Howdy, yall.

Well some state and local entities are still issuing revolvers. I know because the Illinois Corrections officers use them, saw one yesterday. Pretty sure other state corrections and various security companies issue them as standard.

Wonder what ammo they're using? I searched for it and found no info. I'd love to find out what Illinois DOC uses in their Model 64s, or what any other agency is using.

Thanks!

Saw another CO today at the hospital. Didn't ask him what he was carrying, didn't want to strike up a bad conversation!!

likely.38spl 158gr LRN

Definitely plenty of good choices to pick from! If I worked in corrections and was issued a revolver (awesome!), I'd like something from Federal or Hornady in 158 grain to go with my 4" barrel. If shorter, like a 2.5", I'd like some Gold Dots, please.

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Matthew 5:9

I can't help with current carry loads, but IIRC the last time the NYPD issued/authorized .38 Special revolvers the issued load was the Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P, for snubs and full-size guns. Before that, I want to say they were issued 158gr LSWC, possibly Nyclads, but I'm not entirely sure.

Probably not relevant, but back when I worked as an armed guard in the 90s I carried revolvers. One company provided 4" S&W 686 revolvers in .357 Magnum, but we were required to use the .38 Special 158gr LRN ammo they gave us. The guns had to stay on site, so we never got to shoot them. We didn't even know if the guns would fire.

Another company issued me a 4" S&W Model 10. I was allowed to take it home and practice with it. I often regret not asking about possibly buying it from the company when I had to turn it in (at the time that company was giving up all its armed accounts). Anyways...I can't remember what ammo they issued, but I was given permission to use privately-purchased Winchester 158gr LHP +P FBI loads.

Apologies for the trip down memory lane.

No reason to apologize for a trip down memory lane, I spend a lot of time there too. Before our agency switched to the Glock 23 my issued gun was a stainless K frame snub. Our issued load was the FBI +P hollow point and it worked, I speak from experience.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Hard to say, when I first started as a officer 40 years ago the issue cartridge was a standard velocity jacketed soft point. Eventually that was changed to the +P 125 grain Winchester silver tip.

Hard to speculate, but my hunch would be a 38 Special standard velocity loading with either a 158 gr RNL or SWC.

I have been lucky. Both departments I retired from allowed us to carry our choice of weapons and ammo as long as it was in compliance with the general orders which were very fair in this area. I started with the .357 and carried Remington 357 magnum 125 grain hollow point and with the 1911, I carried a variety 45 ACP and 38 Super hollow point and ball ammo.

Back when I was younger I noticed the the scalloped Remington SJHP in the bandoliers of older officers. Remington offers the 125 grain load in both .38 Special+P and the .357 Magnum. I would bet that these are still quite pouplar as issue rounds for sixguns.

While the reputation of the .357 SJHP is famous as the 1450 fps manstopper, I always wondered how the .38+P SJHP compared to the heavier FBI load.

Very cool. I wonder if we have any members from the IDOC?

When my dad was NYPD, it was 158 LRN

Thanks, gang. Looking for current issue loads. I know NYPD has not used 158 grain RNL for at least 25 years as an issued load.

NYPD hasn't used 158 gr LRN in 40 yrs+ They used the 158 gr SWC after LRN. However, I did recall seeing MTA Police (NYC Subways) with 158 gr LRN ammo in their belt loops in the late 1970s.

I spoke to a Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff Deputy a couple of years ago in a convenience store. He had a .38 snub (642) as his BUG and carried one reload in loops on a belt slider next to his buckle. Ammo appeared to be Speer 135 gr Short Barrel.

Speer 135 gr +P JHP Gold Dot as issued by NYPD. Winchester also makes a 130 grain JHP +P bonded bullet in the Ranger line.

Here is a great resource to check out.


Reviews of Ammo Manufacturers

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The right of the people......

Did you even read my OP? Just how is that supposed to answer my question? Trying not to be rude here, but generic reviews on ammunition companies is absolutely worthless and I don't see how it pertains to my question one iota. But thanks anyway!

My agency issues S&W 342 Ti 38 revolvers to office bound command staff in addition to the Glock 17 duty weapon. The issued ammo is
"Winchester 38 Special +P 130 gr. Ranger Bonded"

Very cool. Thanks for the info!

If I had a dime for every post in a thread where the poster didn't bother reading the OP, I could probably buy another snub.