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Old December 23, 2012, 04:30 PM   #1
DTrain
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A Classic .357 Ruger Wheel Gun?

So I have no revolvers at the moment. I really like Ruger firearms. I would like to buy a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver but need some help deciding what to get.

If I had to pic from current offerings, it would be a KSP-341X SP101. Just wondering if there are past models that would be considered a classic .357 Mag Ruger revolver that I should also consider that would be comparable to or even better than the KSP-341X SP101.

Thanks!
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Old December 23, 2012, 04:50 PM   #2
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The discontinued "Six" line of double action revolvers are pretty classic 357's. i have on several occasions thought of taking a used one home from a LGS or gun show if I had had the funds at the time. They are a little smaller than the GP line and have a slightly more classic look than any of Ruger's current offerings.

It's definitely something to look into, but you can't go wrong with the gp100 or sp101 either. If you haven't yet, I strongly suggest trying to find one of each in person and seeing how they feel in your hands, then buying whichever one wins.
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Old December 23, 2012, 04:52 PM   #3
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Jewel in the rough post a little further down the page.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=509882

As stated above, any of the older "6" series Rugers would fill your bill.
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Old December 23, 2012, 05:00 PM   #4
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The older six series are hard to beat, except with a Smith.....

My brother has a security Six he has had for 40 years, still shoots as good as the day he bought it.
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Old December 23, 2012, 05:31 PM   #5
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Security Six .
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Old December 23, 2012, 07:05 PM   #6
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As stated, any Ruger Six line of revolvers would be concerned a classic Ruger revolver. An example is my Ruger Police Service Six. There are many others. I am sure one of the members will chime in on there's.
Good luck,
Howard
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Old December 23, 2012, 11:22 PM   #7
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The 4 inch barreled SP101 is a sweet revolver. The fiber optic front sight is nice. The trigger pull is smooth. Shooting double action is my preference. Compared to the 3 inch Smith J frame the Ruger is a pleasure to shoot and pack around. The only negative is 5 shots. I would recommend the SP101.
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Old December 23, 2012, 11:49 PM   #8
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Like the others, I'd also recommend the Security Six. I have the 2-3/4" and the 4" and they are great Ruger classics. I also have and like the SP101, its a little more compact, but its a five shot revolver compared to six with the SS. This is a good little article on the Security Six. http://www.americanrifleman.org/arti...-security-six/.
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Old December 24, 2012, 01:09 AM   #9
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Let one go

I had a Ruger Security Six that I had for a while, but ended up getting rid of a while ago. It had the 6in barrel, and that was bigger than I really needed. I sold it, and regret selling it to this day.

Luckily I found a deal on a Smith Model 19- not the same, but I think I can console myself with it...
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Old December 24, 2012, 02:21 AM   #10
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Get a six shooter. The GP-100.
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Old December 24, 2012, 08:49 AM   #11
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Get a Speed/Security Six. Great revolvers.
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Old December 24, 2012, 10:02 AM   #12
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If you do get an SS, be aware Ruger is no longer supporting them & parts may be hard to find if anything breaks or wears out.
I've had mine since '76, but rarely fire it nowdays.
Denis
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Old December 24, 2012, 10:35 AM   #13
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Thanks for all the great feedback fellas!
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Old December 24, 2012, 11:19 AM   #14
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MY .02 FWIW- I prefer the GP series to the SP series for fun shooting. If I was looking for a carry piece the SP would be great, but after shooting both - I find the GP-100 to be more comfortable for me for target shooting and plinking.
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Old December 24, 2012, 11:30 AM   #15
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Security six
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Old December 25, 2012, 12:40 PM   #16
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Quote:
If you do get an SS, be aware Ruger is no longer supporting them & parts may be hard to find if anything breaks or wears out.
I would not hesitate to buy a Security Six or Service/Speed six even though Ruger does not support parts replacement. A person would have too abuse these revolvers to need parts. These revolvers will outlast the shooter. Other than hand loading a mega round the Six line will handle any factory ammo made these days. Only round I would limit is the 125 gr "flame thrower" running at over 1500 fps. These rounds erode forcing cones on the inner edge.

A reminder, Bill Ruger made the Six series to compete against the S&W model 19. The Security Sixes were much stronger than the S&W 19 and able to handle a steady diet of 357 magnums. Lastly, I feel the Ruger Security Six was the best double action revolver Ruger ever made.
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http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...ServiceSix.jpg
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Old December 25, 2012, 01:34 PM   #17
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roaddog28:

Excellent post. Very accurate statement of facts-which I am totally in agreement with! And the lack of replacement parts nor service from Ruger is not going to prevent me from acquiring more Security/Service/Speed-Sixes whenever I'll find them!
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Old December 25, 2012, 04:09 PM   #18
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I agree on the Security Six. One of the best prices on the used market, and for that low price you get high quality revolver.

As for finding parts? With over a 1.5 million produced the parts are not that hard to come by. Most of the companies still make grips, and the rear sight assembly from the GP, Redhawk, and SRH is the same as the Six. I can take the Rear sight assembly off my Redhawk and install in on my Security Six.
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Old December 25, 2012, 04:43 PM   #19
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A Blackhawk convertible in 357mag/9mm. Hard to beat the versatility of a gun that can shoot 357 magnum, 38 special, and 9mm
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Old December 25, 2012, 05:38 PM   #20
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GP-100 3"barrel.
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Old December 25, 2012, 07:29 PM   #21
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I agree that a Ruger "DA Six" series can still be used as daily carry or any other reasonable purpose, assuming it's in good shape as the vast majority are.

Springs are still available, that's really the only "normal wear" part on it.

I also agree that they should be fed milder forms of 125gr 357Mag at most - stuff like the Cor-Bon DPX 125 is loaded mild and won't hurt the gun. Anything heavier in power should also be heavier in bullet weight.

I am particularly fond of the Speed Six 2.75" and consider it among the finest factory street-fighter revolvers ever made.
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Old December 25, 2012, 08:06 PM   #22
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Factory Correct...

Speed Six with 4 inch or less barrel.
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Old December 26, 2012, 04:47 AM   #23
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Quote:
A Classic .357 Ruger Wheel Gun?
To me "Classic" is an old SA western revolver.

TBS, the SP101 (which I own a CCW 3") is "classic" in my boat.
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Old December 26, 2012, 12:01 PM   #24
DPris
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I'm not advising anybody not to by an SS, just that factory service is no longer available.
Despite the number of SS variants made, NEW parts are NOT widely available, since Ruger hasn't sold them directly to the public or made them generally available through channels the public can use.

My info was informative, not prohibitive.
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Old December 26, 2012, 02:38 PM   #25
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another one for the Six series

My dad recently inherited a fairly large sum of money and he wanted to put some towards starting his own gun collection (we alwways just shot my grandpas guns). one gun on his list was a 357 mag revolver. first he was looking at taurus' because of price, but then in a little pawn shop tucked away in the corner of a strip mall, we found a 1982 Ruger police service six in mint condition. got it for 400 OTD with a really nice holster and a case thrown into the deal.

we put about 100 rounds (mix of .38 special and .357 mag) thru it without a hiccup. super accurate and easy to shoot. only complaint was the skinny factory grips. replaced them with a set of ruger target pieces and now its just about perfect.
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