The Ruger Six series (Security Six/adjustable sights, Speed Six/fixed sights, Speed Six/ round butt) was Ruger's very first DA revolver introduced in 1972 to compete with the very popular S&W Model 19 K frame revolver. The Six offered strength improvements over the Smith 19 and eliminated all the weak points in that design, plus it was also a touch cheaper. More than that, the Ruger Six series began Ruger's modular takedown design of its DA revolvers that continues to this day. You really have to take down a Ruger Six DA to appreciate how very easy it is to completely field strip for cleaning, no tools needed. Eat your heart out, Smith fans.
As far as frame size, the Six was only a touch heavier than a K frame Smith 357, but the Six DAs were noticeably trimmer than the current Ruger GP-100 that replaced it. This is what endears it to so many Ruger DA revolver fans. The current GP-100 is a great 357, but the GP is a chunk of a 357 DA revolver. The Six, on the other hand, has much the same feel and balance of a Smith K frame 357, but unlike a Smith, is almost impossible to wear out. (The Border Patrol once tested 357 revolvers and went 10,000 rounds with a Ruger Six and found no measurable wear or issues with timing.)
Here's my as new in the box Liberty (made in 1976) Security Six. This is what you got in 1976 when you bought a Security Six and opened the box. Will never shoot this one. It's why I have the other Security Six for shooting.
When Ruger dropped the Six series in 1988, a lot of Ruger DA revolver fans mourned its passing. It was inevitable, though. Bill Ruger was once quoted as saying he never made a dime on the Security Six. Used Sixes tend to be kept by their owners and when one does come up for sale, they tend to be guns that have been used a lot.
My user Security Six at the top of the page (the Security Six is the version with adjustable sights) has had a fair amount of carry wear, but it still locks up like a bank vault, so probably not much shooting wear. It now wears a Pachy grip for more comfy shooting. I keep this one at our bedside and hubby carries it now and then when he patrols the neighborhood in his ATV.
Yesterday, took my shooter Six to the range just to double check zero for close up work. Ammo was all 357 Mag-tech 158s. All shots were unsupported, some in DA, some in SA, some kneeling, some sitting, some full standing, some one hand, some two handed, just as much variety as I could manage as I shot it. No reliability issues, of course. Very easy to shoot, not at all hold sensitive. Just pick it up and shoot kind of gun, hits where you point, always. SA trigger and DA trigger pretty decent, nothing fancy, but very consistent.
Yeah, a Ruger Six 357 DA is about as trustworthy as it gets. Ruger at its best.
