S&W 686 vs. Ruger Police Six

It's as durable but it's not even in the same league as far as fit, finish, trigger, accuracy, or any other meaningful metric. It was developed as a no frills police/security firearm and the only requirement was that it needed to go bang every time the trigger was pulled. You won't wear one out just shooting it.
 
It's as durable
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Saying they are just as strong with a different frame sizes, says a lot for the Six Series. The speed loaders for the Six Series are the same for the k-frame, not the L-frame.

Not the best comparison, but I would take the stronger in the smaller weight and size.

The Six Series measured up to the Smith k-frame is not even debatable for strength.
 
The downside to the Security/Service/Speed six line is that Ruger has only a limited number of spare parts for them so they can only provided limited support. That said, I would rathger spend $450 to $600 for a used Security/Service/Speed Six than $720 for a new 686. S&W and Ruger triggers are different, but I prefer the trigger on my Speed Six more than the ones on my S&Ws -- which are very smooth. It's a bit longer but I like the feel of it.

I also like the lines on the Rugers -- the 686 just does not have the same elogance of the old K-frames (and the full underlug of the 686 has never looked good to me -- what is it -- weight for the sake of weight???).
 
"it's not even in the same league as far as fit, finish, trigger, accuracy"

You must have bought a dud because mine is just fine in every one of those areas. My Pythons are prettier than either one.

John
 
Homerboy:

With a good action job a Smith's action smoothness will shame a Python. I choose the Smith but both are good revolvers.

Semper Fl.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
"it's not even in the same league as far as fit, finish, trigger, accuracy"

You must have bought a dud because mine is just fine in every one of those areas. My Pythons are prettier than either one.

John
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Did someone say you had an ugly baby?
 
As mentioned they are both different size frames. I have a 686-2 4 inch and a Police Service Six 4 inch. The trigger goes to the 686 but the balance and the way the revolver points goes to the Service Six. The 686 is muzzle heavy. That is because its a copy in a lot of ways to the Python.
As a all around revolver my Service Six wins the battle.
Regards,
Howard
 
L's, K's and the Ruger 6 series

The L-frames are considerably bigger and heavier than a Ruger6. So much so, that I never cared for an L as a duty gun, though it was issue to me for about 5-6 yrs. Prior that for an equal amount of time, I carried a K in a variety of versions. This is all on a duty belt festooned w/ all the usual LE goodies.

IN terms of portability, the K's, and the 6's have it hands down.

K's took a rap when the .357/125 load became popular. The L's did not have the "shaved" forcing cone of the K's and solved the erosion problem. The 6's did not have a cone issue either.

I would agree that the 6 series is for all practical purposes, as tough as an L, in a more handy package.
 
It's as durable but it's not even in the same league as far as fit, finish, trigger, accuracy, or any other meaningful metric.
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I have both. Actually, I have 2 Service Sixe's, 1 Speed Six, 1 Security Six, 1 686-1 and 1 681.

The Service Sixes are very well made, very durable and the fit and finish is excellent.

The 686/681's (of old- I don't but new S&W anything) are also well made and the fit and finish is excellent.

The Sixes are beefier because they are cast. People will argue they are stronger, people will argue they are weaker, people will argue they are the same. But it's all opinion. The 686/681's are slimmer because they are forged but have a full under lug while the Sixes do not. Both will serve you well.

I prefer the 686/681 trigger. Even with shimming and polishing, the Six trigger is not the same as a S&W trigger- I did not say which is better because neither is "better", they are just different. The S&W tends to be very smooth throughout the pull, the Sixes stack up before they break. You can get very proficient with either, but it's a different way of shooting.

For the price though, the Sixes cannot be beat.

I am always on the lookout for a cheap Six. The last one I bought came from a Ruger employee straight home. He died and his son sold it off. Never even test fired. No box, but perfect.
 
For the price though, the Sixes cannot be beat.
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Good point SwampYankee.

Right now is the time to buy a Six. Recently picked up 3 and the prices are reasonable.

6" Sec Six blued from pawn shop = $290
4" Sec Six stainless Armslist = $350
4" Service Six stainless gunshow = $329

You can almost buy 3 of these for the ridiculous price of one of those S&Ws classics with the lock (how is that a classic?).
A used 586/686 is a much better deal, I've seen them from $450 to $650, and they don't have the bloody lock! Sorry about mentioning the lock, but it ticks me off when they call it a classic and it really isn't. If people keep paying these ridiculous prices for these so called "classics" S&W is gonna keep making them :mad:.
 
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The gun has a action slicker than owl poop.....built like a tank..

Buy the Smith, and give me the heads up on the Ruger "SIX" :D

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This Speed Six also has had action work ..its even slicker.....turned 550.00 bucks for this gun last week...I couldn't replace it...so I didn't sell it...
 
'scuse me?

Buckeye! said:
The gun has a action slicker than owl poop.....built like a tank..
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I don't disagree with your opinion. Just your analogy.

Have you ever SEEN Owl poop?:eek:

Goose poop is slick. Owl poop is the lumpiest feces produced by any creature with a rectum.:)

Lost Sheep
 
Personally, I never liked the pointability of Ruger Double action pistols. They are by most reports durable and accurate.

Like Johnny said about the glove if it fits wear it.
 
I never liked the pointability either - until I replaced the junky factory wood on them with something a little larger in 1986. My favorite Service-Six grips are Pachmayr Presentations. They're too big for most folks, but not for me.

John
 
I don't have a S&W revolver, though I wouldn't mind having one. I do have a first run Security Six 6" in .357. I love that gun, but with a decent trigger job it still isn't an S&W trigger. It's good. I can shoot really well with it. It just isn't the same though. I guess it's the stacking trigger.

OTOH, SA trigger pull is money.
 
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