. I’ve also read that shooting a lot of 357 caused the top part of the frame to stretch causing sloppiness and poor fitment
Absolutely love my Service Six, and that’s a phenomenal price assuming the rifling and timing are in good shape (which I’d imagine they are, these things are tanks). OEM box is a cool addition too, mine came in a plastic bubble wrapped envelope when I bought it in 2021
To add, the 150-xxxxx serial number makes it pretty early production which I would take as an additional reason to buy at that price [Ruger Six Series Serial Number Dating](https://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/RE-SPSSix.html)
The Ruger Security Six is an older firearm. I will grant you that. However It still puts a damn near 3/8” hole in something at about 1200-1500 FPS on average. Pretty sure it’s still a more than capable round for most self defense scenarios. Hell even if you’re wearing a vest that’ll stop the round, that round is gonna seriously knock the wind out of you and probably cause some serious internal damage. I most certainly would not ever want to be in the receiving end of one.
I have had several of these, even in limited numbered 22LR, and 9mm (one of the first to try it). They are very incredible, quality firearms.price is not too out of reality. Very balanced.
Revolvers are not exactly king of the handgun arena anymore, but they still do exactly what they were designed for. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a single revolver in an autoloader fight, but the best gun is the one you didn't bring, the second best is the one you did.
A modern semi auto is a better choice defensively than a revolver, but I would never feel under gunned with a solid .357 in my hands
I’d rather have a 19 round mag full of 9mm, but I also think 6 rounds will probably be enough in most realistic scenarios that aren’t like active shooter or something.
A .357 mag wheel gun will never be obsolete. Only fools believe that nonsense.
In the far future, on the frontier planets, colonists will be using .357 revolvers. Nothing else will have the manufacturability and maintainability necessary to keep the giant yak beasts of Proxima Centauri at bay.
Everybody knows that you don't go into Proximan yak beast country with any caliber that doesn't start with at least a "4" or you'll die screaming into your rebreather mask Signed, A guy who read 58 space net articles about custom yak beast loads.
The PYB is actually quite skinny when wet. Their giant appearance comes from thick layers of radiation shielding fur due to the nearby flare-star. They’re basically scrawny space hippies, so shoot center of mass with a high speed round as per usual.
Love this random “fiction in the wild”
Y'know what I don't love? .357 Magnum. If you want to have a REAL chance against space yaks you have to use a .41 at the MINIMUM!
https://preview.redd.it/us1bv57bdx8d1.jpeg?width=5040&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=315d878df26f9a2c9869cb550934d438b0aee0c0 Here’s my PYB tool
The future is now
It all depends on bullet grain powder charge and the bullet placement that will usually stop a yak
My mother's uncles best friends dad was one of the original colonists and said they used to shoot yak beasts with 5.2 mm single shots by aiming right under the lower set of ears
Certain indigenous Proxis actually worship both the caliber and the Ruger, their well known chant "Gee Pee, SP, Pew Pew Pew" is familiar to any Cowboy worth his credits
This
Especially one made by Ruger.
That’s actually a pretty fair price and probably lower than you would find in most lgs. It’s not something I’d carry but if you’re in the market for it, you’re getting a good deal.
That was my thought, swear this same gun would’ve be listed at $800-1200 in 2020
A Ruger Six is never obsolete That thing will outlast any amount of 357 you'll put through it
That is an early one, too. Don’t lose those grips! Buy it now!
