Favorite woods revolver

HighValleyRanch · November 22, 2020, 01:37 PM

Since everyone is doing the best of, this is my favorite woods pistol.
Ruger Service Six in .357 magnum.
I've been working in the woods today, carrying this in a Hill People Gear Snubby chest pack, and it is extrememly comfortale cutting and splitting logs this morning.
Pretty much stock except for the modified bisley hammer and carved wood grips I made for it.

Why a snub nose? Because where I live, this piece has to also be on my CCW permit as well, and be carried discreetly.

rclark · November 22, 2020, 02:22 PM

Nice! Mine is the generic .45 Colt BH (flattop for lower 48) and of course open carry.

DaleA · November 22, 2020, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Why a snub nose? Because where I live, this piece has to also be on my CCW permit as well, and be carried discreetly.

Oh good grief!

In no way shape or form is that "common sense" gun control. If they let you carry what does it matter WHAT you carry? I know, I'm preaching to the choir here but I kind of think I need to be reminded of what might come to MY state if we're not careful.

P.S. Is "deadlier" even a word? As in, "this gun is "deadlier", or "too deadly" or "excessively deadly"? (Again, I know I'm preaching to the choir but really, if you got into a legal fracas wouldn't any real firearm be treated as "deadly force"?)

BTW, I am an admitted Ruger fanboy and always felt the Security Six the Speed Six and the Service Six were some of the best revolvers made, both for their price and their sturdy construction. I favored the Security model because of the adjustable sights.

Disclaimer: I just possibly might be getting confused about the models here. Yours looks VERY nice.

Just an additional note: the Ruger revolver model stuff bugged me so much I went online and found this very nice review from Brownells. It's one of their "From the Vault" series. Right near the end he goes through the Ruger models so it isn't just about the Service Six.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NSKyf7ZovQ

reteach · November 22, 2020, 04:22 PM

HVR - Nice looking ratchet.

I see the "Service Six" marking on the frame but that looks like a round butt Speed Six. I know that Ruger wasn't very consistent in the early days of the Six series double actions, like making some Security Sixes with fixed sights and round butts. I think they even made some that were marked Service Six and had round butts.

I like those revolvers, so yours makes me curious. Did yours come with a round butt or did you modify it? Or did you work some kind of magic with the grips you made to make it look like a round butt?

mk70ss · November 22, 2020, 04:28 PM

Mine is a 4 inch S&W Model 48 .22 magnum.

mrt949 · November 22, 2020, 04:44 PM

4" security six ss or sp101 2.25 "

HighValleyRanch · November 22, 2020, 04:54 PM

Magic!LOL. I made round butt grips but left the front corner sharp so it looked more like a birdshead grip. You are right, the service six comes stock with the square butt frame. These grips were made for my past security six, and I drilled a lanyard hole where the round part of the grips left the frame exposed. I like the option to put on a lanyard for woods carry. So I plan to do the same on this frame as well. Just haven't got around to it yet.

dgludwig · November 22, 2020, 08:03 PM

Quote:

P.S. Is "deadlier" even a word? As in, "this gun is "deadlier", or "too deadly" or "excessively deadly"?

Dead is dead-a doornail comes to mind.

mxsailor803 · November 22, 2020, 08:13 PM

I actually have 3 favorites depending on what I’m doing in the woods: 6” 629 Smith, Ruger LCR .38spl, and Heritage Rough Rider in .22LR. Now all 3 serve a different purpose obviously. Lately I’ve been carrying the LCR more and more. I carried the Heritage for close to 15 years as a boat gun/trap gun. The Smith is my normal carry during hunting season since I also hunt with it.

reteach · November 22, 2020, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Magic!

I see the metal now that you point it out. Thought it was part of the shadow. I like the idea of the lanyard. Gives you some extra security when you're working or traveling rough ground.

bamaranger · November 23, 2020, 12:35 AM

My light woods revolver is a Ruger Single Six, 6" tube (?) with the .22 mag cylinder. I probably shoot that longer barreled sixgun better than any pistol I own. It rides crossdraw in a Triple K cartridge belt and flap holster.

On the heavy side, I've carried a Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8" /.357 more than any other revolver. The Blackhawk goes in a leather "aviator holster" shoulder/chest rig. Oddly, the 629/.44 Mtn Gun I bought for the purpose of woods carry, has not been carried much at all.

