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

I started as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in 1969 with a S&W Heavy Duty that I bought from a Sergeant for $50.00. It had been a suicide gun he'd bought from the widow. When I got hired full time in 1971, I sold that HD to another recruit in the academy for $65.00 to help finance the purchase of a new 6" Model 19 for $119.50, police price. I carried the 6" Mod. 19 even after the dept. issued 4" Model 19's in 1974 because I worked the desert and felt like the 6" was an easier gun to shoot at distance. While rangemaster in 1978, a dept. turned in their 4" Model 57's, and since I knew the west coast S&W distributors for S&W, they handpicked one out for me and put a 6" barrel on it. I carried that one in a Hoyt high rise front break holster while in uniform through Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and then Commander. That Hoyt holster was one of the finest ever made for law enforcement. When I was put in charge of Internal Affairs, Litigation and Personnel in 1993, I wore a suit behind a desk (hated that job!) and they issued Glock 22's and made those the only duty guns. I hated the Glock and made the decision to not carry it, except in my briefcase. In public, nobody knew I was a cop anyway. I retired in 1995, and was able to purchase a 4" Model 19 in new condition, and a Model 59, also in new condition, from the dept. The 19 was $125.00 and the 59 was $140.00. I've still got them both somewhere in one of my safes.

Until they issued Glocks, my department issued either Model 19's or Model 59's, Deputy's choice, but you could carry personal authorized double action handguns from S&W, Colt or Ruger that were .38, 9x19, or above in caliber. Ammunition was always +P JHP in both .38 and 9mm. Qualification ammunition was full power ammunition in both calibers and we qualified to 50 yards. That was a change I made while rangemaster and they stuck with it, thankfully. In my Model 57, I carried Winchester Silver Tips, and for quite awhile, the .38 and 9mm duty ammunition was Silver Tips, which is an excellent round. In autopsies, the recovered bullets always performed as advertised. While carrying my Model 57, I had to furnish my own practice and qualification ammunition, and it was loaded to full power.

Hope this helps.

Fred
I started my career in 1971. We carried a model 15, nickel finish, 4 inch. Off duty and detectives carried a model 15 with 2 inch.
 
I started out with a civilian guard company in the 70s, went to the Federal Protective Service, and ended up in the USAF. Worked with the FBI, DEA, INS, BP, and US Marshals from time to time. I was issued S&W, Colt, and Ruger revolvers, the M1911A1, Beretta M9 pistols in the 70s and 80s. Mid to late 80s was the transition from wheel guns to autos. S&W, Beretta, and SIG lead the way, but Glock eclipsed them in the 90s. I still have an old Ruger Speed Six and leather holster.ruger_knife.jpgspeed_six_38.jpg
 
Sorry, I missed your cutoff. I got hired in 1990. But I went through the Academy with a model 15. After graduation, I strapped on my personally owned 4" 686. In 92', I took the Dept. required semi-auto transition course with my Glock 17. Back then, the Dept was transitioning to the 5904 for Patrol Deputies. If you were working in the Jail, you had a revolver. Unless you took the semi-auto transition course and carried your own gun. And eventually everyone was transitioned to the 5904 (5906 for Harbor Patrol).

Sometime in 91' I did buy a S&W model 36 for ankle carry but I was mostly a semi-auto guy. First a S&W 469, and then in 91' a Glock 19 for off-duty. I was an early fan of the Glock.
 
Started my career in 1976. Mid sized municipal PD. Department issued nickel Model 10 4". Off duty was private purchase. I bought a Model 64 2"View attachment 781603View attachment 781604 Model 64 2"
Beautiful 64. I've seen a few with rounded and polished triggers. But where would one stop ? Bob the hammer too, then put a set of hogue grips ?
 
What a fun thread! Thanks to all who have contributed here, and to your communities! I started in '82 in armed security with a beautiful, boxed Model 13 4". What a great and reliable revolver that was!!!! Wish I still had it! Then I started as a small-town LEO in '85 with a Model 581 4", then went to a Metalife'd GP100 4" in '87. Ammo was always Winchester 158gr Silver tip JHP's in .357. Now, we all carried that ammo on duty, but very few bothered to practice with it as I did or even get qualified, as I did. In fact, in '88 I came in number 2 out of 23 officers and I was the only one using magnums. I'm still proud of that! Those were the days of Smith or Colt 4" revolvers and any make of 158gr. .357 JHP. Security holsters were a new thing! No tasers back then, just a big Maglight flashlight or Billie club. Not a lot of back-up either due to the small communities requiring their officers to stay within boundaries. What a shame!
 
