ljspoon
Member
Does any one know if the S&W 28's were ever issued to the Texas Rangers? If so were they marked like the Texas DPS ones?
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Were S&W 28 Issued to Texas Rangers
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dthomas
US Veteran
Yes, they were issued to the Texas State Troopers as the popularity of the S&W 28 swept across the USA & larger police departments, Houston, Dallas, Boston, NYC, Chicago, Detroit, etc. The cost and durability were its major attractions - and one of the finest double-actions for its time. The 6.25 inch barrel was the most popular ...
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ljspoon
Member
Texas DPS issue 28's are great revolvers and have one in my collection. I was wondering if the 28's were issued to the Rangers by the DPS. I know that many Rangers used personal weapons but did not know if they had access to the same supply system as the DPS or if they had their own.
Snakeshift
Member
To be honest with you I wasn't alive when revolvers were the gun of choice for DPS. That being said every Texas Ranger I've ever met has been packing one of three gun(s).
1: A BBQ gun (Engraved Nickel Revolver/M1911)
2: A Custom 1911 / a pair of custom 1911's
3: A Colt SAA / Model 27/28/29 (Much more rare these days)
As you and everyone probably knows Rangers have a lot of discretion in their choice of Sidearm's, so I'm not sure if Model 28's were ever "Issued" to them.
If they were it'd be a sweet catch!
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
dthomas- I am unaware of S&W ever making any revolver with a 6.25" barrel and the 28 was certainly not offered with that barrel length.
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ljspoon
Member
I agree it would be a sweet catch. I guess the only way one would know is if some sort of proof was provided with the revolver. I will have to say though, the DPS model 28 I have has the nicest double action trigger I have seen.
If the revolver you're speaking about was ever issued to DPS troopers, then a Ranger would have had access to having one issued to him. Some Rangers nowadays carry the same weapon that's issued to Troopers (Sig) and some opt to carry personal 1911's. AFAIK.
Texas DPS issued Model 28s to Troopers in the Uniform Divisions along with different Colt Models. Texas Rangers were issued Model 19s, but had the option of carrying other personal owned firearms such as the Colt 1911. Other non-uniform divisions were issued Model 19s with 2.5 inch barrels. I believe the Rangers were issued the 4 inch version, but I can't be sure, as I've never seen one. I've seen many Texas Rangers during the years I was in LE, but I never saw one carrying a Model 19. They almost exclusively carried the 1911, as far as I know. Nowadays, I think they carry Sigs, exclusively.
Hence, Smith & Wesson issued a "Texas Ranger" commemrative edition along with "Bowie Knife" back in the "70s. The Gun was a Model 19 with a 4 inch barrel.
Hence, Smith & Wesson issued a "Texas Ranger" commemrative edition along with "Bowie Knife" back in the "70s. The Gun was a Model 19 with a 4 inch barrel.
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I had a M28 issued to me in the early '80's when I was a DPS Trooper... 4-inch barrel no frills, work horse. Most of the Rangers always carried 1911s. Was able to "secure" one when the DPS transitioned to the Sig P220s in the early 90's. Mine is marked DPS #XXXXXX under the cylinder, born in 1969.
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ljspoon
Member
Federalis, was the DPS XXX number a property mark or was it a badge number. I have wondered about that on the DPS model 28 that I have
Errr...No. NYC never *issued* M28's.
Actually, they didn't issue anything, but you could buy A M10 or a Colt OP from the equipment section at 400 Broome St.
My M10 (D661xxx) cost $72.00
Back to the post. You were only authorized a S&W, Colt or Dan Wesson (never saw one of them) 4", blued steel fixed sight revolver.
If you have something that shows NYPD with a M28, please provide it.
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Doug M.
Member
I have a funny feeling I know the last poster, and that he is retired NYPD. FWIW, the 28 was issued to the NYSP for a while, but my understanding is consistent with that expressed above - fixed sight, blue, .38 only.
I understood that they were issued to the NYSP but never heard of NYPD carrying them. A 28 with a documented Texas Ranger connection would be a great find.
Doug M.
Member
I was right. Hah. This must be the only place in the world where he's referred to as "Junior". 
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ljspoon... the DPS # on the frame is a property number, no badge #'s on the revolvers... wish I could find one of the K-22s the Dept had that we used the first 2 weeks of FA training, didn't think much of 'em then but wish I had 10 of 'em now!
