Ruger N.O.S. Speed-Six

[Petrol & Powder]

I was checking out Gun Broker and noticed a New Old Stock Speed-Six being auctioned from Ruger's Special Collection. More than a week to go on that auction and the bidding is already over $1500 !

O.K., it's in excellent condition with solid provenance but $1500+, I would love to own it but that's outside my comfort zone.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Ouch...

I remember turning down a very nice one in 9mm not THAT many years ago...
My brother bought my 357 Speed SIX.
Nice guns, 1500$ guns... Not my $$.

CW

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Someone is going to get a great gun for their collection, but it will not be me.

 

[Glaciers]

Wow that's a bit heavy on price. Well it's out of my range when it pasted $500. Must come with a letter of documentation, so that's $700 for a new in the box Ruger and $800 for a new in the envelope letter.

 

[Glaciers]

I like the Ruger Speed Six, but......

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Wow that's a bit heavy on price. Well it's out of my range when it pasted $500. Must come with a letter of documentation, so that's $700 for a new in the box Ruger and $800 for a new in the envelope letter.

WXACTLY!!! I really want a Wiley Capp 10mm 3" and a 5" Lipseys 10mm!!! But at 800$ ea doubt Ill have either lessin I find used for 500 ish!!

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The Speed-Six is being sold by Ruger to raise money for a shooting sports association. The gun never left the factory and does come with documentation.
I guess if you considered your bid to be a donation that happens to come with gun, you could justify the cost.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I am a HUGE fan of the Ruger DA Six series revolvers (Security-Six, Service-Six & Speed-Six), but my wallet isn't that fat.

 

[Glaciers]

The Speed-Six is being sold by Ruger to raise money for a shooting sports association. The gun never left the factory and does come with documentation.
I guess if you considered your bid to be a donation that happens to come with gun, you could justify the cost.

This is different raising money for a good group, and the collecting I understand, so it's not outrageous in that case.
But my days of spending in that way are way over. Unless on the other hand, it has a lever and is stamped Winchester.

 

[Glaciers]

I am a HUGE fan of the Ruger DA Six series revolvers (Security-Six, Service-Six & Speed-Six), but my wallet isn't that fat.

I like them as well, tough guns. Hard to find up here, but I'm picking up a GP 100 4" today at a good price so I will see how the newer Ruger stacks up. Never even handled a GP 100.

 

[Joshua]

I love my stainless Security Six; but I paid almost 1/10 of that price for it.

In Washington we used to be able to buy and sell from one private party to another private party.

I had stopped at a garage sale with my wife. The seller was going through a divorce and had moved back in with his parents. He wanted $250, I told him I had $75 on me and $100 back at the house. I wasn’t lying that was what I had in spending money. Also, my wife didn’t want me to spend that “much” money. But, she also loves a good deal, 30% below what was already less than blue book was a good deal.

He bit, we did the deal at $175, and I’m happy we did.

Josh

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I like them as well, tough guns. Hard to find up here, but I'm picking up a GP 100 4" today at a good price so I will see how the newer Ruger stacks up. Never even handled a GP 100.

The GP-100 is a fine gun. I think you'll be very pleased.

The GP-100's linage from the DA Six series is apparent when you examine one. Removable trigger group, a frame without removable side plates, same style cylinder release, hammer powered by coil spring on a strut.
While the GP-100 is a different design than the DA Six's, it's ancestry is undeniable.

The GP-100 is VERY strong and they are capable of excellent accuracy.

 

[hporter]

I have a 2-1/2" speed six in 38 special that is a favorite. It balances well and just feels right in the hand.

I used to have the same thing in 9mm, but the cylinder would bind so I sent it in to Ruger for repair. They said they couldn't fix it, but offered me a very generous credit towards any new firearm, if I decided to leave it with them. So I bit the hook they offered, and came away with a 4" Redhawk in 45 LC.

I started collecting Six series handguns in 38 special roll marked with the 200th year Bi-Centennial. I have fond memories of the Bi-Centennial celebration and patriotism shared by most all back then. My Speed Six isn't a Bi-Centennial, but I sort of got carried away with the 38 special only chambering theme.

The opening thread talking of the NOS in the box reminded me of my foolish decision. My buddy and I stopped at our favorite pawn shop a couple of years ago. They had a 2-1/2" blued Security Six with the original box that looked as though it had never been fired. They wanted $475, which wasn't unreasonable considering the condition. I gave it a week to think it over, and it was gone when we went back. I still regret not buying it.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have several Ruger DA Six series guns, including a Speed-Six. They are incredible revolvers.
The Speed-Six was made with a 2.75" barrel (and some other lengths as well) and all of the DA Six's had full length ejector rods.
There were a few Speed-Six models made with a 3" barrel, including some made for the U.S. Postal Inspectors but I don't believe Ruger ever made any with 2 1/2" barrels.

One of the many mistakes I made in life was letting several DA Six's out of my hands. Back when the Ruger DA Six series guns were in production, you could always find used models for sale. They were generally less expensive than their S&W counterparts. I picked up several back when they were inexpensive. I sold or traded all of my Ruger DA Six models while thinking I could always get a replacement. I realized my mistake later and obtained replacements but the mistake cost me some money.

Ruger made well of a million DA Six series revolvers, so they are not rare. However, the used market changed when they went out of production. You can still find them but they are no longer the bargain they once were.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

The speed series where 2 3/4" and ROUND BUTT Guns.
I have seen 38, 357 & 9MM calibers. I also thought they was all Stainless, but I have read some Claim they had blued guns.
CW

 

[Charles Graff]

Panic bidding!

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Yes, The Speed-Six was a round butt version with fixed sights. There were both blued and stainless versions of all of the DA Six series, including the Speed-Six. The Speed-Six could be had with barrels of 2.75", 3" (rare) and 4". Most Speed-Six revolvers are fitted with 2.75" barrels.

The Service-Six (sometimes named the Police Service-Six) had a square butt and fixed sights. They could be had in 2.75" and 4" barrels
The Security-Six had a square butt and adjustable sights. The Security-Six could be had with 2.75", 4" or 6" barrels.

The DA Six's were chambered in 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 9mm and 38/200 (export models,)

There were a LOT of variations of the DA Six series.

The last of the DA Six series rolled off the line in 1988.

 

[hporter]

I have wanted a 38/200 for a while now. I started loading for a WW2 Enfield in 38 S&W a few years ago, and thought it would be neat to have a Ruger in that caliber.

So I have a saved Gunbroker watch for one. A clean one popped up last month. It sold for $1,125..... I knew they were uncommon, but never expected to see a price that high.

 

[RBHarter]

The 6" SS Sec 6 I had I paid $215 OTD at that time that was the fair market value of the 4" blue . They had taken it in on trade less than an hr before . 1974 edition .

 

[Walks]

I have a 151+ series that is Blued, a 2 3/4" bbl'd .357Mag that I bought 1977-79? was under $200. out the door.
A Security-Six 151 series STS 6". It started out as a 2 3/4" bbl, sent it back 6 months later for the 6"bbl. In those days they would send you back the old bbl. Still have it in the parts box.
And a Service-Six 3" STS .357Mag from last year of Production. My Gunsmith did an action job on it right after I bought it. Threw in a "round butt job" for free. So it would fit Pachmayr Compacs