Were you law enforcement in the 70’s-80’s? What did you carry?

[usmcsgt]

So cleaning up the gun locker today and got my S&W Model 57 (no dash) 41 MAG out to clean up. I purchased it as a blue steel new in the box with target hammer and wide target trigger when I was on Embassy duty in West Germany in 1975. The wiesbaden Air Force Base had a gun store back in those days and of course we always hit the gun store when we had to pickup supplies. I really wanted a model 29 (thanks Dirty Harry), but they we just impossible to get then.

When I got out of the USMC in 1978 I was hired by a small Midwest police department- they furnished everything but your underwear, boots and gun. The gun requirements were it had to be 38 special or larger, Colt, Smith & Wesson, or Ruger and you had to be able to qualify with it. If you carried a 38/357 Mag the department supplied you with a 1000 rounds of 38 WC reloads per year. So the training Sgt found me a well worn N Frame holster and I was off carrying my 41 mag.

Factory ammo was very expensive on a cops salary so most of us were carry our own reloads on duty- I settled on a Lee cast lead 240 grain SWC (Elmer Keith recommendation) with a gas check and pushing about 900 fps. Speed loaders on my belt had 210 grain jacket hollow points loaded hot to punch through vehicles was the idea.

So after about a month of wearing short sleeve shirts and the Model 57's checkered target hammer rubbing the skin off the underside of my arm- it became a bobbed double action only Model 57. A few months later I had the gun Magnported and not only did it help with recoil but helped my night shooting scores go up.

Summers in the Midwest getting in and out of air conditioning was tough on blued guns in leather holsters, so I sent it off and had it and it coated with a new metal product that was being used on oil drilling bits- sorry can't remember what they called it. No more surface rust- yea.

I carried the gun during my tenure as a city cop and later as a Sheriff's patrol deputy all the way until I made detective- it was too heavy to wear in a shoulder holster for a 10 hour shift in plain clothes.

So for all you old timers who were cops back then what were you carrying? In the Midwest in the 1970's and 1980's and the agencies I worked for it was most S@W and Colt, and folks were very vocal about what they carried. Lots of Colt Python guys and lots of S&W Model 19, 27 and 28 guys, I also loved the 3 inch round butt Model 13 heavy barrel when I was a Detective.

Cheers,

Jeff

 

[mckenney99]

Started in 1980 with the State Highway Patrol. We carried the mandated, agency provided, worn out 4 inch M10 HB with CCI Lawman 125gr JSP +p ammo. About 1985 or so we turned in the old M10's for brand new M681's but continued to carry the same ammo. All leather gear and uniform equipment was provided by the Patrol, which was a huge plus.

 

[Federalis]

Started in 1980 with the State Highway Patrol. We carried the mandated, agency provided, worn out 4 inch M10 HB with CCI Lawman 125gr JSP +p ammo. About 1985 or so we turned in the old M10's for brand new M681's but continued to carry the same ammo. All leather gear and uniform equipment was provided by the Patrol, which was a huge plus.

 

[Muley Gil]

I started as a reserve deputy doing my college internship in the summer of 1976 and was hired full-time in October of that year. i started out with a 1911 parts gun, but the chief deputy kept giving me the stink eye every time he saw it. Might have had something to do with the .45 caliber bullet hole in the top of his desk, put there by another young deputy the year before. I soon bought a S&W 19117 and carried that. I loaded it with handloads using the Speer 200 grain "flying ashtray" JHP in halfmoon clips and the same bullet loaded in Auto Rim brass in drop boxes.

I had bought a 3 1/2" M27-2 to be converted to .44 Special. When it was finished, I sold the 1917 and the 6 1/2" Skeeter Special became my duty revolver. I was hired by a municipal PD in 1978, and their policy was also .38, 9mm or larger. My duty sidearm was either the .44 Special or the 1911, though I did carry my 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt a time or two.

