What little I know about it is that it was one of the last revolvers used by either the CHP or LAPD (or approved by both ?).
It is a 6" M66 Combat Magnum, chambered in .38 special.
It is a 6" M66 Combat Magnum, chambered in .38 special.
A little history on the S&W M68 ?
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midwesternmutt
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A Model 66 k-frame square butt in .38spl is a M64, no?
OP
No. The M66 has a shrouded ejector rod and adjustable sights, while the M64 has neither.
That's about all I have ever heard about them. I've seen one or two and it seems to me that they were marked with a CHP logo on the sideplate but my memory being what it is, I could be mistaken.
This is the firearm in question
Many agencies around the nation had already changed to issuing 38s for their officers to carry in their 357 Magnum revolvers.
But that was not good enough for the Politically Correct in California
To get further away from the MEDIA and MOVIE created stigma of Law Enforcement Officers carrying MAGNUM revolvers the Politically Correct in California wanted on non-Magnum firearms.
A model 66 rechambered and renamed allowed LEOs a firearm that had no problems digesting +P+ 38s all day long without being called a MAGNUM
Many agencies around the nation had already changed to issuing 38s for their officers to carry in their 357 Magnum revolvers.
But that was not good enough for the Politically Correct in California
To get further away from the MEDIA and MOVIE created stigma of Law Enforcement Officers carrying MAGNUM revolvers the Politically Correct in California wanted on non-Magnum firearms.
A model 66 rechambered and renamed allowed LEOs a firearm that had no problems digesting +P+ 38s all day long without being called a MAGNUM
midwesternmutt
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A little history on the S&W M68 ?
I have never heard of the 68. What is the 65, then. It is the 65 that is the 66, but in .38spec?
Edit: thanks Colt SAA
I have never heard of the 68. What is the 65, then. It is the 65 that is the 66, but in .38spec?
Edit: thanks Colt SAA
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OP
No. The M65 is basically a heavy barrel M64, chambered in .357 mag, with fixed sights.
midwesternmutt
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Guess I have to brush up. It has been a while. [emoji53]
OP
That was a time in my LEO career when we had to carry wheel guns, at least in uniform on duty. I carried either a M^^ or M65 4" in uniform; and a 3" M65 as a detective. That's why I have most of the numbering down.
Of course, I switched to a Colt Govt. 1911 off-duty ;-)
Of course, I switched to a Colt Govt. 1911 off-duty ;-)
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As noted above, the model 68 was standard issue for the CHP; many of these were sold as surplus and over stamped OHB over the left frame CHP stamping. They were also sold as LAPD commemoratives, with some officers having them engraved with their badge number and ID/rank and carrying them on duty. If carried they were altered to operate DAO.
OIF2
Member
The 68s were sold at the Los Angeles Police Revolver Club to sworn officers. I bought mine as a probationer and it sat in the box until I got off probation (you gotta carry your issue stuff until you make P2). After I became a P2 Dog (LAPD slang for the hard-working street patrolmen of the dept), I took my 68 over to the Armory and had Harry Davis (one of the great LAPD Armorers) "denut" my 68 (DAO conversion) and place it on my guncard. I bought a Hoyt high-ride, had it spit-shined and I was good to go as an LA South-End Gunfighter. We loaded them back then with 125 grain Federal +P flat-nosed soft-points (no hollowpoints for us in the '80's). It was a great gun, shot well and helped me achieve DX status on the LAPD bonus shoot. After I went to 9mms I had the SA put back in and a post front sight installed by S&W. I use it now in retirement as a bulls-eye gun in the NRA revolver distinguished match and the Harry Reeves Match. I also had the LAPD Revolver Club engrave my initials and patrolman badge on the sideplate when I bought it. One of my favorites.
Bob
With .38 WC at 25 yards, DA. Action tuned by Gene at S&W, who's one of the best.
Badge, initials and LAPD markings on the barrel.
This one is now my weekly practice partner for bullseye matches.
Left side barrel markings.
Bob
With .38 WC at 25 yards, DA. Action tuned by Gene at S&W, who's one of the best.
Badge, initials and LAPD markings on the barrel.
This one is now my weekly practice partner for bullseye matches.
Left side barrel markings.
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OP
Very cool !
Thanks - now there's something else I need to look for !
Thanks - now there's something else I need to look for !
Engine49guy
Member
The Model 64 had fixed sites and was the SS version of the Model 10,
The Model 67 is a SS version of the Model 15 ,
The Model 68 is essentially a Model 66 fitted with a non recessed .38 special cylinder as used on the Model 64 and 67,
The 38 special cylinder is also slightly shorter at the front requiring a slightly longer forcing cone to mate to it, So basicly the 68 cant have a Model 66/65 cylinder swapped into it without cutting back the forcing cone protrusion into the frame window.
