Ruger Speed Six 3" 38spl DA/SA

[stonebuster]

I saw 3" 38spl Speed Six da/sa for sale with a 162- prefix. I though it might be a GS-83(DAO) NYCPD contract gun which was converted to da/sa. The seller said there wasn't a 5 pointed star stamped into the frame so it would've had to be a factory over run. It's absolutely a 3" barrel not 2 3/4" so my question is did Ruger make any other true 3" barreled Speed Sixes in 38spl other than for NYCPD?

 

[RoninPA]

Yes they did, for the USPS Postal Inspectors (s/n went up to 162-23446) and they would have been DA/SA from the factory.

 

[stonebuster]

Yes they did, for the USPS Postal Inspectors (s/n went up to 162-23446) and they would have been DA/SA from the factory.

Yes, but this one is 38spl only. I believe it's 162-54xxx which is later than mine 162-426xx.

 

[dan12176]

Yes they did, for the USPS Postal Inspectors (s/n went up to 162-23446) and they would have been DA/SA from the factory.

Hello RoninPA. I’m new to the forum. You appear very knowledgeable in police issued rugers. I’m looking for a security six that was previous PA state police. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. They also had a 80th anniversary ruger that appears to be very scarce as well. Thank you

Yes they did, for the USPS Postal Inspectors (s/n went up to 162-23446) and they would have been DA/SA from the factory.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum Dan!

Yes,, Ron is one of our top DA collectors,, as well as a few other folks! (weaselmeatgravy, Terry T, ) and I'm sure they will chime in soon with any info they may have.
An 80th anniversary gun would be an 80th for a department,, not a Ruger 80th anniversary.

 

[RoninPA]

dan12176 - I'm going to need to do some digging on those particular handguns. I do know that in June 1980, PSP members were issued a new sidearm, the .357 magnum Ruger, a stainless steel, four inch barrel revolver (probably the GA-34) . It was the first major change in State Police issued weaponry in its 75 year history.

The Pennsylvania State Police Commemorative was a GA-34 (4", .357 Mag, Stainless Steel, adjustable sights). There were 92 known to have been produced in 1985 (from the Reference of Ruger Firearms, Volume Two)

I'll see what else I can dig up and let you know.

 

[87flht]

I saw 3" 38spl Speed Six da/sa for sale with a 162- prefix. I though it might be a GS-83(DAO) NYCPD contract gun which was converted to da/sa. The seller said there wasn't a 5 pointed star stamped into the frame so it would've had to be a factory over run. It's absolutely a 3" barrel not 2 3/4" so my question is did Ruger make any other true 3" barreled Speed Sixes in 38spl other than for NYCPD?

Well did you get it ?
If not tell us where please

 

[stonebuster]

Well did you get it ?
If not tell us where please

No I didn't buy it. I've already got a NYCPD GS-83 3" DAO in 38spl. It was on GB when I posted and was curious if it was a converted GS-83 or if there was another special contract 3" Speed Six in 38spl only made in 1987-88. Since it was lacking the NYCPD armororer's star on the frame, I think it was a factory over run GS-83converted to DA/SA.

 

[RoninPA]

To convert a DAO Six series gun to DA/SA, all you have to do is to replace the DAO hammer with a DA/SA hammer. For the DAO hammers, Ruger just doen't machine the SA cocking notch. It does sound like it might have been an overrun.

 

[Terry T]

I believe there was a small run (75?) of DA/SA 3" Speed Sixs in .38 Special only for an unknown police or security agency/business. I had one in that ser. no. range - 162-39xxx that I traded to "LovmyDals" a few years ago. Chad's book references them.
I believe the Postal Service guns were .357 mag. but once the 3" barrel was in "the parts bin" Ruger salesmen could offer it to larger contracts. I have a 3" Service Six!
Terry T.

 

[stonebuster]

I believe there was a small run (75?) of DA/SA 3" Speed Sixs in .38 Special only for an unknown police or security agency/business. I had one in that ser. no. range - 162-39xxx that I traded to "LovmyDals" a few years ago. Chad's book references them.
I believe the Postal Service guns were .357 mag. but once the 3" barrel was in "the parts bin" Ruger salesmen could offer it to larger contracts. I have a 3" Service Six!
Terry T.

That 1 of 75 Speed Six would've been a good one to letter. Did you? I bid on a 3" Service Six not long ago but someone else wanted it more than I did.