Jim Cirillo and his Model 10

dabney · Feb 25, 2016

Recently I was reading some gun articles concerning NYPD legend Jim Cirillo and his Model 10 duty arm. A four-inch heavy barrel model that he used, per PD-regs, while involved in stakeout work. On page 34 of "Tales of the Stakeout Squad" by Paul Kirchner, Cirillo states that while deployed inside a likely holdup target (convenience store) he carried "4" handguns. Two Model 10's, Colt Cobra snubbie, and a Walther PPK in .32acp chambering. The two Model 10's were his first and second duty arms with NYPD. In 1954, when Cirillo joined the NYPD, he chose a S&W M&P (pre-10) over the Colt Official Police as his duty arm. Cirillo stated that he preferred the M&P's trigger-action over the Colt, which "stacked" at the end of the trigger-pull. Later, post 1959, when the "bull" barrel Model 10's came on line, he purchased one (40-bucks) and that was his primary carry from then on. After reading/studying several of these shootings that Cirillo was involved in, how and what happened, the skill/courage level all rolled into one, I became convinced that Cirillo couldn't possibly have originated from this planet! In one robbery attempt, he (Cirillo) literally shot "3" bad guys from around a store clerk, that was being held as a shield. Now he successfully shot down all three in nano-seconds and not from a position of comfort and certainly no time for precise single-action fire. I just wish this incident had been captured on video for generations of cops to view in training. Unbelievable, is all I can muster at this feat! The other shootings Cirillo was involved in, while trying to protect innocent merchants from "deadly" predators, determined to rob and possibly kill in the effort. These too, are great for rookie cops, including veterans, to study and reflect upon. No doubt about it, the greatest modern day gun fighter in my time, hands down. He could make that Model 10 sing and dance.

The Colt Single Action Army is attributed to taming of the wild west so can the Model 10, in modern times, become a symbol of taming the barbarians, in this present time. For most of the 1900's, the Smith & Wesson M&P was the right hand of law enforcement. I'm honored and proud to carry one on duty, in this day and time of the Glock Pistol for law enforcement. Maybe for them, not for this senior citizen cop! Thank you my friends!

David

ISCS Yoda · Feb 25, 2016

I vote yes - The Gun that Tamed the East!!!!!

deaheat · Feb 25, 2016

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tempcmb5hZU[/ame]

max · Feb 25, 2016

There is a short story about him on the back page of this month's Guns & Ammo.

kthom · Feb 25, 2016

He was the real deal! And undoubtedly had pretty good hand/eye coordination and he was always READY and WILLING!

Dale53 · Feb 25, 2016

I had the priledge of meeting and competing with
Jim Cirillo on several occasions. He was not only the "real deal", he was also a fine person. I ALWAYS enjoyed his company. Good people, for sure.

FWIW
Dale53

Doug M. · Feb 27, 2016

He was a product of a different time, and he had shot a LOT in competition. His skills were developed with a ton of shooting, under pressure, to high standards. I know of no agency that even pretends to train like that.

Texas Star · Feb 27, 2016

I have his book and read Massad Ayoob's material about him. He was a remarkable man. Did he die in a car wreck?

I saw Bill Jordan and Elmer Keith shoot, so I know that such feats are possible. But to kill three perps by a hostage...wow!

A friend in South Africa sent me a clipping from the , Johannesburg Star about an off duty officer there who killed four AK-47 wielding thugs in a bank with a Star PD .45, but I don't think they were shielded by hostages. Still, that was a nice piece of work. The Star was his off-duty gun.

Cirillo favored jagged-nosed handloaded bullets that he claimed were less likely to ricochet off of a skull. I don't think they were ever commercially available.

Having protected some convenience stores that were likely to be held up, I understand what he was up against. I'm just glad that I never had any robbers enter while I was on duty.

Dale53 · Feb 28, 2016

Texas Star;
Yes, Jim died in a car wreck. It is ironic after the many REAL gunfights he was in to die in a car wreck (I believe the responsible party went left of center and hit Jim head on).

He had retired from the NYPD and was a Federal Training Officer (I believe in Atlanta, GA at the time). I can testify that he was a REALLY good Training Officer.

FWIW
Dale53

soFlaNative · Feb 28, 2016

Good stuff from a man who knows something about 4 inch Model 10s.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/426100-old-lawman-his-model-10-a.html

Doug M. · Feb 28, 2016

Actually, I think Jim erred and turned in front of a semi. That never works out well. It's a shame.