When the M25-5 was introduced, of course I want one. Bought a 4" blue one in 1980 and I promptly round butted it. In 1981, I built an aluminum framed 5" 1911 .45 and I carried it most of the time. 1984 rolled around and I bought the first 4" M24-3 .44 Special to be shipped to Birmingham, Alabama. It got round butt too. I received a 5 1/2" Ruger Redhawk in .44 Magnum on one of my birthdays. It shot well but was too heavy for patrol work.

While I would on occasion tote a .44 or .45 revolver, I mostly carried my lightweight 1911.

 

[Federalis]

Texas DPS Trooper in the very early 1980s, was issued and carried the venerable 'ol SW M28 "Highway Patrolman" .357 magnum. Was able to purchase the old revolver when I left the Dept…

 

[usmcsgt]

The model 28's were very affordable then. I had a home FFL and sold guns to all the cops for $10 over my cost since we were all poor. I had a Gil Hubbard dealer account and I think 28 only cost $190 fully loaded, oh the good old days. They were true work horse guns.

 

[kpoesq369]

Started in 1981, the classic cop gun, a bull barrel Model 10. Still have it, and the Model 60 I bought as a backup.

 

[bdGreen]

Joined the local PD in '78.
They didn't supply firearms at that time, so my duty weapon was my personal S&W Model 28.
Carried that for a number of years, can't recall exactly.
I picked up a S&W Model 686 for my next one.
Carried that for a while.
When S&W came out with the S&W Model 645 I went down to Houston to the SHOT show. They had connections to a local range so I went and got to try out their new Model 645. S&W supplied the guns and all the ammo.
Came back to Dallas and bought one from my LGS.
Carried that for a while. Wasn't my cup of tea.
Sold it off and went back to the Model 686.

Then the Dept. said take all your personal firearms home because we are issuing the Glock 17.
That standardized training for all, ammo, holsters and the gun.
I still have the Model 686. The Model 28 and Model 645, long gone.
Now, when I worked surveillance in 'plain-clothes' I carried my Browning Hi-Power high and tight. Still have my Browning. Bought it new in '77.
I also carried my Walther PPK/s in .380 acp in my hip pocket. It's gone. Don't miss it.

So, over the course of about 19 years I had a few different choices until they took the choices away.

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[mic214]

I started out as a LEO for a small city PD back in the late 70's and I carried a 6" S&W Highway Patrolman. The department issued either 125 or 158 grain Remington 357 magnum JHP's, but we qualified with .38 special wadcutters at the range.



Most of the LEO's in my area carried S&W revolvers that we personally owned and they were either K frames (Model 10,14,15, or 19's) or N frames (Model 28's). I don't recall ever seeing a Model 27 in the field. I did have a friend who had a 5" Model 27 that he used as a ranch gun and I always felt that would have made the perfect duty sidearm.

There were a few guys that had Colt Pythons, but in my mind, those were pretty expensive to use and abuse on patrol. I did have a couple of 6" Pythons over the years, but I could never bring myself to actually carry one.

I later switched to a 4" Highway Patrolman as it was easier to carry while seated in the car. When I transferred to the local Sheriff's Office, we were issued S&W Model 15's, so I had the Model 28 spiffed up and I gave it to my dad:



At the Sheriff's Office we were issued the 158 grain RNL ammo. I don't recall what brand. I was able to get on to the range staff and we finally convinced the high command to switch to HP's. We later traded our Model 15's in for Model 66's.

I have a few Colt revolvers in my collection. Back in the day, I carried a Colt Cobra 2" as a backup gun. I foolishly sold that one off, but I recently replaced it with a Detective Special (Top):



In the mid-80's we were allowed to carry personally owned 9mm semi-autos as long as it was a Sig P226, S&W (Gen 3) or a Beretta 92. In the mid-90's we were all issued .40 caliber Glocks. It is my understanding that now the Sheriff's Office has switched to 9mm Glocks.

