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

.38SuperMan · #1 12-06-2021, 10:07 PM

I thought it would be fun to start a thread on guns that earned their keep. Guns that worked in the line of duty whether they were military, police, security guards or whatever you can think of where they were used in everyday life. They could have been used by settlers to defend the farm or during the war, it makes no difference. They can be rifles, revolvers, muzzle loaders or whatever and can be any make.

Hopefully you can share their stories too.

I’ll start, I recently bought a beautiful M&P 38 snub nose from 1948, my birth year. I purchased it from a friend who bought it in 1980 from a retired Chicago police officer who bought it new in 1948. The revolver was his backup and carried daily.

I have no idea if it was ever used in a fight but it was the daily carry for that officer.

hivel37 · #2 12-06-2021, 10:31 PM

This long action snub is about a year older than
yours. It has a story, no doubt. Unknown to me.

BB57 · #3 12-06-2021, 10:38 PM

This pre-Model 10 dating from 1949-50 was also reportedly owned by a former Chicago police officer, per the LGS where I bought it. If so, it was used and carried very little.

Loyaljeeper · #4 12-06-2021, 10:39 PM

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

.38SuperMan · #5 12-06-2021, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hivel37

This long action snub is about a year older than
yours. It has a story, no doubt. Unknown to me.

I’ve read the term long action and short action. Can you explain what and why and how to determine.

KLYDE · #6 12-06-2021, 10:58 PM

Long time girl friends father passed away on Dec 7 last year. We found this Colt Police Positive in his safe. He was retired Boston PD.

Thinking it might be a BPD gun, I sent away to Colt for a letter. It came back issued to the Detroit Police Department 1923.

Klyde

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Erocksmash · #7 12-06-2021, 10:59 PM

My Austrian import stamped G19, she's been with me for a long time, served as a duty weapon for the SO I was on with, killed 2 coyotes that went after my pup on a golf course I lived on, been threw 4 hurricanes, the mud and sweat, 2 Bobcats have been taken out on the ranch with ol'girl, has taken out 1 Alligator. she's has been mirror polished, stripped, nickel plated, and striped again only to be brought back to her standard black finish...

Now she retired to the garage where she sees regular use...

Probably has 6k+ rounds on her and never a failure...

She's earned her keep

Sistema1927 · #8 12-06-2021, 11:10 PM

This M&P, c. 1957, looks like it was "rode hard, and put up wet", but it still locks up strong and works perfectly.

sigp220.45 · #9 12-06-2021, 11:19 PM

Got this Sig P220 on my Dad’s FFL while I was still in the Academy. It was my constant companion on many adventures in New Orleans, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, and Colorado. Somehow it kept getting grandfathered in, and I was able to retire with it. I don’t know many guys who carried the same gun for 25 years. Its my oldest boy’s now.

Mule Packer · #10 12-06-2021, 11:21 PM

I've posted this trusty Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt many times before, so please bear with me. For over thirty years now, it has ridden on my hip while I've lead the pack string into wilderness areas, packing equipment and supplies to U.S. Forest Service trail crews during the summer or packing kids, grandkids, or friends into their deer and elk camps in the fall. It has logged literally hundreds of miles with me on horseback.

.38SuperMan · #11 12-06-2021, 11:24 PM

I forgot that I had this. It’s an Israeli police surplus Beretta 84. It’s certainly been carried but still functions perfectly. I have the original grips but prefer the Altamont set I have on it.

Unfortunately I don’t have any history on it other than it’s marked Israeli Police.

sipowicz · #12 12-06-2021, 11:25 PM

My dad bought his DS in 1969. He originally had a 5 shot 36 but wanted to upgrade to something a tad bigger with one more round. At that time he already had 15 years on the NYPD. Thankfully he never had to fire it on duty but he did pull it out to alter some miscreants behavior on more than a few occasions. He retired in 1988 as the Captain of the 49 PCT and continued carrying it another 25+ years. At that time he realized the gun was more of a liability at his age than an asset Not an easy thing to come to terms with but he handled it admirably just like when he realized giving up driving was in his best interest. Anyway, after his passing at 90 years old, my brother sent me his gun. It’s what I carry most of the time even though I have more “tactical” models to choose from but I’m sure I don’t need to explain why.

