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On the tail-end of a 44+year career, I have been keeping company with this pictured Model 10-6, I took the liberty of taking a few photos of this Model 10, which shows a blue steel, heavy barrel six-gun with some wear characteristics about it. It has a Target Hammer that was installed by the PD Armorer in 1990. I did this for precise single-action fire that I would sometimes engage in, while shooting in the local monthly service pistol matches. This is not against the rules and in that time period, my shooting hand was much steadier than today. Last year, I struggled to make qualification, shooting a Model 10-6. The course of fire is not revolver friendly and I must shoot that and pass to keep my longstanding law enforcement certification current with the State of Georgia. The course of fire is difficult for a revolver cop not as much for the semi-auto cops, which is everyone, save one. That would be myself. I always looked at this as a challenge for me and with "GOD's" Mighty Hand, I would rise to the occasion and shoot high enough to pass. As age has advanced, some of my bodily hydraulics have become compromised and do not function as well as they once did. Plus the added difficulty of passing a pistol course of fire with a six-gun has started me thinking seriously of retirement. After a long time serving, the thought of not getting up and reporting for duty frightens me, somewhat. I have always enjoyed shooting practice as long as the ammo held out. Fellas, I love the wheelgun and do not feel like my revolver is substandard especially in the confines of Fort Apache, where I work the Front Desk. In the monthly service pistol matches, the playing field is level, and most times, I place and out-gun the Glock-toters. Very important to an ageing warrior to know that he can fall back on his training and experience and have it pay off with higher scores. That cursed State Qualification Course is different! My Heavenly Father has carried me this far, I will lay the matter at HIS feet again for help. I hope my friends enjoy this post and photos. I'm at the end of the trail, this I know, but not just yet. My Model 10 and me detest the idea of retirement because I won't divorce her for a Crock, er Glock, I mean. Thank you my friends!

David

As a devoted revolver aficionado I love to see that. I have a bunch of Model 10s and one, 4" heavy barrel .357 Magnum, actually, I would happily use to compete against Glocks. I kind of think I'm more responsible for my 250 out of 250 on the Texas "concealed handgun instructor course" with that wheelie than having any divine assistance but that's a personal concept. Last weekend I used a Browning Hi-Power and a 4" Smith & Wesson 686+ in a close quarters combat training class and I was equally adept with both. But if I had to compete I'd have chosen the revolver. I don't blame you one bit for sticking to the basics with a top quality fighting revolver and that's what a Model 10 is, a fighting gun. CONGRATS!

David:

God bless you for your 44+ years of service!

With His blessing, "bodily hydraulics" notwithstanding, I hope that you will make the decision whether or not to retire on your terms and not those dictated by some faceless bureaucrat.

Dabney,, What is your choice of duty loads? And are you able to carry them?

I done a good stretch in security where we were issued revolvers and I lucked out with a Model 15. We were issued both Remington 158 SWC-HP +P and what we were told were LAPD load REM 125grn SJHP +P+

In LE I had no choice but to carry autoloaders.

Congrats, and Thank You on your 44 years of service!

Thank for sharing your 10-6 with us too!

Dabney,
I did enjoy and appreciate your thoughtful post.
The Model 10-6 has always been a winner for me and has served very well. I know that competing with the new automatics is a rewarding challenge and I admire you for your steadfastness.
Your 44+ years of service is highly commendable. Not many achieve what you have.
Im sure you will be blessed in the future. Thanks for serving.
Jim

That is an NYPD Jay-Pee holster! I had that one and then switched to the swivel holster version before we went to the 9MM. Never let that gun out of your possession, and pass it on to someone who will cherish it as you have! Happy retirement!

The current LEOSA certification is not too revolver friendly so last year I used my former issued Gen 2 Glock 23 and scored in the high 90s. When I use a revolver my score is about the same but it's a struggle to keep up w/everyone else on the line. When it comes up this year I'll likely use the Glock again.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Best of luck to you David! Thanks for your post. I enjoyed it.

Great post. Great photos. Thanks for posting!

Nice post. Thank you for your service.

Old guys and wheel guns are great and your 44 years service is outstanding. Hope you stay well and keep shooting straight.

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Just a shooter

Several years ago, I was in a match with an "old timer" and his Model 19. I believe he had the only revolver among many auto loaders. When the smoke had cleared he was in the top 10. When he fired 6 rounds, he had 6 hits. Kind of took some of the young uns by surprise.

What an interesting story. Thank you for your dedication. I prefer the standard barrel guns but it is nice to know there are still Model 10s out there protecting us. Bill

Dabney,
Great story. When I started my career as a police officer I too was issued a 4' bull-barrel Model 10-6. It was a great wheel gun to carry until our department transitioned to Sig Sauers. We were allowed to purchase our guns and I gladly paid the $75 they were asking for it.
I love wheel guns and continue to purchase them every time I get a chance.
As for your 44 year career, good for you. I only did 30 years, but when it came time to leave I requested to become a reserve officer and have been one ever since. It keeps me in the loop and current on training and with any luck when they phase out the Sig Sauers, hopefully I'll be able to purchase that one too!

