LAPD S&W 45 Decocker school?

[18DAI]

I read on another board where LAPD's firearms training unit was offering S&W 45 Decocker school again. I'm wondering if this is true.

My understanding is that if you were originally qualified on the S&W 45, you could still carry one on/off duty. But if you were originally qualified on another platform, you could not carry the S&W.

Is this true, or just another internet rumor? Regards 18DAI.

 

[Scotter260]

I'm digging around on LAPD's website:

- official website of THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

Let us know what you find out.

 

[18DAI]

It is not a rumor. I confirmed it with some folks out there.

Officers currently issued and qualified on Glocks can take the one day S&W 45 decocker school and transition.

Having qualified on the 4566 and having previously shot the Glock 22 in a T&E, as well as the Glock 21 on my own time, my preference for a duty gun is the S&W 45. Nice to see others being able to make that choice.

In handguns, one size does not fit all. Regards 18DAI.

 

[18DAI]

BTT. Saw we have some LAPD guys around here now. Regards 18DAI.

 

[totin'45]

Don't tell me the fascination with the European squirt gun is starting to wane!

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Is S&W making 4500 series pistols for LAPD?

If not, where would you get them?

 

[SWAT Lt.]

If I were to carry a S&W .45 it would be the midsize M&P.

 

[18DAI]

Evidently, there are a large number of LAPD officers, who not being enamoured with striker fired polymer pistols, are switching to the S&W metal framed 3rd generation pistols. Who can blame them? Morale being low out there, this decocker school reinstatement is seen as a bone being thrown to the rank & file by the chief.

Glocks - love them or hate them. Theres not any in between as far as I can tell. I'm neutral. The Glock 23 isn't a bad duty gun......if you like that sort of thing.

M&P? I've shot a bunch of them and participated in a T&E of the M&P 40. Universally lousy triggers. I voted for the Glock 23 in the T&E. I've no use for an M&P and prefer my 4566 and 4513TSW to plastic guns.

AFAIK S&W was still making 3rd generation 45's for LEO orders as late as 2008. 50 pistols was the minimum order. I don't know if they are still doing it - they should! Regards 18DAI.

 

[Leiden]

I think they're still making the 3rd gen. guns for LE orders of 50 or more. I had to wait a while, but got a new in box 1006 "Revision 3" for duty use from S&W. It's not like any other 1006 I have. It has the black MIM hammer and trigger, and the 4506-type rounded beavertail. It's basically a 10mm 4506 in appearances, and quite different from my older 1006s.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

I think they're still making the 3rd gen. guns for LE orders of 50 or more. I had to wait a while, but got a new in box 1006 "Revision 3" for duty use from S&W. It's not like any other 1006 I have. It has the black MIM hammer and trigger, and the 4506-type rounded beavertail. It's basically a 10mm 4506 in appearances, and quite different from my older 1006s.

May we see a photo please?

 

[Leiden]

Sure. I'll take some for you in the morning. I just pulled it out and the beavertail isn't quite as round as the 4506, but it's not quite as squared off as my other 1006s. It's also a different shade of stainless, almost having a grey tinge to it. It has the black MIM hammer and trigger, and a little R3 on the bottom of the frame. S&W explained that the R3 guns underwent the same upgrades the 4506s did over the years and actually take the newer parts.

Not too long ago I did an extradition trip to Los Angeles and there were a couple of LAPD officers picking up prisoners from the facility...both had pretty new looking 4506s.

 

[SW CQB 45]

what is decocker school?

in the holster, decocked and blocked.

upon removal, sweep the decocker off making the loud click?

 

[Leiden]

May we see a photo please?

Here are some photos of the Revision 3 S&W 1006. I'm sure the 4506s are the same, and this one isn't anything special, just a little bit different from the older versions.

Out of interest, I phoned S&W and asked them how a LEO could get a new Gen 3 4506. They told me they didn't do individual purchases, but that they're available from major LE distributors from time to time. Mine came from Davidson's in Prescott, AZ...so that makes sense.

In looking at mine, I saw there are multiple tags on the back of the box, so I'm wondering if mine was an agency gun that wasn't delivered, and then re-tagged for sale to a distributor.

 

[vista461]

That is beautiful.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Very nice! I bet it shoots great.

 

[sniper47]

Why can't S&W put it together and realize that there still is a market for their third gen guns? Ok, so an LE organization has to have a minimum of 50. That isn't a lot of guns to special order. I'll wager that if S&W made 1000 third gens, they would sell them all.
EDIT. BTW, sweeet gun!!!

 

[Leiden]

Why can't S&W put it together and realize that there still is a market for their third gen guns? Ok, so an LE organization has to have a minimum of 50. That isn't a lot of guns to special order. I'll wager that if S&W made 1000 third gens, they would sell them all.
EDIT. BTW, sweeet gun!!!

Sniper47....this 1006 doesn't get used very often. I actually replaced it as a duty gun with that 4506 you sold me. It's the most accurate handgun I've ever owned.

To return to the topic, I think with all the 4506s floating around on the different auction sites there wouldn't be a problem with LAPD officers getting one if they really wanted to carry it. The R3 versions would be nice to have, and the only real practical difference between the R3 and the previous versions is the width of the barrel hood. As I remember, the older ones with flash chromed hammers and triggers have a wider barrel hood compared to the black non-MIM and later MIM versions.

Smith & Wesson still services all of these 4506s so I wouldn't hesitate in the slightest to get an older one off an auction site.

 

[sniper47]

Hey Leiden, I am very happy I could put a tool in your hand that will allow you to do your job with confidence. I still would love to see S&W release a classic 3rd gen line, like they have done with their revolvers. I firmly believe there is a market for these guns.

 

[Leiden]

If we need even 100 pistols to get S&W to make a run I'll proclaim it right here and now....I'll take three NIB 4506s at whatever the retail prices is going to be (let's say $725). That leaves just 97 to go, and I'm sure we could do that.

 

[4506517]

I would give my eye teeth for a new 4506 with an integrated rail like the CHP 4006, a loaded chamber indicator like the M&P series, and a checkered front strap. I'm pretty sure if they produced it, they would sell out.

Am I wrong?