GS-83 Speed Six (not NYCPD)

[magnum0710]

I was talking to a member on another forum and we were discussing the 3 inch Speed Six. He has 2 that are chambered in 38 special but apparently they're not NYCPD models. I assumed they were NYCPD but they have the normal spurred hammer. I asked if they came with spurless hammers originally and he said no they came with the standard hammer. As far as he knows they're just standard GS-83s.

Does anyone know if standard GS-83s were made? As far as I knew the only 3 inch 38 was the NYCPD model. The over runs from the NYCPD contract we're distributed by Davidsons and those had the spurless hammer. My guess is they're not over runs, they could have been for another agency that contracted for 3 inch 38s or maybe Ruger had extra 3 inch barrels already marked 38 so they put some out on the civilian market.

I'm going to send him the link to get them lettered but I thought one of you guys might have more information on this. I'll have him check for the armorer marking too just in case.

 

[chet15]

Yes, they were made. At the end of Sec Series production, the 3" replaced the 2-3/4" for all available models.
Chet15

 

[magnum0710]

Yes, they were made. At the end of Sec Series production, the 3" replaced the 2-3/4" for all available models.
Chet15

I figured there was a chance that standard GS-83s existed, just never actually seen one or heard of anyone owning one before. All of the ones ive seen have been NYCPD models. Now I have another one to track down!

Did they ever make a 3 inch Security? I've seen references to it but never anything concrete. I think the handful of times I've seen a refrence to it maybe the person(s) meant the Six line as a whole.

 

[Terry T]

There are some Stainless full 3" Service Sixs. I have one and the shop where I bought it new had several as if it had been an overrun from an LE contract.
Chet15 may be on to something about the end of the Six Series production. It overlapped with the introduction of the GP100. There seems to be some evidence of a "cleaning out of the warehouse" and a possible using up of various parts left over in the parts bin. Only the old Ruger hands present at the time would know for sure and since that was nearly 40 years ago (1988), many of them have passed on. It's my belief that Bill Ruger ran a rather fugal shop with little waste. Just in time inventory was coming into practice as the rule of the day in the '70s and '80s - hence small inventories until orders were placed.

 

[magnum0710]

I have a 3 inch Service Six, still can't believe I found one! Now I just need a standard GS-33, GS-83, and GS-83NYCPD and I'll have one of each! Doubt I’ll ever find a GS-33BP so I won't count that one.

 

[chet15]

I figured there was a chance that standard GS-83s existed, just never actually seen one or heard of anyone owning one before. All of the ones ive seen have been NYCPD models. Now I have another one to track down!

Did they ever make a 3 inch Security? I've seen references to it but never anything concrete. I think the handful of times I've seen a refrence to it maybe the person(s) meant the Six line as a whole.

Pretty sure the Security-Six profile was gone before the 3" barrels came out... but one never knows... maybe there were a few Sec 6 frames left in the final days.

 

[magnum0710]

Pretty sure the Security-Six profile was gone before the 3" barrels came out... but one never knows... maybe there were a few Sec 6 frames left in the final days.

I've only seen a mention of it once or twice and both times it was the same person. I think they we're referring to the whole line rather than the Security Six itself. IIRC the Security Six was dropped when the GP came out, the 3 inch barrels came around shortly after that right?

IMO Ruger made some odd decisions during the 80s, around 82 or 83 they went to the scalloped frame which added to the top strap. Around 84 or 85 they put the gas ring on the front of the cylinder which changed dimensions slightly. Then they go to the 2.75 heavy barrel then discontinue the 2.75 altogether in favor of the 3 inch. They made all these changes just to drop the entire line a few years later. Bill Ruger was quoted as saying he never made a dime on the Six line, gee I wonder why? Ever think maybe it's because you made all these changes then discontinued the whole line before you could recuperate the cost of those changes? Maybe I'm wrong in my assessment but it just seems odd they made so many changes during those last few years.

I still think they should bring back the Six line in some form as an in between option, especially the Speed Six 3 inch. Even if it was a scaled up SP or scaled down GP design, keep the original dimensions and weight, half lug barrel but have it use GP/SP parts wherever possible. Ruger is the only company that doesn't have a medium frame carry magnum in their line. People complain the SP is too big to be a 5 shot and similar size guns hold 6, and most people don't think GP100 when looking for a carry piece. S&W has the Model 66 2.75 Combat Magnum, theres the Colt King Cobra and Viper, the Rossi RP63, the Kimber K6s 3 inch, I'll even throw in the Diamondback SDR. I recently saw a 3 inch fixed sight GP at a local shop and I could automatically see that the frame is bigger. It don't look too far off in pictures but its definitely bigger. I think they're not only losing money to the competition but to themselves as well. I've owned 4 of the Sixes over the last few years, I've never owned a GP or SP. That's a couple thousand right there that Ruger could have made if they offered a similar model still. S&W and Colt have been steadily bringing back their classic models. Ruger needs to wake up and smell the coffee!

Sorry I know I went on a rant there, I just can't understand why they're not even trying to compete. 6 shot 3 inch carry magnums have been on fire the last couple years, sure the SP comes in a 3 inch but people want capacity these days. As nice as the SP is the competition starts to look good when their revolvers hold 6. Yeah I know "get the SP in 327 Federal, then you'll have a 6 shot SP" it's just not the same. I'm not going to invest in a hard to find niche caliber when I'm already invested in 38/357. I'd rather stick with my Sixes at that point. OK I'm done ranting now, back to our regularly scheduled programming

 

[hittman]

Speaking of the 3 inch revolver craze ….. this isn't a magnum ( only 38 Special ) but many of these are already C&R eligible and can be had in the $500 range …… a far cry from the MSRP of $1,000.00 plus for new guns.

 

[magnum0710]

Is that a 3 inch Model 10? Those are kind of rare, the 3 inch 65 is a much easier find but I don't think they qualify for C&R yet. I'm set on 3 inch guns for right now, I was just making a point that every revolver manufacturer has a "Combat Magnum" in their line up except for Ruger, and they already made the perfect combat magnum with the Speed Six. I know that's an S&W term but it's really a perfect description of the 3 inch medium frame 357s. I just think between the current 3 inch craze and everyone bringing back all these classic models they're really missing out. I'm not saying they should bring the Six line back exactly as it was (I know that won't happen) but I think a lot of us would be happy with a spiritual successor. If they can make a 7 shot GP in 357 really how hard could it be to beef up the SP a little, give it 6 rounds and give it a half lug barrel. A fixed sight 3 inch and an adjustable sight 4 inch would be perfect.

Until about a week ago I really thought I could pick up a 3 inch GP and retire my carry Six but after finally seeing one in person I don't think its possible for me to carry one. It don't look much bigger in pictures, especially with the compact grips but in person I could immediately tell it was bigger.

 

[hittman]

Yep …. 10 from ‘69