This might sound kinda silly, please bear with me.

Back in 1995, while on vacation/family reunion/fishin' trip in Montana, I stopped for gas and a cup of coffee somewhere between White Sulphur Springs and Livingston. I was cold, wet, and weary, having "summered" for ten days in the mountains seeking the wiley cutthroat and living in the back of my pickup. (Grin)

There were quite a few folks at the counter of this gas station, but one guy stood out: A U.S. Marshall, clearly marked, in a green jumpsuit, and he weren't no office guy.

I was sorta new to handguns then, carrying a .40 HK USP at the time, but what I saw was the biggest stainless steel no nonsense Smith on the planet. I don't know if it was a .45 or a 10mm, but it sure made an impression on me. That and the fresh homemade pies down the road.

Been a mystery every since and next time I'll ask.

Was it a .45 or a 10mm?

TGB

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

This might sound kinda silly, please bear with me.

Back in 1995, while on vacation/family reunion/fishin' trip in Montana, I stopped for gas and a cup of coffee somewhere between White Sulphur Springs and Livingston. I was cold, wet, and weary, having "summered" for ten days in the mountains seeking the wiley cutthroat and living in the back of my pickup. (Grin)

There were quite a few folks at the counter of this gas station, but one guy stood out: A U.S. Marshall, clearly marked, in a green jumpsuit, and he weren't no office guy.

I was sorta new to handguns then, carrying a .40 HK USP at the time, but what I saw was the biggest stainless steel no nonsense Smith on the planet. I don't know if it was a .45 or a 10mm, but it sure made an impression on me. That and the fresh homemade pies down the road.

Been a mystery every since and next time I'll ask.

Was it a .45 or a 10mm?

TGB

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Could of been either. If he was in a jump suit he could have been on weapons convoy or special unit. Marshal's (one L) could carry what they could qualify with as long as it was 9mm para or larger. Most Deputies wore plain cloths. However there was a big question about 10mm about that time due to FBI tests. Sig 220s were very popular about that time.....

Lots of Deputies were carrying a 4506 or a 4516 during the mid-90's as well.
Gonzo

Iam friends with a couple US Marshals and they both carried the 4516 as their side arm in 1995
G
I have one of 500 that was made in 1989 as a US Marshal Bicentenial
Here is a pic of mine Serial # begins with USM (Not great pics....this was with old camera. I just added a new grip and trijicon night sights from TOP GUN SUPPLY)Awesome shooter and accuracy!

__________________
**Big Dog Grips**

Whatever we wanted. I'm a retired Marshal and what you may have seen was a 4566 which were very popular at that time. I carried one for a few years before I went back to 1911s. Now there stuck with the p.o.s Glock 22/23. Thank God for retirement!

Thanks for the infomative responses. Apologies for misspelling 'Marshal'.

__________________
Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

Last ones I worked with carried 4566's and one carried a 4506 like the one we were issued. When I asked about that I was told pretty much the same thing, as long as you could qualify with it you could carry it, and most loved the .45acp. That was back in the late 90's.

Yes it was probably a S&W in 45 ACP.

My Dept trained some US Marshals back then and I was at a Negotitators school with a couple of US Marshals, and, they shot with us, we were invided to shoot in their indoor shoot house. A good time was had by all.

They were a fine group of folks...