The "Your Homecoming From The War" thread got me to thinking of all the guns I have been issued. My first was a M16A2 in basic training at the Benning School for Boys. I was issued the same during my first duty assignment at Ft. Bragg. A few years later I attend OCS at Benning and qualified with a Beretta M9 (I don't really consider it a "issue gun" because the only time I every touched it was at the range). After OCS I was commissioned and spent the rest of my career in the aviation branch.

My first "issued" sidearm was a Smith & Wesson 10-5! The Army nomenclature was "M10". I carried it in a M3 shoulder holster and it was the first gun I deployed into harms way with. We also had Ruger Service Six revolvers on the TOE. The Army called those the M108, I beleive. I wanted to carry one of those because they had a lanyard loop, lol.




My next issue sidearm was the old warhorse M1911A1. I picked it up at Ft. Bragg on the way to Desert Shield/Storm. I think I was actually supposed to be issued a Beretta M9, but they were in short supply, so M1911A1 it was. I took what they gave me, no questions asked. I wasn't a repecter of all things guns then....so I have no idea of the make of that 1911. I carried it in a M7 shoulder holster.




My last issued sidearm was the Beretta M9 that I carried in Korea. It was the least of my favorites, because I found it the least accurate in my hands of all the guns I had been issued. I carried it in a M12 holster, and for the first time wore a gunbelt instead of a shoulder rig. I didn't like that, I found a gunbelt to be cumbersome.


Of course none of the guns pictured were the actual guns I carried, just resonable facsimiles that I used to pair with my uniform from the time period.

After my service with Uncle Sam I started my LE career. My first issued gun was a gen 2 Glock 22. I have been carrying Glocks ever since. My current issue is a Gen 5 Glock 17. Every holster I have carried a LE gun in has been some model of a Safariland sort. I am currently working on getting approval to carry a Pre 10 snub around the office. Say a prayer for me. I would love to finish up my career carrying a old S&W from time to time....just to be able to say I did it.




So what guns have you been issued and made to carry? I am keeping my fingers crossed for some Highway Patrolman and Model 58 action. Two guns I would love to say I was issued and carried.

In 1974, I was issued a S&W model 19. We later transitioned to semi-autos, and I carried my own Model 6906 that I provided, in place of the Sig 9mm's the department was issuing at the time......226's if I remember correctly. Around 2000 they transitioned to the Glock model 21. I was allowed to carry my own Glock model 36 since I was a Crime Scene Investigator at that time. For some reason, I shot the model 36 better than the model 21. Go figure.

Sorry no N frame wheel guns in my LEO past. They are too big for me anyway, I'm a shrimp. I don't have any photos of my Glocks....nothing special there I'm afraid.

Here's my 6906:



and the now "modified" model 19




Carter

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

As a USAF Law Enforcement Specialist (812XX) 1973 - 1977, I was assigned a S&W Model 15 and an M16 at each of my two duty stations. I only checked the M16 out for qualification and one other time for some sort of combat training. I remember giving all my magazines full of blanks to some gung-ho new guy. He thought it was great fun. At the end of the day I ran an oily patch through the bore, turned it in and went home. He probably spent another hour or so cleaning his. The armorer at that base was very picky.

I started out w an AR 15 but as an experienced shooter I shot an AR pretty good & got noticed so got promoted to M60 crew Head Gunner. So I ended up lugging an M60 everywhere. I preferred the M60, much more comforting. Never got issues a sidearm / pistol.

I started out in 1996 with the issued Model 10 Square Butt 3" barrel. Around 1999, we transitioned over to .40 S&W Glocks. As I was still in uniform at that stage, I was issued a G22. Later when I moved into Criminal Investigations/Detective Duties, I transitioned to the G23 which remained as issued until I was medically retired.

(1st and 4th photos are mine. Others are from a display). I don't know how true this is, but have been told that the Comissioner of the day choose the 3" barrel length Model 10 so that the firearm could be concealed under the tunics of the day. Flap holsters were initially used which were worn cross draw.

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When our ship was out at sea,, at least once a week, we were allowed time to shoot,,

We had two weapons,
a 1911
and
a Thompson full auto machine gun
both were 45ACP,,

we were allowed to shoot as long as your thumb could last,, pushing bullets into a magazine.

Our chief "encouraged" us to go shooting, in case we ever needed to be part of a boarding party,,
If you did not shoot, you might get stuck with an extra 4 hour watch,,

They would throw over a large cardboard box, and we would try to hit the box, as we sped away from it at about 25 MPH.

I always figured if our ship needed to shoot something,,
the guys that fired the 5 inch guns could shoot better, and more accurately, than I could with a 1911.

