Police Usage of 6" Revolvers?

[Absalom]

According to the SCSW, they weren't . . .

Mrchuck mentioned these in an earlier discussion. I noticed their absence from the SCSW as well, so I asked Roy about them. His answer was that anything was possible

 

[Muss Muggins]

Mrchuck mentioned these in an earlier discussion. I noticed their absence from the SCSW as well, so I asked Roy about them. His answer was that anything was possible

Nobody can disagree with that last statement . . .

 

[CapnB]

The Washington State Patrol carried 6" Smith and Wessons in crossdraw holsters right up until they transitioned to autos. I think they were Model 28s, but can't recall for certain. Back then, Trooper applicants were required to be over 6 feet tall. I recall reading that back in the 40s they carried 6 1/2 inch 44 HEs.

 

[Topsarge]

I know we've a lot of cops and LEOs on this board so I'd figure I'd ask: did you ever carry a revolver with a 6" barrel on duty? If not did you know anyone else who did or other departments that did?

Seems the 4" reigned supreme but I've heard of some using 6" guns. Just wondering how you liked it and what rig you used. Always interested in hearing old revolver duty stories!

Thanks!

-Jay

I carried a 6" Python. A 28 4" was departmental issue but I didn't care for it. The Python was a better choice.

 

[CH4]

No, I started my career with a 4" 686 and carried it for the first 7 years before we went to autos. However, my dad carried a 6" Colt his entire career, in fact he wouldn't let any of his men carry an auto.

 

[Moo Moo]

New South Wales Police Officers were mainly issued 3" Model 10's until the introduction of Semi-autos in the late 1990's.

 

[lestert357]

I have one of the 1940 Texas Ranger issue .357s

Jack, were those guns nickel or blue?

 

[S-W4EVER]

The Washington State Patrol carried 6" Smith and Wessons in crossdraw holsters right up until they transitioned to autos. I think they were Model 28s, but can't recall for certain. Back then, Trooper applicants were required to be over 6 feet tall...

I carried one of those 28-2 (6" bbl) until we transitioned to the Beretta 92F. Left side crossdraw was mandatory (even for the southpaws) until we got an outsider for a Chief in the early '80's. At least one class was issued 28-2's (4" bbl) with straight draw holsters.

We were allowed to carry personally owned S&W .357 revolvers for awhile until the Beretta's were issued (about 1989-90). I carried my own Model 19-4 (4" bbl) for a few weeks but never could warm up to it so I returned to my issued 28-2 (this time in an A.E. Nelson strong side breakfront holster w/ the muzzle canted towards the front; not comfortable in the car but very fast to draw outside the car).

I bought that old 28-2 (that was used when it was issued to me) when we went to the Beretta's (along with the 60th Anniversary Commemorative) and still have them. (FWIW, I never could shoot an auto as well as my S&W N Frames.)

 

[S. Hammer]

Started out of the academy in 1986 with my 6" 66. Carried it in a Safariland semi-break front holster. Ended in 2017 with the Tupperware.

 

[KEN L]

My 2nd duty gun was a 6" Python, which I still have. My 2nd duty gun was a 6 1/8" Model 66 (wish I still had that one!). After that department policy changed to 4" only. When I went to the academy and qualified on the range, with the Python, they accused me of cheating by using a "rifle". Everyone else carried 4" guns, mostly Smith 19's & 66's.

 

[Old cop]

We were issued the 4" Model 15 but b/c I'm a lefty the only holster they had in Property was an old 6" swivel. I wet some paper towels and stuffed them into the bottom portion of the holster and let them dry. It worked great and I used that holster until the Property Section finally issued me a 4" Border Patrol holster about a year later.

 

[NYlakesider]

One of my buddies on the Albany Police Force carried a personally owned Model 19 6'' for a while. He was the only authorized officer to carry a revolver when working after the department went to autos..

His Zone was in the Albany Pine Bush and that area is way overloaded with deer. (no hunting or discharge of firearms)

He got special permission to carry that gun as a big part of his job was shooting deer that were hit by cars. The force was issued 9MM (sorry I do not remember which gun it was now)

He used the 9MM on deer and was not impressed, so he got permission to talk to the chief. That area was not a hot bed of trouble so he was allowed to use the 19.

This was a couple decades ago and he is long retired and I also moved so have no clue if there are any officers authorized revolvers at this time!

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...6 inch model 14s on Adam 12...

 

[bub075]

I started with my PD part time in 1991. About 1/3 of the guys still carried revolvers, all 4". I never saw a 6" until I went to revolver instructor school in 1993 or thereabouts. One of the students used a 6" Python for the class and, reportedly, carried it on duty as well. Sadly, I missed the heyday of revolvers and pretty much everyone in our area, besides our guys, were carrying some sort of auto by that time.

 

[sigp220.45]

Both LAPD cops taken hostage in the Onion Field murder carried 6" revolvers - a Colt Officer's Model Match and a K-38.

Pictured in the murky photo below with bad guy's guns, a .32 auto and a Colt .38 Special.

It's hard to tell in the photo, but the OMM has Fuzzy's on it, and it looks like the Smith has Mershon (pre-Pachmayr) grips.

 

[AimHigher]

I know we've a lot of cops and LEOs on this board so I'd figure I'd ask: did you ever carry a revolver with a 6" barrel on duty? If not did you know anyone else who did or other departments that did?

Seems the 4" reigned supreme but I've heard of some using 6" guns. Just wondering how you liked it and what rig you used. Always interested in hearing old revolver duty stories!

Thanks!

-Jay

Yes. I knew a few officers in the 80's that carried 6 inch revolvers. One guy packed a S&W Mod. 25 .45 ACP. He was very bonded to his choice of revolver. This was an optional choice for his agency that issued 1911 .45 autos.

Another guy I knew carried a 6" Colt Python and another deputy packed a 6" S&W Model 19. Many CHP officers carried 6" revolvers - but I didn't know any of them personally. Holsters ranged from the Hoyt Speed Holster to the Bianchi or Tex Shoemaker. If I could go back in time and do it over again, I would give serious consideration to carrying a 6" revolver - probably a Python.

 

[BE Mike]

I observed that the Florida Highway Patrol carried 6" revolvers in the mid 70's. I cannot remember the make or model. They were nickel plated, IIRC.