CollinCountyLawman · May 18, 2025

I just picked up two Model 10-10s in great condition. I will be carrying both as my duty weapons shortly. Jim Cirillo inspired me. NYPD Police Commissioner Lee Brown published a paper back in the early 1990s titled "The Choice of Handguns for Police Officers - Revolvers or Semi-Automatics". The data from studies published in this paper convinced me to sideline my plastic striker-fired pistols and switch to a revolver.

robertrwalsh · May 18, 2025

I had the great good fortune to take a training class from Cirillo after he retired from the feds. He was one of those rare people who had meaningful been there-done that time, could teach effectively and write well.

S-W4EVER · May 18, 2025

Doug M. said:
Actually, I think Jim erred and turned in front of a semi. That never works out well. It's a shame.

I never had the honor of meeting Jim but I’ve read the books about him. Being an old guy now I sometimes think about how he died when I’m driving, I’ve become even more cautious than ever (without impeding traffic). I’m glad I didn’t have to investigate that Fatal, it would be devastating. R.I.P.

robertrwalsh · May 19, 2025

He also did some good work with an M1 Carbine modified slightly to reliably feed soft-nose ammo.

dobegrant · May 19, 2025

He was a real American legend and so is the model 10, have 1 model 10 and 2 pre model 10’s

smithman 10 · May 19, 2025

A Model 10-7 4" is the current house gun. A 10 or 64 has always had that job around here.

Miltfarrow · May 19, 2025

dabney said:
View attachment 227895

Recently I was reading some gun articles concerning NYPD legend Jim Cirillo and his Model 10 duty arm. A four-inch heavy barrel model that he used, per PD-regs, while involved in stakeout work. On page 34 of "Tales of the Stakeout Squad" by Paul Kirchner, Cirillo states that while deployed inside a likely holdup target (convenience store) he carried "4" handguns. Two Model 10's, Colt Cobra snubbie, and a Walther PPK in .32acp chambering. The two Model 10's were his first and second duty arms with NYPD. In 1954, when Cirillo joined the NYPD, he chose a S&W M&P (pre-10) over the Colt Official Police as his duty arm. Cirillo stated that he preferred the M&P's trigger-action over the Colt, which "stacked" at the end of the trigger-pull. Later, post 1959, when the "bull" barrel Model 10's came on line, he purchased one (40-bucks) and that was his primary carry from then on. After reading/studying several of these shootings that Cirillo was involved in, how and what happened, the skill/courage level all rolled into one, I became convinced that Cirillo couldn't possibly have originated from this planet! In one robbery attempt, he (Cirillo) literally shot "3" bad guys from around a store clerk, that was being held as a shield. Now he successfully shot down all three in nano-seconds and not from a position of comfort and certainly no time for precise single-action fire. I just wish this incident had been captured on video for generations of cops to view in training. Unbelievable, is all I can muster at this feat! The other shootings Cirillo was involved in, while trying to protect innocent merchants from "deadly" predators, determined to rob and possibly kill in the effort. These too, are great for rookie cops, including veterans, to study and reflect upon. No doubt about it, the greatest modern day gun fighter in my time, hands down. He could make that Model 10 sing and dance.

The Colt Single Action Army is attributed to taming of the wild west so can the Model 10, in modern times, become a symbol of taming the barbarians, in this present time. For most of the 1900's, the Smith & Wesson M&P was the right hand of law enforcement. I'm honored and proud to carry one on duty, in this day and time of the Glock Pistol for law enforcement. Maybe for them, not for this senior citizen cop! Thank you my friends!

David

Love my three 10-5s and the numerous pre-10s I've had.

sw dan · May 19, 2025

Dale53 said:
Texas Star;
Yes, Jim died in a car wreck. It is ironic after the many REAL gunfights he was in to die in a car wreck (I believe the responsible party went left of center and hit Jim head on).

He had retired from the NYPD and was a Federal Training Officer (I believe in Atlanta, GA at the time). I can testify that he was a REALLY good Training Officer.

FWIW
Dale53

hi dale, can you e-mail me at "[email protected]", info jim cirillo

duncan4521 · May 20, 2025

Miltfarrow said:
Love my three 10-5s and the numerous pre-10s I've had.

I trained with Jim on several occasions. He along with Jelly Brice, Bob Stasch and Ralph Friedman just to name a few were thr great gunfighters of the twentieth century.

Jim Cirillo and his Model 10

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