Those guys could hit a towed target, that was moving 30 MPH sideways, while we were going 25 MPH away from the target,,
at a range of about 2 miles.

I couldn't hit the 20 dozen egg box that was floating 100 feet away from the back of the ship,,,

USAF--S&W Model 15
University Police--Ruger Security Six
City PD--Colt Trooper Mk III, then S&W Model 66
Sheriff's Dept.--carried our own, then went department-wide to Beretta 92

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John

Started in 1980 and was issued a much used & re-blued 4" HB M10.
When all other police agencies were switching over the the new "wonder-nines" we got new 4" M681's but still carried the same Speer .38 Spl +P 125gr JSP that we had carried in our old M10s. We finally transitioned over to semi-autos, going to the Beretta DAO .40 S&W M96D. We, as an agency, had numerous issues with the Beretta's that led to widespread distrust of the weapon by many of the rank & file. Note: I got a good one, never had any issue with my M96D and it was the most accurate, for me, of any of the weapons I ever carried.
Due to the many failures of the Beretta's, a decision was made to find a replacement well before the end of the normal replacement cycle. After exhaustive testing by a well documented process, we were finally issued DAO Sig P226's in .40 S&W. I carried the Sig until my retirement and mine was purchased and presented to me by my post Commander.
I bought/kept all of my issued sidearms except my M10 which had serious issues and I was glad/relieved when it finally got replaced.

I was issued an XM16E1, M16A1's (Colt, H&R, GM), an M67 90mm Recoilless Rifle, and an M16A2.

I was never issued a 1911A1 but saw, shot, and cleaned them from all manufacturers including Singer. I also shot and maintained M60 machineguns as I was an ammo bearer once and later a weapons squad leader. The M60's that I handled, were all made by Maremount Muffler. I shot m203's as well but was never assigned one as I was never a Grenadier. I don't recall who made those.

Started LE in 1973 and was issued a M19 4 inch. Couple of years later we got the M66 4 inch. I carried that until the late 1980s when we went to the M686 4inch until around 1990 when we transitioned to the Glock 17 and later to the Glock 21/30. After retiring I worked as a Federal Court Security Officer(Special Dep. U.S. Marshal) and was issued the Marshals Service issue Glock 23. I am Totally retired now and still have the M66 which we were allowed to purchase from my department when we went to the 686. It is still my favorite of all my S&Ws.

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S&W Armorer
Lost in the 50s

In 1951 I was issued an M-1 Garand, a kick in the butt.

As a non-combatant I was only issued a side arm, the 1911. Not sure which now as I have lost a lot of the details of my time in Vietnam. But the CO was very lenient and would let us have what ever we could get. At that time the Army already had the M-16 and I never saw one of those. at that time the Marines were still issued the M-14 but I had several others at one time or other. Thompson (tommy gun) .45 machine gun with 50 rnd drum magazine, AK-47, and my favorite the M-14. I didn't keep the other two very long but I hung on the the M-14 until I rotated home.

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Real men love cats!

First Duty station A 3/35 FA M110A2



Second Duty Station A 3/11 FA M198



Last Duty Station B 2/157 FA Colorado Army National Guard M110A2



As you can see, they gave me a pop gun too

Then they switched to the M109A3

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Retired Career Security Guard

1973 6” model 28
1975 4” model 13
1979 model 59 for 1 week then all deputies turned them in as they were UNRELIABLE and replaced with 4” model 66
Medical retirement 1979
1973 to present off duty / retirement 2” military & police
Currently all deputies carry a Sig in .357sig


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Wheel guns are real guns too.

Uncle Sugar’s Air Force issued me a Model 15, a GAU 5/A, and then a NIB M9.

The Effin-Bee-Eye issued me a Sig P226 which I gave back after the academy. I always drew an MP5/10 until my last year when we had to turn them all in. I had a 14” 870 from then until I pulled the pin.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

U.S Army 1972-75. As a mechanic/ recovery vehicle driver I was supposed to be issued a 1911A1. But we didn't have enough to go around. The officers got those.
At various times I was issued:
M-16A1 rifle
M-3A1 submachine gun
M-60 machine gun
Ma Duece

when I got to Rhein Main AB some of us new guys got picked to be a junior sky cop for a year and we only got called out for alerts. we had our plastic helmet , gas mask and a M-16 with a couple of magazines of ammo. we could have a loaded magazine in the rifle but nothing in the chamber. they put on flightline and said if you have to shoot try not to hit the airplanes. they didn't tell us when or who to shoot but when the real sky cops would come by to check up on us they did it real careful like. there is a reason why they don't issue avionics people guns.

they did let us shoot the M-16 at the range with the happy switch engaged, however they only lets us put 5 rounds in the magazine. that didn't last very long

For handgun qualification, it was a 4" Mdl 15. The only other time, it was a 2" Mdl10 with shoulder holster. And that was while birds were being generated during an ORI. Regs required 2 armed officers to guard the classified. Got lucky one time and was on alert, when the IG landed. Since the Alert birds were already prepped for Combat, got to miss out on generating an aircraft for combat. Aircraft in question was a B-52D.

