Working man’s guns - post your guns no matter the make that earned their keep

Xfuzz · #51 12-08-2021, 12:52 PM

Had an Old Copper tell me long ago.
"Get yourself an always gun"....

One light enough but has some punch....and always carry it.

Went with the S&W 37.
Still rides in my left back pocket.

rbrbrb6 · #52 12-09-2021, 12:29 AM

S prefixed Model 58

Baltimoreed11754 · #53 12-09-2021, 12:37 AM

This commercial SA Garand has put venison into my freezer over the years. It had a sporterized M1stock and a 3x9 Redfield tv screen scope on it then. Put it in the Boyds stock after I retired.

Smoke · #54 12-09-2021, 12:58 AM

Glock 19 in a Safariland ALS. I carried it the last 21/2 years I worked.

Eltioloco · #55 12-09-2021, 11:53 AM

http://attachment.php?attachmentid=5...1&d=1639064053

Here is the pistol that has earned its keep to the nth degree in my house.
My father traded for this pistol from his Company Commander during the Battle for Okinawa when he took over the Company, he traded a Japanese Nambu pistol for the 1911. This pistol was carried by my Dad in Okinawa, Korea and his years while in the National Guard. Also I learned to shoot, detail strip and maintain this pistol before I was 12 years old. It always rested in a drawer in my Dad's dresser ready for duty.

CajunBass · #56 12-09-2021, 01:00 PM

I never think of long guns when something like this comes up. I've never used many, and haven't used them for ten or more years, but I do have this one. A Sears-Roebuck 12 gauge pump that I bought at the long gone Cloverleaf Mall store about 1978 or so. I paid $99.00 for it, with two barrels. The 28" modified that it wears here, and a 24" slug barrel that I've still got, but don't think I have ever even mounted on the gun.

It was my deer gun. I hunted with a club...southern style, using dogs and buckshot only. I patterned it with 3" number one buckshot and never bothered to try anything else. It did just fine with those.

It rode many a mile in the gun rack of my Ford Bronco's, and later strapped to the roll bar of my CJ-7's. It rode on the gun rack of the dog box on the back of some other guys pickup, or just tossed in the bed.

I had a leather sling on it for years. I drilled a hole in the stock and put in an Uncle Mikes sling stud. I bubba'd it and used a hand held drill, so it wasn't on center, but who cared? I attached the front to the magazine with a hose clamp wrapped in black electric tape. Then I painted the whole gun camo with some stuff called "BowDull" made for oddly enough, for camoflaging bows. That was 35? 40 years ago I guess.

Did I mention that I carried it for miles on the sling, under the crook of my arm, or over my shoulder. Every deer it was ever pointed at hit the ground. One of them did get up, and because of an operator error (I short stroked the action and jammed the gun) it managed to stagger down to the next stander, who finished it off.

It got cleaned about once a year, rather it needed it or not.

I haven't hunted with it for years. Most likely I never will again, but it's probably the last gun I'd ever get rid of.

Rifleman200-10X · #57 12-09-2021, 02:08 PM

My constant companion for nearly 50 years while trapping and hunting. Has dispatched countless coyotes, raccoons, and other assorted small animals over the years. And I hate to admit, a sharp rap with the barrel has finished more than a few small critters when I didn't want to damage a valuable pelt. Mink, mostly. Pretty devoid of much finish, with my original holster. The original belt gave up years ago.

TXBryan · #58 12-09-2021, 02:21 PM

Victory in Europe (VE Day) was a Saturday this year. Early that morning my son asked me if we could take the Garand to the ranch, and get it dirty, as a sort of commemoration (I love that boy). It was more of a rhetorical question as my answer was most certainly yes.

No M1, that I'm aware of, has a documented history except those that were brought back or have a personal story by a soldier who carried it, and those are pretty rare. We have no history on ours except when it was made and when some modifications were preformed. No idea if it ever left our shores or who might have carried it, trained with it, or fired it. My understanding is no such records are kept - please correct me if I'm wrong.