Sarge · November 23, 2020, 07:26 AM

Love those grips HVR. Those Speed/Service Sixes are great revolvers.

jmr40 · November 23, 2020, 08:05 AM

Years ago I had one of the 2 3/4" Security Sixes. One of the only guns I've ever sold and regret.

shurshot · November 23, 2020, 02:39 PM

Very slick revolver!!!

Sanch · November 23, 2020, 03:42 PM

If I were to carry a revolver in bear habitat, it'd be a .357 Mag loaded with 180 grain hard cast.

My wilderness handgun is a 1911-A1 .45 ACP.

Sarge · November 23, 2020, 07:38 PM

My woods revolver is an old Iver Johnson Cattleman 44 Magnum with fixed sights and an 1860 grip frame. It shot a little high so I soldered some brass stock onto the front sight and worked it down until it was on at 100 yards with 240 XTP at 1425 fps. Does OK with a 205 grain 44 WCF duplication load at 50 feet, once I figured out I needed to hold in the black- not under it.

The 'gold' bar at top of front sight was an added bonus and makes it easy to see in the dark old woods. The revolver is lighter than it looks and carrying it butt forward on the left keeps the muzzle out of the way. I like it a lot.

shafter · November 23, 2020, 08:01 PM

To the OP - what a perfect looking woods gun.

My preferred is a Security Six with a 4'' barrel. Standard stocks.

skywag · November 23, 2020, 08:08 PM

.357 magnum

Carmady · November 23, 2020, 08:46 PM

I'm down to two revolvers, so the 3" 65-2 beats the 2" 10-5.

Brian48 · December 2, 2020, 09:36 PM

My Model 29 with a 6" barrel is just too bulky for me to take hiking. I pack this one in .357mag.

rob-c · December 3, 2020, 08:00 AM

I used to carry lcr 38 but have since bought a Rock island 1911 in 10mm that I will be carrying in a alien gear chest rig. I was really going back and forth between the 8 shot redhawk in 357 and the 10mm , but since I have 4 357’s didn’t own a semi I figured why not. I know I know it’s favorite wood revolver ..

Doyle · December 3, 2020, 08:36 AM

Mine is a 2 3/4" SS Security Six. In the interest of saving a few ounces, I'll likely be migrating to a 4" SP101.

CajunBass · December 3, 2020, 09:07 AM

I don't get out into the woods much anymore, but when I did, my favorite "bumming" gun was a High Standard Sentinel 22 revolver with a 4" barrel. With it's alloy frame, in an Uncle Mikes Sidekick holster it was light as a feather. Toss a handful of 22's into an Uncle Mikes ammo pouch and I was good for a days bumming around the woods.

shurshot · December 3, 2020, 09:20 AM

OP; So is a woods gun to be considered the same as a "Trail gun"? Opening up a can of worms here...

natman · December 3, 2020, 10:48 AM

Mine is a 4", adjustable sight 44 Special Charter Arms Target Bulldog. It's been finished in GunKote and is loaded with Buffalo Arms 200 grain wadcutters.

Very light and potent package.

My ultimate woods gun would be an S&W 329 PD, but they were about $1000 more than the Charter.

November 22, 2020, 02:22 PM	#2
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 2,619	Nice! Mine is the generic .45 Colt BH (flattop for lower 48) and of course open carry. __________________ A clinger and deplorable, MAGA, and life NRA member. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes colloquially referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. That said, the .44Spec is right up their too... but the .45 Colt is still the king.

November 22, 2020, 04:28 PM	#5
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Mine is a 4 inch S&W Model 48 .22 magnum. __________________ Say when.....

November 22, 2020, 04:44 PM	#6
mrt949 Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,692	4" security six ss or sp101 2.25 " __________________ No Gun Big Or Small Does It All

November 22, 2020, 04:54 PM	#7
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	Magic!LOL. I made round butt grips but left the front corner sharp so it looked more like a birdshead grip. You are right, the service six comes stock with the square butt frame. These grips were made for my past security six, and I drilled a lanyard hole where the round part of the grips left the frame exposed. I like the option to put on a lanyard for woods carry. So I plan to do the same on this frame as well. Just haven't got around to it yet. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

November 23, 2020, 12:35 AM	#11
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	heavy and light My light woods revolver is a Ruger Single Six, 6" tube (?) with the .22 mag cylinder. I probably shoot that longer barreled sixgun better than any pistol I own. It rides crossdraw in a Triple K cartridge belt and flap holster. On the heavy side, I've carried a Ruger Blackhawk 4-5/8" /.357 more than any other revolver. The Blackhawk goes in a leather "aviator holster" shoulder/chest rig. Oddly, the 629/.44 Mtn Gun I bought for the purpose of woods carry, has not been carried much at all.

