Speed Six Fans

[JackBull]

Since small revolvers are seeing a comeback, any chance Ruger will bring back the Speed Six? I know I'd buy a couple.

 

[hittman]

Nope. The GP replaced those in the 80s. So there's no turning back now
But they DO have a hit with the LCR ….

 

[gunman42782]

I doubt it too, but I never thought Colt would bring back the Python and the Anaconda!

 

[gnappi]

I read (perhaps here) that Ruger lost money on the Security and Speed sixes, dunno about that and I hope the decision to kill the "Six" series was good for them but I never bought a GP or SP for that matter.

 

[black1970]

Would not trade my SP's or my GP for a dozen LCR's.

 

[contender]

I seriously doubt that Ruger will ever bring back the Security/Speed Six line of DA handguns.
While they are an excellent product, the expense of making them AND what they would have to charge for them would be a marketing failure.
The average consumer would not want to pay for them.
This is a case of "Buy a good used one and be happy!"

 

[wproct]

As I understand the Security-six and Speed-six was comparable to the Smith & Wesson K-frame revolvers, and the GP100 was designed to compare to the L-Frame Smith & Wesson revolver, but was actually just a little larger due to being a cast frame versus forged steel frame. Personally I aways preferred the K-frame over the L-frame revolvers as far as handling is concerned. And yes, I also understand that the Security-six and speed-six was an expensive revolver to make for some reason.

 

[hittman]

I've found it hard to believe that notoriously cheap Bill Ruger would made a gun from 1970 to 1988 that was a loss leader.
But, I wasn't there and am not an industry insider so suppose anything is possible.
That being said; I'd like to hear that story from somebody closer to the company.

 

[Sugar River]

While taking the Armourer's course in Newport we were told by reliable sources that the Six series double actions were a "loss leader" item that Bill was OK with, since he wanted desperately to break S&W's strangle hold on the police revolver market.

 

[gunzo]

So many examples in great condition are available for sale on nearly a regular basis that one would only be depriving themselves by waiting for an unlikely comeback.

Yep, there are some beaters on the market at times, most examples are lightly used. The 2 3/4" version for instance, not quite the type of gun that gets gets fired thousands of times.

 

[stonebuster]

Costs would be prohibitive for reintroducing the Six Series, IMO. You'd probably be looking at near new Colt pricing and Ruger built it's business as a less expensive alternative. If they did make them again they'd probably get branded "not as good" as the originals. Plenty of nice old Six Series still available for much less than a new GP100.

 

[M'BOGO]

I've found it hard to believe that notoriously cheap Bill Ruger would made a gun from 1970 to 1988 that was a loss leader.
But, I wasn't there and am not an industry insider so suppose anything is possible.
That being said; I'd like to hear that story from somebody closer to the company.

I think it was Vogel, in R.L. Wilson's book Ruger and his Guns who commented on this.