Security Six Question

[Rugerokie]

So I haven’t shot a Six Series in 35 years but recently bought a 4” stainless pre-warning Security that should arrive tomorrow. It got me talking to my my father in law who said he had one in his safe. I took a look at it tonight.
Although a lifetime Ruger long gun Hunter I’ve just gotten back into Ruger handguns in the past few years so I know just enough to get into trouble.
His gun is a 2.75” marked Security Six with fixed sights ( I thought Securities were all adjustable) and a square butt. Serial number is 150-54XXX.
Just curious but can someone educate me on his gun?

[WAYNO]

That is an early fixed sight, (low-back) Security Six. That's what they originally called them before they actually gave the fixed sight/square grip models another name, Police Six or Police Service Six.

And that is a very desirable piece.

[Rugerokie]

Thanks Wayno. So is a speed six a service six with a rounded butt? And is his gun considered a low back frame?

[WAYNO]

Yes, the round-butt fixed sight revolver is the Speed Six.

The photo you show is a low-back fixed sight Security Six .

The transition to what we call the high back grip frame occurred at roughly s/n 151-xxxx , but we know there is a lot of overlap of serial numbers. In other words, it is expected that low-backs will be found in the 150-xxxx range, but we have found many in the 151-xxxx range also. We've also found high-backs in the 150-xxxx range. This is all part of the collecting fun, and makes some of us take an extra look at every revolver we see.

[Rugerokie]

Thank you. I’ll pass on the info. I’ve already told him to put my name on it. Hasn’t been out of his safe in 20 years. It was traded in to a LGS in western Oklahoma in the 80’s by a retired officer that carried it as his off duty.

[WAYNO]

For comparison, top photo is what we call a low-back.

Bottom photo is what we call a high-back.

.

[Rugerokie]

I’m guessing that was an early redesign to control recoil?

[RoninPA]

No actually it was redesigned because of fedback that Ruger received from people who owned them/carried them. It was more because of comfort. The owners really didn't like the feel of the low back grip and since they didn't, they gripped it many different ways and they said it was just uncomfortable to shoot. The redesign kind of followed the grip frame styles of the DA revolvers that were in vogue with the LE folks at the time and Ruger wanted to make inroads into the police market and sell to them (lots of money to be had selling to police and other countries but other countries won't buy if the US isn't buying).

Below is the comparison of the frames. Low back on the left, high back on the right

[Rugerokie]

Thank you for the explanation. I knew you folks would straighten me out on this gun.

[Rugerokie]

My Security Six showed up today. Needs a few scratches polished out but very tight gun with a nice trigger. I'll be sourcing some factory wood grips for it as well.