A lot times when folks are talking about getting a Ruger someone always pipes up to get a used: Security six, Speed six, or Service six.

What are the differences between these three guns? I remember reading an article several years back how that Ruger with the input of Elmer Keith( I believe it was him) based the Gp100 off of this series. I have the article printed off somewhere but not 100% sure right now.

Im just curious about the differences in these models as I’ve never seen one in real life. Looking at pictures they pretty much look the same to me.

Any help would be appreciated.

Off the top of my head it will be different combinations of fixed/adjustable sights and square and slightly less square grips. I think there was also a "low grip" frame thrown in there somewhere. Usual barrel lengths all around 🤔🤔🤔. Great revolvers with a lighter build then the Rugers that replaced them the sp101 and gp100. If you're looking to purchase be advised that last I heard Ruger will NO longer service them as they don't manufacture replacement parts for them.

 

Thank you. I also will keep in mind the Ruger won’t service them anymore. I didn’t actually have one in mind. Honestly was just considering looking into them and knew that often were highly regarded as being good guns.

 

I used to have a Speed-Six in 9mm. I really regret not holding onto it.

 

Security Six has adjustable sights and square butt.. can be had in 2 3/4", 4" barrels, and six inch barrels. Stainless or blue.
Service Six has fixed sights and square butt.. can be had in 2 3/4" and 4" barrels. Stainless or blue.
Speed Six has fixed sights and round butt.. can be had in 2 3/4" and 4" barrels. Stainless or blue.

All could be had in .38 spl. chambering as well as .357.

I don't have any blue Six's but I do have Security, Service, and Speed Six revolvers. The 2 3/4" Speed Six is the cats meow as for snub carry .357s.

 

Great sum up very clear


Also just to add there can be no hammer DAO models as well or full hammer

And there are some rarer calibers .. For example there are a few of the Indian police Speed sixs in the US which are in 38-200 ie 38 s&w not special . There is also some in 9mm as well .

But you summed up the difference perfectly

 

My first revolver was a 2-3/4" Stainless Security Six, bought new circa 1976. Great revolver! A Service Six or Speed Six probably would have been a better choice for CC, but I bought what caught my eye in the store.

It was stolen in 1980, and I still miss it! About 20 years later, I finally replaced it with a blue one, also 2-3/4". It's a range toy now, or occasionally a nightstand or woods gun, as my CCW of choice is a smaller, lighter, higher-capacity P365. I still really like the Security Six though!

 

I had a couple of speed sixes. Interesting that the one on the right was stamped as a service six in error by Ruger. They sent me an origination letter stating it was built as a speed six by the serial number but was one of a few rare mis stamped models that escaped the factory.

I also had the first year blued security six in 4" which was the only year with the "hump backed" grip frame. 1972. Fine guns.

 

Those are just gorgeous.👍

 

I carried a Service Six stainless 357 in my survival vest when I flew in an A-6 squadron. My Dad gave it to me before I deployed. I carried JHPs in it, with reloads in JHP, armor piercing and snakeshot. It was a big step up from what was issued, a blued Model 36 and 10 rounds of 38 FMJ!

It is one of my all time favorite guns. I wish they were still made.

 

See that there is what intrigues me about them. Most of the people I’ve heard that had one absolutely loved them.
Also thank you for sharing the interesting info about yours👍

 

I've still got a Blue .357 4" model I got back in 1974. I don't know what the difference is, but it's stamped "Police Service Six". Anyone know what the difference is?

 

There is no difference between a "Service Six" and a "Police Service Six", except the "Police" on the rollmark.

There's a TTAG article that claims that the "Police Service Six" was .38 Special only, but they're wrong. The "Police Service Six" was made in both .357 and .38-only versions.

 

I picked up a blue 4” Security Six a couple years ago. It has small grips, does anyone know who makes grips for these guns?

 

Badger, Hogue, and Pachmayr web pages indicate they still have Security Six grips. Numerich says they have some, too. Of course, eBay will have some, too. If you want the small grips, it will likely be necessary to purchase them from eBay.

 

My Speed Six made a trip to ASP and came back a 5 shot .44 Special.

 

My 1976 Police Service Six .357 2.75" bbl. in a classic SafariLand high ride holster.

 

Here's a few pics of my Police Service Six and the original Brauer Bros. holster bought in 1974. I have the stock wood grips, the rubber grips make it more fun to play with.

 

My father & I both bought one (Security Six- 2 3/4"). I carried mine in the "interim time", between carrying my S&W Mod. 58 and it's replacement, my Ruger RedHawk in .41 mag. An excellent pistol.

 

I turned mine into a RB (round butt) and added Eagle Secret Service Stocks.

Top one is my 66-1 Combat Magnum, right one the Security Six with RB Eagle grips... and yes I still have these two. Had 'em for over 30 years!!!

 

In case it has not been mentioned, a spur-less hammer, in a Speed/Service/Security Six, is NOT, necessarily, a DAO (Double Action Only) hammer. Some spur-less Six hammers actually have checkering at the top-most surface, to facilitate thumb-cocking after first using the trigger to partially cock the hammer. I managed to acquire one of these hammers, apparently a New-Old-Stock item, according to the seller. I tried it in a Security Six that had a particularly bad hitch in its get-along. This particular hammer solved the trigger glitch. So, my 6” Security Six has a spur-less hammer, but, technically, could be cocked. I may yet swap this hammer into a 2.75” Speed six, which would be its more-normal habitat.

 

In 1976, I bought a new Ruger Security Six Stainless 4" barrel for $172.50. On the left side of the frame below the cylinder opening is engraved, "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty". I still own this wonderful revolver and will not part with it. Only mods to it are a set of Pachmayr grips and a touch of red fingernail polish on the rear ramp of the front sight.

 

I like the 1976 run guns ..The mini 14 are done very nice as well with that engraving

 

A barely used blued .357 Service-Six for $185 was my 21st B-Day present to myself in 1997. The LGS had put it under the counter for me and I picked-up directly after leaving the DL office on the afternoon of that magic day. Definitely on my "never sell" list.

 

I've always liked the six series. I've had 2 of these Security Sixes. The first, a six inch model was traded away but this 4 inch model has stayed with me and will for the duration.