When a kid went with my mom and aunt to visit my cousin who was Police Officer near St.Louis. I remember his gun belt with two pouches and large gun in the holster laying on kitchen counter . He retired from LE several years ago and I asked what he carried . He said a Model 28 with PD and while a Sheriff Deputy he purchased his own 686. He returned to PD and issued a Glock 17 and with S.W.A.T used a M9 or shotgun. He said still has the 686 , Glock and also owns M&P Sport.
 
Big city copper starting in the fall of 1972 I was 19.......retired 2002.
We had to buy our own Duty guns S&W model 19's and a model 36 or 37.
One cadet ordered a 2 inch model 10.
He did not like it.... I was not fond of the 36.
We traded in the parking lot the night of graduation.
After probation (6mos) we could pack whatever, we wanted...38 caliber an up.
After probation I which'd to Colt 1911 Government Model 45 then a Commander model.

There was no field training program back then.
Rode with an old-timer that taught rookie's "the ropes".
The "Dirty Harry" craze came along and many ordered model 29's via
Oshman's Sporting Goods. .....($269.00 and change)
Packed that heavy chuck of iron about 3 months then back to my Colt.

Promoted to Detective in 83'......6 months later the
Department killed that rank and made us all Sergeants.

Soft threads the rest of my career....L/W Commander or Browning Hi power.

Sidebar:
After one month on the street old copper asked if I had fired a magnum round through
my 19. When I replied the negative we drove downtown to the range....which believe it or not
was under a bridge in the heart of downtown.
Second mag round froze the 19 up.
Range officer had it fixed in about 15 minutes and told
me not to worry about it......I could do nothing but WORRY about it.
Sold it to a fireman.

Bought this one couple months ago just to have one from the same era.
1970 Model 19-3.
DSC00770.jpg
 
Last edited:
Started as a part time deputy in the 80s. Carried a cocked and locked Colt Government Model 1911 in 45 ACP. Switched to a Glock 17 after a couple of years. Finally in the 90s I went back to a revolver and carried a S@W 686. Being in a rural area I occasionally switched to a S@W 29 in 44 magnum. I liked my Glocks but I always reverted back to a trusted revolver.
 
Started out in mid 70's with Jackson Police Department carrying a S&W Model 19-2, then went to Alabama State Troopers where I carried issued S&W Model 10 .38 Special while in academy and after graduation until issued a S&W Model 19 .357 Magnum Nickel plated. After completing probation period, I started carrying my personal S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum as well as a Ruger .44 Magnum Semi-Auto Rifle. Later transitioned to a larger city police department and carried a Colt 1911 in .45 A.C.P. as a detective. Last 10 years I served as Chief of Police in Chatom where I carried Colt 1911 until Mayor agreed to purchase and issue firearms to officers if I would agree to carry issued weapon also. We all got issued Glock 21 .45 A.C.P. pistols. Can't complain, it was easy to transition to and shot well. Mayor and council provided issue pistol, AR rifle and shotguns to each officer. Just before I retired, Mayor suggested he was interested in issuing off-duty CCW to officers. Don't know if they got them, though.
 
In the 70's~80's it was my trusty S&W Model 66 4" (red front ramp, white outline rear, and wide, smooth trigger installed for me when I brought it in to the folks in Springfield), with Don Hume 18 round competition loop (could load two at a time), until "2 second" speed loaders were faster. Many years later, transitioned to the G19, but that 66 has the smoothest action on any revlover I have ever experienced.
 
This has been a great read. I'm not LEO, but growing up I had three uncles in the GSP. I recall my dad getting a model 10 when they moved to magnums. Pretty sure it came from one of his brothers, although I don't recall it being marked in anyway. This would have been early 70s, late 60s.

Thanks for all of the history contained in this one thread!
 
Back
Top