A partially rural southern FL Dept. Initially and for most of my career there they did not issue a firearm. When I started the rules were that you could carry any wheel gun of 38 special or larger that you could qualify with and any of the major brands of firearms. Rossi, Taurus, etc not permitted. If you wanted to carry magnums, 38 or 44, you had to qualify with them first attempt, otherwise you had to qualify with 38 or 44 special. Most carried smith 357s, either 66s or 686s. I don't know the percentage that were restricted to specials. There were always a some that barely qualified with anything. A few carried Colts or Rugers. There were a fair number carrying 44s and a few carrying 45LC. Some of the brass carried 44s and one I know of the long colt. Back up and off duty was pretty wide open and I don't recall any qualification with them early on. My backup/OD was a 669 or 60 depending on mood.
Eventually they permitted semiautos but you had to pass an extended transition course which included a fairly unreasonable qualification. I was one of the first to do the transition and carried a 645 but I didn't find it reliable and went back to my wheel gun. I later tried a 4506 but didn't find it any better so back to the 629 where I stayed except for my stint on the marine unit.
Eventually they issued duty guns phasing in with G21 I think. Later then switched to the Smith M&P (I think), had issues with it , went to 40 cal Glocks and just recently to Glock 17s. Those that were there were grandfathered, like me, were allowed to continue carrying what we had been.
I don't know why they chose that particular round for the 44. For awhile they issued the Speer 240 GDHP. What I have is some orphans found in the corner of the armory. They eventually quit buying ammo for the 44. I switched to a Kimber 1911 for my last couple of years when they quit buying 44. I think I was the last 44 guy. I don't know if there are even any wheel gun duty guns left now.
Eventually they permitted semiautos but you had to pass an extended transition course which included a fairly unreasonable qualification. I was one of the first to do the transition and carried a 645 but I didn't find it reliable and went back to my wheel gun. I later tried a 4506 but didn't find it any better so back to the 629 where I stayed except for my stint on the marine unit.
Eventually they issued duty guns phasing in with G21 I think. Later then switched to the Smith M&P (I think), had issues with it , went to 40 cal Glocks and just recently to Glock 17s. Those that were there were grandfathered, like me, were allowed to continue carrying what we had been.
I don't know why they chose that particular round for the 44. For awhile they issued the Speer 240 GDHP. What I have is some orphans found in the corner of the armory. They eventually quit buying ammo for the 44. I switched to a Kimber 1911 for my last couple of years when they quit buying 44. I think I was the last 44 guy. I don't know if there are even any wheel gun duty guns left now.