Thanks Joe and tripledipper. I remember my dad telling me, in New York, you were issued your on duty service revolver and the off duty gun was purchased by the officer. The rules were you had to pick from a department certified snubbie. The choice was either a Detect Special or a similar S$W. He chose the Colt because of the extra shot. At the time, The idea was if you have to use your off duty gun it would help another officer identify you if you carried the right piece. He also said that as long as you had one of the two department guns with you, you could carry anything you could qualify. I remember him telling me he would often carry a 1911 or even a SAA in 45LC.