Yes. The last round was a result of a premature pat on the back.

We had three call boxes located in the downtown area, one on the east end, one on the west end, and one located near the middle. If the Dept. wanted to get a hold of a beat cop, they would flip a switch and three red lights would light up, letting the beat man know to call in. I walked the beat for about 2 1/2 years and didn't like it, but after I was put in a squad car, I then regretted getting taken off the beat.

I could hide at night, go to the central fire station to take a short nap after all the bars closed up, had plenty of places to stay warm and dry in inclement weather (you learned quickly which doors could be jimmied open), and didn't get too many calls while on the beat, except for bar fights or drunk/disorderly persons walking around. I could stop for coffee or food at the all night restaurant, and the owners treated us really nice, as patrons usually behaved themselves when we were in the restaurant. On afternoons and mids there were usually two beat cops working downtown, one on the east end and one on the west end.

My 1st duty on mids was to check all businesses to make sure doors were locked, and I made a 2nd check prior to getting off work in the morning. Walking the beat helped me stay in shape too.

I was married, but soon learned that if the beat cop was single or willing, he could have rendezvous's with women who lived or worked downtown. I behaved myself.

One of the downtown movie theaters, that was still open, was owned buy a husband/wife team. He ran the projector and she did the other stuff, including taking care of the beat cop, if he was so inclined.

I was one of the first to be issued one of those when I walked the beat. I was also the 1st to help make an arrest while using the radio.

One dayshift tour I was walking my beat and saw a reported stolen car coming down the street, so I radioed in the location and in short order we had recovered the car and arrested the driver. I got some congratulations for that one, and felt pretty darn good about it.

First gun was a 67-1 with 18 rounds (two speedloaders) and a Plymouth Grand Fury Police package, Ice Blue metallic with a HD alternator, HD suspension, and a 318 motor....HA! next came Model 15, Sigma 40E, and M&P 9. retiring next year!

Yep, that was the one the Sergeant had when I first started. We only had one in the department in 1977. We got a few more a couple of years later.

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Dave Frost

When I started in 1978 I was issued a M-19 (-4 I think) that I immediately put a set of Pachmayr Presentations on. It was carried in a Jordan holster made by Simon's in Albuquerque and we carried 12 extra rounds in loops. (Speedloaders weren't allowed). Sam Browns held gun, ammo, cuffs and a ring for the baton. No radio, no mace & no vests. About 2 years on, I switched to a personal M-28-2 and carried it until I was issued a 686 in 1988. When the department went to aS&W 5906 utos in '93 I was a detective and was allowed to carry my personal 3" M65. In '98 they finally forced me to convert but by that time they had moved on to the Sig P220. A fine gun for an auto. Since I retired, I am never without a J frame.

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Support your Police, & NRA

Small Dept hire here. We provided our Duty Weapon, boots, and they furnished rest.(uniforms, duty gear, handcuffs, baton, portable radio, Kevlar vest.
My first Duty weapon was a 10-5, Square Grip, tapered bbl. Pachmayrs were allowed.

After 90 days(probation hire), they issued a M66-5, all fit issued holsters, speedloaders. Kept my M10 for a second gun, and bought a M49 for ankle. Never felt undergunned.

Glad I kept my M10. I own a 442, and the two do a fellow proud to carry.
Both great shooters, not ever an issue.

My M10 was used, but have owned it since 1989. It is in clean, lubed and loaded, secure to protect my family and myself.

Sheriff I worked for in the early 70s didn't care what we carried. ''If it's too big to holster put wheels on it.''
I found a 6-inch Python in the local paper and gave the guy $125 for it.

Thank You to all that posted photos of their duty weapons and tales from the beat. I was just posting a photo of a well worn and finishless M10. I had no idea this would grow to 3 pages.

I started with Fort Lauderdale in 1971 where we bought our own with a model 10HB and later traded up to a mod 19, then transitioned to a mod 59. Today, none of these remain in my collection.

