Hello everyone, I have a friend in the Texas DPS that was issued a Model 28 with "DPS 20421" stamped on the left side of the frame under the cylinder. He is still with the DPS but this would have been 25 years ago (around 1989) when he was fresh out of the Academy. He let it get away from him and now would surely love to have it back. I think it was a 6" Model 28 but I'm not sure.
I'm just trying to help him find it If you have it or see it for sale somewhere, please let me know.

Thanks, Carl

I think they were all 4 inch. No telling where this revolver wound up. DPS would trade large lots in so they could wind up anywhere. Even foreign countries. I thought by 1989 they would have issued a 686 or a Sig semi- auto. They did have some problems with the 686s when they were first issued. That could account for the Model 28 being re-issued. It did take a while for everyone to be issued a Sig. They started with 9mm, then went to 45ACP, then 357 Sig. Good luck in your search.

Thanks for the reply. Just looking at a picture of him on his first day of duty, I cannot tell if the Model 28 was a 4" or a 6" bbl. but it certainly could be a 4". He stated it was a Model 28 and how heavy it was. He joined the DPS about 25 years ago. That is where I got the date of around 1988-1989.

You mentioned that they went to .45ACP for a while. Was that the Sig P220 or something else? Perhaps a Glock?

Finding it would be like finding a needle in a haystack for sure but, it can be a small world!

I wish I could help with the gun because your post certainly helped me with a mystery I've had in my S&W box stock pile... it's a box without the usual S&W end label, for a 4" Highway Patrolman ... but it has DPS 21231 written on the bottom with the gun serial number.

Sounds like the box is for a DPS gun.

You might want to also post in the "lounge" section asking people to keep an eye out for it... there might be a wider range of forum members that would see your post, and not just those that check the "S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present" section.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

The 45s in the 80s were Sig 220s. When DPS was formed in 1935, they issued 1911 45s. Then they switched to Colt 38 Specials, then S&W Heavy Duty 38s, then Model 28s, then 586s, then Sig 9mm, then Sig 45s then Sig 357 (226 or 229 for smaller officers or admin), then the DAK version of the Sig 357s. There were other models issued to non-uniformed officer such as Narcotics and Criminal Intelligence (later called Organized Crime). They got Chief Specials or Model 19s. Texas Ranger Special Ops recently adopted a Sig 1911 in 45. I guess what goes around comes around. The Rangers have always been able to carry personally owned weapons if they choose. Lots of them carried 1911s, some of them pretty fancy. I don't think I ever have seen any Texas DPS officer carrying a Glock. I think all the Rangers who carried revolvers are retired now.

No 6" Model 28s for Texas DPS. The only 6" guns I ever saw DPS use were 6" Pythons modified by Reeves Jungkind for their Pistol Teams. Jungkind was the "go to" guy for Python tuning in the olden days, and the DPS chief firearms instructor. And yes, Model 28s are heavy. That is why my 6" is mostly a range gun/safe queen.

When I purchased my TX DPS model 28, it was on consignment. It came with a typed letter on DPS letterhead from the Trooper that was issued the gun at the academy, and carried it on duty until the switch to semi-autos. FWIW, he states in the letter that the switch was made in May of 1990.

Thanks for all the information gentlemen. I know it is not likely to be found but, you never know!

Gunhacker, it definitely looks like you have a box for an inventoried Model 28 that belonged to the Texas Department of Public Safety or State Troopers. Does the revolver have the same numbers on it on the left side of the frame just below the cylinder? That is where my friend says his numbers were stamped.

Good history lesson also, texmex. You have a lot of knowledge about this and I am grateful.

Thanks for the memories. I recall various items about Reeves Jungkind in TSRA articles and such.