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Peace was my Profession

.....first department did not issue handgun, the Officer had to provide his own revolver. Mine was 66 4 inch no dash. Same with second PD.
Model 66 served in another department.
I was on the selection board when the dept. decided to purchase weapons ,we picked the 686. I did not get to carry one because I left to finish my degree. While doing that did fill in volunteer with the local SO, again the 66.

After I finished the degree joined a state agency that issued old model 10s. Got permission to carry my 66.
A few years later they purchased new model 10 HBs and disallowed personal owned weapons. Moved into a supervisory slot about the time we transitioned to Glocks, model 27 for my job.

Later changed to .45acp in Glocks, I was issued a 30sf.
Retired in 2017 just as the agency was transitioning to 9mm.

Alway had a J frame on me, the last 15 years a model 649.

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LEX ET ORDO

Had an variety of M14s and M16s and once while stationed at Philadelphia, I was sent on a 2 week range visit to Lake Hurst New Jersey with a M1 Grand

My one brother got a self propelled 8" howitzer.

The other launched jets.

The other 2 brothers stayed home

As a canuck and an MP, my issue sidearms were the Inglis Hi-Power and a Sterling SMG, both of which I liked and qualified as "first class shot". My all time favourite was the FN C1A1! I was kick-*** with that thing and qualified as marksman. I was fortunate enough to acquire a C1 as a civilian and at that time, they were "restricted" class. Later, the looney left Liberals declared it to be "prohibited" class, and with tears in my eyes, I sold it.

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Boot Camp - M14
Infantry Training Regiment - LeJune - M1 Garand (thumb buster) -- also got to fam fire M-79 grenade launcher, M60, flamethrower, Browning 50 Cal rifle, 1911 and got to set off 1/4 C4
Vietnam - M14 (1911 I was a chaser for a short period of time)

Basic training in 1962 I carried a M 1 rifle. Went to Korea in Feb of 1963 and the issue weapon was the M 14.

Thx for posting guys , as I find this to be a fascinating topic.
Your service is appreciated.

I find it interesting and also somewhat disturbing that so many mentioned a "lack of available inventory" or basically hand me downs....

One would hope that our military would have an abundance of "tools" to perform the specific "job".....

What is a GAU 5/A?

TIA.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Issue only M16 and 1911. Main shooter was 40mm Bofors or Quad 50s. We also had all kinds of non issue weapons. Our CO didn’t care what extra we had as long as we had issue and MPs weren’t beating on his door crying about stuff we stole off other outfits.

The original Air Force version of the CAR-15 Submachine Gun without the forward assist.

Otherwise known as the Colt Commando, XM-177 etc.

M16A1, M1911A1 and M60.

No firearms.

You think the Army was crazy
enough to trust me?

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Ubi Est Mea

Basic - M14

Infantry Training Regiment -M16

Vietnam - First was an M-16, Then a M79 with a 1911 and last was a match grade M-14

As noted above, a short AR.

I was told GAU stood for “Gun, All Use”. I hope so, because that is a very Air Force-y way of saying something.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

An M-1 in basic, then an M-2 carbine at first regular duty station plus my truck was set up for a Ma Deuce plus a tripod for it, then a BAR for a short time (I have no idea why), then back to the carbine. Fired a 1911 for familiarization and finally fired expert on the M-1.

I've never been in the service, never been a law enforcement officer, but I did work for a couple of private security guard companies on "armed" assignments.

On the first one I was issued a 4", Colt Official Police 38, with faux pearl grips, and a Jordan Border Patrol holster and Sam Brown belt. Six rounds of LRN ammo.

On the second job it was an identical rig, except the revolver this time was a 4" Model 10 (no idea which "dash" model) with Pachmayr grips.

Never fired either one, not even on a range. Training consisted of being told "Don't shoot yourself, or anyone else unless you have to."

Things were different then.

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John 3:16 .