TNZ71:

This has been a lot of fun for a bunch of us former law enforcement types!!! I'm sure that we are the ones who should be thanking you. I personally have had a great time posting my own duty weapons, as well as seeing what the other folks around the country were carrying both before and after my day.

On another personal note, I teach criminal justice classes at the college level, and one of the courses that I teach is called "Firearms in Police Operations". And part of that course involves spending time looking at the history of police use of firearms, and their evolution; how we got where we are today, from where we were yesterday. I have been teaching that particular course for over 36 years now, and am still learning and incorporating material into the course. So this information has really added to my own knowledge base in a very personal way.

I have a feeling that we are not done with this thread yet, there are still a lot of old (and young) police officers out there who have not checked in yet!!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Any reasonable facsimiles? I'd be looking for some surrogates. The only duty weapon I no longer have is the Smith 4043 I was issued. I bought it but later raffled it to help a partner after he cut several weeks without pay.

As a college graduation present, my wife asked me if I wanted a class ring or gun. I chose the later. She bought a new S&W Model 28 (4"). My first LEO job didn't provide sidearms, so the M 28 was pressed into service. When I left for my second LEO job, I was issued a used Ruger Security Six. It shot loose and rather than take an issued Colt Trooper with a horrendous trigger, I asked to carry my M28 again and my request was granted. The next duty gun was my own S&W M 66, 4" and a 2 1/2". Before I retired, I carried an issued Beretta 96D. Regrettably I traded off the M28. I have passed down the S&W M66's to kin. My father passed a S&W M 19-3, 4" to me. It had been personally owned by a LEO buddy. One day it'll belong to a grandson.

TNZ71 requested I add this post from another thread to this thread. So:

My first duty gun was a 4" model 66. I later got the itch for a 686 as I thought that's what I was supposed to want, so I traded it off. I've regretted the trade. Well yesterday, while throwing old stuff out, my wife found the receipt where in 1985 I traded it and 50 bucks in on a 4" 686 at Lucky's Liquor & Sporting Goods in St Charles Mo. It contains the guns SN. I'll just throw it out there in the outside chance someone runs across it as I would have some interest: 41K2144

I'm not holding my breath.

---------------------------------------------

Clipped from another thread that seemed to meet the theme of this one (Edited a tad for relevance):

I spent the majority of my LEO career at a partially rural southern FL Dept. Initially and for most of my career there they did not issue a firearm. When I started the rules were that you could carry any wheel gun of 38 special or larger that you could qualify with and any of the major brands of firearms. Rossi, Taurus, etc not permitted. If you wanted to carry magnums, 357 or 44 Mag, you had to qualify with them first attempt, otherwise you had to qualify with 38 or 44 special. Most carried smith 357s, either 66s or 686s. I don't know the percentage that were restricted to specials. There were always a some that barely qualified with anything. A few carried Colts or Rugers. There were a fair number carrying 44s and a few carrying 45LC. Some of the brass carried 44s and one I know of the long colt. Back up and off duty was pretty wide open and I don't recall any qualification with them early on. I carried a 6" 629 filled with magnums the majority of my time with that Dept. When I initially hired on there my duty gun was a 686, as it had been with the Dept that immediately preceded it. At the Dept that preceded that one I was carrying a 659 as my primary but the others didn't initially allow semi-autos. My backup/OD was a 669 or 60 depending on mood. I also carried an AMT Backup in my back pocket at times as a backup but I never had full faith in it.

Eventually they (The Dept I stayed with) permitted semiautos but you had to pass an extended transition course which included a fairly unreasonable qualification. I was one of the first to do the transition and carried a 645 but I didn't find it reliable and went back to my wheel gun. I later tried a 4506 but didn't find it any better so back to the 629 where I mostly stayed except for my stint on the marine unit and a couple other times when I got a wild hair to carry something different. I carried my personal Gen 2 G21 long enough to show some holster wear. But darn, I always liked my wheel gun and I sure could shoot that 6" 629 good, so it was always home base.

