Speed Six questions

[eagle45]

Picked up this Speed Six today. Would like your input on a couple of questions.

First - any OWB leather holster recommendations? I've found not all manufacturers still make them for this model.

Second - anyone ever change out the front sight on a speed six? Something along the lines of the Gemini Custom I installed on my SP101. Any ideas?

And of course, some pics :lol:

 

[Terry T]

Any S&W 'K' frame sized holster will fit the Ruger Speed Six. Lots of holsters for sale on E-Bay and GunBroker.com.
Terry T

 

[eagle45]

Any S&W 'K' frame sized holster will fit the Ruger Speed Six. Lots of holsters for sale on E-Bay and GunBroker.com.
Terry T

Thanks for the tip on the 'K' frame holsters. Most of what I see on gunbroker are cheap nylon IWB, not really what I'm looking for.

 

[Terry T]

Some nice used (and new) leather shows up on E-Bay.
Terry T

 

[Three50seven]

May want to check out the classifieds...

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=138216

 

[ArtCrafter]

Holster

If you would like a tightly-boned, "custom-made" holster that wears like iron, check out the Kramer Belt Scabbard in horsehide.

While they do not show the Speed Six in their Gun Availability List, they do show the 2¾ Service Six .357. Fit-wise, that's about as close as it gets, I think.

One caveat: Kramer makes a good holster, but their dye jobs are sometimes uneven or incomplete. For this reason, I would get one in black and be prepared to "finish" it myself (black is the easiest color to match).

Kiwi-brand Leather Dye (liquid) and/or Shoe Polish (paste-type) work great for this. Sometimes, you will only need the polish, but both can be useful if you like to maintain you leather gear. As I'm sure you know, you can ordinarily find these products in the supermarket.

Front Sight

For the front sight, I'd take a look at XS Sight Systems in either "Big Dot" or "Standard Dot" format.

Again, they do not catalog the Speed Six, but they do have a large variety of sights for pinned installation (e.g., they show one for the Ruger LCR). One or more of those would could probably be adapted to the Speed Six (all of them have to be drilled for the pin in any case). I would contact XS Sight Systems and ask; the question has likely been raised and answered already, and they can probably help you muy pronto.

Hope this helps, too. 8)

 

[gak]

Ray Cory @ Lobo Gunleather www.lobogunleather.com I think. Made a holster for me--for my gf's K-frame (65 Lady Smith, almost a dead ringer for your Speed Six--yours a 3" too?). I have a 65LS as well but just a cheap nylon holster for (something about "cobbler's shoes" comes to mind ). Give him a shout--great guy to work with.

 

[eagle45]

(65 Lady Smith, almost a dead ringer for your Speed Six--yours a 3" too?).

My Speed Six has a 2.75" barrel - thanks for the info, I'll check them all out. I noticed that Galco does offer a couple of high ride leather holsters that will work also.

 

[rugerguy]

some very GOOD info above as to the holsters.............
as for the front sight, much like the the heavy barrel mod 10 or 64 or 65 S&W, the 'height ' in line of sight is that short due to the top strap being 'grooved', yes its pinned but you go any higher, the gun is gonna shoot WAY low...it is what it is, by design, "low profile, out of the way", nothing to hang up...its NOT a "target" gun.......... we have always shot these, both eyes open.......................

 

[eagle45]

Thanks Rugerguy - I understand completely about the height of the front sight - it's not the height that bothers my old eyes but the general visibility of it, and I am used to shooting with both eyes open. I can live it with it the way it is if necessary, it's a good shooter the way it is.

Thanks again all!

 

[jeffnles1]

My 2.75" SS Speed Six is one of the few guns I regret selling. Darn, I would like to have that one back.

Jeff

 

[zac0419]

My dad had a problem seeing the sights too.

Maybe try this (read this on this forum somewhere). Put down a coat of white followed by some bright orange nail polish. Then follow that with clear to seal it in. Dad can see the blade again now and loves that little gun.

 

[Ashlander]

De Santis 001 13 fits my S&W 3" 65, so it would fit your Speed Six perfectly.

