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.

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


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[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

[Petrol & Powder]

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

I noticed that tape in the picture.
I don't care for a grooved trigger face and I routinely smooth and polish triggers to remove those grooves.
It's not a difficult process; you remove the trigger from the trigger group and clamp it in a padded vise. The grooves are ground off, the trigger face is then rounded and polished. Everything is reassembled and you never have to deal with it again. If you're not comfortable doing the job, any competent gunsmith can do it for you.

[bob208]

i have 3 security-six pistols.the first i bought usr]ed in1977 a 4 inch stainless. stamped made in the200 th year. it was my go to gun for 20 years. it is retired to the night stand. i picked up another 4inch stainless to replace that one. also have a 6 inch blue i used for bulleseye and falling plate. i don't think i will ever wear one out.

[Xringshooter]

You can replace the grooved trigger on a Six series revolver with a later model smooth trigger, they have not changed the dimensions other than removing the grooves so they are a drop in replacement. You can find them at Numrich Gun Parts, Gunbroker and eBay. You can also try Tylers (the T-Grip people) they make trigger shoes for the Six series. http://www.t-grips.com/ I believe they are still in business (at least their web site shows it was updated in Dec 2017)

[knuckleball]

From a guy who owns both. If you want pretty buy S&W. If you want a better designed workhorse buy Ruger.
I only buy and shoot Ruger now-a-days...

[FergusonTO35]

Personally, I think the Six series is better looking than anything S&W ever made!

[2ndAmendmentNut]

I’ve owned both a GP and Security Six. Both revolvers are stout utilitarian wheel guns. Reliable and reasonably accurate. I could never get used to the triggers though. I traded off the GP because I found it bulky and nowhere near as accurate as my S&Ws. The Security Six would have been traded or sold off had the Mrs. not claimed it as hers. When it comes to 357mag double action wheel guns S&Ws are the only way to go for me.


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[FergusonTO35]

Nothing wrong with liking what works best for you!

[Petrol & Powder]

OK, so this where we turn this thread into a Ford vs. Chevy discussion ;-)

I have owned, shot and worked on a large number of DA revolvers over the years. I currently have a small pile of S&W revolvers and a small pile of Ruger revolvers. I like both makes and they are both excellent DA revolvers.

The Ruger DA Six Series revolvers (Security-Six, Service-Six and Speed-Six) are roughly the same size as the S&W K-frame revolvers.

The S&W K-frames are excellent revolvers.

The Ruger DA Six series guns are also excellent revolvers.

Both the Ruger and the S&W K-frames will handle 38 Special loads with no problems.
When we step up to .357 magnum the differences become a little more pronounced. There are S&W K-frames chambered in .357 magnum such as the models: 13, 19, 65 and 66. Those .357 mag S&W K-Frames are fine guns but they do not match the strength and durability of the Ruger Six series. The Ruger Six series are considerably stronger than the S&W K-frames but that's not to say the S&W K-frames are weak.
In 1981 S&W addressed the issue of the .357 mag in the K-frame by introducing the S&W L-Frames (models 581, 586, 681, 686) . A few years later.....Circa 1985.... Ruger introduced the GP-100. In 1988, Ruger discontinued the DA Six series (Security-Six, Service-Six and Speed-Six).

The Ruger GP-100 and the S&W L-frames are the same class of DA revolver. Both are capable of withstanding heavy use of .357 magnum loads for the life of the revolver.
The S&W K-frames will handle a lifetime of 38 Special loads with no problems but .357 mag loads will accelerate the wear. Lightweight .357 mag bullets (110 & 125 grain) will significantly accelerate the wear on a S&W K-frame. (been there, done that, have the Tee-shirt).

In terms of brute strength and durability - the Rugers win hands down. That is not to say the Smith & Wesson's are weak.

I'm not going to get into the whole S&W/Bill Jordan/Bill Ruger discussion but I will say that the Ruger Six series Started off as .357 mag guns and the S&W K-frames were adapted to the magnum cartridge.

This debate is as old as Ford v. Chevy.

[Biggfoot44]

What was said above .

I have huge fingers, and almost always shoot DA , but no issues with doing so with Six series Rugers , another case of YMMV , but haven't heard of it being a problem.