Eventually they issued duty guns phasing in with G21 I think. Later then switched to the Smith M&P (I think), had issues with it , went to 40 cal Glocks and just recently to Glock 17s. Those that were there were grandfathered, like me, were allowed to continue carrying what we had been.

I switched to a Kimber 1911 for my last couple of years when they quit buying 44. I think I was the last 44 guy. I don't know if there are even any wheel gun duty guns left now. I believe everyone has to carry what's issued now.

I came to the party late. 40 year old rookie (in 2009) after 22 years active duty Army. I was in the last academy class to be issued Beretta 92G. I didn't by it when we transitioned to M&P 40 because I already purchased an M9 and my issued gun was a worn out dog. I did buy the M&P when we switched from the Smith to our current duty Glock 17 gen5.

I was a highway patrol officer for the Arizona Department of Public Safey, started in 1972, and our issue weapon was the S&W Model-15 Combat Masterpiece, and twelve rounds of 110 grain Super Vel. Six in the revolver and six in bullet loops. When I retired 36 years latter I was carring an issued Sig P226 in 40 caliber.

Started with my own Mod.19 4 inch, and carried it for several years until a former State Trooper took over as new Chief. He changed our uniforms and issued us Mod.28's which I liked with the full magnum loads. Before those were issued I also carried a couple of 1911's at various intervals,and a Mod.39-2 which was a favorite if mine.
Later,after changing department I carried another 19,then a custom tuned 586. Finished the career with a Mod 629,custom tuned,which had been my dealers pin gun prior to me buying it from him.
Captured one of two scumbags with it who had beaten a State Trooper senseless and taken his gun. Most rewarding arrest of my entire career.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

When I signed on in 1976, I was offered use of a really beat victory model.. it rattled badly when shaken & timing was pretty iffy. If I could have taken it home, I'd have gotten it fixed up but the V model & 6 mismatched leftover rounds had to be signed out each time.
I used my nearly new M19-3 & got blueing wear despite a using a lined holster (Bianchi 5BHL). We were promised we could order M66s through the PD same as issue but I eventually figured out it wouldn't happen.
I was fortunate to find a 4" M66-1 in the LGS & bought it. I carried SuperVels in the M19 but my 66 didn't like them. Last issue ammo was Winchester 146 grain Silvertip... I was the first to carry speedloaders... Comp 1.
I carried a M36-1 & a 3" 66-2 as BO / OD.
Still have them all.
My 4" M66 still has the original non-rubber Hogues on it... I didn't care for the look but I found I could fire 6 full loads & the gun would be tighter in my hand than when I started... I didn't care how they looked anymore.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Still have mine.

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Since this thread has been brought back, I figured I might as well show off my 1979 Model 66 duty revolver with old style updates ... a new front sight, Farrant handles, and a DAO hammer & "combat" trigger...

Well, in post number 60, I think, I showed my partners for most of my LEO days, my 66 4", and my 66 2 1/2". Just to finish out my tour, here is what replaced them, and I carried until I retired. I still qualify with it at my old PD at least once a year to keep my LEOSA current. Not as photogenic as my old S&Ws, though....



Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I started out at a small municipal PD in 1977 with a 6” S&W Model 28 like this one:



I later switched to this 4” version:



When I went to the local Sheriff’s Office, I was issued a S&W Model 15 like this one:

First of all, a big thanks to all our current and former LEOs for their service.

These threads are very interesting. Amazing to read the wide variety of sidearms that have been used. Everything from VMs to 29s. Reminds me of stories written by Skeeter Skelton about his duty weapons back in the 1950s.

I grew up in CA in the 1960s and 1970s and I recall the local PD carried 4" M&Ps. The seriff's deputies carried 357s but I don't recall what model. The CHP officers could carry their choice from an approved list (they furnished their own) and I think 6" 357s were the most popular. Saw quite a few Pythons in CHP holsters. Sort of a status symbol, I think. Then after the Newhall shooting in 1970 CHP were issued 6" stainless 38s (the Model 68) with +P 38 Special ammo. The rank and file were NOT happy about it. I think they were allowed to keep their old guns for several years but eventually all had to change.

