A question about S&W handcuffs

[RightWinger]

I own several pairs of cuffs I use at work, but 2 of the pairs I have are S&W, the other 2 pairs are peerless.....just out of curiosity, why are most cuffs nickel plated? To me nickel is cheap, it has flaked off all 4 pairs of my cuffs, and when it does flake off it rusts.....If surgical equipment is stainless for sanitary reasons why would handcuffs be any different? Aluminum and Titanium would be great as well.....at least stainless, aluminum and titanium don't rust and can be bleached easily. Anyone else wondered about this? I realize smith does make 2 pairs of SS cuffs, but I was just curious why the demand isn't higher

[Joebklyn]

Because there are some of us LEO's who would'nt mind if some crackhead *** gets tetnus from those rusty cuffs. If 'ya know what I mean.

[merrkat]

well you know these plated cuffs we have are chipping. Gonna need more money in the budget for new cuffs. Just cause you dont get a pair doesnt mean they didnt get the cash for them

[ol' geeser]

Hose 'em down w/ a halon fire extinguisher when the dash of your crown vic catches fire and they're ALL junk......downside of carring spares on the spotlite handle donchano...

[JC4013]

That's not where you keep cuffs. You're supposed to loop them over the barrel of the shotgun. That 12 gauge barrel is also a great place to stash a stogey.

[alkirer]

Here in Central Mo. we like the S&W linked cuffs, More Torque for control of course!!!

[MPSGT]

Originally Posted by JC4013

That's not where you keep cuffs. You're supposed to loop them over the barrel of the shotgun. That 12 gauge barrel is also a great place to stash a stogey.

That's like storing Bazooka bubblegum squares - unchewed of course - in your holster. Not kidding, I knew someone that used to do it.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Handcuffs come in Blued, Nickel, and Stainless.
Whatever the Supplier has the lowest unit price is what the Agency purchases.
The "Goldern Haired" guys usually have patent leather equipment belts, nickel plated service weapons, and nickel plated cuffs.
In Patrol (real Cops) one doesn't always get the same cuffs back from the Correction Officers, especially in group arrests.
If the blood is cleaned off the cuffs right away, the cuffs finish will last longer.

[wlm]

I have a pair of aluminum alloy cuffs. Never had any problem w/them although I used them as second pair (backup). Anybody have any experience w/ these? Chief Larry (Ret.)

[dltvette]

Originally Posted by RightWinger

I own several pairs of cuffs I use at work, but 2 of the pairs I have are S&W, the other 2 pairs are peerless.....just out of curiosity, why are most cuffs nickel plated? To me nickel is cheap, it has flaked off all 4 pairs of my cuffs, and when it does flake off it rusts.....If surgical equipment is stainless for sanitary reasons why would handcuffs be any different? Aluminum and Titanium would be great as well.....at least stainless, aluminum and titanium don't rust and can be bleached easily. Anyone else wondered about this? I realize smith does make 2 pairs of SS cuffs, but I was just curious why the demand isn't higher

RightWinger,
I'm sure cost is the over riding factor. Here are some cost in some product brochures I have.

Approximatly 1961 brochure:
Model 90 Blue or Nickel $12.00
Model 91 Polished Nickel $14.00
Model 926 Airweight Polished (Aluminum) $16.00
Model 925 Airweight Nickel (Plated Aluminum) $18.00
Model 936 Stainless Steel Polished $20.00
Model 938 Stainless Steel $16.00

1965 brochure:
Model 90 Blue or Nickel $13.50
Model 91 Polished Nickel $16.50
Model 926 Airweight Polished (Aluminum) $18.50
Model 925 Airweight (Nickel Plated Aluminum) (No longer offered)
Model 936 Stainless Steel Polished $22.00
Model 938 Stainless Steel $18.50

1969 brochure:
Model 90 Blue or Nickel $14.25
Model 91 Polished Nickel $18.00
Model 926 Airweight Polished (Aluminum) $20.25
Model 925 Airweight (Nickel Plated Aluminum) (No longer offered)
Model 936 Stainless Steel Polished (No longer offered)
Model 938 Stainless Steel $20.25

1990 brochure:
Model 100 Blue or Nickel $22.00
Model 103 Stainless Steel $36.00

Current S&W Online:
Model 100 Blue or Nickel $31.36
Model 103 Stainless Steel $55.32

Dave

[Miami_JBT]

I have cuffs in service that are older then me. Out of the twenty or so pair I own. The majority of them are S&W. I'm 2nd gen LEO. SO I'm using a lot of hand me downs from the old man. Always funny when you wear a badge and cuffs that are older then you.

[JayCeeNC]

Originally Posted by wlm

I have a pair of aluminum alloy cuffs. Never had any problem w/them although I used them as second pair (backup). Anybody have any experience w/ these? Chief Larry (Ret.)

I bought a pair in 1974 and used them as an Air Force cop and later as a civilian cop until the mid-1990's. Never had a problem with them, they hooked up a good many bad guys over the years. I did send them to the dry cleaners in a suit pocket once, they were so light I forgot they were there!

[ken158]

Originally Posted by wlm

I have a pair of aluminum alloy cuffs. Never had any problem w/them although I used them as second pair (backup). Anybody have any experience w/ these? Chief Larry (Ret.)

I also have a pair of the aluminum cuffs and used them for years with no problems. Even some of the bad guys thought they were cool! Great for plain clothes carry in a jacket pocket rather than through the belt. Bought mine new and still have the box!