Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum...Should it be retired?

S

Southern Shooter

New member
My daughter spends a lot of time in the mountains of Utah and wanted a gun to carry while she was out hiking and/or camping. I offered her my S&W 629 .44 Magnum. And, even though she could shoot it the grip frame is a bit large for her hands (she is barely 5' 3"). I have an early 1980's production Ruger Security-Six .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel, a Hogue monogrip, nice trigger pull, that has perfect timing and rock solid lock-up, and fits her hand. My thought is that with 158-200 grain hard cast bullets she could take care of herself while out and about.

I have been catching a little flack from friends who say that because the Security-Six parts are near impossible to get that I should get her a more recent production gun like the SP101 .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel. Then if something happens to the gun it can more easily be repaired.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks
 
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Why would you think you'd need to get parts? That gun will take thousands and thousands more rounds before you even think of getting parts for it. Also, Ruger can still provide parts for the gun and any good gunsmith can make or repair a part if needed. I had a Ruger Security Six that was customized by Bill Davis and has had at least 50,000 rounds fired out of it with no repairs to date. I sold it to another shooter who shoots it every week and he's put several thousand rounds out of it. I would give her the gun and never have second thoughts about it.
 
Odds are pretty low that she's gonna break it or wear it out, they are one of the best built 357s ever and will stand up to a lot of shooting.
 
Why that shootin' iron is barely 30 years old.
Probably ain't even broken in good, yet.

Sounds like a good subject for a new conversation - what's the oldest gun you have?
 
Oldest gun?

I have a 1936-1938 Mossberg Model 25A .22 rifle and a 1940 H&R .22 revolver, 1953 H&R .22 revolver, and a 1960 J.C. Higgins Model 88 .22 revolver. And, yes, I use them often. :)

I have thought about using the "I want/need a new gun" excuse. LOL...I have used that excuse too many times. It is a costly excuse.
 
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One of the things I have never needed in my life is a part for a gun...any gun. I'm sure they break from time to time but it's never happened to me.

But let's assume for a moment that it might, so you "retire" it. What good is it doing you now? You're not shooting it. It might as well be broken.

Either way, you're not shooting it.
 
An Unused Gun Is An Unhappy Gun

CajunBass,
Point well made. My guns are "tools" to me...they each have a purpose. Take care of them, wisely use them, if they break try and fix them, if they can't be fixed and they have sentimental value then make them a wall-hanger.

What better use of a gun than to protect a loved one.

Thanks for the reminder.

:)
 
The concern probably is that it might fail when it was most needed.
The oldest handgun I now have is a mere 40 years and I'd trust it anywhere.
The oldest long gun is 68 years old, a relic from WW2, and it works just fine.
Most guns will outlast many generations, even with regular use.
There might be something wrong in the universe if the stuff we make is better than us.
 
Because it's "new", so you wouldn't have any problems with parts availability. (not that you'll need any) For a woman in particular, it's a bit smaller and more wieldy than a S.S., and the 3" bbl. makes a nice compromise. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the S.S. and have had several over the years. If the 4" bbl. is ok for you there's also the new SP101 w/ 4.2" bbl. and adjustable sights. Just trying to throw out some alternatives.
 
The Ruger is a solid, dependable gun. If it suits her, and she it, its a no-brainer.

If you want to get her something in current production, by all means do so, but there is no need.

The most dangerous critter commonly encountered while hiking walks on two legs. For that, I would recommend a good 125gr JHP load. A speedloader with hard cast 158s to switch to in bear country. The 125gr would also be fine medicine for cougar, wolf, or coyote if needed. Many will carry a shot load as the first up, as snakes are most common of all, in warm enough weather.

I'm an old S&W (pre lock) guy for DA revolvers, but I do know the Security Six, and even I won't tell you to get a S&W instead. ;)

Lots of folks these days are big on the 180gr or heavier bullets, but in a mid size revolver, with a 4" barrel, I think a 158/160 hard cast slug will get you as much as you need, and then some, plus being a little easier on the gun, and the shooter.
 
Sounds like a good choice to me. If load it up with first shotshell, two FMJ & three JHP , but I'm funny that way.
 
One benefit to ruger (and I love S&W) is in the unlikely event the six is beyond repair ruger will sell you a gp or sp at cost (like less than
400 bucks) shipped right to your door

I have a service six and have no doubt my grandkids will shoot it and my son is only 7!
 
USE it, ...

let the grandkids worry about parts.

I carried two speedloaders full of the Federal 180gr hot cast leads for hiking in the Cascades.
 
That gun is a really excellent piece for the described role.

It is a fraction larger than an S&W K-frame 357 but significantly stronger. Smaller than a GP100 or S&W L-frame, not much heavier than an SP101 but holds an extra shot.

Ruger stopped making the DA "Six series" mainly because they were too expensive to produce, and people assumed they were weak because they were similar in size to the K-frame S&Ws that did have long-term reliability issues, esp. when the latter were pushed hard with hot 125gr loads that were becoming popular in police circles.

It's as reliable as anything else you can score for her. I'd say put it into service.
 
I have a security six that I bought new in 1975 and it still is in excellent shape.
I do not know what parts you expect to break but I do know people that have had problems with brand new guns. If you have not had problems with this piece then why should your daughter.
 
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