D/A question..............

[rugerguy]

for you guys that follow them, we got one of the "CHP" Security Sixes in a 38 special today........................

nothing noted in the books except there were like 500 made?? were they delivered? were they overruns?? just asking..................

 

[hittman]

I have NO idea the answers to your questions but .... I LOVE the double actions. For some reason the 6" stainless Security Six has always eluded me.

Beautiful gun!!

 

[Terry T]

"rugerguy",
First, they were never issued to the Ca. Highway Patrol.

Our best guess is that Ruger succeded in winning a low bid contract and began production only to have the contract taken away and given back to S&W, historic provider of handguns to the CHP. We belive no Rugers were actually delivered to the CHP. Of the reported 500 produced, we don't know how many were actually stamped 'CHP'. At some point, the completed guns were sold to the public by Ruger.

S&W's model 68 (I believe) was made up just for the CHP. It looks just like the Ruger including the big grips, adj. sights. stainless, in 38 spl. only, and with the "CHP" stamp in the same place. I have examples of both.

By the way, the CHP 50 year commerative was a blued, 6" Model 19 in 357 mag.

The CHP went to 38 spl after the Newhall shoot out. 4 officers were killed that day. They had been practicing with 38 spl. loads ( cost issues) but were carrying 357 mag. loads in their guns. Witnesses said that 'the officers seemed surprised at the recoil".

By the way, my son is a CHP officer.

Terry T

 

[rugerguy]

thank you for the info, and still a bit confused as they told me at Ruger this gun was part of a shipment ,contract order for CHP in November 1982 ???? #GTA-86T November 1982 Came from a 'retired' captain of the Ohio Highway patrol....as we often say,"they ALL have a story....." (if only they , the guns, could talk) :roll:
I do know that shortly thereafter, the Ohio Highway patrol got a bunch but in 357 magnum, and had numbers to 'match' officers badges......plus presentastion cases , more of a "commemerative"...some had buckles too....we sold a few of them over the years for the guys here in Ohio........

 

[Terry T]

Dan,
As I said, "Best guess". :shock:
Because Ruger always works with distributors, the 'special order shipment' could have gone from Ruger to the Ca. distributor where the bid was won and then was 'lost'. The distributor, left holding the bag, so to speak, could have then moved them on to the public.
There are some lose ends on this story. I've been trying to run the truth down for a couple of years now. The folks who were involved at CHP at the time have all retired.
Terry T

 

[rugerguy]

absolutely, I agree, knowing both Smith & Colt distributors over the years over here, who had "lost" contracts against Beretta and Sig or Glock, so yes, that indeed does happen.....thank you again.
Look in the mid 1980s with the mini 14 in the .222 with the 10 round mags ,they lost out on the French "contract".........thats 'business'......

 

[Terry T]

From a collector standpoint, a 'lost' contract special model is more interesting (and likely more rare) than a successful contract.

So far, we've identified only two 'lost' contract special models in the DA Six series, the CHP and the RCMP.

Most ‘special order’ LE models were made up from existing parts in the parts bin. The CHP model is an example. The Boston PD Speed Six is another.
A few exceptions (that I am aware of) were the special 5" barrel for the RCMP model, the 3" barrel for the Postal Service model, and the lanyard ring for the military models which required a special spacing in the Ser. No.

The 3" barrel then became a “standard” (available for LE special order) part. However, it was never listed as an option in the annual brochures.

Similar patterns of special parts for LE contracts also show up in the GP-100 and SP-101 series.

Terry T

 

[rugerguy]

Its GOOD to "see" some others now having an 'interest' in the 'double actions', back when we displayed ( my wife did then) there were only TWO 'D/A' collectors we knew of, DK Hummel, Sonny Johnson, and then 'Coogs started up with his Dad, NICE display too...............

 

[Terry T]

Dan,
Shhhh - don't let the secret out yet - I got into Ruger DA because some folks had run up the prices on 3 screws out of reach for a poor working man. If too many folks get interested in DAs, I won't be able to continue picking them up at 'shooter' prices. "Mums" the word, OK? :shock:

"Just move along folks, nothing to see here" :shock:
Terry T