Our example is by Springfield Armory and it's a fairly early one with a six-digit serial number dating to November '42. The stock is of slightly earlier manufacture from the spring of '42. It has a National Match barrel dated 1954 and the whole package is in fine condition.

Speaking of a "working man's" firearm it is interesting to comprehend lugging an M1 over hill & dale every day for, in some cases, years. Ours weighs a bit over 10 pounds without kit. Men were men when the M1 was the standard issue service rifle!

My son is a crack shot with the Garand and loves ringing the metal gongs at a distance. His 15-year old eyes are pretty sharp. Both of us wish this M1 could tell us its story.

Frailer · #59 12-09-2021, 04:01 PM

This “Baby Chief” shipped to Charles Greenblatt Co. in May of 1952, so I assume it belonged to a NYPD officer originally. It appears to have been carried much and shot little.

LPD256 · #60 12-09-2021, 05:08 PM

I’ve posted this one before. It has spent a lot of time in a holster. 1954 Heavy Duty from the Kansas Highway patrol.

THE PILGRIM · #61 12-09-2021, 05:49 PM

Here’s my Blue 19.
Bought it in Guam and later carried it in SEA.
The Nickel?
Its never been West of Gallup!

Sistema1927 · #62 12-09-2021, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

Here’s my Blue 19.
Bought it in Guam and later carried it in SEA.
The Nickel?
Its never been West of Gallup!

Never west of Gallup? Are you sure it didn't sneak out past Defiance at least once?

PeteC · #63 12-09-2021, 09:05 PM

Model 66, 1973. Started its tour of duty with the Shreveport P. D. Retired early and sold off in 1977 as part of a lot of police surplus guns. Shows a little holster wear on the barrel and cylinder. Grips shown may not be original, and were most likely rounded off to make them a little more user friendly.

wrkerr · #64 12-09-2021, 09:13 PM

I bought this M49 in the mid-80’s to use as backup and off duty. Now well into retirement, I still carry it regularly. After tens of thousands of wadcutters, it still locks up tight and shoots to POA. It looks like ****, but I prefer to say it has “personality”.

BC38 · #65 12-09-2021, 11:29 PM

I like this thread!
But if I was going to post all the well work-worn guns in my safe it would be two or three dozen examples - at least. That description fits probably 80% of what I own. Shooters are what I go for!
But here are a couple of examples.
An early 13-1 built on an overstamped 10-6 frame
An old pocket hammerless 32 ACP
An old Colt Pocket Positive in 32 SWL
And last but not least a FEG HP Clone

Llance · #66 12-10-2021, 01:23 AM

This 1911 was carried throughout my in-country tours in "Nam."
This is the same 1911 that I used to shoot a red screw off bottle cap at 83 measured yards, that my brother and a friend of his shot 24 rounds at with a .44mag and so far, as I could tell, didn't even come close. There are stories I'm glad it can't tell. The holster is a Bianchi model 66 ambidextrous.

Valmet · #67 12-10-2021, 03:00 AM

Enfield SMLE No 1 Mk I***, BSA 1904 mfg...117 years old and counting.

max503 · #68 12-10-2021, 09:52 AM

My friend's son was a state cop. The son died in a traffic accident. The ISP gave my friend his son's duty Glock, but first they removed the firing pin and put JB Weld in the barrel.
He got it up and running with a new firing pin. Not sure if he drilled out the JB Weld or bought a new barrel.

shil · #69 12-10-2021, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loyaljeeper

This no dash 442 was my UC, BUG, and off-duty roscoe until about 2019. I may start qualifying on it again.

Nice. Looks just like the one I destroyed years ago. A possible double-charge of AA#5. I'm still baffled that there were no "fireworks" when it let go.