 

[CajunBass]

I was never a policeman, but I did work as an armed security guard a couple of times.

I was issued a Colt Official Police, 38, with a 4" barrel, and plastic "pearl" grips at the first place (Burns Security)

At the other place I was issued a Smith and Wesson Model 10, 4" barrel, and Pachmayr grips. (Pinkerton's)

In both I was issued a border patrol type holster, a Sam Brown belt, and six rounds of 38 Special RNL ammo.

I never fired either gun. Turned in the same six rounds of ammo each time when I left the jobs.

 

[usmcsgt]

Joined the local PD in '78.
They didn't supply firearms at that time, so my duty weapon was my personal S&W Model 28.
Carried that for a number of years, can't recall exactly.
I picked up a S&W Model 686 for my next one.
Carried that for a while.
When S&W came out with the S&W Model 645 I went down to Houston to the SHOT show. They had connections to a local range so I went and got to try out their new Model 645. S&W supplied the guns and all the ammo.
Came back to Dallas and bought one from my LGS.
Carried that for a while. Wasn't my cup of tea.
Sold it off and went back to the Model 686.

Then the Dept. said take all your personal firearms home because we are issuing the Glock 17.
That standardized training for all, ammo, holsters and the gun.
I still have the Model 686. The Model 28 and Model 645, long gone.
Now, when I worked surveillance in 'plain-clothes' I carried my Browning Hi-Power high and tight. Still have my Browning. Bought it new in '77.
I also carried my Walther PPK/s in .380 acp in my hip pocket. It's gone. Don't miss it.

So, over the course of about 19 years I had a few different choices until they took the choices away.

enjoy,
bdGreen

I carried by PPK/s that I bought in Germany during Embassy duty for years, went in the top of a cowboy boot. Lots of guys were carting Raven 25 auto in their non shooting hand front pocket as a last resort gun.

 

[usmcsgt]

I started out as a LEO for a small city PD back in the late 70's and I carried a 6" S&W Highway Patrolman. The department issued either 125 or 158 grain Remington 357 magnum JHP's, but we qualified with .38 special wadcutters at the range.



Most of the LEO's in my area carried S&W revolvers that we personally owned and they were either K frames (Model 10, 15, K38 or 19's) or N frames (Model 28's). I don't recall ever seeing a Model 27 in the field. I did have a friend who had a 5" Model 27 that he used as a ranch gun and I always felt that would have made the perfect duty sidearm.

There were a few guys that had Colt Pythons, but in my mind, those were pretty expensive to use and abuse on patrol. I did have a couple of 6" Pythons over the years, but I could never bring myself to actually carry one.

I later switched to a 4" Highway Patrolman as it was easier to carry while seated in the car. When I transferred to the local Sheriff's Office, we were issued S&W Model 15's, so I had the Model 28 spiffed up and I gave it to my dad:



At the Sheriff's Office we were issued the 158 grain RNL ammo. I don't recall what brand. I was able to get on to the range staff and we finally convinced the high command to switch to HP's. We later traded our Model 15's in for Model 66's.

I have a few Colt revolvers in my collection. Back in the day, I carried a Colt Cobra 2" as a backup gun. I foolishly sold that one off, but I recently replaced it with a Detective Special (Top):



In the mid-80's we were allowed to carry personally owned 9mm semi-autos as long as it was an Sig P226, S&W (Gen 3) or a Beretta 92. In the mid-90's we were all issued .40 caliber Glocks. It is my understanding that now the Sheriff's Office has switched to 9mm Glocks.

Agree on the model 27, but as I recall they were expensive and hard to come by. Guy on my squad from rich farming family always carried a 6 inch model 27. Never did any Colts- the cylinder goes the wrong direction and pull to open the cylinder latch- good way to screw up a Smith and Wesson guy.

