What six series am I missing

[DoorKicker]

First I have decided I only want SS models, and I am not interested in 9mm models either, so obviously those will be missing from my collection.
I started with my first Six Series when I purchased a Speed Six 357 2.75" SS back in mid 90's. Yes I was late to the game.

Since then I have added Speed Six models in 38spl with 2.75 & 4" barrel as well as a 357 with 4" barrel. For a total of (4) ea Speed Sixes

Then I purchased Security Six models in 357 one each in 2.75", 4", and 6" barrels (3) ea total Security Sixes

And finally the Police Service 357 2.75" & 4" barrels, as well as 38SPL 2.75" and 4" barrel (4) ea total Police Service.

I guess the only thing left would be Security Six models in 38spl?

 

[hittman]

You’re missing the 380 models, also known I think as 38 S&W caliber. Hmmm…were they made in stainless?
Also think some had a factory lanyard ring, some did not.
A few Security Six’s had 5 inch barrels.
Some Speed Six’s had 3 inch barrels.
Some Security Six’s had fixed sites in the early years; before they introduced the POLICE Security Six.
All are available in both low back and high back grip frames.

You’ve got more work to do!

Information in this publication will get you going …..

https://www.rugerforum.com/threads/subscribe-to-the-red-eagle-news-exchange.30544/

 

[hittman]

Oh yeah, in later years some had HB for Heavy Barrel.
Front sites were changed from a blade to one with a red insert.
Some shipped with “regular” ( Magna style ) grips while others had big wood target grips and some had rubbers.
Almost forgot …. at some time they added a scallop on the right side of the recoil shield.

And over the years there were 3 or 4 different boxes they shipped in. Guess it’s possible there was some overlaps and maybe some models could be found in different boxes.

You could even dig deeper and see if any had a ”D” serial number. Some had an “S” maybe and wouldn’t be surprised if some came as “U” back when they used that designation.

 

[DoorKicker]

so basically what yall are saying is, I will NEVER finish. Never even heard of the 380 version...

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I don’t think people ever finish a project like that, mostly they end up discovering little things they hadn’t noticed before and look for those things in other lengths.

You didn’t mention the long frames vs short frames, and like Hittman said light vs heavy barrels. Frequently it’s difficult to notice there’s a difference between guns unless you accidentally have both and start comparing and notice a difference.

I also don’t think anyone mentioned miss labeled guns.

 

[hittman]

I also don’t think anyone mentioned miss labeled guns.

Oh I forgot about those. There’s a ROUND butt 2.75 inch gun labeled at the factory as POLICE Service Six. And weren’t there some Service Six’s where they left off the word POLICE?

 

[hittman]

so basically what yall are saying is, I will NEVER finish.

The fun is in the chase, the learning as you go and the relationships you make and build during the process.
Then there’s the fun and satisfaction of your collection and that evolves as you add more items.

 

[hittman]

Both are Security Six with LOW back grip frame.
The one on top with adjustable sites was also made in stainless.
Don’t know if any fixed site low back stainless were made.

 

[rugerguy]

yeah, there are LOTS of them and as for the 380s heres a couple we had years ago, but got out of them, hell our first carry one was a 9mm with some oddball extractor system that was a prototype of some kind but all our 'agencies got away from the 9s then...

had the Highway Patrol comms. too Ohio and California, but also gone.....Good luck and have fun, they ARE out there..........:rolleyes:;)

 

[contender]

Doorkicker,, "Welcome back!"

Yes,, there are several other models & variations out there,, as you can see by the posts above. But I think hittman has said it quite well with; "The fun is in the chase, the learning as you go and the relationships you make and build during the process.
Then there's the fun and satisfaction of your collection and that evolves as you add more items."

It's the fun of collecting. And if RoninPa comes along,, or weaselmeatgravy,, they can add to your info bank a lot. Both of them enjoy the DA series guns.

 

[gunzo]

If I were to start looking for minor variations I'd have to add a set of liberty guns.

 

[jdavis]

You’re missing the 380 models, also known I think as 38 S&W caliber

The .380 ACP (9x17) is a rimless cartridge based on the 9mm Luger (9x19) and designed for small automatic pistols. It is often listed as the 9mm Kurz (9mm short) in Germany and some European countries. The .38 S&W cartridge is a .38 caliber rimmed revolver cartridge. It nor the .38 Colt should be confused with the .38 Spl cartridge which is longer and slightly smaller in diameter. Neither the .38 S&W or .38 Colt are interchangeable with the .38 Spl. Click on photo: 380ACP on left, 9mm on right

 

[hittman]

https://www.bing.com/search?q=ruger...665AC0EAED4350A1EE239C80860BBD&FORM=QBLH&sp=3
The.380 Rim cartridge is the same as a.38 S&W round and Ruger did, as others have said, make both Police Service Six and Speed Six revolvers in this cartridge to sell to foreign governments. Most notable were the guns sold actually to the national police force in India.