Magnumdood
Member
Texas Ranger issue
I was a deputy sheriff in Texas for 17 years and had the pleasure of counting among my close friends 3 Texas Rangers. Once they were appointed as a Ranger they weren't issued anything. They could carry whatever they wished. If they wanted an issue weapon they were certainly given one, but most of them chose to buy, and carry, a 1911. Texas Rangers had tremendous power in the Great State of Texas. If one could get a Texas Ranger involved in your investigation a whole new world of readily available resources were right at your fingertips. Need a helicopter? It took about 30 minutes flying time to get to our county from Travis county where the TDPS is located. Crime scene team? A Texas Ranger could get one from Austin to our county in about 3 hours, depending on the time of day. I needed a crime scene team that was schooled in forensic investigation one morning at about 2:00 AM. A Ranger heppened to hear my call and came to the scene. They TDPS Crime Scene Van was there by 6 AM and took over the scene, taking the evidence directly to the state lab when they left.
I was a deputy sheriff in Texas for 17 years and had the pleasure of counting among my close friends 3 Texas Rangers. Once they were appointed as a Ranger they weren't issued anything. They could carry whatever they wished. If they wanted an issue weapon they were certainly given one, but most of them chose to buy, and carry, a 1911. Texas Rangers had tremendous power in the Great State of Texas. If one could get a Texas Ranger involved in your investigation a whole new world of readily available resources were right at your fingertips. Need a helicopter? It took about 30 minutes flying time to get to our county from Travis county where the TDPS is located. Crime scene team? A Texas Ranger could get one from Austin to our county in about 3 hours, depending on the time of day. I needed a crime scene team that was schooled in forensic investigation one morning at about 2:00 AM. A Ranger heppened to hear my call and came to the scene. They TDPS Crime Scene Van was there by 6 AM and took over the scene, taking the evidence directly to the state lab when they left.
RandomMan
Member
A visit to the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco, Texas, will reveal that Texas Rangers have essentially, not been "issued" a weapon since the time Texas was fighting for its independence from Mexico. During the time Texas was the Republic of Texas, Rangers were told they must supply their own Colt revolvers, later from post-Civil War to about 1900 they were told to supply their own revolvers and Winchester rifle.
During the 20th century, Texas Rangers have essentially been allotted the use of the same equipment as Texas State Troopers and State Investigators. This is the case today, a Texas Ranger has legal authority in ever section of Texas, excluding the Indian territories that reside within the state's borders. They are allowed to utilize whatever weapon that want, including revolvers today.
Most Rangers either choose a customized 1911. The reason you might find a Ranger today carrying the standard issue DPS Sig is...All Texas Rangers are promoted from within the DPS. One does not simply become a Ranger without being a Texas DPS officer for at least 8 years.
In the case of the aforementioned Model 58. It's quite possible that it was a DPS-issued gun, that was issued to a trooper that later became a Texas Ranger. This is in fact what happens with modern Rangers. A friend of mine was recently made a Ranger and has chosen to carry his Trooper-issued Sig, for now. I think he's waiting on his BBQ gun to come back from the engraver.
If you are a Texan or visit Texas, take the time to visit the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. It just underwent a nice renovation and expansion, I need to head back and see that. I've been probably half a dozen times during my life. If you want to see a variety of amazing things, including hundreds of amazing weapons, give it a tour!
-Rob
During the 20th century, Texas Rangers have essentially been allotted the use of the same equipment as Texas State Troopers and State Investigators. This is the case today, a Texas Ranger has legal authority in ever section of Texas, excluding the Indian territories that reside within the state's borders. They are allowed to utilize whatever weapon that want, including revolvers today.
Most Rangers either choose a customized 1911. The reason you might find a Ranger today carrying the standard issue DPS Sig is...All Texas Rangers are promoted from within the DPS. One does not simply become a Ranger without being a Texas DPS officer for at least 8 years.
In the case of the aforementioned Model 58. It's quite possible that it was a DPS-issued gun, that was issued to a trooper that later became a Texas Ranger. This is in fact what happens with modern Rangers. A friend of mine was recently made a Ranger and has chosen to carry his Trooper-issued Sig, for now. I think he's waiting on his BBQ gun to come back from the engraver.
If you are a Texan or visit Texas, take the time to visit the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco. It just underwent a nice renovation and expansion, I need to head back and see that. I've been probably half a dozen times during my life. If you want to see a variety of amazing things, including hundreds of amazing weapons, give it a tour!
-Rob
OP
ljspoon
Member
Thank you all for your replies. Working for a rural sheriff's office myself, we have utilized our own state police for assistance in major crime scenes. When it comes to air support we turn to the Border Patrol on that one. We are required to supply our own firearms in my agency and are authorized to carry our choice of 9mm, .40, .45. I carry a Browning Hi Power in .40 S&W right now. Just recently though the Sheriff has authorized the use of a revolver for a duty weapon if we so desire.