I too was issued a 10-6 in 1979. Served me well, but I could not afford to buy it back (for $90.00) in 1984 when we transitioned to the 586. I still have the 586 and bought another nice 10-6 a couple years ago. It has a great, natural balance.

In those days the department had a commercial reloading machine and a 55 gallon drum full of loaded wadcutter rounds. You could scoop out a coffee can full and shoot as often as you liked. I remember, some rounds had the absolute minimum powder charge - you actually could see the bullets flying toward the target in the indoor range.

We fired a monthly course with a max score of 300. I was always in the high 290's with that 10-6.

Thanks for the post and for your years of service. I did 33 years at my agency, retired and went to another local PD on a part-time basis currently. Yes, it's a hard habit to break!

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Tony

I too started out my career carrying a 10-6. Changed departments and went to a Model 19, then 66 until we switched to Sig 226's.
I still LEOSA qualify with the 226 as it is a great pistol and makes it a breeze with high cap mags. I carry a S&W Shield or a Glock 43 however as my EDC.

As far as retirement if you have your time in go ahead and do it. I was worried about it, but it will pass real fast after you see that you no longer have a schedule to keep anymore.

I was issued a new Model 10-6 when I joined the Elyria PD in 1972. Several years later, I became one of the Firearms Instructors and Dept. Armorer and we switched to Model 66's, using the FBI load: Semi wadcutter, hollow point, +P round. Several years later we switched to Sig 226's. We were allowed to purchase our guns for $75.00 each.

Uniform carried 4" 66's while plain clothes carried 2 1/2" 66's. After getting the Sigs, uniform carried them and plain clothes carried the 229's. I bought my 4" 66 and also my 2 1/2" 66 as I was transferred to the DB, so I had both issued guns. I was the one who issued out the guns too.

I was given my 226 when I retired per our contract with the City.

David, congrats on a long career, enjoy what follows.

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Sure you did

REAL COPS CARRY REVOLVERS

Hey, I think that is profiling Sir.

Here's a question. Does it matter what you qualify with and carry? Meaning can you qualify with one and carry another? If so then quality with something else. It's just a gun to get you from A to B. In other words it's just something you need to keep the job you love.

David, thank you for your service.

44 years of service. Bless you, sir. I know folks who if they added age and service and amount of money in a pocket could not reach a 44 of anything. Go enjoy. You have earned your due.

Agencies that I have worked for require that you qualify with the weapon you carry on duty and off duty.

My deepest thanks and appreciation for the kind messages of support. Some of the best folks in the universe reside in this S&W Forum! This week I got in a couple of good range days of practice, using the Model 10-6 pictured above. It seems that my 1973-era Model 10 really has an appetite for the 158-gr. LRN standard factory loading specs (old police .38 load). It can be amazing how a fixed sight service revolver, like the Model 10, can really shoot a tight groups with the right ammo. The Model 10, in standard or heavy barrel, is a winning hand for protecting the home, while on the road, or on your person as a self defense arm. You just can't go wrong with one! The Model 10 in 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6-inches is "still" a very popular six-gun for these described missions and even for an old codger deputy, still clinging to his Model 10 and Colt Official Police for duty use. Thank you my friends, I'm so honored to be numbered amongst you!

David

I have great respect for revolver-packing old-school LEO's, David.

You're a good man. Keep the faith.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Hey, Hogue Monogrips in pebbled nylon! I mostly have Spegels on my DA revolvers, but those Hogues are my second choice and I like them too. Odd, as I normally hate finger grooves...

I carried a wheelgun right up to the last, too. And beyond.

My EDC is a Glock 19 now, but I will never shoot it as well as the old .357. And the Glock is so ugly my wristwatch quit working.

Congratulations on outlasting everything and everybody.

Yep. Fixed sights are regulated for 158 grain bullets. Both 38 and 357 SD hoot great in my model 13. With 125 grain 357 being a close second in point of aim

Was it you or someone else who posted a couple of years back about qualifying with a .38/44 Heavy Duty?

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NHI, 10-8.

Hello Mr. Doug!

I actually shot qualification with my 1939-era .38-44 Heavy Duty the last two years. The qualification I go through with my agency, Muscogee County SO, I use my Model 10-6. I re-qualify later, under the local PD, with my Colt Official Police and the previously mentioned .38-44 HD. The range instructors with PD are all old school cops that remember me "when" they were younger and I worked the beat. Please read between the lines. This enables me to carry all three without stepping on toes. Thanks for your interest.

David

lf Glock was a woman she'd look like Rosie 0donnel

Smith&Wesson Revolver, Linda Carter at her FINEST