Security Six price check

[frontstuffers]

Greetings. I went to the local pawn shop today and saw a SS. Poor thing looks terrible. Anyway, it was a 4 inch (?) 1/2 lug with a set of Pachmyrs (sp?) on it. It looks like it started life as a blued model with adjustable sights on it but has almost zero blueing left on it. They are asking $325 for it. I gave it a cursory look and it seems to lock up tight and the cylinder and barrel both look clean (i.e. no rust or pits) but price seem kind of high. So! What would a 1/2 lug go for? First one I've seen but the old girl definitely needs a make over.

Thanks in advance. Always turn to you guys and gals for advice on things like this.

 

[RugerHound]

I agree with your view... I think they're a little optimistic! There are Security Sixes found on-line quite frequently, and would also save you some sales tax.

I'd try dealing them down... Maybe $300 out the door... That wouldn't be a terrible deal. Are you planning on restoring it or just using it as an everyday shooter?

 

[kstoneking]

I paid $370 for a six inch stainless Security Six in excellent shape a year ago and $265 for a 2-3/4" inch stainless model a year and a half ago, that after a polish job looks great. Personally, I agree that $325, for a Sec. 6 in that cosmetic shape, is too high. Offer $250 and buy at $275 and enjoy what, IMHO, is an excellent revolver ( I own three).

Kenny

 

[Tslepebull]

Keep looking. Their price is way too high. The Dallas Market Hall show is next weekend and you should be able to do much better. I bought my Stainless Security Six at that show last year for $300 and it was in perfect shape.

 

[arminius]

Bought mine for $350 here in Denver a year ago. 4" blued, with factory grips, box, all paperwork, even the box sleeve and store receipt. Condition was 99%. i think it could have sold for at least $100 more. I would keep looking. Good ones are out there.

 

[ulrik]

I paid $370 for a six inch stainless Security Six in excellent shape a year ago and $265 for a 2-3/4" inch stainless model a year and a half ago, that after a polish job looks great. Personally, I agree that $325, for a Sec. 6 in that cosmetic shape, is too high. Offer $250 and buy at $275 and enjoy what, IMHO, is an excellent revolver ( I own three).

Kenny

Hallo! If it helps: As a German over the pond, I bought an unused Sec Six, 6 inch, stainless, for about 220$.
I know, that was a big deal (for me).

 

[frontstuffers]

thanks guys, i figured it was too high, especially for the condition. I already have one in six inch blued in original box. Just saw it and wondered. I have a particular soft spot for the .357's, I have 10 but just don't think that you could have enough. I wasn't sure of a price line on it especially needing re-blued. As is, it would make for a good one to throw in a tackle box as you sure wouldn't have to worry about scratching it up.

Again, thanks for all of the responses.

 

[mohavesam]

We've stated earlier here in the forum that in near-new condition, a Security-Six would be between $358 and $376 in 2012 USD, depending on whose index you use. That means the Security-Six selling below that has LOST value in 2012 dollars, and most shooters above $375 don't sell quickly unless exemplary in condition. This sentiment normally is endorsed here, although not universally, as I've several worth much more.

In a <30% finish but with no working or external damage, I'd agree the store was too high by 25-40%. But the Security Six is a tough and fine revolver worth re-finishing in most cases, especially so with today's low-cost spray-n-bake epoxies, and parts are plentiful if needed.

Pawn shops have the advantage of carefully researching the value of everything they sell, as they have time to do so before any gun goes on the shelf (police waiting periods). They usually know exactly what it will sell for in their area. This makes pawn shops a normally lousy place to find a bargain...

 

[frontstuffers]

Thanks for the info MS. It seems (luckily?) that the Six's aren't as collectable as some of the Rugers and that helps keep the prices reasonable. I have found a couple of deals at this particular shop and they are starting to know me so that helps a little. I have also learned that I can ask for their lowest price on an object and they don't get upset about it. I hadn't thought about the spray finishes. I could do that myself. If I didn't already have one, I'd give more thought to going after this one, but by the time I add up the cost, the cost of re-blueing (send it back to Ruger?), and shipping costs I'd never break even on it if I sold it. If I had a need for a "camp" gun I'd probably go up and see what they would be willing to do.

I really appreciate all of the responses and info. That's why I come here to ask about these things.

 

[RoninPA]

Several comments.

In your first post you said a "half lug" Security Six. All Security Sixes that I have ever seen were "half lug" (with the exception of the 2 3/4" bbls - due to the bbl length). The full and half lug came into being with the GP100's.

If it is missing that much blueing, see if you can't talk them down to the mid $200's. Go to the local bookstore and thumb through the Blue Book of Gun Values and see what they say about that little of bluing left. My BBGV shows a Security Six with 90% bluing as $200 but you also have to go with what the local market will bear. If you can get it for a good price and don't want to spend a lot on getting it reblued, look at getting it CeraKoted.

Here is one that was probably in as bad a condition as you say the one was that you saw. This is the after picture:

You can get CeraKote in about 50 different colors. This is a very good coating and will stand up to a lot of punishment if done correctly.

 

[frontstuffers]

RoninPA, yeah, I noticed that as soon as I posted it. My first thought when I saw it was "hey, half lug" then I actually looked at it and realized it was a Six and not a 100. One of those "getting older "duh" moments" I guess. Would love to talk to them about the price. Sometimes they will deal, others not. One of the nots is an old model, 61/2 inch .357, blued. Trouble is that the grip frame and ejector housing have been stripped clean and semi-polished. Plus it has a vent rib on it. They are asking over $400 for it and won't budge. Just because it's an OM don't always mean it's treasure. Of course I have also walked in and they dropped the price on a stainless GP100 about $50 right off just because I looked at it. So it is hard telling if they will deal or not. Of course this would all be different if I didn't already have one in six inch.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[kstoneking]

Surely your 6 inch model needs a stablemate!
Here's my meager collection.
Kenny

 

[toysoldier]

Surely your 6 inch model needs a stablemate!
Here's my meager collection.
Kenny

No wonder I can't find one. I found this current offering on gunbroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=289287326

Looks like the scope mount replaced the rear sight, and the hammer spur is gone, making it a DAO scope-sighted handgun. :?: :?: :?:
I have a black-finished SS Service-Six in .38 Special, and would like to have a .357 Ruger with adjustable sights. I don't want the extra weight of a full-underlug, so a Service-Six is my goal.

 

[frontstuffers]

Well, I went back up and looked at it again. They did offer to come down on it a little. Apparantly the original price was something like $359 and they had marked it down to $325. They offered it to me for $300 out the door. The guy said that was about $279 + tax. I declined but thanked them for the offer. I always try to let them know that I appreciate their offers and doing business with them. Keeps them treating me good as a customer.

 

[stantheman86]

I would have taken it for $300 OTD, Security Sixes are getting harder to find for those prices.

If it was mechanically solid and not abused, it would be a good deal. It might have been a LEO duty gun that saw a lot of holster time and very few rounds.

 

[Beauetienne]

I've been keeping an eye out for a stainless Security Six and saw one in excellent condition at a local pawn shop today.

I've bought from this shop before and they're usually pretty fair on prices, but not this time, imho.

Asking price was $525. I passed.

In the same cabinet was a 6", GP100, in very good condition for $350. Also passed although I was tempted at that price.

Great info in this thread.