 

[Sal1950]

You guys need to stop posting pics of these sweet Speed Six's! Got me hankerin to start looking for one and I just bought a 95% 1992 vintage SP101 2.25 .38 spl last week. I'm already on a Ramen noodle for dinner 3 nights a week budget.
Sal

 

[hittman]

You guys are a lot better at taking pics than me!

 

[Texasgreg]

I just picked up a nice used speed six recently, in stainless., with a 2.75" barrel and chambered in .38 Special Caliber.

I can confirm it fits in all the holsters I have for my K frame Smiths as well as most of the holsters for a 2.5" Python. Including those with thumbreaks.

It has the factory wood grips on it, and I just got a set of Hogues for it off of ebay.

I've got to take the gun apart because the cylinder release button is jamming on occasion, sometimes being hard to engage. You might have to press it 2 or 3 times to get it to engage.

Never fear, I got it for a screaming price, with knowledge of the release button issue. The LGS I bought it from didn't have time to mess with taking it apart as his resident gunsmith recently left his employ, but sold it to me with a full return policy in case the cylinder release mechanism is physically damaged.

The dealer felt there might be dirt or gunk of buildup inside, because the fellow he bought it from had not cleaned it since shooting it years ago. Fortunately, the bore is like new as is the rest of the gun.

Any tips on the fastest and easiest way to disassemble to get to that part of the mechanism. I have experience taking down and putting back together revolvers, but not one like the speed six that doesn't have a sideplate.

This revolver joins, among other Rugers, a SS 4" Security Six, which I got used about 20 years ago and which is a great shooting gun.

 

[Terry T]

Manual is available on line at the Ruger web site.

https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/securitySix.pdf

Terry T

 

[gb6491]

Picked up this Speed Six today. Would like your input on a couple of questions.

First - any OWB leather holster recommendations? I've found not all manufacturers still make them for this model.

Second - anyone ever change out the front sight on a speed six? Something along the lines of the Gemini Custom I installed on my SP101. Any ideas?

And of course, some pics :lol:

Nice Speed Six, congrats.
You might check out Simply Rugged Holsters, they can make one for your Six: http://www.simplyrugged.com/
You can still find orange or white bar Millett front sights for the Speed Six, They look something like the painted one in zac0419's photo. There's a photo of one on a Security Six in this thread: http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3273&sid=d777af261c07a612b8cd898657929e61

I just picked up a nice used speed six recently, in stainless., with a 2.75" barrel and chambered in .38 Special Caliber.

I can confirm it fits in all the holsters I have for my K frame Smiths as well as most of the holsters for a 2.5" Python. Including those with thumbreaks.

It has the factory wood grips on it, and I just got a set of Hogues for it off of ebay.

I've got to take the gun apart because the cylinder release button is jamming on occasion, sometimes being hard to engage. You might have to press it 2 or 3 times to get it to engage.

Never fear, I got it for a screaming price, with knowledge of the release button issue. The LGS I bought it from didn't have time to mess with taking it apart as his resident gunsmith recently left his employ, but sold it to me with a full return policy in case the cylinder release mechanism is physically damaged.

The dealer felt there might be dirt or gunk of buildup inside, because the fellow he bought it from had not cleaned it since shooting it years ago. Fortunately, the bore is like new as is the rest of the gun.

Any tips on the fastest and easiest way to disassemble to get to that part of the mechanism. I have experience taking down and putting back together revolvers, but not one like the speed six that doesn't have a sideplate.

This revolver joins, among other Rugers, a SS 4" Security Six, which I got used about 20 years ago and which is a great shooting gun.

Texasgreg,
Congrats on your Speed Six, before you pull it apart, check that the small screw on the frame below the latch is tight (see this photo: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/rkba2da/pistol%20pics/latchset-screw.jpg)
If it does need to come apart: in addition to Terry T's link, there are some videos on you tube that should help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96lc7XGZIxE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSKWsVCcEJU

I'm fond of the Speed Six myself:

Regards,
Greg

 

[Texasgreg]

Thanks for the information, Greg! I'm new here, but have several Rugers, so expect to see me posting some around here. Proud owner of a Mini-14, a couple of Blackhawks, the Security Six and a Scout rifle. My son owns (or will when he is 18) a 22/45 and a 10-22. All excellent firearms.