JohnRippert · #13 12-06-2021, 11:30 PM

If this one could talk.

lkabug · #14 12-06-2021, 11:38 PM

My Model 10-5, 4 inch hard cromed.
Now wearing a pair of Bigmtnman's grips. (Thanks Ken)
This model 10 walked down many alleys. It has see the heat of the moment. If this gun could talk..... It was a working gun, retired, with honors, to a life of light duty

heeter3 · #15 12-07-2021, 12:28 AM

Sipowicz,I can only hope that my Son and my 2 grandsons cherish my guns the way you do your dads.God bless him and how nice of you to share that story.

Moo Moo · #16 12-07-2021, 12:42 AM

I recently put down a deposit on this ex-Brinks security Model 64-3. The rubber Pachs are well worn. (Sorry about the poor photo. It was taken in an indoor range).

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ISCS Yoda · #17 12-07-2021, 12:56 AM

Well, I have several surplus police or military guns, none of which have anything to do with me except I own them now.

Model 64 - from a private investigative firm - given to a friend:

Model 64 re-import - somebody somewhere carried this thing on duty - it not longer looks like this but I'll use the original working gun picture:

Wells Fargo Model 10 4 inch nickel - destroyed in a fire

Beretta M 92 - Italian carabinieri surplus

Beretta Model 81 .32 ACP carabinieri surplus, now sold

Walther P-4 - presumed German military or police weapon:

CZ Duo .25 ACP - made in German occupied Czechoslovakia in 1944 - presumably carried by one side of the other post-war:

M 5906 police trade in:

I can't speak for the BHP but the replica, an Israeli Kareen, well, you know that saw military or police service:

Wells Fargo Ithaca Model 37 Featherweight 12 guage:

Not pictured is a Winchester Model 97 in 16 gauge that I am pretty sure was a working gun once a long time ago..............

BigMuddy · #18 12-07-2021, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule Packer

I've posted this trusty Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt many times before, so please bear with me. For over thirty years now, it has ridden on my hip while I've lead the pack string into wilderness areas, packing equipment and supplies to U.S. Forest Service trail crews during the summer or packing kids, grandkids, or friends into their deer and elk camps in the fall. It has logged literally hundreds of miles with me on horseback.

I never get tired of seeing that one. The gun, the rig, it all looks great.

Dan

Scharfschuetzer · #19 12-07-2021, 01:28 AM

I type this today due to the accuracy and efficacy of this Model 65 no dash as a service revolver on the PD. I still take it out from time to time and it's still as good as it ever was. I never qualified less than Expert with it.

The Model 60 No Dash (in the brown Hoyt holster) was and still is a constant companion for 40 some years now.

Finally, I transitioned to this Model 58 for the last part of my LEO career. Like the Model 65, I always qualified Expert with it.

CH4 · #20 12-07-2021, 01:48 AM

My dad’s Colt Official Police (Heavy Barrel) and Smith Victory Model, he carried both his entire career. After retiring, he carried this M60 the officers gave him as a retirement gift.

growr · #21 12-07-2021, 05:33 AM

My Dad's K-38 service revolver....stolen, recovered and still in evidence.

Andyd · #22 12-07-2021, 08:03 AM

Soldiers are working men, too.

Hair Trigger · #23 12-07-2021, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andyd

Soldiers are working men, too

Agreed. This was my stepdad's issued sidearm in WWII. He was a courier in Europe, an E-5, so kind of unusual for him to carry what was usually issued to officers. Easier to conceal than a 1911.

18DAI · #24 12-07-2021, 08:31 AM

S&W 4513TSW, early production. Was my plainclothes and off duty gun for many years. I still carry it regularly these days as well. My favorite gun extant. Regards 18DAI

CajunBass · #25 12-07-2021, 08:58 AM

Here's my contribution to this. I don't have many that show any wear at all anymore, but this one, a CZ-82 in 9X18 Mak looks like it's done some duty somewhere.

