choosing a back up gun for a private detective

[mg357]

Dear s&w forum, I hate to be a bother so close to the holidays but i need a little help with writing project that i am working on its about a private detective and i need help choosing his back up gun. i have a couple of revolvers in mind but i can not chose which one to pick. Any and all help with this would be greatly appreciated. sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the s&w forums. p.s. here is the list
1.s&w model 36 2 inch barrel
2.s&w model 60 3 inch barrel
p.p.s. the story takes place in the year 2012.

 

[Dragon88]

p.p.s. the story takes place in the year 2012

In that case, I vote for something a little more modern, like a 640 or 642.

 

[1 old 0311]

I would vote Bodyguard. If not the 36

 

[demkofour]

The year 2012? No doubt a 340PD or one of it's variants...

 

[StuperDan]

I vote 442 with L-405 crimson trace.

 

[Jswiney9]

maybe the gun has a story too guys............ i vote the 36!

 

[Broadside]

How old is the private detective? How long has he been a private detective? What did he do before becoming a private detective?

I would not automatically peg a P.I. as being a "gun guy". To him, a gun would just be tool. I would not expect such a person to have a 3' M60.

I think that when and how your character aquired his firearm would be important aspects in making the decision even if they are not explained in your story.

Take Magnum P.I. as an example. Thomas Magnum was a former Naval Special Warfare operator who served in Vietnam. It makes sense that he would have a U.S.G.I. 1911 as his firearm. It would make less sense to give him something like a German Luger.

Now let's just say your character is a former soldier that served in the Gulf during 2002-03 and then got out. I would see such a person more inclined to have some type of small semi-auto rather than a revolver.

In 2012, I think it much more likely that a P.I. would be carrying a small semi-auto rather than a revolver.

 

[cjtraining]

Pictured are two of my favorite revolvers for backup guns, the M49 and the M38. They have been around since the 1950"s. I carried a M38 from 1970 until 2001 and now I carry a M648. as my BUG.

 

[Bluelou]

Simple. Mod.36. Good luck

 

[Old cop]

A crusty old salt would probably carry the M36. To me a 3" is a bit large for b/u purposes.

 

[opaul]

Give it some character like a CZ82......ooops that's not a S&W

 

[dewey]

" in The BOOT "

340PD. One shot, game over. You could build up to selction as it being a beast to shoot very many rounds but when the chips are down you'll prolly get to sqeeze off only one round anywho.

Have a Blessed Christmas.....dan

 

[C.S.63]

Like a few others posted Model 36

 

[jimmyj]

A P.I. main weapon would quite likely be a "J" frame or Colt 2".
Backup would be a Beretta Model 950 .25acp

 

[rags]

I agree with some others. I vote for the 36. He's Old School with the right tool!

 

[Derosa]

I believe a modern P.I is really a throwback to the pages of Hammett or Chandler or Gardner. He would carry a snub nose revolver with a hammer and wood grips and blue colors and be as proficient with it as he is with his full size weapon; he could spin a dime at ten paces and get nine cents change. A 36, in his pocket, for sure. A 45 under his arm. Proven. Dependable. Always there. Just like him and always follows the right road. God, I love this country.

 

[Black Knight]

Don't want to burst your bubble but when I was a Private Investigator I never carried a backup gun. The gun I did carry was a 2 1/2" S&W 66. Of the 2 you mention I would choose the S&W 60. Since your project is staged in 2012 why not let his weapon mirror the times? Let his primary weapon be something like a Glock or SIG in 45 and his backup a smaller version of his primary.

 

[gruntdeputy]

I agree with Broadside in post #7. What is the P.I.'s back story? What is the back-up gun's back story? Did he inherit it from his dad or grandfather? Did he buy it from a buddy who needed money?

Does he work divorce cases and is afraid of running into the ex-husband and carries a 2nd gun in his jacket pocket, or is he doing dignitary protection and riding around in limos and helicopters?

I talked to a "veteran of the profession" yesterday who carries a Glock .45 ACP, but his back-up gun is an old Colt Police Positive 2" in .38 Colt because it has sentimental value to him.

Good luck with the writing project.

Frank

 

[Moondancer]

This seems... familiar.

 

[mpi]

i WAS a PI and i carried a 640 357 in a front pocket holster, or a KT p3at in a guru back pocket holster.