I'm looking forward to shooting the Scout rifle and the .357=framed Blackhawks tomorrow (.44 Special and 45LC/45ACP). I'll do a post on how much I'll like them.

 

[Texasgreg]

WWOW! Thanks for the info and the link to the pic on the teeny screw underneath the cylinder release. It needed tightening about 3/4's of a turn and now it's working easy like the one on my Security Six. Thanks Greg! It still feels a bit gritty but is easy to depress now. I plan on putting a drop of lubricant down that screwhole later tonight and working the button a bunch, but tightening the screw definately solved 90% of the problem. I thank you again, Greg.


I forgot another Ruger we own, a Model 77 in .22 magnum. A dandy rifle I bought used for my son. Half of our Rugers were bought used, and thoroughly gone over by my local gunsmith, who is a big Ruger fan. Unfortunately, he moved out of the area a few months ago but I did learn from him how to takedown and reassemble the Mini-14 and the Model 77.

I've never had to do any work on the 4" SS Security Six that I've owned for 20 years now, other than regular post shooting cleaning. And the same goes for the Blackhawks we own and have owned.

I'm hoping to add a .41 magnum 7 1/2" Blackhawk to the herd, as my father had one when I was growing up that he traded in later years before I knew about the trade (and could try to stop it!). There are several nice used ones in two of the LGS's I frequent, and none of them are selling. They're all priced at $450, and all are in about the same very good to excellent condition. None of them appear to have been shot much. I've offered $350 OTD to the dealers several times and was told recently that they might start listening to my offer soon.

If I could only have one gun, it'd be a Colt or a Ruger. And it'd likely be the Security Six 4" 357 or a six inch Python. What great handguns the Six Series are!

 

[Buckeye!]

I my book there is no better carry gun ...than the 2 3/4 inch barreled Speed Six..the action on this one is a smooth as silk and the trigger is light as a feather
I have a Bianchi 7/7L 3 slot Pancake and it fits this gun like a glove...

 

[Texasgreg]

TO follow up, after tightening the screw that lies under the cylinder release, later in the evening I loosened and tighted it several times, putting a drop of breakfree around the screw and around the cylinder release. That solved the grittiness problem without disassembly, and I found that loosening the screw 1/2 turn actually made the release easier to depress.

In any event, the screw is the key and solved my issues without disassembly.

On another note, it took an hour of diligent labor to fit a pair of Hogue monogrips I found in the $5 box at my LGS. Fitting the Hogue screw attachment to the bottom of the frame, above the serial number, was more luck than skill, and on about the 30th try I got the grip and attachment to line up so the relocated grip screw could be properly inserted.

I like the tackiness of Hogue grips but prefer the easy installation of Pachmayrs.

 

[Sal1950]

TO follow up, after tightening the screw that lies under the cylinder release, later in the evening I loosened and tighted it several times, putting a drop of breakfree around the screw and around the cylinder release. That solved the grittiness problem without disassembly, and I found that loosening the screw 1/2 turn actually made the release easier to depress.

Don't leave that screw loose, it for sure will fall out and be lost while shooting and you'll be out of business until you get a new one from Ruger.
Sal

 

[eagle45]

Thanks to everyone for the responses and advice. Thought it would be only right to show you what I ended up with. The UPS guy brought a Galco Silhouette to my house today. My first thoughts after wearing it for a couple of hours are that it is well made, very comfy, and rides even higher than I had thought it would.

It does not seem to hold the revolver as close to my side as my Don Hume holsters do, but I may need to experiment around with the exact location to improve that. It may be that it is a little more top heavy than my other OWB holsters. Both of these may simply be that this is a larger revolver than my SP101, so the comparison is not exact.

It is designed to be worn in the 3 o'clock to 5 o'clock position, and I typically wear a little farther forward than that. Overall though very well pleased.

Obligatory eye candy:

It was mentioned by a couple of folks that holsters designed for SW K frames would work for the Speed Six also - the label on the package agrees with that:

I have a 4" SW model 10 that fits in it just fine.