Speed Six Question

[Beachbum]

I recently acquired a Ruger Speed Six, .357 magnum. It is my first revolver and I have a question about it. Is it neccessary to carry it with the hammer down on an empty chamber or can I carry it fully loaded?

Also any other opinions or general info about this gun will be appreciated. Its serial no. prefix is 156.

 

[kstoneking]

Beachbum, it is perfectly safe to carry the Speed Six loaded to it's full six round capacity. I own a couple of its Security Six brothers and absolutely love them, as I'm sure you will your Speed Six.

Kenny

 

[pisgah]

Modern DA revolvers are all perfectly safe to carry fully loaded. The only revolvers you need to carry with an empty chamber under the hammer are old-style SA revolvers with lockwork like the Colt's (like the old-style "three-screw" Blackhawks). Unloaded, with the hammer down, you can look through the gap between the rear of the cylinder and the frame and see the tip of the firing pin protruding in to the gap -- pretty clear evidence of why carrying them with a loaded chamber under the hammer is not wise. "New Model" Ruger Sa revolvers, and some other Colt-looking SAs have a built-in block that makes them safe to load all the way, too.

 

[bigbill]

Its safe to carry all six loaded rounds because it has a transfer bar between the firing pin while its lowered most of the time and it only comes up when the hammer is in the firing position. This fills the gap/space between the hammer and the firing pin. Otherwise there is a space between them after the gun is fired or the hammer is lowered. Its always in the safe mode until the hammer is pulled back. I think this design is the best on the market/industry. Bill

 

[Beachbum]

Thanks for the info. I'm headed out the door but before I go, I'll stop by the ammo locker and drop one more round into the cylinder.