The Preacher · #70 12-10-2021, 10:46 AM

This is the one I always have on when at the cabin and in the mountains; 44 Mag loaded with a Lyman 429421 "Keith" LSWC to about 950 fps. Carry it in a EPS Threepersons crossdraw.

Daily "social" carry for years has been a S&W 1st Gen. Shield in 9mm with 124 gr. Federal HST Hollow Pts.

Both are well used, accurate and trusted in their respective duties.

Preacher

Lee Barner · #71 12-10-2021, 12:12 PM

I really wish this one cold talk. I suspect it was a lawman's gun. a 1931 3rd model .44. spent many years in a holster. it had much later magnas on it when I got it so I put these genuine imitation aged ivory micarta grips on it. still looking for some service stocks that fit. Lee

ladder13 · #72 12-10-2021, 12:27 PM

Working man? Got this from an NYPD friend of mine. This spent years on patrol in the south Bronx.

Glashaus · #73 12-11-2021, 07:00 AM

My ex CHP Colt Dissapator

My ex Branson Mo Police Dept Mini 14 GB

bananaman · #74 12-11-2021, 09:38 AM

A couple of more for me. 1st off is a Ruger P 90. I foolishly had 1 that I traded or sold. So needless to say, a few years later found another at a real good price, so I bought it.
Next is a Bersa Thunder 9 Pro. I bought it new. My son bought it from me at a hot price after I had it a few years.
He wanted it for carry.
He passed away, and of course I took it. He rarely cleaned or took care of has guns. I did the best I could with it. Tried it for falling plates, and was pretty good! Bob

NCBeagle · #75 12-11-2021, 09:57 AM

I have this 1962 Colt Trooper. My wife’s uncle Bill bought it when stationed in Moundsville, WV as a WV State Trooper. It was his duty weapon. Bill later became the first Caption of WVU Police. At some point, Bill gave the gun to his brother, Walt, my wife’s grandfather.

This was a real working gun. You can see where a finger routinely rested on the right side plate, probably with hand resting on a holstered gun. Here is an article about Bill and Walt from 1964 or so. You can see this gun’s grip sticking up in the lower corner. Super cool gun. Walt’s son, Mike, gave it to me sarlier this year.

Here’s the Colt Archive letter:

ladder13 · #76 12-11-2021, 02:22 PM

NCHP Beretta

ladder13 · #77 12-11-2021, 02:26 PM

NCHP P226 357 SIG

ladder13 · #78 12-11-2021, 02:34 PM

Raleigh PD 4566

Glashaus · #79 12-12-2021, 08:16 AM

My Beretta 1301 Tactical was an evaluator for a police department, I don't think that it ever really did any work other then sit in its case, it was pretty much NIB when I got it

My Mississippi Highway Patrol Ithaca M37 I believe was a long steady worker

And I believe that my Georgia Department of Corrections M870 Police Magnum was also a hard worker, well at least it was carried a lot and showed up at the job

I am not sure where my Mossberg M500 Marine served it's duty but I believe that it was with a department in the North East US, I have owned it for about 20 years, it is a favorite of mine

Old Corp · #80 12-12-2021, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladder13

Raleigh PD 4566

No box, but that was my last duty pistol at Raleigh PD, and gifted to me at retirement in 2008. The young troops called it 'the boat anchor' and it was soon replaced by the M&P .45 FS, which has now been replaced by the Sig P320 9mm.

Can't recall when I last shot it, as I much prefer any of my bevy of M1911's - but it's a ultra-reliable pistol, accurate enough for a service pistol, built like a tank and not sure you could ever wear one out.
So that, and it's duty predecessor, a M1076, sits in the safe an awful lot.
Department armorer gave me about a milk-crate full of mags for each.

Drm50 · #81 12-12-2021, 04:04 PM

The closest I have in this category would be a Unique m52 22rf pistol. I carried one for beater several years. It functioned and shot well. Grips are early plastic that warp and crack with age. I sold my old one and have picked up another like new except for
grips. Making walnuts now. Will put a little more effort into them since pistol in excellent shape. These pistols were made in France on 32 size frames, all steel construction.

ladder13 · #82 12-12-2021, 11:50 PM

Raleigh PD 1076. I see little evidence it spent much time in service.

