GP100 vs Six series

[J.Johnson]

I have started looking around and researching these two Rugers. My question is how much of a size difference really is there between the two. I know the GP100 can take a steady diet of heavy 357 loads, but will the six series stand up to similar treatment? I am interested in using it as a work, pickup, and bedside type gun.

Also, how hard is it to find a half lug GP100? Is there a premium for them compared to a full underlug. What is a six series going for in decent shape?

 

[Verndog]

I have started looking around and researching these two Rugers. My question is how much of a size difference really is there between the two. I know the GP100 can take a steady diet of heavy 357 loads, but will the six series stand up to similar treatment? I am interested in using it as a work, pickup, and bedside type gun.

Also, how hard is it to find a half lug GP100? Is there a premium for them compared to a full underlug. What is a six series going for in decent shape?

Not only will the six series stand up to continual .357, but it will prob. do it for as long as you live. The Security Six is about 5-6 oz lighter then the GP100.

Here is an article they talk about both.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ruger_security_six.htm

 

[Glupy]

I doubt if either revolver will last more than 200 or 300 years fronm a steady diet of 357s.

My older Six is a 75 model. I'll let you know when it starts to get loose.

Glupy.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

Also, how hard is it to find a half lug GP100? Is there a premium for them compared to a full underlug. What is a six series going for in decent shape?

Clark's down in Princeton, Louisiana has about 10 of them. They're DA only, but they'll install DA/SA guts for you. Think they're running around $400.00.

 

[loiblb]

My new looking Security Six 6" blue was about $350 used, bought a few years ago. My new GP100 Blue was $500. I feel both are well worth owning and will out live most of my shooting years. The Six is a little smoother shooting and knowing what I know now. I would sure find another Six if I did not have one.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

I've had a few GP's, both 4" and 6" and have never had a problem. Love 'em, great guns.

I've always wanted a Security Six and finally got my first just a couple of weeks ago. Completely different animal than the GP as far as I'm concerned. I really like the classic lines and K frame feel to it.

 

[hittman]

My question is how much of a size difference really is there between the two.

Security / Service and Speed Six's are the same basic size as the K Frame S&Ws. The GP mirrors the L Frame Smiths like Model 586/686.

I know the GP100 can take a steady diet of heavy 357 loads, but will the six series stand up to similar treatment?

My experience says yes.

Also, how hard is it to find a half lug GP100?

Not too hard. There's a 6" blued for sale in the Classified section here now. And a 3" full lug stainless.

What is a six series going for in decent shape?

Depends a lot on what you consider "decent" and which model you like. There are adjustable sights, fixed sights, square butt, round butt, several barrel lengths, low or high back grip frame, blued or stainless, etc. Prices seem to have gone up some just in the past year to 18 months.

Generally, they are still very affordable and an excellent value.

 

[GhosT]

Own a Slightly customized 6" GP100.
And a severely customized 2 1/4" SP101.
And trust them both...both total favorites.


THAT SAID...

Sold and traded away many a gun since 1981....
One of the "I miss most" LIST...
Was my STAINLESS STEEL 6" SECURITY SIX!

Light weight,yet could handle any factory load without the innards wearing out...Accurate ,reliable......
The Stainless steel, really fought rust, and at the first sign of it, easy to clean of the surface.

I soo HOPE my old SECURITY SIX found a GOOD HOME!



J.Johnson...

The SIX's cannot handle the same levels as the GP100's.

But that is, to RUGER'S CREDIT....the beefier GP100's are overbuilt to handle
way more.
The SIX"S can handle the standard .357 rounds.
JMHO....
The SPEED or SECURITY SIX'S ROCK!
Any gun ya buy is gonna be used.
NOT A SHOT, cause think so well built,not a problem.

The GP100 or SP101 heavier.....But can handle more if wanna push the gun's ammo to its limits.


Honestly,
Ya can't go wrong with either!

 

[mattsbox99]

I like them both.

I paid $200 for my 6 a couple years ago. Its rough and needs some refinishing but is otherwise perfect shape.

My 6" GP100 was the first handgun I owned. I picked up another 4" one a few years ago and its currently in the hands of David Clements being converted to 10mm.

 

[JohnW]

J. Johnson, you asked about a size difference. There is actually very little size difference. There is some weight difference, approximately 4 oz heavier for the GP in a given barrel length, iirc.

My BIL and I recently compared his stainless 6" Security Six to my stainless 4" (full underlug) GP100. In most respects, the dimensions of the 2 are very close in the area of the main frame. Width, height, top strap thickness are all very close. The GP100 cylinder is a bit larger, as witnessed by the fact that they take a different speedloader. My BIL and I did determine that his speedloader seems to drop them into my GP just fine. I think he's using an HKS 10-A, while the GP takes a 586-A.

The GP100 is a little beefier in front of the cylinder, in the forcing cone area. This has been discussed on here before, if you do a little searching. The reality is that the barrels and grips, which are quite different between the two, are what sets them apart appearance-wise. In the area of the frame, their outward appearance is very much the same, down to some pretty small details, such as the cylinder latch, recoil shield form, top strap contours, and even the grooves down the rib on top the barrel.

Just some observations. Maybe its the engineer in me, but I tend to look past the barrel contours and grips, and see more similarities than differences. This is true for the exterior, not the lockwork, of course. 8)

 

[roaddog28]

Both the GP100 and Security Six will shoot large amounts of "factory" 357 magnums. Both will likely outlast the shooter. But I seen pictures of a GP100 that cracked a forcing cone because the person was handloading and went overboard with his rounds. If I had to choose between the two I would go with the Security Six. To me Bill Ruger hit the nail on the head when he introduce the Security Six in the earlier seventies.
Of course you could buy both.
Regards,
Howard

 

[glockman99]

Through the years, I have owned a few models of both the GP-100 and the DA "Six" models. The GP-100 is heavier and slightly larger, and I would give to "nod" to the GP-100 factory grips, VS: the factory grips for the "Six" revolvers. I also like the full-length barrel underlug of the GP-100, as the "extra" weight does seem to dampen recoil alittle bit with full-power .357 mag. loads.

That being said, my current "carry" gun is a Ruger Police Service-Six (2.75" barrel, with Hogue rubber Monogrip), and I feel very comfortable with that old "friend" on my side.

 

[J.Johnson]

Thanks guys, you gave me a lot of information to mull over. I let you know what I go with at some point in the future.