An interesting 686 sighting...

[WC145]

I had to fly to Houston Tuesday (and back home Wednesday, ugh!) and on the way down I changed planes in Philadelphia. In between flights I was walking around killing time and came upon an airport cop, I don't know if they're Phillie PD or if the airport has their own police dept. Regardless, as I walked past I checked his sidearm and he was wearing a 4" S&W 686 in nice basketweave leather!! I was quite surprised, I considered stopping to shoot the breeze but he was on duty and I had a plane to catch. Anyway, I thought it was interesting, nice to know that there's someone other than me still wearing a wheel gun when in uniform.

 

[Skeeziks]

I had to fly to Houston Tuesday (and back home Wednesday, ugh!) and on the way down I changed planes in Philadelphia. In between flights I was walking around killing time and came upon an airport cop, I don't know if they're Phillie PD or if the airport has their own police dept. Regardless, as I walked past I checked his sidearm and he was wearing a 4" S&W 686 in nice basketweave leather!! I was quite surprised, I considered stopping to shoot the breeze but he was on duty and I had a plane to catch. Anyway, I thought it was interesting, nice to know that there's someone other than me still wearing a wheel gun when in uniform.

I would've been curious as to what load he was carrying.
And whether he had it stoked with Specials or Mags.

 

[westkybanded]

If you ever make it to Frankfort KY, go into any major public building and you'll see that our State Police Facilities Security officers wear the same rigs. I asked a guy at the office about it one day, and he said it was because they look so much classier.

 

[Big Kahuna 19547]

Philadelphia Airport is indeed covered by the City PD. Although most carry Glocks, they still have some wheel gunners who just won't let it die. I wish I had the option...I never felt under gunned carrying six.

 

[sheriffoconee]

I wore my Smith 22 to work today, and it felt so good. Went to a BarBQ too, even though my "rig" isn't BarBQ worthy.....

 

[ewayte]

I was in downtown Philly on business in March and got distracted near Reading Terminal Market by a sergeant with a revolver. I told my boss, sorry, got distracted by a wheelgun!

 

[peyton]

It show maturity that we get distracted by firearms instead of seeing what the clowns are wearing at the airport. I just flew from Las Vegas back to San Antonio. The cops had autos, but what amazed me was the level of dress (or the lack of it). Needless to say, you don't have to pay to see a peepshow, just go to the airport!!

 

[4864]

Up until a few years ago the ND Parks & Rec LE Rangers used 686-4 in brown basket weave duty rigs. Went to Glocks!!

 

[WC145]

Kind of cool that Phillie still allows (or grandfathers) wheel guns for uniform patrol, so few agencies do these days.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

My wife still carries her revolver, er, my revolver on the job. She started out with a Ruger Speed Six DAO, then switched shortly to my M66, and a M36 that is on its 3rd generation of cops. She is a Detective in SVU and usually carries both weapons. She is on the SWAT team, and so has to qualify monthly. Carries the 158 gr +P 38 special HP load in both guns. She regularly outshoots a lot of young guys with "wonder guns" made out of tupperware. Yeah they can get off a lot of rounds, but hers are always in the K zone-always. There have been several bosses who have suggested she go to an auto, being on the SWAT team and, all, but they usually shut up after she shows them her last 30 years worth of range scores. She can put a perfect smiley face on the target at 25 yards, starting with the 66 and finishes with the 36, looks really neat on the K5 target head. The real kicker? She has only shot those 3 guns in her life, is not what one would call a gun person, and really is not interested in my collection (except to keep track of what I may have snuck in the house recenty). Unfortunately she does know one gun from another, none of the "that old thing" in our house. But she is quite tolerant of most of my misdeeds-as long as they involve steel and wood/plastic handles, and smell like Hoppes #9.

 

[WC145]

My wife still carries her revolver, er, my revolver on the job. She started out with a Ruger Speed Six DAO, then switched shortly to my M66, and a M36 that is on its 3rd generation of cops. She is a Detective in SVU and usually carries both weapons. She is on the SWAT team, and so has to qualify monthly. Carries the 158 gr +P 38 special HP load in both guns. She regularly outshoots a lot of young guys with "wonder guns" made out of tupperware. Yeah they can get off a lot of rounds, but hers are always in the K zone-always. There have been several bosses who have suggested she go to an auto, being on the SWAT team and, all, but they usually shut up after she shows them her last 30 years worth of range scores. She can put a perfect smiley face on the target at 25 yards, starting with the 66 and finishes with the 36, looks really neat on the K5 target head. The real kicker? She has only shot those 3 guns in her life, is not what one would call a gun person, and really is not interested in my collection (except to keep track of what I may have snuck in the house recenty). Unfortunately she does know one gun from another, none of the "that old thing" in our house. But she is quite tolerant of most of my misdeeds-as long as they involve steel and wood/plastic handles, and smell like Hoppes #9.

You know what they say - Beware the man (woman?) with just one gun. They probably know how to use it!

 

[kscardsfan]

The Houston airport PD had one officer carrying what appeared to be a model 586 on patrol. It blew my mind in this day and age that someone would still carry a wheel gun. But Houston seems to give their officers quite a bit of leeway on duty weapons. I went to the texas bowl and saw one officer with a 686 and some gorgeous inlaid custom grips and another with a wilson combat 1911 in his holster.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

They know they can hit something with out needing 18 rounds to maybe hit the target. I shoot only a wheel gun, I can pick up a auto and can't hit the side of a barn with it, I'm just a wheel gun person.

 

[azgunz]

I wonder how many speed loaders they carried