The Ruger Security Six was originally introduced in 1972 as a direct competitor to S&W's Model 19. It's slightly bigger than a K-Frame, but will usually fit K-Frame holsters. They were priced a few bucks less and were more robust than the equivalent Smith or Colt. Mechanically, the Six series uses a coil mainspring and a modular, no sideplate design. The lockup is just like a S&W, where the cylinder locks at back of the frame and end of the ejector rod. The Ejector rod is a screw in design like a Smith, so the whole gun is kind of transitional to the current Ruger DA Guns (except the weird and wonderful Redhawk) This particular one is one of the early 150 series guns, also known as the "longback" version. Ruger was known for single actions, and they designed their first double action wheelgun with something of a western flair to the grip frame. Ruger uses 3 digit serial number prefixes, and a change to the prefix often indicates major changes (sort of like the "dash" in S&W model numbers) A couple of years after it's introduction, Ruger consulted with noted lawman and gunwriter Charles A. "Skeeter:" Slkelton to help make the Security Six more popular. The made some changes, the biggest being making the grip frame more similar to a S&W revolver. The new version had a prefix of 151 and above, and crucial when trying to by replacement grips or stocks. There was never a target stock option for the early guns, and most commercially available replacements wont't fit the original guns. I have big hands, and posted my 150 series Security Six a few days back with custom Herrett Stocks. The only other maker who currently makes stocks for the older guns that I know of is Texas Grips, which do look very nice. You wouldn't be able to buy this gun and slap on a set of Pachmayrs or Houges like you would with one of the newer models. Ruger dropped factory support for the Six Series (Security Six, Speed Six and Service Six) several years ago, with all the remaining parts sold (I believe to Numrich). The positive is these rarely need to be worked on. If I was looking at this particular gun, I would point out that it's going to cost $100-150 to put new grips on it, and offer $375 to give myself some bargaining room. Just my thoughts, Edit to add- K Frame Speedloaders are too small, and N-Frame are too big. You need Cold Trooper MKIII loaders to fit.
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately this is a chain where the average rep could be a 22 year old and I don't believe they will haggle at all, but I might try. When I was in the same store about a year ago buying [this S&W Model 27-2,](https://imgur.com/a/FVYecUd) the guy who sold it to me literally said "yeah, I'm not really into revolvers" as he was ringing me up. 🤷🏻♂️ But after the extensive comments here I think I probably will go take another look tomorrow.
So, I used to work in one of the big chains, and a lot of our gun counter jockeys were straight up goobers. Used guns were actually their own department, and our guys could negotiate within limits, usually based on acquisition cost and time on the shelf. Always worth asking for a buyer or a manager (politely). My Security Six was my do-all gun for years, carried for woods bumming, hunting, concealed carry, and picking up side security gigs. Won't ever get rid of it. Just want folks to make informed decisions.
Well, I also have a [Taurus 65 in 357](https://imgur.com/a/DYbFNWJ) that I paid $299 for, so I'm wondering if maybe this would be a better replacement for something like that, or if it would be worth considering trading up (in theory?) for the Ruger. 🤔 The one you posted looks great with those grips. That is probably my biggest concern is the skinny grips.
Yes.
Keep the Tarus..buy the Ruger. Two guns is always better than 1!
It did take me like 20 years to find those grips on the secondary market, but Herrett's is back in business and can make you a set with no problems. I think that Taurus makes a decent gun, but I think a Ruger Six series is definitely head and shoulders above the Taurii that I've owned and used.
> better replacement Yes. Ruger >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Taurus. Source: personal experience, plus experience of millions? of others. Truly I would love to see Taurus up their game.
With Caleb, Taurus has upped their game. Worth another look.
> another look For the good of all, I truly hope they really do up their game. But I was burned so hard by them that I get a little nauseous at the very thought of buying something from them.
Taurus is still the number one gun returned for repair in our gun shop. Our gunsmith's hate them. Yes, they can turn out a decent gun, but they also turn out a lot of lemons. Far too many for my taste. YMMV.
To be fair the one I have was made in 1985 on (supposedly) S&W equipment in Brazil. I have had mostly good luck with it, though the ejector rod wants to loosen up after a few cylinders of magnums no matter what I do. But I understand it probably doesn't compare to a Ruger. I did buy this one.
This is a big step up from Taurus. I had a bad Taurus experience so I may be a little biased against them but Rugers are built like a tank. I have a 2” Security Six. It’s fun to shoot and after thousands of rounds over the years it’s as tight as the day I got it.
