What are the collective thoughts on the Speed Six? I can't really justify paying $519 for that one right now but I am tempted...it would go great with my Security Six.
What are the collective thoughts on the Speed Six? I can't really justify paying $519 for that one right now but I am tempted...it would go great with my Security Six.
I have 2 of these one .357 and the other. 38 with a bobbed hammer. I like them, I have heard that they were postal guns but don't know what for sure.
They were duty revolvers for the United States Postal Inspection service. They investigate crimes involving the US mails, such as mail fraud, dope smuggling through the mail and child porn. Good bunch of guys in my experience. They don't carry these guns anymore though (last time I dealt with them, they were in Sigs).
Regional Government Sales Manager for Aimpoint, Inc. USA
Co-owner Hardwired Tactical Shooting (HiTS)
I love my Speed Six; in a hip holster it can't be beaten for power and reliability.
Not many folks know it, but Pat Rogers (RIP, brother) carried a 2 3/4 Speed Six while working Central Robbery back in the bad old days of NYC. He shot somewhere around a half dozen people with that gun and did quite well. He always said that .38 Special worked just fine as long as you did fine placing shots. When Pat talked about gunfighting with a revolver, I listened very carefully.
Regional Government Sales Manager for Aimpoint, Inc. USA
Co-owner Hardwired Tactical Shooting (HiTS)
Any of the Ruger -Six guns are exceptionally durable, reliable and accurate. I think it eminently makes sense to concentrate on variations of a specific platform, rather than different platforms. You get potential standardization of motor skills, holsters, pouches, speedloaders, cartridges, etc. $510 for the one considered is not unreasonable in the least, in my opinion.
There are some pretty credible .38 Special +P loads out there-they integrate nicely with the -Six guns, I personally prefer them to .357 magnum-I save that for my GP100 and Blackhawk.
A USPS 3" Speed Six is one of the -Six holy grail guns...most Speed Six's are 2.75"
Historically, -Sixes have been somewhat undervalued, especially when compared to comparable 19/66 S&W revolvers. Arguably, people seemingly hanging on to them once obtained makes it a bit difficult to get a market value feel-there are pros and cons to that. The market seems to be catching on to the inherent value of the -Sixes, though, and prices seem to be slowly rising. A competent, knowledgeable gunsmith can significantly tune the -Six action, providing it with a quite nice trigger pull.
Best, Jon
Last edited by JonInWA; 03-21-2019 at 04:41 PM.
Here are the 2 I have.
I am surprised how easy it is to shoot the security six well.
If I was given proper training, an extra revolver to practice with, and good equipment, I would prefer carrying the Security Six over the XDM .40 I was issued 10 years ago.
A -Six, in a credible holster, with vetted cartridges, concentrated training and use, and adequate speedloaders is a very viable duty/defensive weapon for many potential scenarios. But I'd counsel very intensive training particularly regarding low-light and nighttime use. Best, Jon