I have a fair number of retired police revolvers and one 659 auto pistol used by the Atlanta PD.

PS: There was a shootout with a barricaded subject next door to my workplace back around 1972. Woman called the cops saying her boyfriend was beating her. City PD unit rolled up and the subject shot him dead from the front door of the house before the cop could even open the door of his cruiser. They didn't even notice him slumped in the front seat until the standoff was over.

About 50 cops showed up and there was a protracted gun battle. I listened to the shooting. Pop...pop...pop of the 38s then boom from a 357. When they finally went in they found the woman shot dead and the subject dead from a self-inflicted. Turned out he was sheriff's deputy. They opened an abused women's center in town named for the dead girlfriend.

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No life story has happy end.

We were required to furnish our own revolver Colt or Smith & Wesson in .38 Special or .357. I started with a Colt Trooper and soon transitioned into a Colt Python. I traded the Trooper and $20 to another Deputy to move up in status.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Somewhat younger than most posters here so far, I started out with a 4046 in ‘99. The first semis we carried (early ‘90’s transition) were 4043’s but there was issues with the alloy frame getting beat up by the stainless slide. We now have M&P 40’s and will be transitioning to M&P9’s shortly. Prior to the transition to semi autos, it was personal purchase, anything in 357, as long as it was a Smith, Ruger, or Colt, with most of them being Smith 66’s or 686’s.

Now that I am the training Lt. and have the range under my area of responsibility, I am trying to get the powers that be to once again allow revolvers as back up weapons. I have taken a real affinity to them over the last few years and have realized their value as back up weapons. A lot of guys ( myself included) carry the Bodyguard 380, which is 7 rounds of 380, I like my chances a lot better with 5-6 rounds of .38 Speer Gold +P’s. Fewer rounds, but at the distances where a backup would likely be needed and keeping the rule of three in mind (most encounters are from 3 feet, with 3 rounds, over in 3 seconds) a J or snubby K frame is more than adequate.

Speaking of the brick radio, I found a few the other day when cleaning out a storage area in property, probably give them to the local police museum if they have a need for them. Also found our old Patrol Commander’s Remington 870 Wingmaster still in pristine comdition and wearing the original wood stocks it left Ilion with in 1968 with and an action so smooth people would pay $200 to get one as smooth on a new one. Also found an old Victory model that had been painted red and had the hammer spur taken off sitting in the bottom of a closet in our training room. I promptly cleaned off the paint, bought and installed a new hammer spur, oiled it up and now keep it at the range as a blank gun or to loan out for CCW classes we do. She still locks up tight and timing is spot on.

I carried a model 10 HB that had adjustable sites added, when I started in security. First LEO gun was a 66-0 that I traded a local PD Sgt. my model 67 to get.(local PD had forbidden 357 carry so we swapped) Carried the 66 and occasionally my 19-3 on my first Dept. We later were issued 65s. Later, I moved up to a 4" 686 which I carried until the Dept. mandated Beretta 92s, which I carried the last 2 years I was on the job. Like many cops of that era, I carried a lot of different revolvers. I was issued several guns but the only one I was forced to carry was the 92. But that was in the olden days. I think today even small depts. mandate what will be carried.

MORE LIKE A SINGLE TANK OF GASOLINE FOR MY OCTANE LOVING VINTAGE BEAST.....lol

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Sure that wasn’t the Ruger Police Service Six? The NYPD never authroirized adjustable sighted guns. I remember the Service Six being authorized but never the Security Six.

Funny thing I call them kids also. My son and everyone of my sandbox kids(nephew's) received a 1911 from my collection upon there return. All were Army or Marines, all were Infantry. Three are now Law Enforcement one stayed in the Army and last January made 1SGT. The 1SGT did two Iraqi and two Afghanistan tours. Would have made another Afghanistan but had to have more surgery from wounds from the previous tour. They all saw heavy fighting. Of the LEO's one is now a SGT and one is a CPL. Military Service runs in our family back to WW1. I say that with pride, always ready to serve.

