Can someone educate me on Security Sixes

[Acorn]

I swung past my local gun shop just to refill my testosterone tanks and spotted a real sweet looking 6" blued Security Six 161 prefix. It looks almost new. I'd rate it 98%. Price was $309. Fair? Is there anything wrong with the design that Ruger quit production? I know almost nothing abut Ruger DAs so excuse my ignorance.

 

[stantheman86]

For $309 for a nice 6" Security Six you better act fast, or someone else will!

There's nothing wrong at all with the Security Six, they are still WAY more durable than the S&W K-frame .357's, which they were designed to compete with.

Ruger claimed they didn't make enough money on the Six series, so they upgraded to the GP100. The GP100 is IMO stronger and more durable, but Ruger changed the way they cast the frames to save money which made them a larger frame revolver. They also got rid of the extractor rod locking system which was the Sixes main weakness.

Demand for the Six series revolvers is rising rapidly, shooters are realizing they are the most durable medium-frame revolvers out there and used prices are a bargain for what you get.......and so prices are slowly rising on them. I just got two security trade in .38 Service Sixes for $225 each and I thought that was a steal.

 

[Hugh]

Two of my Security Sixes are 6" blue .357 Magnums. Neither looks new. In December 2009 I paid $249 for one of them in Cabelas, and felt I got a great deal. The other one I bought in February of last year, and paid $280. One will probably go away in a trade for another Six of a different length and finish. I just don't know which one will go because they are both great shooters.

$309 for one as you described? You bet; in a heartbeat. So many Sixes, so little time and money.

 

[hittman]

$309.00? Wow ~ that's a $375.00 gun here in the midwest; even without the box.

The "Six Series" are my personal favorites. You can't go wrong and you'll play heck collecting each variation. However ... the fun is in the chase.

 

[ceb]

Without a doubt, one of, if not the finest medium frame revolver in existance. At $309, it would already be a done deal for me. I just recently found my long sought after Speed Six (same as a Security-Six except with a shorter barrel, fixed sights and round butt.) I gave $340 for it and was tickled to find it.

 

[stantheman86]

I figured it out one day, if you were to collect every variation of the Six series DA revolvers, it would be over 100 revolvers before you had most of them.

For example, with the Security Six alone, there's the early "low hump" models, the early fixed sight "pre Service Six" Security Sixes, then the light barrel, unscalloped recoil sheild, in all 3 barrel lengths, then the "transition" scalloped, HB models, then the later models,the rare Machined heavy Barrel, add in all of those barrel lengths, in blue and stainless, that's over 20 right there. There's also the very rare .38 Special Security Sixes, MUCH rarer than the .38 Service and Speed Sixes.

There are some rare variations, collecting the DA Six revolvers alone would be a lifelong pursuit.

 

[Glupy]

I figured it out one day, if you were to collect every variation of the Six series DA revolvers, it would be over 100 revolvers before you had most of them.

That sure sounds like someone is throwing down a gauntlet.

Life has meaning for me again.

Dave

 

[stantheman86]

I am just working on the Speed and Service Sixes, and I think I'll have my hands full for a few years just trying to find those.

One of my dream guns is a custom 6" stainless Service Six.

 

[mohavesam]

A brand-spanking new Security Six that retailed for $159 in 1981 is equal to $387 in 2011 Obamadollars.

SO hey, if you can find a new-condition example to day for $387, you've got a gun that has not risen in value ONE SINGLE DOLLAR in thirty (30) years. In fact some guys still refuse to consider more than about 350 bucks these days, so that makes it a gun that LOSES value???

:?: :roll: :?:

Why they don't go UP in "realife pricing" I cannot explain, but I do try to buy every as-new Security Six I run across if I can get it OTD for under four bills.

:wink:

 

[kstoneking]

I just bought my third stainless Security Six, this one the six inch version. It goes well with my stainless 2-3/4" and 4" versions, all with the scalloped recoil shields that I prefer. I got the six inch one for $391 so I would say that $309 is a good price on a great gun IMHO.

Kenny

 

[DGW1949]

A brand-spanking new Security Six that retailed for $159 in 1981 is equal to $387 in 2011 Obamadollars.

SO hey, if you can find a new-condition example to day for $387, you've got a gun that has not risen in value ONE SINGLE DOLLAR in thirty (30) years. In fact some guys still refuse to consider more than about 350 bucks these days, so that makes it a gun that LOSES value???

:?: :roll: :?:

Why they don't go UP in "realife pricing" I cannot explain, but I do try to buy every as-new Security Six I run across if I can get it OTD for under four bills.

:wink:

Untill fairly recentlly, used Six-series revolvers never realy brought much money. I've always contributed that to the fact that given a choice, your average gun buyer will opt for an older used S&W (which for years sold at about the same price). The emerging SS-collector market is changing that however.....so if you're going to compaire apples to apples, don't forget to tack on the premium that the box 'n papers adds to the price of your hypothetical "like new" used SS. That'll push the inflation-adjusted price somewhat above what it cost when new back in the day.