You will hear from S&W aficionados ( disclosure , I am a S&W fan) that S&W has better triggers, particularly DA . There is a grain of truth that a skilled 'smith can obtain a really, really light pull on an S&W . But I prefer and recomend a more "normal"-ish weight with emphasis on smoothness and consistency. A good 'smith , or simply well broken in Ruger -Six is capable of an excellent trigger .

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Been hauling about a S&W Model 13-3 3" for near 15 years on my body, in the car and on the 2 wheelers. Been fed a steady diet of 160-170 grain cast at 900 fps plus those occasional 158 factory loads at 1250 FPS with never an issue. I have no regrets buying it and look forward to enjoying it for years more.
They are for sale still. With just a little looking about some nice ones are out there.
Mike in Peru

[Petrol & Powder]

Mike - that 3" model 13 is one of the best all-around wheel guns out there. It sounds like you are using it exactly the way the magnum K-frames were intended to be used; moderate loads most of the time with the occasional full power magnum load. And confining it to the longer 158 grain (160-170 in your case) bullets.
One of my favorite revolvers is my 3" model 65, basically a stainless version on the Model 13, and I'm certain it will outlast me.

Biggfoot44 - I couldn't agree more concerning a smooth trigger pull vs. a light trigger pull.
We've all heard the line, "S&W has a better trigger than a Ruger". That line is generally uttered by Gun Store Commandos but it gets repeated often. There's some basis of truth in that statement but it's also a bit of misleading rumor as well. The lock work of those two DA actions is completely different and that results in different feel to the DA pull. The geometry of the Trigger/hammer/DA sear/main spring/etc. is not the same between the Ruger and S&W designs. In addition, the Ruger lock work could stand a little better finishing before the gun leaves the factory.

To make matters worse, the early GP-100's developed a bad reputation for heavy DA triggers when they were first introduced. Ruger addressed those issues but the damage was done.

A Ruger Six series or GP-100 that has been broken in will have a very good DA pull.
With a little bit of judicious polishing, some reduced power springs and maybe some shims; The DA Ruger trigger can be vastly improved.
The Ruger will probably never rival the DA pull of an old S&W but it can rival a modern S&W.

[FergusonTO35]

The DA pull of the Ruger LCR is miles ahead of the current J-frame, I think.

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

I know my LCR trigger is smoother than my GP100, AND that GP has many rounds through it along with being an early Wiley Clapp model. The GP100 is as good as anything else on the gunshelf that I have played with in a store, but that LCR is just that good. It even beat my old M19 (tuned to make a DAO by a great smith) that had no equal in the DA trigger pull department previously.

Anyway, back to the original discussion......

[jmort]

"The DA pull of the Ruger LCR is miles ahead of the current J-frame, I think."

Correct. Not even close. I have had 6 J Frames. Only one left. Have 5 LCRs/LCRx
Crazy good triggers.

[FergusonTO35]

An LCRx is on my wish list. Hopefully we will see more grip options available soon, my S&W 637 with Pachmayr Compac Pro is the best grip for a snubby I have ever tried.

[Bareen]

I absolutely love my LCRx in 357. Smooth trigger pull. I haven't shot too many revolvers in my time compared to most of you, but it's still my favorite.

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

An LCRx is on my wish list. Hopefully we will see more grip options available soon, my S&W 637 with Pachmayr Compac Pro is the best grip for a snubby I have ever tried.

I have to go the other way with smaller J frame/5 shot revolvers on stocks. I usually up size them a bit for better hand purchase. For the LCR I have, I found the Pachmeyer G10's stock to work wonderfully for me, and it was just a bit wider than the factory, but gave me the additional length for the little finger to wrap around and positively control recoil.
Alot of revolver stock fitment has to do with hand size and strength, so there is no perfect match for everyone. My choices tend to run towards larger than smaller ......that is what works for me.

[FergusonTO35]

Yes, you gotta go with what works best for you. I find the OEM grip of my 637 is pretty good, however I don't like the finger groove and wish it were very slightly longer. The Compac Pro addresses both concerns. On larger revolver I find that old school wood panel grips work best for me.