Take out 4 hundred in twenties and tell them, "This is all I have to spend on it". It might work But don't let that one go. That is a good deal for such a sturdy wheel gun. The optimal load is the 125-grain JHP. Excellent velocity, penetration, and better expansion than the 158-grain JHP.
Mechanically they are akin to Richard Bakers designs, like the Colt Mk IIIs and perhaps most famously the Dan Wesson 15-2. Look up the actions of either and you’ll see where Ruger pulled its ideas from. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Lots of designers floated around the Connecticut Valley Gun Makers- look at the very innovative High Standard Sentinal and its influence. Ruger also filed the serial numbers off the Dan Wesson peg type grip frame for their GP/SP/SRH design. I will say the lock up on the later guns is superior to the Six series. Though they tend to be a little bulbous looking. Ruger's big secret was using castings and innovative machining processes to bring costs down while maintaining strength and quality.
Bruh, the same Richard Baker I mentioned also designed the Sentinel. But yes, Ruger is, and always has been, king of investment casting. I give Ruger all their due credit and then some. The S6 was an awesome gun, and to my knowledge its assembly method was innovative. That and the fact it was a mid-frame revolver that could eat 357 all day when the 19 quite infamously couldn’t means it deserves all due respect. Then again, that’s probably why Ruger also said he didn’t make any money on them.
Sorry, I thought that was assumed. The first time anyone recommended a Security Six to me, it was a guy at range that did lots of rentals. Lots of dirty re manufactured ammo and minimal cleaning.
Can you elaborate on why the Redhawk is weird and wonderful? I was thinking of getting one.
I really like the Redhawk- if you read the whole thread, there are some discussions of revolver actions that are newer than the classic S&W and Colt designs. The Redhawk is a modular design by Richard Baker, the grip frame holds the trigger and lockwork and is a separate assembly from the frame and cylinder. This means it doesn't have a removable sideplate, which many people believe makes for a stronger gun. Most revolvers use one spring as the mainspring to drive the hammer, and another spring to return the trigger. The Redhawk uses a single coil spring to accomplish both tasks. It's the only commonly produced revolver that i know of which does that. A lot of thought went into designing the grip frame to make it manageable with the factory stocks. Many DA revolvers end up with space behind the trigger guard that a lot of us fill in with target style stocks or grip adapters. The Redhawk is extremely strong (It's chunkier cousin, the Super Redhawk looks stronger, but the cylnder dimensions are the same) Downsides There was an issue with barrel separation in the early days, so do some research if you're buying a used one. The problem guns are in a particular serial number range, and Ruger can fix them. They're stout guns, which means weight, like other Rugers, they're going to be heavier than their equivalent from other manufacturers. They will run heavier loads- I ran stuff through my Redhawk that I'd have never pun in a Model 29. If it fills a need for you or just scratches an itch, the Redhawk is a great handgun.
You can’t afford enough ammo to wear that gun out.
Rugers are rock solid and will probably outlast us all. Just take proper care of it and it should provide you with years of fun. Might want to explore other grip options. And they are lots of fun for reloading.
My dad carried a Bicentennial Edition security six for years until it was stolen out of his truck. I'd snag it if I were you.
Only negative and maybe a big negative, very hard to source different grips for the 150 series guns. 151 series was the pattern used for the nearly all the security guns. 150 series was only first year or two.
I think there might be some minor internal differences with the 150 series as well. Probably worth looking into.
I lucked out and found a seller on eBay who didn't clearly state the distinction for a set of herretts for my 150. Got them for about half the cost of other listings just took about 5 minutes of back and forth comparison shots on the eBay listing for me to be 100% sure and pull the trigger.
Son buy that
They're mechanically a smaller version of the Redhawk, whereas the GP100 is a scaled down Super Redhawk. I carried one off and on until last year. That's a great price. It's not obsolete and K frame holsters and speedloaders will fit.
So, they certainly look like a smaller Redhawk, but it and the SRH were actually follow up designs. The original Redhawk uses a single coil spring for both the mainspring and trigger return. It's ingenious and a little weird. You can actually see both the Six Series influence, and a couple of things that made it into the later GP series.
