My first call to Ruger records!

[stantheman86]

I have 5 of these .38 Special Service Sixes, all are Cook County Hospital security trade in guns. They are all close in serial number so I picked out this one to call about. 4 of them came with the Sile Ruger medallion rubber grips, and one came with stock factory wood panels. I was curious how they left the factory, and why the one had woods on it and the rest the rubber grips.

This one left Ruger in Oct. 1985, and it's an SDA-84HP, just like Terry T said it would be!

I assume the H means Heavy Barrel and the P is for the rubber grips?

Next I'll have to call about the one that came with the wood grips, to see if these were added later or it came with them from the factory.

It's too bad the grips are trashed, I may leave the rubber grips on 2 of them and the woods on the remaining 3.

 

[GammaRay]

Nice find with a interesting history. As for the grips, a little wear adds to its history and charactor.

 

[lark63]

Pretty neat- I like these double action lessons you guys give us here.

 

[hittman]

Yes, H = heavy barrel and P = Pach grips

 

[stantheman86]

I never really got hung up on keeping the grips original on trade in guns, but I usually do keep some kind of factory grips on the guns as long as they are period correct 8)

Since these guns are from 1985, and one of them had factory wood panels on it, I don't feel a need to put the rubber grips on them all. If they were rare and collectible I would, but since they are holster worn ex-security guns, it's not as big a deal to me since the "slim" grips are also correct.

I saw an NYPD Service Six made in 1988 that had the Goncalo Alves wood panels from the factory, so that answers the question that Ruger did use factory woods up until the end of Six production if they were ordered that way.

 

[Terry T]

Some day, when Ruger releases the computer files of all the models with production numbers for each, my guess is that the SDA-84HP will be one of the models with a small total production number, say less than 1K. :shock:
Which, of course, will make them even more collectable in spite of condition. :D
And...will make collectors want the orig. grips to complete the collectable package.
Terry T

 

[308longdistance]

Some day, when Ruger releases the computer files of all the models with production numbers for each, my guess is that the SDA-84HP will be one of the models with a small total production number, say less than 1K. :shock:
Which, of course, will make them even more collectable in spite of condition. :D
And...will make collectors want the orig. grips to complete the collectable package.
Terry T

+1....If it letters as an SDA-84HP keep the original pachmayr grips.

 

[Terry T]

Samtheman,
Put what ever suits you on the guns for carry and shooting. I'm just saying don't throw out or trade off the orig. grips - hang on to them. (Some day I might even make you an offer on one of those :shock: )
Terry T

 

[stantheman86]

Oh yeah, I have the original rubber grips put away! I'm sorry I missed it when Ruger.com had those same grips for sale, I'll have to call them but they probably don't have any more of them.

I didn't know the SDA-84HP was that rare :) It must be the combo of the .38 Special chambering, with the blue finish and rubber grips.

 

[stantheman86]

I just called Ruger parts dept. and they have no more of the Sile rubber medallion grips in stock :?

I want the guns to be original, and I have plenty of other Sixes with stock woods on them, so I think I'll put the worn rubber grips back on them when I get a chance! They're starting to grow on me for shooting, and I'm getting over my "no rubber grips on blued guns" thing 8)