Ruger Double Action Revolvers

[jumbeaux]

Never owned anything but Smith & Wesson double action revolvers so I would like some advice. Having re-read the outstanding revolver post from Outpost I am considering a Ruger now. How does the GP100 3" compare with the discontinued Speed Six and Police Service Six (primarily 38 Special +P loads) ? Thank you all.

rick

[FergusonTO35]

Having owned both, I will say the Six series is a better choice if you are mostly shooting +P's. The GP is heavy and thick even for .357 use. I personally think the Six has a better trigger pull and the skinny wood grips actually feel really good to me. My 1988 Service Six .38 is one of the last guns I would ever part with. If you are willing to consider something other than Smith or Ruger, Rossi makes some very nice wheelguns at excellent prices.

[Guesser]

I don't like the overall size/weight of the GP series. That said.....they are hell for stout, will last way past my shooting life. I really do like the long discontinued "six" series, Security, Service and Speed. I like "K" frame sized revolvers and the GP doesn't fit. Just my opinion and worth exactly what anyone pays to hear it. Good guns; all!!

[Outpost75]

In looking for a Security Six, Speed Six or Service six, the very best ones are those having a 161- serial number prefix or later, which were produced after completion of the transition from Mil-I-45208 to Mil-Q-9858A inspection standards (post June 1984.)

[Outpost75]

In looking for a Security Six, Speed Six or Service six, the very best ones are those having a 161- serial number prefix or later, as they were produced after completion of the transition from Mil-I-45208 to Mil-Q-9858A inspection standards, (post June 1984.) The US Customs and Border Patrol, RCMP, French Police and India Police service sixes were the best revolvers that Ruger has ever made.

[FergusonTO35]

I saw news footage of Indian police carrying Service Sixes during the Mumbai terrorist attacks. They are probably still in service.

[Wayne Dobbs]

In looking for a Security Six, Speed Six or Service six, the very best ones are those having a 161- serial number prefix or later, as they were produced after completion of the transition from Mil-I-45208 to Mil-Q-9858A inspection standards, (post June 1984.) The US Customs and Border Patrol, RCMP, French Police and India Police service sixes were the best revolvers that Ruger has ever made.

I have a 151 Speed Six, a 156 Service Six and a 161 Security Six. Now I just wish I could find a gunsmith that would do a great action job on them! Seems nobody wants to work on the older Rugers, just the GPs.

[Hogdaddy]

I have a 151 Speed Six, a 156 Service Six and a 161 Security Six. Now I just wish I could find a gunsmith that would do a great action job on them! Seems nobody wants to work on the older Rugers, just the GPs.

I also have a 151 pre fix service six,, Would not part with it for nothing. I reckon the gun smith wont touch them cause they're discontinued ,, just a guess ; )
H/D

[dubber123]

I'm a S&W guy for the most part, but I do like the slimmer "Six" series guns. I have run into a particularly bad example, a 6" Security Six, so be aware they are not all peaches. They made clunkers just like every other company, so a good pre-buy check is always best.

[Petrol & Powder]

Never owned anything but Smith & Wesson double action revolvers so I would like some advice. Having re-read the outstanding revolver post from Outpost I am considering a Ruger now. How does the GP100 3" compare with the discontinued Speed Six and Police Service Six (primarily 38 Special +P loads) ? Thank you all.

rick

I cannot approach the level of knowledge that Outpost75 possess but in reference to the Ruger Speed-Six, Police Service-Six and GP-100; I do have a fairly extensive knowledge base.

The GP-100 was introduced in 1985 and the DA "Six" series were discontinued in 1988; so there was a little bit of overlap between those series. The GP-100 is essentially Ruger's response to Smith & Wesson's "L" frame series (581, 586, 681 & 686) BUT the GP-100 also replaced the "Six" series revolvers after 1988.

The Police Service-Six and the Speed-Six are essentially the same guns with different grip frames (Service-Six has a square butt profile and the Speed-Six has a round butt profile). So beyond barrel lengths and grip profiles, there are not a lot of differences between the Service-Six and Speed-Six. That brings us to the differences between the Six series and the GP-100 series.

