Ruger Security-Six: Which Barrel Length?

Cold Steel · Nov 15, 2017

I love the Ruger Security-Six revolver. It's the right size, right weight and it doesn't have an underlug barrel. But for those of you who have these great revolvers, what's the barrel length you chose. (If you have a S&W 19/66, which barrel length would you choose?)

I used to favor the 4-incher, but lately I've become more fond of my 6-inch. They used to say you couldn't really get good magnum velocities until you got to 6 inches, but modern loads have quashed that. You may benefit from a longer sight radius, but the 4-inchers have proven plenty accurate, and come to think of it, the 2.5- and 3-inch models also hit hard at longer distances and I've seen them shoot very good at a hundred yards.

So what do you prefer?

Mr. Ed · Nov 15, 2017

If I were to buy a new wheel gun, it would have a 6" barrel. Longer sight radius, slightly better ballistics, etc. But my real reason is that it would become a new barbecue gun, and a good excuse to buy some fancy leather to show it off.

rbird7282 · Nov 15, 2017

I have revolvers with 4" and 5" and prefer the 4"

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ted76 · Nov 15, 2017

6" , in .357 mag, then you can hunt deer with it in MD.

Jimbob2.0 · Nov 16, 2017

Single action 6". For a double action 4". No rational other than a double action is built for defense/carry and 6" gets way too long.

C&RTactical · Nov 16, 2017

I got a 4" and it is the perfect length and aesthetic of what I want out of my Security Six.

Biggfoot44 · Nov 16, 2017

My Bicentennial Security Six is a 4in . Because at the time I was specifically looking to fill a gap for a 4in DA .357 . But if carry is not a major parameter for you, feel free to toss a coin between 4in and 6in .

As Ted76 mentioned , 6in min bbl for deer/ bear * In Maryland * .I do most of my revolver hunting in Va , which has much more realistic regs for handgun hunting.

Capt Skup · Nov 16, 2017

I have both 4" Security Six and 6" GP-100. Love them both. Would really love to get both in 3". Also a GP-100 with 4" barrel, blued. Ruger revolvers are like Peanut M&M's, once you start, it is difficult to quit.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Nov 16, 2017

I'm not a Ruger fan (but I have gone to the Dark Side on occasion)...but the Security Six is a much lamented revolver since it's been gone. I'm a former cop so a 4" barrel speaks to me. For field use a 6" is better.

jimbobborg · Nov 16, 2017

It really depends on what you want to do with said revolver. I've carried a 4" K-Frame, which is basically the same size as a Security Six. That's not something I enjoyed, but it was easier to carry, weight wise, versus a comparable 6" revolver. If it's just range use and possibly hunting, I'd go 6".

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Nov 16, 2017

jimbobborg said:
It really depends on what you want to do with said revolver. I've carried a 4" K-Frame, which is basically the same size as a Security Six. That's not something I enjoyed, but it was easier to carry, weight wise, versus a comparable 6" revolver. If it's just range use and possibly hunting, I'd go 6".

Absolutely. I carried a 4" K-frame when a cop. A GP-100 would be fine in the field and for hunting but I wouldn't care to haul that tank of a revolver concealed...regardless of barrel length.

Trekker · Nov 16, 2017

Both my ruger revolvers are 4". Less than that they aesthetically appear stubby and the sight radius is too short, and longer than that I am concerned about being able to draw effectively from the holster. If I was hunting with a revolver, the barrel length would be 6" or longer to have a better shot.

jimbobborg · Nov 16, 2017

TheOriginalMexicanBob said:
Absolutely. I carried a 4" K-frame when a cop. A GP-100 would be fine in the field and for hunting but I wouldn't care to haul that tank of a revolver concealed...regardless of barrel length.

I carried a 4" GP-100 in a "concealment" holster. In the winter, with a big, heavy coat on. Not comfortable at all. That's why I carry a Colt Cobra. It fits in most pockets.

Magnumite · Nov 17, 2017

I started out shooting handguns with a 6” Security Six. Had to set the barrel back twice burning out the forcing cone so I installed a 4” barrel. Early on I did acquire a 2 3/4” Security Six. My take, shooting competition, hunting 6” gun. Hunting or similar I use a 6” or longer 44 Magnum. The 4” incher transitions faster and is relatively velocity efficient. 2 3/4” is no J frame nor LCR. Concealable for a medium frame revolver. Hefty muzzle flash. Overall, I prefer the four inch tube since it is a medium frame revolver.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Nov 17, 2017

Magnumite said:
I started out shooting handguns with a 6” Security Six. Had to set the barrel back twice burning out the forcing cone so I installed a 4” barrel.

It sounds like you might have had an early stainless Security Six. Along with S&W, Ruger had problems with early stainless revolvers with cracked or burned out forcing cones...especially with hot 125gr .357 ammunition

Magnumite · Nov 17, 2017

It was a late 70’s revolver. Gunsmith asked me what gunpowder I was using when I had it set back the first time. I said Blue Dot. “Hot loads of Blue Dot would do that. I strongly suggest another powder”, the gunsmith said. After that, I did the installs. Finally, determined factory performance level doses of Blue Dot would do. For truly heavy loads H110 and 2400 get the nod.

Cold Steel · Nov 17, 2017

Magnumite said:
Had to set the barrel back twice burning out the forcing cone so I installed a 4” barrel.

Was this a blued gun or was it stainless?

The stainless ones are said to stand up better because the chromium content keeps the carbon from leeching out. Even so, when Ruger came out with the .357 Max, it ate those forcing cones like they were chocolate.

Always wondered why they didn't foresee that.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Nov 17, 2017

Cold Steel said:
Was this a blued gun or was it stainless?

The stainless ones are said to stand up better because the chromium content keeps the carbon from leeching out. Even so, when Ruger came out with the .357 Max, it ate those forcing cones like they were chocolate.

Always wondered why they didn't foresee that.

I'm guessing corporate arrogance. While Ruger as a company has always enjoyed a deserved reputation for customer service, Bill Ruger himself was reported as quite arrogant. He had seen his company enjoy an almost uninterrupted string of successes there was very likely a "can't fail" attitude.

To be fair, other companies like S&W were having issues with stainless guns as well that may or may not have been foreseeable. It took a while for the gun industry to get stainless technology worked out.

Magnumite · Nov 17, 2017

It was a blued gun. I did notice the stainless forcing cones did hold up noticably better to erosion. Typically they erode a little then stop.

HankR · Nov 22, 2017

I'd go 4-5 for a .357 unless you wanted the option to hunt with it in MD. I got my 686 in 6 inch when I lived there and it's my least favorite revolver due to the barrel length. I do like 5.5 for big bores though. I don't carry them on my belt as often, which is an issue, especially getting in and out of a vehicle.

Ruger Security-Six: Which Barrel Length?

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