Muley Gil · #83 12-13-2021, 12:16 AM

No picture, but I have my granddaddy's Stevens .22/.410 O/U that he bought around the beginning of WW II to keep the bunnies out of his garden. It has a Tenite (plastic) stock and forend.

BC38 · #84 12-13-2021, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muley Gil

No picture, but I have my granddaddy's Stevens .22/.410 O/U that he bought around the beginning of WW II to keep the bunnies out of his garden. It has a Tenite (plastic) stock and forend.

That was my first gun.
Has the paddle type break open lever on the tang behind the hammer and the little button on the right side that slides up and down to select which barrel fires, right?
Shot many a rabbit, squirrel, and quail with that little gun.
Until some burglars stole it from our house.

Old Corp · #85 12-13-2021, 12:04 PM

ladder13 - both the M1076 and the subsequent M4566 and CS45 all had about a 10 year issue span.

IIRC, the M1076, our first auto came in ~1989/90 and was finally replaced about 1999/2000. It had already been discontinued by S&W, but they would make up relatively small batches to sell us for incoming academies - at a very increased cost.

That, and holster/mag pouch interchangeability and lower gun/ammo cost lead to adopting the M4566 (uniform) and CS45 (plainclothes)
That pair of issued guns ran from ~2000 to about 2009, being replaced by the M&P .45 FS.

From what I hear, they really like the current Sig P320 9mm and scores have gone up.
That's fairly predictable, as the average officer has more interest in golf clubs than any firearm. I was a rare standout as a lifelong gun geek and shooter there.

Heinz · #86 12-16-2021, 09:40 PM

Here are a couple of oldies but goodies
Fully functional 32 Colt, from out of Southeastern Ky in the 1930s, a Deputy Sherrif's gun at one point. It has several blacksmith made parts. IXL Bowie I paired it with and sheath a friend made

wundudnee · #87 12-16-2021, 11:22 PM

These two were a little late to the party. The top is a National Postal Meter and the bottom is a 1945 Winchester. They both have bayonet lugs and swing safeties. The Winchester could be correct.

wundudnee · #88 12-16-2021, 11:32 PM

Here's a couple from the other sides. Neither one looks like they worked too hard. The top one is a Russian 1950 Tula and the bottom is a Yugo.

JDBoardman · #89 12-17-2021, 03:38 AM

I have a 1917 that has seen 3 generations through war - my Grandfather in WWI, my Father in WWII, and me in Viet Nam. I had a long story composed describing in some detail what it went through, but twice now something has caused me to lose my narrative. I still take the revolver out to the range, with soft handloads and 230 hardball. It still can shoot better than I can hold it, but I know at "bad breath distances" it can still do its job.

viceunit · #90 12-17-2021, 03:03 PM

Two of these served me well in my LE career.

1) 19-3 2.5" blue. I have owned this since new for over 45 years. Paid $165.00 in 1976 when I was 20 years old. Had to talk my dad into filling out the paperwork. Carried it off duty when I started my LE career at age 23 and continued to carry it in plain clothes assignments later on and made sure to note that my gun was older than some of my co-workers.

2) 586 no dash. This was issued by the department around 1983 to replace model 10-6 revolvers. I carried this until approximately 1990 when we transitioned to Glock 17's. I was able to buy it back from the distributor for $140.00. When it was issued I removed the original grips and replaced them with Pachmayr and that is why the grips still look LNIB.

3) 19-2. This was a personally owned duty weapon of a co-worker. John was on the pistol team and put thousands of wadcutter rounds through this gun. When he passed away a few years after retirement I purchased this from his widow as she needed the money and I was happy to pay market value at the time.

