Carrying my .38/44 HD on duty!

[dabney]

Every since my 1986 purchase of my pre-war 5-inch .38/44 HD, the subsequent yearly qualifying and carrying of a 'big' frame .38 revolver was not too big a challenge. The most difficult portion of carrying a pre-war HD is my middle-age + eyes. The fixed sights of my pre-war HD are the half-moon 1/10th inch thick front sight that I sometimes have a difficult time seeing on an overcast day. My HD, with the S&W service grips, weighs exactly 40-ounces, empty, according to Post Office scales. This is 'what' the specs from S&W stated, in April 1930. In 86, I was still on the streets in a patrol car and I used a high rise Model 29 'Safariland' black basketweave holster, sized for a 6-inch N-Frame S&W. I couldn't afford to have a duty holster made for my 5-incher and made do with this duty holster. It fit fine and was no problem while seated in the squad car. As time marched on and I retired (1st time) in 1992, I literally left one cop job for another because retirement pay was insufficient to live on, but most important, the 'fire' to serve and protect still burned brightly. I wasn't ready for no rocking chair yet! My HD, along with other six-guns, went with me to the next cop job. This one as a Deputy Sheriff, deployed at a local hospital ER, for security missions, and then later, as a supervisor at the 'in-famous' Fort Apache. We have a small group of elite troopers who work at this government building, which provides social services (welfare) to the sorry, er needy. Also 5-mental health clinics reside inside the Fort, as well as the Health Department. That nickname, Fort Apache, was attached several years back by local PD officers because of the wild, wild west atmosphere of our building. Those 5-mental health clinics alone keep us jumping! I carry my .38/44 nowadays in a smooth black leather 'Hunter' duty holster, Model 45108A, with a 'Jordan' style leather strap across the hammer. It is a near perfect fit and rides high on my waist. With black rubber Pachmayr Grips on, we do just fine. I must say that my big HD draws attention, especially from the younger crowd, accustomed to seeing Glocks on cops. "Man, look at that old cops 'cannon' he's got!" I've heard that, or words similar, many times. We got lots of people coming and going. I have six-rounds of the old Remington .200 grain LRN in my HD along with six-spare rounds in a leather cartridge case on my duty belt. I'm surrounded by Glock-packers, who feel protected, by my 'big' .38/44 Heavy Duty, just kidding, well maybe! Anyway, I love this big brute of a .38 and would carry this back out on patrol, if called upon. Thank you my friends!
David

[05CarbonDRZ]

Great to hear it is still in duty.The only thing I would reccomend would be to switch to some newer Hollow Point rounds.Some Hornady Critical Defense +P would be a huge improvement over LRN ammo.

[Arik]

This thread is useless without pics!



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[mojave30cal]

Yeah....no picture, it didn't happen!

[Oyeboteb]

Good for you!

What a fine choice for one's duty Gun too!

Please post some images of it!

[Texas Star]

I like the idea of your old gun still on duty. And I like and use Pachmayr grips.

But I think your ammo is perhaps the worst possible choice in .38 Special. From what I've read about that 200 grain load, it offers little beyond increased penetration over the 158 grain load that caused the .38's poor reputation.

The late Tom Ferguson, a San Antonio cop and gun writer, said that his force had poor experience with the 200's. I met him just once, at an NRA convention. But he impressed me as a no-nonsense, observant man.

I probably shouldn't comment further, or the post may be moved to the Ammo section. However, I think you need to read that forum and ask for advice in it. In fact, I think I'll start a thread there on the 200 grain .38 load.

I appreciate that some of your probable targets are going to be large, bulky people and the idea of good penetration is appealing. But there are good .38 loads that'll serve. And a few are best used in a .357 or in that old .38 Heavy Duty. One would seem ideal for it, if a bit pricy. But you don't need to shoot it all the time in practice, although you may well have to use it in qualifications. Ask your CPA if you can deduct duty ammo that you must purchase. I've heard that, but never tried it. Does your employer dictate ammo options?

I wish you the best, and the same for that heavy old .38. You might consider carrying at least another six rounds. Better to have it and not need it than to not have it and need it.

I am interested that you get asked about the gun. I wore a uniform for many years, and almost never heard comments about my gun. (Usually, a four-inch M-66-3; sometimes a different S&W or a Ruger equivalent.) I wore a high riding Bianchi or Safariland black basketweave holster on a Bianchi River Belt. I thought sometimes of that adage from Beau Brummage that you are best dressed when no one comments on how you are dressed.

[1blindref]

Interesting post. I wonder how many other 70+ year old guns are still out there "working" today.

BTW - I also agree with the others on your choice of duty ammo. You'd be much better served using one of today's more effective choices of ammo, just in case you'd need to use it.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I am also a "Double Dipper" (retired twice due to wanting to eat regular which the first pension was a struggle). I was still patrolling the streets at age 74. Two suggestions: 1. carry 158gr LSWC-HP plus P as service ammo. 2. apply bright orange paint to your front sight.
Stay Safe,
Jimmy
p.s. Real Cops Carry Revolvers

[dabney]

Many thanks gentlemen for your suggestions for ammo change. I know you mean well and for that, my deepest appreciation. I have carried this load (200-gr.LRN) for 4-decades now. I have always subscribed to the idea of a 'big' 200-gr. soft lead bullet, traveling at 'moderate' speed, placed properly, will bring a halt to hostile, deadly intent! The debate on 'what' is the best ammo will forever go on. In short, for myself, I have much confidence in this .38 Load, provided I 'place' the round precisely. As a lot of our readers here are aware, most cop gunfights are inside 10-feet with less than 4-rounds expended. Up close and personal, as some would say. Inside the confines of Fort Apache, I stick to what I shoot 'best' with and 'what' I believe to be the round for this setting. I'm aware, and am fully respectful of those with differing opinions as to the best .38 Load for my Heavy Duty. She likes the 200-grain LRN the best and both of us dance better when we have this particular .38 Load. Thank you my friends for your constructive criticism. I do appreciate it and the 'reason' behind it. Ya'll are class gents that I'm honored to be with on this forum. I will post pics again for the fellas wanting that.

David

P.S. One of the post authors was concerned about my .38/44 being noticed by the public. Well, its big, and it is a wheelgun with a 5-inch barrel. Kids here, take note of cops shooting hardware, no matter waht kind of duty holster you're packing. Some adults do likewise. A revolver, whether it's my .38/44 or my Colt Official Police, is an anomally. I must concede to this as revolvers have been absent here, save one, since 1992. That is another reason my six-gun gets noticed, its a six-gun! Purposely wearing my big HD in a rig, set up to be noticed, is not in the game play of a 42-year veteran officer. I just pack my HD like I have always done with no effort given to display purposes. Thanks......David