The 'six series' line enjoyed sales success because of their basic features, solid construction, and competitive pricing. The Ruger Redhawk, introduced in 1980 and also designed by Sefried, was a scaled-up and improved version of the Security-Six. Ruger's new double action revolvers were unlike other guns on the market in that they used a one-piece frame, rather than a removable sideplate, which lent them superior strength. The grip profile of the Sentinel was used on the 'Six' line. Sefried had previously worked for High Standard Manufacturing Company, where he designed the High Standard Sentinel revolver. As with all Ruger firearms, the Security-Six revolvers were robustly designed with large, heavy-duty parts for durability and to allow for investment casting.

Ruger used investment casting for most parts in an effort to hold down production costs. The corporation's earlier designs had been Colt Peacemaker-style single-action revolvers. The introduction of the Security-Six and its variants marked Sturm Ruger's first attempt to enter the double-action revolver market. Smith & Wesson and Colt at the time dominated the medium frame law enforcement double action revolver contracts. Despite being popular with civilians, Bill Ruger wanted to get into law enforcement and security contracts. The senior NCO teaching the class said not to worry about ever working on the Rugers because he never remembered of one ever breaking.As far back as 1966, Ruger designers Harry Sefried and Henry Into began working on the company's first double-action revolver. We spent a week or so on the S&W revolvers and Colt revolvers in armorer school, but no time at all on the Rugers except to disassemble and reassemble them. The S&W's and the Colts were all out-of-time, shaved lead, and often misfired on the range due to frame stretching and general wear, but the Rugers all worked without exception. All were old as dirt and had very little original finish still on them. In our arms room we had S&W Model 10's, a few Colt Police Postives, and several Ruger Service Sixes. 38 Special revolvers while the male MP's were issued.

In the US Army I went to armorer school so I could work in the arms room for our MP company. 357 Magnum, and either blued or stainless steel. All three were exceptional values for the money. The Ruger Service Six was available to the public but there were many more Security Six and Speed Six models sold.

Ruger police six 357