4) M&P 5 inch. This is a Cleveland OH PD duty issue. I found it at a LGS about 20 years ago and paid $135.00. With my contacts at CPD I was able to locate the family of the officer it was issued to during his career - which was from 1948 to 1973. I offered to sell it to the family for what I paid for it if anyone had any interest. I left my phone number but never got a call. I know the stocks are not original. If this thing could talk...

Added: Thanks for not gigging me on my prop rod being upside down!

Goldstar225 · #91 12-17-2021, 08:53 PM

My personally owned, department approved Remington 870. I equipped it similar to the Scattergun Technologies border patrol model. My daily companion for the last 17-18 years of my career. Never had a shot fired in anger but persuaded many to peacefully surrender. Now retired with me.

Buford57 · #92 12-17-2021, 10:17 PM

Colt Lawman MKIII. A gift from my ex-fiance in 1980. I carried it as a BUG and off duty when in uniform and as my primary in Investigations and as a PI after I pulled the pin. The lady in question became my ex-fiance in 1981 when we married. She wanted me home at end of watch and the Colt was instrumental in making that happen. Still have both.

Colt Cobra 1st or 2nd year of production. It was a retirement gift to a Michigan State Police Lieutenant and so inscribed. It appeared unfired when his widow sold it. I changed all that and it became the understudy to the Lawman.

Daily load out circa 1985

Wyatt Burp · #93 12-18-2021, 12:43 PM

About ten years ago I found this 1952 Cobra .38 Special all lonely in the bottom used shelf in a gun shop full of modern polymer semi autos. It cost $250 and I asked them to throw in the lefty Bianchi holster that was in the case but not with the gun. I think it was a gun carried forever but rarely shot, probably an off duty gun of an unknown LEO. I added the T grip and stags later. The factory "Coltwood" plastic grips are stashed away. This gun is in the Witty/Nichols book "Holstery" in that rare uncatalogued B-M IWB holster.

Protected One · #94 12-18-2021, 03:48 PM

I have an old friend who is a retired LAPD Detective. He approached me one day with a trade offer for this Model 60-0 that was his bug for over 20 years. We made the deal, which included the Bianchi holster.

ladder13 · #95 12-18-2021, 03:56 PM

Pretty sure this NYSP 681 saw some usage. I believe the Bridgestones were issued to troopers.

ladder13 · #96 12-18-2021, 04:06 PM

Many moons ago I ran into a Dick Special inscribed Masback Trophy.
I had no idea what it was, but when I went back a week later it was gone.

It was, I think now, a gun given to the best score for NYPD Probationary Patrolmen.

RMVivas would know.

TxShooter · #97 12-19-2021, 08:47 PM

I started my career as a reserve in 2009 with my P226 in .357 SIG. When I was hired fulltime a few months later I went to a P226R 9mm so I’d have nightsights and a Streamlight TLR-1. The P320 9mm fullsize slide on an XCarry frame and TLR-7 came along in 2016. It or the P226R has been my plainclothes and uniform gun ever since.

RWPBR · #98 12-19-2021, 09:15 PM

I like to imagine some young British Lieutenant sitting up to his ankles in mud and muck of a trench somewhere in France, patting this Webley MK V fondly in its holster as a flare goes up and the Bosch start trying to sneak under the wire.

BARgunner · #99 12-22-2021, 09:26 PM

Here's one that's been there and done that. Shipped in June of 1934. Somebody had a piece of gold inlaid into the front sight for a good sight picture.

quikdraw67 · #**100** 12-22-2021, 09:51 PM

Ruger Mini-14 GB 186 Series LEO/Restricted marked. It spent its life in a cruiser either in a rack or a trunk.

The magazine plate is marked "I.S.P". So IDK if it belonged to Iowa, Indiana, or Illinois State Police/Patrol. The rifle is not marked, and no way to know if the mag was original to the gun.

But it worked for a living before it got to the QD67 retirement home.