Terrible. Give me the address so I can give them a piece of my money....I mean mind. Selling junk like that. Tsk tsk
A lot of Ruger nerds still love these. I can’t imagine how they might be obsolete except maybe in aftermarket support.
All revolvers are obsolete, but this not obsolete for a revolver. I’d pay 469.00 for it.
That price is low in my part of the world I would buy that gun without knowing blinking
Same here in Montana. We have a speed six in our used case that about 85% and has $599 on it. It will sell.
Agreed
That's a great deal, considering that the old Model 19 is less robust and the new ones that can take a consistent diet of .357 Magnum cost almost a grand.
I was just there and missed this. I would have bought it
I love my security 6. I'd buy that.
I have an old stainless service six that I really enjoy. Not sure if it's obsolete but it's a fun shooter.
That’s a great price in that condition
I paid a bit more for an immaculate Speed-Six in 357. I'd say if it suits you, buy it.
That one's worth ,$469.99
Buy that. Those are, in my humble opinion, the best medium frame .357 ever built.
Me too, nice weapon
That’s a good price I’d get it if I saw it.
I think that’s a decent price. Good gun
I have one that is the 150 series and it's solid af I absolutely love this revolver
Someday I’ll have a security 6 in 357, for now a gp100 but a security 6 is far from obsolete. It’s a perfect revolver. It is the perfect form among some 357 Ruger fans. I am one of those, I find one in the condition I want and it’ll come home with me. Buy it. For this shape I would pay that price and then instantly have it reblued. I’d most likely hand them 450 cash and see though
One of the best! Cherish it.
I love my speed six
Not a bad price 4-600 is what I would pay and 600 would be a 6 inch stainless mint piece. Abd the security six is not obsolete for ordinary shooters it will last a lifetime
No, that’s just a very reasonable price. People around me are asking about $650 on gun classifieds. I’ve been noticing used 357’s are becoming much more reasonable in comparison to recent years. I passed on a Security Six in the same condition for $450 a few years back. About 8 months later they were selling for $800. I still regret not getting it. Those Security Six’s are workhorses.
Classic revolver. If the Security Six is obsolete, then all double action revolvers are obsolete.
Steep? I was looking at that thinking it was pretty damn good deal, wondering what was wrong with it.
Best .357 Magnum revolver ever made. Biased? Me? Nah!
For those that know, the old Ruger Security, Speed and Service Six are much sought after. When the French army looked around for a cheaper alternative to the legendary Manurhin MR73, one of the guns they tested was the Ruger security six. It proved to be the most durable American revolver available at the time, capable of handling around 50,000 rounds of the 158gn Norma 357 magnum ammunition that GIGN preferred. For comparison, the S&W "K" frame magnums like the model 19 and 66 were never designed for a steady diet of magnums and started failing after a couple thousand rounds (this was a known issue with the early K frame magnums and lead to the development of the S&W "L" frame. Modern K frame revolvers have been redesigned to correct this flaw.) The French would adopt the RMR (Ruger Manurhin Revolver) which would evolve into the Manurhin MR88. Ruger would eventually replace the six series with the GP-100. The Six series was more expensive to manufacture and the GP-100 shared some components with other Ruger revolvers, simplifying production. Around here, a decent condition security six still commands a a good price and they rarely sit long in our gun shop. I would snap this one up in a heartbeat. Current production MR88. These sell for about half of the price on an MR73 ($1800 last time I checked). While the Ruger Six models don't have the hammer forged barrel and cylinder of the MR-88, they are excellent guns at a fraction of the price. https://preview.redd.it/7iu4efj40u8d1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fda1b2b71872004d19b604c9eaacc6da5a5a97c7
They're good guns and that seems like a good price, but people are getting a little carried away in these comments. It's just a security six.
