Six Series Double Action

[guns-o-fun]

This is probably a stupid question, but...I fiinally got my Ruger Speed Six stainless.  It seems to be in very good condition overall for a gun that is 32 years old.  Very sweet wheel gun.  However, when the cylinder is locked in place, but the hammer is not cocked, I can turn the cylinder by hand in the direction opposite its movement when advanced by the trigger - one stop at a time.  Is this the way it should be, or has somebody messed with the cylinder stop lever?  It locks up with a little play when the hammer is cocked.  Thanks for any info you can provide

[guns-o-fun]

Well, I just got hold of Kuhnhausen's shop manual for Ruger DA revolvers (the Six Series).  The answer is that the cylinder definitely shoult NOT backroll when the hammer is in the rest position.  So...I guess those file marks on the cylinder latch were not put there by the factory!  I have a new latch on order from Numrich.  If your six series revolver does this - it should NOT.

[guns-o-fun]

Problem solved.  Got the new cylinder latch and installed it.  After I seated the trigger guard back into the frame with a final tap from a rubber mallet and did the rest of the assembly, the cylinder backroll problem dissappeared!    Now I am just going to have my  pistolsmith check if the end play and such is within specs and I am good to go.

[silverpelican]

Hello
Thank you for this post of your experiences with the six.  After many decades of Ruger hand and long guns.  For various reasons not a single Ruger is in the house.  So hopefully the problem will be solved soon.  As a part of this return to my first love....Ruger.....357 and new to me security six's, well really any of the six series...are my guest.  I know nothing about them, never even fired one.  However I am lurking about trying to gain information and post's such as yours are so instructive and helpful!  Self impowerment, is great.  Education about our chosen hobby is priceless.....I just let a lack of knowledge cost me a S & W 28-2.

[guns-o-fun]

My gunsmith was drooling over the speed six.  He (and many others) consider it and the other six series guns to be the finest revolvers that Ruger ever made.  If you can get a good one, it is worth it.  After having mine checked out and a few minor adjustments, I got to fire it last week.  I am no great pistol shot, but from about 12 yards, all six shots from the first cylinder were within an eight inch target - mind you this is the first time I have fired this gun - usually improve with practice.  Smooth, smooth action.  I bought this for trail protection from a possible up-close confrontation with a black bear over a deer carcass - as happened with my neighbor at our place in the mountains.  Not as heavy as a gp-100, but still a strong gun.

[41 magnum]

Speed and Security Sixes break the silence on our farm often.
 
They don't get much better IMO, and I have some Smiths, too.
 
Kuhnhouser manuals are the way to go!