Ruger Forum

Bvd1 · July 28th, 2012, 07:34 AM

Hi, this is my first post. I bought a pre-warning speed six several years ago. It is blued with a 2/34" barrel. It is a 150 series serial number with highback frame. I have the red box with no insert or plastic ring on the rear of cylinder but have the plastic bag with the red ruger logos on it that the gun was in. The box is in VG-excellent condition. The gun appears unfired, though I imagine it was fired at the factory. Metal and grips are perfect except for a slight cylinder ring. Any idea of the year made and value? I don't see these on Gun broker to get an idea. I have no intentions of selling it. Also, do all the speed six have the highback frame? Thanks for any input.

shootist · July 28th, 2012, 07:40 AM

You can look up manufactured year on Ruger site by S/S# I would say value would be $300-$500

David B53 · July 28th, 2012, 10:09 AM

Welcome from Florida! Let's see a pic of your gun!

reevolvers · July 28th, 2012, 11:18 AM

welcome from Florida! I have the same gun. Great little piece.

ExArmy11b · July 28th, 2012, 07:56 PM

I have a very early low-back Speed Six, a 4" chambered for .38 Special.It shows moderate holster wear and some rust freckling but it's solid. The action is far from being my slickest Ruger, but I'm sure it served well as a duty gun and the DA pull is good enough to get the job done.

Note the difference in the grip frame, grip and frame below the hammer. This Speed Six was made in 1988, one of the last to be produced. The "low back" vs. the "high back" is clear. The top strap and rear sight channel is also different.

Value is subjective and the 2 3/4" .357 Speed Sixes tend to go for more $$$, especially the older ones. The 4" models tend to bring less, but are also less common.

I got this one for $230 off GunBroker, with shipping and transfer I was still below $300 for a nice, older Speed Six. The .38 models are more "collectible" but are less desireable to those looking to buy them as shooters or self defense guns.

Mine was likely a policeman's carry gun, a security guard gun or something like that. It's unlikely a private person ordered a 4" .38 Special Speed Six, it was more likely part of a contract or a private purchase by someone who's job required a .38 Special revolver. The round butt of the 4" Speed Sixes was popular with some LEO's because the grip frame had no sharp corner to dig into the side of the person carrying it...........the same reason 4" round butt S&W Model 10's were popular. Anyone who has spent 8-12+ hour days holster carrying a handgun appreciates a little extra bit of comfort.

This was an ex-PD gun,my "birth year" 1980 S&W Model 10, and I'm sure the LEO who carried this one throughout the 1980's and beyond appreciated the round grip frame.These were also popular with women and men with small hands, and the US military also used many .38 4" Speed Sixes and Model 10 round butts.

Bvd1 · July 29th, 2012, 06:07 AM

Thanks, according to Ruger , it was made in 1974. Someone wrote $130 on the insise lid of the box, I guess that was the price they paid new. I paid three times that. Don,t know if that was too much a couple years ago but I don't care since I have not seen one as nice since I started looking for one.

308LD · August 1st, 2012, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bvd1

Hi, this is my first post. I bought a pre-warning speed six several years ago. It is blued with a 2/34" barrel. It is a 150 series serial number with highback frame.

If you have a 150 prefix, highback, of any variation....Security, Service, or Speed-Six it is a RARE gun. Almost all highback guns start in the 151 and up prefix range. There are also some 151 prefix lowback guns which are also RARE guns.

Nice find....

rdp357 · August 1st, 2012, 07:41 AM

Welcome from Fla. Enjoy the forum! Nice gun.

ExArmy11b · August 1st, 2012, 10:46 AM

Even a few years back, few people cared about "high" or "low" back Ruger Sixes.

I saw a worn looking low back Security Six sitting at my local dealer in about 2008 or so, but I didn't buy it because I just got a 4" Speed Six from him. It sat for a while until it sold, because it was only $300 or so and I guess someone just wanted a utility grade .357 wheelgun.

I don't think as many people are like me and many others on this forum, who "collect" Ruger DA's. More people value them as shooters. The average gun buying person wouldn't care less about a low-back 151 prefix, nor would they have any clue what you were talking about. That's why prices are wierd for the "rare" Ruger DA's. Finding that one guy who wants it and will pay a premium would probably entail posting it on this forum. No gun shop or show will likely turn up a buyer for these guns at a premium.

308LD · August 1st, 2012, 07:46 PM

ExArmy, while I do agree with you that the vast majority of shooters could care less about the collectability of new model firearms, but Bvd1 asked what he had.

Just thought I would put my 2 cents in and let him know. It is very collectable to a few Ruger "Service, Security, and Speed-Six collectors.

exlogger · August 1st, 2012, 08:56 PM

I wish I could find a speed six

. I would love, cherish, and treat it right, no matter how high or low its back was or tone of its skin. I'm not prejudice, just want one to call my own. I promise I will give it a good home

(donations accepted

).

ExArmy11b · August 2nd, 2012, 08:37 AM

There are a few sellers on GunBroker selling the police trade in 2 3/4" Speed Sixes for about $350.

I recently got one, it's cosmetically beat looking but shoots like a dream and the action is very slick. Looks like most of them were carried LOTS, treated roughly and neglected but hardly fired. Which is good, it keeps the price down as a nice 2 3/4" stainless Speed Six goes for almost $500 these days.

Bvd1 · August 2nd, 2012, 12:18 PM

ExArmy, Thanks for the pics and info. I guess I did OK on my speed six. I probably won't be shooting this one.

exlogger · August 2nd, 2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

There are a few sellers on GunBroker selling the police trade in 2 3/4" Speed Sixes for about $350.

They're probably fine, but I'm anal about buying a gun with out handling it. Makes me nervous hitting the buy button without doing all the lockup checks.

I've been making my rounds in town and checking the classifieds. I have two Security and one Service Six, but the Speed Six keeps alluding me. I'm sure one will surface eventually

. Having all 3 would be nice. I better not fart around too much... the price is steadily increasing. GunBroker might be the path I take if one doesn't surface soon.

ExArmy11b · August 3rd, 2012, 11:03 AM

I got this one from GunBroker, it looks thrashed but it's very tight and slick.

The "era" of the police, corrections and security trade in revolvers is fast coming to a close........I picked up 5 ex-security Service Six .38's over the past year, but most security companies

I only buy Rugers sight unseen anymore.......I have gotten a few S&W's that were looser than the seller let on, and also, it's VERY hard to loosen up a Ruger unless it was outright abused. I feel a lot more confident buying police and security trade in Ruger DA's, than S&W's since the Rugers can take hard use a lot better.

I have only gotten one Ruger, a Service Six, off Gunbroker that had an issue, but it was easily fixed with a new cylinder latch and I got the gun cheap enough that I didn't care. It's now one of my favorite guns.