Did anyone who carried on the job ever...

[Bullet Bob]

"At least it skidded and didn't go kerplunk !"

Or worse, ka-pow!

Funny stories, enjoying the thread.

 

[Skeet 028]

Not me personally I once bought a Winchester M-21 20 ga quail shooter from a fellow He had put the gun on the tailgate of his P/U when loading the dogs and forgot it was there. drove off remembered the gun and yep it was gone. went back and found it. Stock was all scratched up. Was so annoyed about it he sold it to me for a very reasonable price. I sent it to a stock guy I knew at Winchester and he made it like new again...for not much money at the time. I can't imagine losing a duty gun... Never live it down Almost couldn't forget mine for the short time I carried. It was a 3 1/2 inch 27 in a lean to the left shoulder rig

 

[326MOD10]

We once had a seasoned veteran who left his weapon on the tank behind the stool in a not so nice gas station bathroom. Apparently it was picked up by a cab driver who had dreams of ownership. A very good and decent supervisor was able to track down the cabbie and recover the handgun without much of an issue caused to the officer.

I always said I understand forgetting the handgun but was more concerned about his choice of restrooms when there was a nice hotel and the HQ building about 2 blocks in either direction.

On my side of the equation I never punted (or left) a handgun in a stall. I was a go home for number 2 kind of guy (which meant I didn't go when I was working) or if in case of emergency the handgun would rest in my pulled down pants so I would not forget and had it at the ready if need be.

I did however go to pick up my young son at school one day wearing a fanny pack. I was working 3rd shift and was dead to the world as he managed to catch the fanny pack pull string just right and open it up. In my state of stupidity the retention velcro was not in place and my off duty weapon went sliding across the sidewalk at the front of the school as class let out.

I was scrambling pretty good to retrieve it and when I came up, stuffing it back in, I noticed the only person looking my way was the Principal. Luckily he was a pretty good guy and just chuckled and I went on my way.

Fanny pack retired and I moved to a 642 and pocket holster.

 

[bgrafsr]

In the days before modern retention holsters i am sure many LEO had their revolver pop out of their border patrol holster during a foot chase after unsnapping the retention strap. Had it happen to me twice in five years in uniform - fortunately both times I realized it immediately and was able to snatch it up on the run and still catch the bad guy. It was usually after having your revolver drawn and re-holstering while on the run or unsnapping the strap in anticipation of having to draw it when responding to a serious felony in progress and forgetting to snap it back in the heat of the moment. If you see an old police revolver with scratches or gouges that may have happened!

Modern retention holsters didn't come into widespread use until the late 1970's-early 1980's.

Back in 1975 one of our Officers shot and killed a burglar coming out of a bar one night. We ended up with a riot for 3 days or so. The Ohio State Patrol was called and sent about 100 or so Troopers to cover the City while we worked on the riot. One evening a bunch of rioters were causing havoc in the downtown area. I pulled up, parked, and began chasing about 3 or 4 individuals through the neighborhood. I suddenly stopped, realizing I did not have my Model 10 with me. The holster was empty. I backtracked to the cruiser, and found my gun lying on the tree lawn next to the cruiser. Yep, I was wearing a Jordan Border Patrol holster.

 

[jdh]

In the days before modern retention holsters i am sure many LEO had their revolver pop out of their border patrol holster during a foot chase after unsnapping the retention strap.

A couple of us were doing door checks in the Central Business District one morning watch. The other officer takes off running after a suspicious person about a half block away. I start running in their direction when I see something shiny go flying through the air and land in a planter. As i get to it I see a nickle Chief Special laying in the dirt. Put in in my pocket and resumed the "pursuit". When I caught up the other officer had the runner on the ground. After cuffing the suspect I pulled the revolver out of my pocket and asked the other officer if was his or the bad guy's. He immediately went for his ankle and turned pale.

A few days later I saw an ankle holster in the briefing room trash can.

 

[rkrcpa]

Years ago when I owned a mini market we would sometimes blow off steam by tossing a frisbee in the parking lot late at night (midnight shift).
One particular evening my partner went to make a running catch of an errant throw. We all stopped and watched as his Nickel, Airweight M36 went skittering across the pavement after taking flight from his ankleholster.

Some memories just stick with you.

 

[ejr10mm]

No but at the PD next to mine some genius let off a round in the stall as they were dropping the kids off at the pool.