As a reserve officer I used my own Model 19 4" nickel, aka "The pimp gun". SO Deputies were issued a 1911 in 1983.

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Front sight and squeeze

While I never served as a LEO, my history is military. As an enlisted soldier my first issue was of course an M16A1- it was made by H&R and I still remember the serial number 2216455. When I finished college and get t commissioned in the Air Force reserve, we were not assigned weapons like in the army. Even though we were about 8 years past the adoption of the beretta, the one and only time we got to the range we used model 15’s and full metal jacket ammo for a qualification - some were still blued others had been repaired and reparkerized.
I transferred back to the army and this was just after the transition to the beretta which I shot very well, was on a national guard competition team and earned a distinguished badge with the beretta, then took it on deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
My brother was a long time local cop (30+ years) and he was required to supply his own gun initially. He carried probably the longest a 4” 29.
He took a tumble off a balcony and landed on the gun hammer, driving the hammer into the internals, requiring a trip back to smith for repair. He always had some spare K frames which he carried briefly, as well as my father’s Colt combat commander. He then transitioned to a model 39-2 for a number of years
His department issued the ammo, and it got pretty out of control purchasing 6 or 7 calibers for issue, so they eventually went to glock 22’s.

When I did private security I was allowed to furnish my own duty weapon. When I switched companies I was issued a S&W 64. When I became a Police Officer my first duty weapon was also a S&W 64. The security gun looked better but was in poor mechanical condition. Only 5 chambers would fire and the company would not get it fixed. The Police gun was in far better mechanical condition but looked beaten up. My only other issued duty handgun is a Beretta 92FS that I am still carrying.

That appears to be a Motorola HT 90. Those were the first two radios my first security company used. If the antenna didn't break you could drop them off the roof of a 3 story building and they would keep working. Graet radios but heavy. The GE radios we later went to were the Slimline and much lighter plus 4 watt instead of 2. Wow the memories.

While in the OSP Academy we were issue the standard M10HB. Mine was used and had just been re-blued and leaked oil for the first several weeks I had it, my handcuffs were in the same condition. I got gigged by every inspecting officer at every inspection for many weeks because of having an oily weapon. The Academy also reloaded their own ammo on an old worn out automated press that frequently resulted in squib loads. While going through a low light qualification I felt what seem like a light recoil/report, broke open the cylinder & tried looking down the barrel to make sure the bullet had cleared, we got a lot of practice doing this because of the ammo problem. I thought I saw a clear barrel & was now running out of time so I fired off the last 2 rounds in rapid fire. When the lights came back on I looked down & saw a bullet sticking out of the end of my barrel. When the range officer asked if there were any alibi's I raised my left hand and kept my revolver pointed down range. When the range officer removed the stuck protruding bullet with a pair of pliers he looked down the barrel and could not see through. Out came the range rod and hammer along with 2 more bullets that were lodged in the barrel. The barrel held but always had a bulge that you could see under the right light and could easily feel. The gun was not replaced and later developed a severe timing issue that resulted in it spitting bullet fragments so bad it would cut through a piece of paper hung on the academy firing range stall wall. Finally the gun was supposedly sent back to Smith to be rebuilt but when it was returned to me, the bulge was still in the barrel and no one wanted to shoot next to me due to it still "spitting lead". I also had 2 firing pins break on that M10, but I wound up having to carry that gun until we got them replaced with new issue M681's. That M10 was the only weapon I didn't buy as we changed weapons.

I carried one that looked like that for years. I think I have a holster for one in the closet still wrapped in plastic. I used a metal clip instead of the holster as it was less bulky. I carried a coded radio for awhile that was a good third again bigger. I'm sure it was the system more than the radio but I recall having no reception with those on thousands of occasions.

That's not an HT 90 looks more like a MT 500 series Motorola. The HT 90's had BNC antenna connectors not direct screw in type antennas.