The Model 67 is a SS version of the Model 15 ,
The Model 68 is essentially a Model 66 fitted with a non recessed .38 special cylinder as used on the Model 64 and 67,
The 38 special cylinder is also slightly shorter at the front requiring a slightly longer forcing cone to mate to it, So basicly the 68 cant have a Model 66/65 cylinder swapped into it without cutting back the forcing cone protrusion into the frame window.
2011redrider
Member
Only LAPD's were denutted, CHP's were left intact. They were standard issue if you wanted a 6", 4" was a model 15. They sold most of them to the officers when converting to the 4006 in 1992.
Also had one thru their Association, it came in a Walnut engraved presentation box with a belt buckle. Was carrying a 28 at the time they switched, so I didn't get a 68, but, have one of the Commemoratives.
Here's mine I picked up a couple of years ago, along with a Safety Speed Holster that a friend of mine had given me just the day before I bought this. How'd he know??? 
Left side
O.H.B. overstamp
66-2 overstamped with 68
Gun in open holster
A short time after purchasing this I found an original box on ebay, including the original paperwork. As was the case with the Model 520, this was not a catalogued item, so therefore no manual was ever issued with it, though I believe a Model 66 manual would be totally appropriate.
Left side
O.H.B. overstamp
66-2 overstamped with 68
Gun in open holster
A short time after purchasing this I found an original box on ebay, including the original paperwork. As was the case with the Model 520, this was not a catalogued item, so therefore no manual was ever issued with it, though I believe a Model 66 manual would be totally appropriate.
OIF2
Member
Here's mine I picked up a couple of years ago, along with a Safety Speed Holster that a friend of mine had given me just the day before I bought this. How'd he know???
Left side
O.H.B. overstamp
66-2 overstamped with 68
Gun in open holster
A short time after purchasing this I found an original box on ebay, including the original paperwork. As was the case with the Model 520, this was not a catalogued item, so therefore no manual was ever issued with it, though I believe a Model 66 manual would be totally appropriate.
I think you're right. I remember a 66 pamphlet in my box. My gun was also over-stamped with a 68 over the original 66 number under the crane, like yours.
Bob
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To add to OIF2's comments. I am trying to get one now for my collection of LE revolvers. My contacts at LAPD were hot on the Model 68 as sort of the last revolvers that the serious gunfighters used before the switch to auto's. Heavier (better recoil control) than the un shrouded guns and with a long sight radius and as an essentially a .357 gun with a .38 cylinder they were a gun that the good shooters could shoot well. I can attest that getting DX level scores on the bonus course is tough (especially the head shots in 1.5 second stage) and this would be a good gun for it. One of my longtime mentors owes me some money and I have him trying to find an LAPD Model 68 as re-payment. I really want one. Of course, you couldn't give me a CHP one....;-).
jag312
Member
It has been many years, but this is what I remember being told. The CHP used to carry .357 Magnum revolvers. When Jerry Brown was first elected Governor, one of the flakes that he brought into Sacramento thought that if the CHP ever had to shoot someone, the .357 would hurt too much. So the CHP had to put away their .357 Magnum revolvers and use the less painful Model 68 revolver in .38 Special. Most of the CHP hated them and referred to the Model 68 as "The Governor Moonbeam Highway Patrol Special". The CHP got rid of them as soon as Moonbeam left office. I would love to get one for my collection, but since it is not on California's Approved Handgun List, I have to wait until I move to Nevada.
OIF2
Member
In addition to Nyeti's comments (all true), at the time the 68 came out LAPD SWAT could only carry their 1911s (loaded with 230 grain ball) on a SWAT call-out. Regular SWAT uniformed duty mandated a revolver loaded with softpoints, like the rest of us unfortunate souls. Most SWAT coppers and the rest of us LAPD gun freaks carried a 68 due to the belief that the 6" barrel would get a little extra velocity out of our issued 125 grain softpoint, possibly leading to greater expansion. At least, that was the hope. Didn't work out in reality. But the 68 was a great gun to shoot, if you could put up with the extra bulk. I carried mine on duty for a few months, then mostly relegated it to shooting the bonus on Fridays at the Academy. I went back to my issued (and Armory-tuned) 67 4" in a high-ride Hoyt until the 9mms arrived, but still shot my 68 weekly on the bonus shoot. I'm enjoying the hell out of shooting it now for bullseye; kinda like hooking up with a long-ago girlfriend that still looks hot.
Bob
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