Them Ruger Six-series revolvers are dern-good guns and allways have been. Heck, I got's one myself....and I don't even like DA revolvers. :wink: .

DGW

 

[FergusonTO35]

Gunshop and internet rumblings suggest that alot of S&W wheelgun fans are jumping ship for Ruger because of the former's inflating prices and perceived dismal quality of new guns. The guy who owns my favorite fun store says that Ruger double action revolvers and centerfire auto pistols are in huge demand and short supply right now. He hasn't been able to get any 6" GP's, no SP's or LCR's, and no 9mm's for more than a month now. Meanwhile he has a whole display case full of slow moving S&W's.

 

[Acorn]

I love my S&Ws also, but mainly have the older un-lawyered versions. My "Grail Gun" is the Model 27-2 I had years ago. I sold it to a friend and we were in negotiations for me to buy it back, but before we could agree to terms, he died and his wife didn't want to sell it.
Some of the new Smiths are butt ugly though. The gracefull lines of the past are replaced with weird angles matte finishes etc.
I guess I'm gonna give the shop a call and have them hold it for me until I can get there tomorrow.

 

[Hobie]

There is a reason that S&W has dropped their prices so much that they are very close to TAURUS prices.

I have two Speed-Sixes and a Security-Six (my second) and they've all been great guns. I've got S&Ws and Colts as well. The Rugers are every bit as good as tools but do seem to lack a little of the finesse of the Colt and SOME S&Ws.

As to prices, one can get a "used" revolver for a lot less than one could get a newly made example (at least until very recently). I think you get better quality for less money. E.G. I got an unfired NIB S&W M15 for $450 and you simply can't find a newly manufactured S&W revolver for that price even now. That pricing situation applies to Rugers as well. Don't complain, enjoy!

 

[DGW1949]

There is a reason that S&W has dropped their prices so much that they are very close to TAURUS prices.

I have two Speed-Sixes and a Security-Six (my second) and they've all been great guns. I've got S&Ws and Colts as well. The Rugers are every bit as good as tools but do seem to lack a little of the finesse of the Colt and SOME S&Ws.

As to prices, one can get a "used" revolver for a lot less than one could get a newly made example (at least until very recently). I think you get better quality for less money. E.G. I got an unfired NIB S&W M15 for $450 and you simply can't find a newly manufactured S&W revolver for that price even now. That pricing situation applies to Rugers as well. Don't complain, enjoy!

Hobie said it better than I did but my thoughts/observations were the same.
Used DA revolvers I've bought during the past 6 years:
A factory nickled M&P for $225.
A blued 98% M-10 HB for $250.
An ex-police M-19 for $275.
An ex-police 4" blued Service-Six for $225.
A 99% Target Model Security-Six for $400....which came with 3 boxes of ammo and 2 sets of extra grips.

While I'm certain that the most recent pricing on any of those has gone up, my point was/is that for a long time, the price of an old S&W and an old Six-Series Ruger were within a couple of bucks of each other. The relatively new collector interest in the Rugers seems to be changing that though. Just from watching the classifides here on the Forum, they look to be fetching more than a comparable Smith these days.

Bottom line to the OP's question.....heck yeah a "sweet looking" Security-Six is worth $309. IMO, it's worth more.

DGW

 

[roaddog28]

I would jump on the price of $309 for the Security Six as long as it is not completely worn out. Most under rated DA revolver ever made. I still feel it was the best DA revolver Ruger ever made. I like my GP100 a lot but I have a Police Service Six that I have had the longest and still is my favorite.
Good luck with your decision.
Regards,
Howard

 

[stantheman86]

These days any functional Six series revolver for around $300 is a good price. I just bought an older early 70's .38 Special Service Six, in typical ex-PD holster worn condition for $200, to use as a shooter and I feel like I stole it.

 

[georgiaruger]

I just coughed up $405 cash for a never fired NIB 4 inch stainless 1979 production Security Six from a colleague of mine who bought it new in 1980. He has enough other guns he never got around to using or firing it over these years. I have solved that little problem! I think we were both satisfied with the deal, and I really wanted the gun but did not want to go higher.

 

[BearStopper]

I got a like new 4" Security Six in the blued variation for $299 plus $10 background check and it is a sweet shooter. It is pure utility, fits my hand well, shoots sweet and they don't make them anymore. Buy it because you won't get one that nice for any less. Mine was a couple years ago and I didn't even blink before buying it because I see them all the time in worse condition for closer to $400 and up to $500.

 

[Acorn]

Only thing I don't like about it is it is now wearing black rubber grips with the Ruger logos(factory?). Blue steel needs wood.

 

[ncvikingfan]

Acorn,

I think that Hugh posted a link to Ruger grips that were just found by the company and are in close out sale status. I think that it is still in my Question(s) About Service Six topic. I am considering ordering a set but they might look odd on mine since it is just a shooter.

 

[Acorn]

Thank You and Hugh for the link. Grips inbound from Ruger.

Something wrong with this picture: I'll have the grips before I have the pistol.