My first duty weapon was a 5" Model 27.

I think you're correct. MT 500 does have a familiar sound to it. The ones before those had a longer, thinner, floppier antenna.

The old Motorola "brick" pictured above is a HT220. They were beasts - heavy but rugged. Glad to see it brought back so many memories!

First duty weapon for me was a 6-inch Python I bought for $125 back in 1974. Pretty fancy stuff for a kid in a small sheriff's department in northwest Colorado.

............Your first handgun that you carried as a Law Enforcement Officer.......

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LEX ET ORDO

The HT90s we had did have the screw in antenna. I replaced three of them. They were the 6 inch long thin antenna. The weak point was where the thin rubber antenna met the screw in base.

Added: I just looked up the HT 90 and you were right. I may have been wrong on the model number but I could have swore the one we used on patrol said HT 90.

I think I win on the economy kick. My first cruiser was a 1982 Ford Fairmont, succeeded by a 1984 LTD II. Department used to buy six new cars every year to rotate around . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

My department issued 10-5 accompanied me on foot down dark alleys and many miles in Crown Victorias and Patrol Wagons. Never once did it complain about the dark, or being cold or being wet or having to work days off. And never told anyone how scared "we" were at times.

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Oh, I think I can beat that! When I started college at Auburn University in 1972, I would drive over to Fort Benning GA to use my dependents ID card at the PX. Several times, I saw an early 1960s Dodge with the long sloping back window. It had the flat round lights on top, that blinked off and on, like a rural postal carrier would use. It also had a hand cranked siren mounted on the outside of the driver's door. I figured it belonged to a small town PD.


In 1976, I did my law enforcement internship with the Lee County Sheriff's Office. I went to work for them fulltime later that year. I found out that the Dodge had been the civil deputy's car! I was told that he deputy once tried to stop a vehicle and had to call for assistance when the car failed to stop. The deputy called in the pursuit to the SO and one of the deputies asked over the radio how fast was he going. He responded , "I've got her up to 60!" and you could hear that hand cranked siren over the radio.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

In 1984 the Sheriff had a Ford LTD and the Deputies had baby Blazers, S10's with V6. This for a 6 deputy department, 2 FT dispatchers + a part time. 4 Reserve Officers, all of us involved from the S&R side. [If we shot on the team the Sheriff bought our ammo to 250 rds a month.] County was slightly larger than the State of Connecticut. We had several ranches you had to leave the County, drive 1 1/2 hours through Wyoming and go back into Idaho 20 some miles to reach. There was a lot of National Forest and a corner of a Reservation.

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Front sight and squeeze

My employer did not issue a firearm, so when I started in '97 I bought my own brand new 4" 19-7. I eventually replaced it with shorter barrel revolvers, but I still have it.

Unfortunately the county did provide our cars. My first gov't car was a 1994 Dodge Spirit. I was told I was getting "the old Dodge" and thought "oh, a Diplomat, thats ok". Walking out and finding it was a Spirit was one of the most depressing moments of my life.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

And I thought the Motorola Astra Saber radios sucked!

Fortunately, I still have my first duty gun. My issued gun was a Colt series 70 .45 (I only carried it in the academy). Within a week of being hired in 1979, I ran out and bought a brand new Colt gold cup for $370. I immediately sent it out for hardchrome. I think that is why it held up so well. Obviously the grips are current.
fuzzy

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I retired my M66... went to a M645 as soon as Semis were authorized. Jan of 1989. I bought the Armorer's hand built class gun from his S&W course. It had all the upgrades. It was such an easy gun to qualify with & never hiccuped, ever. I used a Safariland security holster & double mag pouch.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

When I was being interviewed by the police chief, he made the comment that there were no more walking beats and that "Everybody rides". That made me happy. My first day I rode with the shift sergeant. The second day I rode with a motor scout, who asked the sergeant if I had a helmet. The sarge gave him a look and told him to get a patrol car.

The third day, I was handed the keys to a three wheel Cushman. You might say I was a bit let down.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!