November 22, 2020, 04:22 PM	#4
reteach Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2016 Location: Texas Posts: 378	HVR - Nice looking ratchet. I see the "Service Six" marking on the frame but that looks like a round butt Speed Six. I know that Ruger wasn't very consistent in the early days of the Six series double actions, like making some Security Sixes with fixed sights and round butts. I think they even made some that were marked Service Six and had round butts. I like those revolvers, so yours makes me curious. Did yours come with a round butt or did you modify it? Or did you work some kind of magic with the grips you made to make it look like a round butt?

November 22, 2020, 08:13 PM	#9
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	I actually have 3 favorites depending on what I’m doing in the woods: 6” 629 Smith, Ruger LCR .38spl, and Heritage Rough Rider in .22LR. Now all 3 serve a different purpose obviously. Lately I’ve been carrying the LCR more and more. I carried the Heritage for close to 15 years as a boat gun/trap gun. The Smith is my normal carry during hunting season since I also hunt with it.

November 23, 2020, 07:26 AM	#12
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Love those grips HVR. Those Speed/Service Sixes are great revolvers. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

November 23, 2020, 08:05 AM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	Years ago I had one of the 2 3/4" Security Sixes. One of the only guns I've ever sold and regret. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

November 23, 2020, 02:39 PM	#14
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	Very slick revolver!!!

November 23, 2020, 03:42 PM	#15
Sanch Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2020 Posts: 154	If I were to carry a revolver in bear habitat, it'd be a .357 Mag loaded with 180 grain hard cast. My wilderness handgun is a 1911-A1 .45 ACP.

November 23, 2020, 07:38 PM	#16
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	My woods revolver is an old Iver Johnson Cattleman 44 Magnum with fixed sights and an 1860 grip frame. It shot a little high so I soldered some brass stock onto the front sight and worked it down until it was on at 100 yards with 240 XTP at 1425 fps. Does OK with a 205 grain 44 WCF duplication load at 50 feet, once I figured out I needed to hold in the black- not under it. The 'gold' bar at top of front sight was an added bonus and makes it easy to see in the dark old woods. The revolver is lighter than it looks and carrying it butt forward on the left keeps the muzzle out of the way. I like it a lot. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

November 23, 2020, 08:01 PM	#17
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	To the OP - what a perfect looking woods gun. My preferred is a Security Six with a 4'' barrel. Standard stocks.

November 23, 2020, 08:08 PM	#18
skywag Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2011 Posts: 254	.357 magnum

December 3, 2020, 08:00 AM	#21
rob-c Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2013 Posts: 151	I used to carry lcr 38 but have since bought a Rock island 1911 in 10mm that I will be carrying in a alien gear chest rig. I was really going back and forth between the 8 shot redhawk in 357 and the 10mm , but since I have 4 357’s didn’t own a semi I figured why not. I know I know it’s favorite wood revolver ..

December 3, 2020, 08:36 AM	#22
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Mine is a 2 3/4" SS Security Six. In the interest of saving a few ounces, I'll likely be migrating to a 4" SP101.

December 3, 2020, 09:07 AM	#23
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I don't get out into the woods much anymore, but when I did, my favorite "bumming" gun was a High Standard Sentinel 22 revolver with a 4" barrel. With it's alloy frame, in an Uncle Mikes Sidekick holster it was light as a feather. Toss a handful of 22's into an Uncle Mikes ammo pouch and I was good for a days bumming around the woods. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

December 3, 2020, 09:20 AM	#24
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 1,819	OP; So is a woods gun to be considered the same as a "Trail gun"? Opening up a can of worms here...

December 3, 2020, 10:48 AM	#25
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,605	Mine is a 4", adjustable sight 44 Special Charter Arms Target Bulldog. It's been finished in GunKote and is loaded with Buffalo Arms 200 grain wadcutters. Very light and potent package. My ultimate woods gun would be an S&W 329 PD, but they were about $1000 more than the Charter. __________________ Time Travelers' Wisdom: Never Do Yesterday What Should Be Done Tomorrow. If At Last You Do Succeed, Never Try Again.