The GP-100 is based on the Six series but is an entirely new design. (peg style grip frame, crane lock, non-rotating extractor rod, different lock work, thicker cylinder, heavier barrel profile, etc.) Both the GP-100 and the older Six series are excellent guns. Ruger produced approximately 1.5 million "Six" series DA revolvers and Ruger is still making the GP-100. Both designs are strong and durable. Both designs are more than strong enough to handle a steady diet of 38 Special +P loads. The GP-100 is a bit larger overall when compared to the older Six series.

In 3" barrel lengths the GP-100 with its thick profile full lug barrel, slightly larger cylinder and peg grip frame will just about equal the slightly slimmer 2 3/4" Speed-Six in terms of weight.

Attachment 219420
3" GPNY and 2 3/4" Speed-Six

They are both excellent guns and more than capable of handling all of the 38 Special +P loads you care to put through them.

To answer the OP's question, How do they compare?
I would say the Six series is a bit thinner overall but they are both outstanding DA revolvers.

In practice, I consider the "Six" series to be Ruger's version of a super strong S&W K-frame and the GP-100 to be comparable to a S&W L frame.

[cabezaverde]

Just remember that Roger does not have parts any longer. That’s why mine doesn’t go out as often.

[Petrol & Powder]

Ruger doesn't support the DA Six series anymore but those guns seldom break and there are lots of used parts available on the open market.
Ruger does support the GP-100 series.

[contender1]

First,, to the OP. The "Six" series of Ruger DA revolvers are excellent. BUT,,, so is the GP series. I have owned several Six series guns for decades. Never saw the "need" for a GP. Yet,, I wrapped my paw around a GP-100 Match Champion,,,and WOW was it nice. I had shot other Gp's in the past,,, but this one just "fit." I now own a couple of Gp's and all my Six series too. Oh, and BTW; Ruger has announced the new GP-100 MC in 10 mm. Guess I'll be adding another one!
My point being,,, BOTH are good, so get what fits YOU! And remember,,, a different set of grips can make a big difference,,, either good or bad.

Wayne; A good gunsmith for the Six series is "RoninPa" a Ruger Forum member, a member here,, and he also collects & uses them a lot. If you can't find him, PM me & I'll put you in touch with him.

Parts for the Six series; Rarely do you need any, but they are still easily found.

[lightload]

Teddy Jacobsen in Sugar Land, Tx works on them.

[Walkingwolf]

It's a shame that Ruger dropped the six series, but hey S&W still makes the K frame.

[andre3k]

Teddy Jacobsen in Sugar Land, Tx works on them.

At one point I thought he wasn't going to make it much longer but he's still alive. His gunsmithing operations have ceased now that hes's constantly in and out of the hospital.

[respiegel]

Ruger has some newer half lug GPs on their website now. I’d imagine that would help the balance. That said, I love my GP-100, but prefer the six series grips


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[BCB]

I have a 151 Security Six and if the 161 is better, it sure must be one masterful piece of weaponry!!!...

I bought my 151 (top pic) sometime in the early 70’s, post-Uncle Sam, and I have no idea how many rounds have been fired through it. Thousands and thousands for sure. Many times when I go to my range to shoot some other project, I carry this ol’ Six and fire a couple of cylinders out of it just for something to do…

The other one is a GP-100 in the same 357 Magnum cartridge. It’s a 171 series. Got that one from my dad before his passing in ’12. Haven’t really shot it much, but just yesterday I was thinking about putting some 358429’s through it in the near future—if we ever get any acceptable weather…

Of the several other Rugers I own, the 151 Security Six is my favorite…

Good-luck…BCB

[JMax]

Ruger makes fine revolvers but I shoot DA exclusively and the narrow trigger and shorter trigger radius or curve is not suitable for for my fingers. So if you have large hands and shoot DA only I suggest that you go to a range where you can fire one and try 100 rounds DA.

[BCB]

Ruger makes fine revolvers but I shoot DA exclusively and the narrow trigger and shorter trigger radius or curve is not suitable for for my fingers. So if you have large hands and shoot DA only I suggest that you go to a range where you can fire one and try 100 rounds DA.

If you notice on my Security Six (top handgun) I have the trigger taped with electrician's tape. It does help to widen it a bit, plus I don't get "stung" from the trigger. I don't know what makes the trigger cause abrasion on my index finger, but it does. Might be the grooves in it...

BCB