My first agency made you furnish your own sidearm, so I carried a Colt Combat Commander in 45. Then I changed to a large state agency; they issued me a worn-out M-19 that wasn't reliable, then a Ruger Security Six that locked solid with the first cylinder of 357, then a serviceable M28. Finally cornered a good M19 from supply. Shotguns were a very worn ithaca 37, then a Mossberg 500, and finally an 870. In '85 they changed the state constitution to allow agency use of narcotics forfeitures; suddenly we had new 686s, then 5906s until the first 3 9mm shootings went badly, then 4506s. In '92 they started issuing Colt AR 15 HBARs.

Contracting only sometimes required arms; usually those were M9s and M4s, never new.

REDLEG! Steel on Target.

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CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

20 years active duty and never issued anything.

Unless you could count the 1911 and Colt Match Target I had checked out for the pistol team....


I suppose I could say that the M1903 Springfield Drill Rifle issued in boot camp might count or the '03 temporarily issued so I could take part in a Firing Squad at a funeral.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Military: H&K G3 and Walther P1 (We trained on more weapon systems of course but those two were the standard issue to me).

Law Enforcement: Glock 17 but could use my personal M&P.

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Jorge

First issued in 1976 was a S&W Model 10 - 5" nickel. All departmental 5" revolvers were replace about 1979 with S&W Model 10 - 4" nickel. Later in career as Director (Chief) in campus public safety I carried my own Model 64-2". In mid-1990s I transitioned the department from revolvers to semi-automatics. From then until retirement 7 years ago I carried a Glock Model 23.

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In my LEO career, 21 years, now retired, I was issued a Beretta 92F, Beretta 96D, Sig P229, and a S&W M&P. Also a Colt M-4 carbine in .223.

M 14 in basic, AIT, OCS. Vietnam was an XM something, short version of the M 16, then M 16A1. And a Ithaca sawed off 12 ga. A backpack weapon.

When I went in LE, a S&W 13, last was a Glock .40. But all the time I had and mostly carried personal weapons, not issued of course.

Didn't you mean to say reallocated?

I forgot about being assigned the Corporal of the guard for a month and carrying a 1911 and 2 mag.

Had to check my last DD-214 to see what I qualified with. M14/M16 rifles, .45 and .22 caliber pistols/ .38 and .22 caliber revolvers. The only times I was issued for carry was for standing Petty Office of the Watch and when flying to South America. As a Division Chief I encouraged everyone to qualify just in case. There was never a shortage of volunteers to go to the range, a 33 passenger bus would carry about a fourth of the division.

All I got when assigned to Shore Patrol was an armband and a club. (With zero training on how to use the club....)
I just attached myself to the Lt in charge figuring that he knew his way around. (Probably find out he was counting on the E6 (me) that was following him around knew what was required.)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I had a buddy who was prison guard. Along about 1980 the prison got M16s from a govt program. Buddy got me job of tearing them down and cleaning them. The prison had Winchester 07s, 351s. They had 28 of them.
3 looked brand new. Head guard said they were reserved for Warden, Asst Warden and him for deer rifles. I wanted them bad but couldn’t swing it at the time. They wanted 28 M1 carbines in trade. Carbines weren’t big money back then but still to much for me to handle. Most of the 07 weren’t in best shape from guards dragging them around.

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FFL08

A slight clarification to my earlier post, not that anyone cares -

I was issued a Sig P226 9mm in the FBI academy and had to qualify with it to graduate.

Since it was common knowledge in those crazy days of 1991 that a 9mm wouldn't actually kill anything, once I got to my first office (New Orleans) I qualified with my personally owned Sig P220 and gave back my 226. Since there were still a lot of guy on board who had revolvers but wanted autos, mine went directly to a guy on the white collar squad.

My 220 and I soldiered on until we both retired in 2016. I am the only guy I know who carried the same exact gun for his whole post-academy career. Somehow my old Sig kept getting grandfathered in, until it was common for baby agents to point at it and say - what the hell is that?

Soon after I hit my Bureau expiration date in 2016 all .45s, including POWs, were forbidden. No more SWAT or HRT 1911s, either. There were some unhappy SWATers who had purchased high dollar approved 1911s and all of a sudden couldn't carry them. How would anyone know they were on SWAT if they couldn't sport a 1911 in the office?

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

After the NMSP conversion to semi-auto, guys and gals who wanted to keep their 357s could. All but a few diehards converted once the 5906 conversion stopped (based on miserable actual shooting results) in favor of 4506s.

One who didn't convert was Lt. Don Day, who went one day to the Raton Motor Vehicle Division office because a Colorado felon tried to get a NM license there. As Don arrived, the fugitive was leaving and opened fire with a hidden 9mm as Don moved towards him. Don, struck in the leg, drew his 357 and killed the perp. When EMTs arrived a couple of minutes later, he waved them off from him saying, "That guy is hurt worse."