Well, I guess this S&W 15-2 shows a little wear. No idea where that wear came from though.

geen · #26 12-07-2021, 09:25 AM

Mod 36 flat latch

1961 Python

mk70ss · #27 12-07-2021, 09:40 AM

Kentucky State Trooper’s duty gun I bought.

LEO918 · #28 12-07-2021, 09:55 AM

Retired Arizona Border Patrolman's sidearm during the 1920s and 30s.

BAM-BAM · #29 12-07-2021, 09:55 AM

Have my Dad's; he retired in 77 after 39 years as the Captain of a 50 man Burb of the Burgh Dept:

1938/39 6"Colt New Service in .357 magnum (King Sights and action job)
1946 4" M&P (lettered)
1950s 2" Colt Detective Special
1989(?) S&W 640 when he saw mine he asked me to get him one.

CH4 · #30 12-07-2021, 10:01 AM

My duty weapons for the last 2/3 of my career were a Sig P229 and P232.

PALADIN85020 · #31 12-07-2021, 10:19 AM

This Military and Police nickeled revolver was sent to the police chief of a small Indiana town in August of 1939. He took good care of it, for sure.

John

LEO918 · #32 12-07-2021, 10:34 AM

Austin P.D. #13. Shipped in 1952.

Old Corp · #33 12-07-2021, 10:40 AM

Lived with this M66 for about ten years, and it even saved my bacon a couple of times.

WCCPHD · #34 12-07-2021, 10:45 AM

Here's my contribution. All law enforcement guns.

Model 27-2 from a Connecticut Police Department (don't know which one)

66-2 North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division

66-1 Caldwell County, NC Sheriff's Dept (Sheriff Bliff Benfield's issued gun)

19-5 US Diplomatic Security Service

13-4 NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division

Registered Magnum REG-2269 (Bought from widow of a Montana Deputy Sheriff who carried the weapon)

27-2 Florida Highway Patrol

Sig P226 North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Rodan · #35 12-07-2021, 11:22 AM

This is the Springfield TRP I carried on duty for many years... fortunately, it never had to be fired in 'dire straights', with the exception of dispatching a very unpleasant Pit Bull that was intent on using me as a chew toy. I sold it off a few years back when I switched to M&Ps for duty, but it showed up in the LGS earlier this year and I bought it back.

One of the TRP's compadres was this Colt, which probably logged around a quarter million miles in the rifle rack until I retired it for an issued replacement. It went through a few iterations of furniture and optics over the years, and it's mere presence de-escalated a few tense moments, though thankfully it was never discharged on duty with the exception of putting down wildlife that were (mostly

) struck by vehicles.

The TRP was replaced with a 5" M&P CORE, which itself now rests in the safe as backup to the 2.0 CORE that rides on my belt every day. The suppressor was not duty equipment...

Getting away from the guns that work with me personally, I have two that my dad brought home from WWII. A Victory S&W in .38 S&W, and a Luger.

I don't know the back story on each, only that my dad bought them from a British tank NCO for the princely sum of a carton of cigarettes.

I have others that were clearly well loved working guns, but I don't know their history, and they aren't talking...

max503 · #36 12-07-2021, 11:23 AM

Too bad they don't make 'em like they used to.

bananaman · #37 12-07-2021, 05:29 PM

One of mine is a Jericho 941. They were listed as Israeli military, police issued when I bought it sight unseen. Mine came to me in a new generic box. It had never been issued! Not a mark on it! It is in .40 S&W. Bought some wood Jericho stocks for it, but can't find any pics. Bob

Toyman · #38 12-07-2021, 05:54 PM

A Colt New Service 38 special one of 40 shipped to Texas DPS in March 1942. Rack numbers 287 to 326. This one is 295.

sipowicz · #39 12-07-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heeter3

Sipowicz,I can only hope that my Son and my 2 grandsons cherish my guns the way you do your dads.God bless him and how nice of you to share that story.

Thanks Heeter. I’m sure they will.

OLDSTER · #40 12-07-2021, 06:50 PM

I've owned this Korean War vintage Chi-Com model 54 Tokarev for many years. It would be interesting to know some history of this particular pistol.