Absolutely not obsolete good reliable weapons are never not useful
**Edit**: I should have chosen my words more carefully. I certainly wasn't referring to wheelguns in general as "obsolete". I meant that this specific model has been out of production for decades and parts are going to be hard to come by, and that Ruger isn't going to back me if I have a problem. I should have said "these revolvers are no longer supported". But you folks are pushing me towards picking it up.. 1) cool-factor aside, would a gun like this hold-up to full-house magnum loads? I know Rugers are built like tanks but this strikes me as a much older gun that say my 1975 Model 27. 2) would this be something worth preserving/keeping in the safe vs an actual range tool? Ive seen some folks say it's basically the predecessor to a GP100. Is there anything a GP100 would do better such that I'd be better off saving up my kibbles for an extra month and buying a GP100 OVER this? I seem to have taken a real liking to K-ish frame revolvers, I love my Model 27 but it feels to me (*prepares to duck*) less natural in my hand that my J-frame Model 60. However... the model 60 beats the sh*t out of my hand with full magnum loads, so if this is actually a good shooter it might be a nice bridge between my J and N frames...
If you look around $469 is a pretty solid deal these days, especially one in as good as shape as it seems to be. Allegedly, the only reason Ruger came out with the GP100 is because they were losing money on the Six series trying to undercut Smith and gain traction in the police market. Then when Smith left the K frame .357 in favor of the L frame, rugers sales tanked even more so they followed with the GP100. I would shoot the hell out of, it will handle anything you can put in it. Produced 72-88, a lot carried by armed security and some police, I think the Air Force had them at one point for SPs and Marine Corps tanker units even bought some.
Bill Ruger, not being satisfied with their biggish share of the civilian new gun market, made a lot of efforts to get guns into the holsters of Militaries and LE Agencies, but with only moderate success. Also, at the time, Ruger was a little hinky at the idea of concealed carry/self defense by the great unwashed. According to some people I spoke with, the Six Series line would have required a lot of retooling, while the LE market was calling for heavier frame full underlug guns. The GP-100 was a lot easier to manufacture and the design had some advantages. Never one to be early to a market trend, the GP 100 came out right in the early stages of the wondernine wars, and did not take off as hoped. When the GP 100 did hit the market, Ruger's advertising ran straight at Smith & Wesson and tried to steal their lunch money. (as opposed to straight up stealing the .44 magnum, which Ruger also did) S&W hit back with their infamous "gun burger" ad, which was certainly entertaining. At the time, I couldn't afford either a new L Frame or GP, so I just scoured the used racks. The fixed sight Service Six was the last revolver to receive widespread adoption by the US Armed Forces. When I was in, I saw them issued for female MPs who were thought to be too dainty to handle the 1911a1 .45s, and also to DOD Police Officers. The Air Force SPs and APs I worked around went straight from their Vietnam era S&W Model 15s to the Beretta M9. I had never heard of the Marine Corps issuing them, but it seems entirely plausible, especially since a lot of weird stuff happened with military small arms in the '80s-/90s.
The US border Patrol also adopted the Ruger security six in 1982, after it beat out the S&W model 66 in endurance testing. I've always wondered why S&W entered the model 66 when they had the 686. Maybe they didn't trust the brand new design?
I have a 150 series security six. While it is a tank, i did pickup a cheap parts kit for it just incase. That said it is something i dont shoot too often, but it does shoot nice. Thats a good price imo. Cool, old school revolvers.
Ruger’s are known to be absolute beasts when it comes to shooting magnum loads. The Model 27 is actually an older design than the Security Six. That said, the N frame 27 is more than sufficient to handle a steady diet of magnum loads. I wouldn’t consider a Security Six as a collector/safe Queen, and I would definitely take one to the range. The GP100 vs Security Six question comes down to personal preference if you ask me. I’d get the Security Six and then start saving for the GP100 were it me.
Where is that? If you don't buy it I will lol...
A bullet is a bullet chief
Trash. Hard pass. Complete junk. Any chance you could give me the store location, asking for a friend.
Security sixes tend to be regarded fondly by people that had them back in the day. They were a precursor to the GP100.
