What six series am I missing

[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.

 

[DoorKicker]

well when I compare to my other 3" sixes it looks the same, and when I compare it to 2.75 it is different. For starters, the 2.75 has a tiny hole under the end of the barrel that is missing one this barrel. I will call and ask for verrification with a photo and tape measure, just wondering what others were thinking

 

[DoorKicker]

first one is 3". No hole
second is 2.75. hole

The one above looks like 3"

 

[stonebuster]

first one is 3". No hole
second is 2.75. hole

The one above looks like

My USPS is.

Most of the GS-83 models I've seen look like brushed stainless but I've seen a couple matte like mine when searching the internet. I believe the USPS GS-33 preceeded the GS-83 NYCPD DAO. I wonder if Ruger had some matte frames, barrels and cylinders left over from the USPS run and used them for some GS-83 which were mfg '87-88 at the tail end of the Six Series run. I've read Ruger did that kind of thing as not to waste anything. Mine made it to NYCPD and got the star stamped on frame but evidently never saw service and was shipped to Davidson's after sitting on a shelf in NY. It didn't letter as an over run either.

 

[Justamessenger]

Some of you are crazy about Ruger DA Sixes (in a good way, of course).
I just added a Stainless Speed Six to go with my first, the Blued Police Service Six, both 2.75" magnums.
Doorkicker, help me out with any 9mm leads you don't want, that's my next!