Glashaus · #41 12-07-2021, 07:05 PM

I have lots of working guns, I know that these two Heavy Duties must have seen a lot of time on the job

And these two 39-2's served with Israeli security forces before being imported back into the US

garddogg56 · #42 12-07-2021, 08:21 PM

66-1 nothing but a pleasure to shoot

DGNY · #43 12-07-2021, 08:40 PM

As usual, picture challenged. One favorite is a Romanian Mosin Nagant 7.62x54 M 44 with 2-7 scout scope.

Bayonet stored in shop, nicely powerful, just over 1 MOA accurate, ready for any kind of duty, totally reliable. Talk about lighting up the night? This one lights up the day! Loves S&B 182 gr SP.

153 · #44 12-07-2021, 09:18 PM

My old duty revolver, I have since added the target hammer and smooth trigger and changed out a nylon Hogue handle for some Fuzzy Farrants…

mckenney99 · #45 12-07-2021, 09:46 PM

3 of my 4 issued duty weapons that I carried over my 26 years on the road. I didn't buy my original issue S&W M10HB when it was offered, as they wanted way to much for them and mine had been some what of a lemon, being severely out of time, 2 broken firing pins and a barrel that got bulged while shooting our armories reloads at the Academy.
Second issue was a S&W 681, while the rest of the agencies in America were switching over to 9mm autos, we got new revolvers and we kept our old standard Speer 125gr JSP +P issue ammo.
Third issue was the Beretta 96D. I was one of the last to transition to the auto and I got a good one that never failed to feed, fire, function and was extremely accurate for me. Unfortunately that could not be said about all of the Beretta's we got. Lots of issues.
Last issue handgun was the Sig P226 DAO in 40 S&W. Excellent firearm that also never malfunctioned. Upon my retirement, my post Commander purchased my Sig P226 and presented it to me.
Finally the firearm that I found shortly after I retired has been my almost constant companion everyday. I had carried a full sized 1911 of some sort for many years off duty but this little Springfield Armory 3 inch 45 ACP Micro Compact fits my hand like a well worn glove and points instinctively. I like this little pistol so much, that I found another one on GB just as Springfield discontinued them and I put it in the safe just in case something ever was to happen to this one.

Billylee · #46 12-07-2021, 10:21 PM

Military & Police model dating to the late 30’s. 5” tapered barrel. Belonged to a retired Racine County (WI) Sheriff Deputy. He was a deputy for 30 years, beginning right after he got home from serving in the Army during WW II. His widow gave it to a neighbor to sell when she was moving into assisted living. I purchased it from said neighbor via Armslist five years ago for $350.00. It came with his duty holster and a six round drop pouch. Holster is scuffed but in very good shape, 1960’s era. The revolver has typical blueing loss from the holster and a nice overall patina. I put a dozen rounds through it when I first got it and now it resides in my safe…top shelf.

.38SuperMan · #47 12-07-2021, 10:34 PM

Beautiful guns and great stories here. It’s interesting how many belonged to a LEO father or relative.

Scharfschuetzer · #48 12-08-2021, 12:24 AM

"Soldiers are working men, too".

I agree totally.

On the rifle side during my military career (both sides of my LEO career, VN to the GWOT): I carried or used the M60, the M240 GPMGs; the M16A1, M16A2 and the M4A1 rifles/carbines. On the long-range side, I used the M14, the M21, the M24, SR25 and the Mk 13.

On the pistol side, it was the 1911A1 and the M9. I had an M9 fail me on one deployment and thus I'm not really a fan of the model.

I wish I could have kept one or two of those rifles.

The pistols below are post retirement and were bought for the memories. The Zippos are from different deployments. I still use 'em to light a cigar now and then.

Moo Moo · #49 12-08-2021, 04:24 AM

Here's a Model 10-5 Snubby that was issued to my States Wildlife and Animal Rescue Welfare Department. Even though in Uniform, the Government made officers where these revolvers concealed.

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bananaman · #50 12-08-2021, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moo Moo

Here's a Model 10-5 Snubby that was issued to my States Wildlife and Animal Rescue Welfare Department. Even though in Uniform, the Government made officers where these revolvers concealed.

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Kinda reminds me of my 10-5 from 1975. Not the prettiest, but fun to shoot! Bob