 

[pawncop]

usmcsgt, I think the finish on your Model 57 might be Nitex. I purchased a Model 57 from my former chief and he had that finish on his.
Also started a s a reserve officer in 1979. Carried 357 magnum in a Dan Wesson, then a Model 19, then a Model 586. We had a new chief that banned 357,(about 1989) and switched to a Model 4506.

 

[usmcsgt]

Could be- it was so many years ago. No internet back then so usually you found out at a PPC match about new stuff. I do remember being told we are not gunsmiths so just send us the parts you want coated. Few years later the dept wanted everyone to send their service guns back to S&w every two years for an LE checkup. I remember S&W called me at work- what kind of finish is on your gun? We need to replace the extractor rod. They installed a new stainless one.

 

[heeter3]

Went on the job December 2,1974 with the Westchester Il P.D..The choice of revolver was each individual officers and had to be a .38 spl or .357 mag. 4 inch or 6 in with the 4 in recommended.The .357 had become an option several years before I started only because in a shootout with a pair of bank robbers the .38 spl.round nose rounds that the dept. was using at the time failed to penetrate the door of their getaway car and the only thing that stopped them was some rounds taking the radiator of the car out. Ammunition was whatever you could qualify with but most of us carried .38+P. lead semi jacketed 158 gr. hollow points. My Mom and Dad bought me a nickle Colt 4 in Python when I graduated from the Chicago Police Dept. Academy and I carried it until 1991 when we transitioned to semi autos.Then for me it's was a 4506 S&W and a .40 Beretta 96D when we were mandated to carry a .40 caliber semi auto in uniform by dept.directive. Eventually in dicks I finished with a 442 and my original detective special which was my backup and off duty when I started. My son who is also on the job has my Python and is saving it for my grandson.I still carry in rotation my detective special and 442 along with 2 vintage cobras and 3 36's under Leosa and I no longer have any semi autos.

 

[minconrevo]

The shop that produced the Metaloy finish handguns had its start in oil field equipment. Hard chrome was the game. It was perfect for the pistons on the big "earthquake" similating trucks used in oil field logging. Pistons had to be a perfect tight fit and had to hold up to extreme abuse. Done properly, HC is exceptionally durable.

 

[Greyman50]

Was finish " Armaloy"? Had a BHP done back in mid 70s. Most cities in Tidewater Va. required 38 Spl or .357 Mag. Knew 1 patrol Sgt that carried a Mdl. 58 but he got caught in an surprise inspection, had to go back to Mdl.10. One Detective carried a 6" Python in shoulder holster, do not remember what ATF, FBI, Treasury Dept. and Military CID carried.

 

[gunnertwo]

Reserve in 1978, full time in 1979. Was offered a Colt Trooper MKIII or a Colt Trooper MKIII... Asked if I could carry my own M19, thankfully they said yes. It was a Texas Ranger Commemorative. Picked it up at a pawn shop, in the factory blue cardboard box. Took Top Shot at my academy class with it. Carried it a few years until they authorized autos. Switched to a Colt Gold Cup, later to Sig P220.

G2

 

[usmcsgt]

Was finish " Armaloy"? Had a BHP done back in mid 70s. Most cities in Tidewater Va. required 38 Spl or .357 Mag. Knew 1 patrol Sgt that carried a Mdl. 58 but he got caught in a surprise inspection, had to go back to Mdl.10. One Detective carried a 6" Python in shoulder holster, do not remember what ATF, FBI, Treasury Dept. and Military CID carried.

You know that does sound correct. I was a reserve sheriffs deputy with Yuma Az when I went back on active duty. They only allowed 38/357 on duty and all I had was my 41 mag. Got away with it for a few months until a Sgt commented on "my what a large gun you are carrying". Had to go buy a model 13 4 inch and a new holster since all my gear was N frame.

 

[Greyman50]

Sgt. I knew made several inspections by some one that didn't know difference in revolvers until a Capt. caught it in an " unannounced" inspection. Sgt was not happy as he loved the 58 and shot it quite a bit, reloads of course.