 

[Terry T]

No one has yet mentioned the 3" Stainless Service Six in .357 mag. or the 3" stainless Speed Six in .38 Special (only). Still have the Service Six. Sold the .38 Speed Six to Lovemydals.
Something like only 25 5" Blued Service Sixs in the wild - I've managed to domesticate one.
Terry T.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

There are some that have been alluded to, like the 3" barrel guns.

Here is a U.S. Postal Inspector's Speed Six with 3" barrel

And here is a NYPD contract gun with the 3" tube

There are also some other barrel length special models that are hard to find, like this NIS model (NIS was forerunner of NCIS)

Very few Security Sixes were made in .38 but here is one of them that also happens to be an "S" marked Liberty gun

Some guns are basically one of a kind, like this factory high polish lowback frame gun, which I believe was a test subject for that finish which was first used on the Vaquero in 1993. I suspect this was a returned gun they had laying around, possibly a gunwriter sample from back in the day.

And this is apparently the one and only surviving .357 Western Australia Police models, according to a retired WAP officer who said all the ones delivered to them were eventually destroyed. They were custom ordered with that finish and no caliber marking since they were for their version of SWAT which was allowed to carry .357 Mag while regular officers were restricted to .38 Spl. and they didn't want Caliber Envy at the range.

 

[hittman]

Oh, I forgot about the NIS guns! It may be the gem of my modest collection with box and shipper too.

And new collectors need to be careful about the 3 inch guns. Many many sellers on auction sites and elsewhere describe their gun as 3-inch when they haven’t actually measured it. Out of the many I’ve seen advertised as 3-inch, NONE turned out to be …. Except the USPS of course. On that one, it was “gun only”, no box, etc. so I ordered the factory letter BEFORE I laid down the money.

 

[MinorLV]

Ohh my…those are some beauties Weaselmeatgravy! I have never seen a factory high polish let alone the Australian. Fantastic!

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

I forgot about the prototype 5" barrel Service Six. 1 of 5 examples made when Ruger was competing to win a supplier contract with the Canadian Mounties.

And along with the DAO 3" NYPD Speed Six, there were also 4" NYPD Service Sixes

And don't forget the round butt adjustable sight Security Six

And stainless guns sometimes look blue! Factory blackened Security Six made for the Secret Service to evaluate.

 

[sceva]

Rounded vs Dished recoil shields would add other variations.

 

[Uncle Howie]

AND… “We’re off!”

Down the rabbit hole, we go!

Love this stuff!

 

[DoorKicker]

can someone please explain the low back difference to me in detail. Looking at the pictures, I don't see the difference. TIA

 

[hittman]

Low Back grip frame.
Grips more “round” on top. No ”point” on the top.
Back strap has a slight hump to it.




High Back.
Grips will not interchange.
Also notice the bottom of the hammer where it disappears into the grip frame. On the LOW back above you see more of that part of the hammer. On the HIGH back below you see less of it.

 

[stonebuster]

OP, you'll need a NYCPD DAO Speed Six 3" 38spl(GS-83) too.

 

[chet15]

There are also a few 6" Security-Sixes in .38 Special. Blue and stainless.
As well as the elusive Roundbutt Security-Sixes with adjustable sights and square butt, blue and stainless as well.
Chet15

 

[stonebuster]

There are some that have been alluded to, like the 3" barrel guns.

Here is a U.S. Postal Inspector's Speed Six with 3" barrel
View attachment 12923

And here is a NYPD contract gun with the 3" tube
View attachment 12924

There are also some other barrel length special models that are hard to find, like this NIS model (NIS was forerunner of NCIS)
View attachment 12925

Very few Security Sixes were made in .38 but here is one of them that also happens to be an "S" marked Liberty gun
View attachment 12926

Some guns are basically one of a kind, like this factory high polish lowback frame gun, which I believe was a test subject for that finish which was first used on the Vaquero in 1993. I suspect this was a returned gun they had laying around, possibly a gunwriter sample from back in the day.
View attachment 12927

And this is apparently the one and only surviving .357 Western Australia Police models, according to a retired WAP officer who said all the ones delivered to them were eventually destroyed. They were custom ordered with that finish and no caliber marking since they were for their version of SWAT which was allowed to carry .357 Mag while regular officers were restricted to .38 Spl. and they didn't want Caliber Envy at the range.
View attachment 12928

Are either your USPS or NYCPD 3" Speed Sixes a matte finish like the Australian Police model? I'm asking because my GS-83 has a matte finish like the Australian Police model you show here. My serial number is 162-426xx with the NYCPD armororer's star stamped into the frame. Also letters as GS-83.

 

[hittman]

My USPS is.

 

[MinorLV]

I was unaware of the Security Six 38 stainless…sweet!

 

[DoorKicker]

I have added a few more since my original post. Headed to the fun show this am to see what else I can find...I'll post some pictures when I get back.

 

[DoorKicker]

Folks in the know, is this a 3" or 2.75" barrel. I called the seller and he said its a 2.75" but it sure looks like a 3" to me.

 

[hittman]

Without a tape measure in the picture …. No way to tell …. We’re only guessing.
Good for you if he is WRONG.
I’d assume it’s 2.75 inches and if it’s priced right ….. get it.