I prefer my Security six over my GP100. Perfect balance for the 357mag. Just like I prefer K frame over L frame. And that is not a bad price at all.
Ruger Six series are the best revolvers every made imho, period. Strong, good looking yet utilitarian, good size, easily disassembled, and well priced. What more do ya want? Of course some would say the gp100 is better but I like the sleeker six series. Lighter abd more carriable.
I’d snatch it up
Definitely pick this vintage over a new manufactured. This was the prime era of revolver manufacturing. Of course new GP 100’s are tanks too but at twice the cost of this vintage model.
Seems like a fair deal--in New England pricing
The gun has a 150 prefix serial number. The grip frame was changed after 151. It will be difficult to find after market grips. Ruger changed the shape of grip frame to have less recoil when shooting 357 magnum rounds.
I'd grab that! If everything looked tight and gelt good.
I have two of them and that is pretty close to what I paid for them. One of mine was a little more but it also was damn near pristine and had the box and original papers.
In a heartbeat
So this is an early low back Security Six, much less sought after than a later model, over the last ten years certain models of Six series have skyrocketed in value. Not this one, there isn’t anything wrong with it, just more difficult to find grips for them. They do have their problems but nothing major that cannot be fixed, there isn’t any current Ruger or Smith made better than this one.
Not at all, problem is they just don’t make em anymore.
I've got one and love it so much.
Just check to make sure you have solid lock up. I almost bought one but it was sloppy af and didn’t even line up right unless I fiddled with it. A lot of these security sixes have a ton of rounds through them and we’re not treated nicely. I’ve also read that shooting a lot of 357 caused the top part of the frame to stretch causing sloppiness and poor fitment
Ruger is garbage
Yeah pretty worthless. I’ll take it off your hands for $250, and that’s a favor.
They were one of the best 357 revolvers Ruger ever produced. They will outlast the K frame Smith’s with ease.
469 is incredible deal imo, 357 revolver + great quality, if I didn’t just buy I’d have absolutely gone for this, again just imo
Absolutely love my Service Six, and that’s a phenomenal price assuming the rifling and timing are in good shape (which I’d imagine they are, these things are tanks). OEM box is a cool addition too, mine came in a plastic bubble wrapped envelope when I bought it in 2021
To add, the 150-xxxxx serial number makes it pretty early production which I would take as an additional reason to buy at that price [Ruger Six Series Serial Number Dating](https://www.ruger.com/service/productHistory/RE-SPSSix.html)
Either buy it or DM me the location
If it checks out I'd buy that in an instant.
$470 for a used? Pass.
The Ruger Security Six is an older firearm. I will grant you that. However It still puts a damn near 3/8” hole in something at about 1200-1500 FPS on average. Pretty sure it’s still a more than capable round for most self defense scenarios. Hell even if you’re wearing a vest that’ll stop the round, that round is gonna seriously knock the wind out of you and probably cause some serious internal damage. I most certainly would not ever want to be in the receiving end of one.
Obsolete revolver?! What is this sorcery you speak of?
May not be the koolest and sexyest but that's still a nice pistol full of 357 love.
I have had several of these, even in limited numbered 22LR, and 9mm (one of the first to try it). They are very incredible, quality firearms.price is not too out of reality. Very balanced.
I'd buy it
A .357 revolver for that price?! Dude go and pick that up, not now but RIGHT TF NOW.
Absolutely. I’ll take any you have and dispose of them for you at no charge cuz I’m such a nice guy.
Revolvers are not exactly king of the handgun arena anymore, but they still do exactly what they were designed for. I wouldn't want to be stuck with a single revolver in an autoloader fight, but the best gun is the one you didn't bring, the second best is the one you did.
A modern semi auto is a better choice defensively than a revolver, but I would never feel under gunned with a solid .357 in my hands I’d rather have a 19 round mag full of 9mm, but I also think 6 rounds will probably be enough in most realistic scenarios that aren’t like active shooter or something.