FBI sidearms

[jumbeaux]

Does anyone have a list of the sidearms issued to FBI agents from the 1930's thru today......especially the revolvers ?? I was reading my Standard Catalog and was wondering what were the different models used.

Thank y'all,
rick

 

[sigp220.45]

There is a lot of good information at this site:

Home - Dusty Roads Of An FBI Era

There is an inventory of guns used in various field offices in 1933 - 174 Colt .38 Specials and 40 Smith and Wessons. These would be Colt Official Police and Police Positive Special revolvers and Smith Military & Police revolvers:

http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com/storage/33ordersdistribution.pdf

In the following decades the Colts were gradually supplanted by Smiths. The 4 inch M&P was the standard for many years. It was replaced by a 2 1/2 inch barreled Model 10, which was in turn replaced by the three inch Model 13. Eventually the Model 13 was replaced by the 1076, then the Sig 226, and finally the Glock 22 and 23.

The above site also debunks a common misconception that FBI agents weren't armed until legislation was passed in 1934 following the Kansas City Massacre. Agents were armed as required since the beginning of the Bureau in 1908 and engaged in shootouts. They armed themselves as a matter of their employment - the legislation merely stamped a seal of approval on a long-standing practice.

 

[David LaPell]

In the early days after it came out the agents were big fans of the Registered Magnums. Walter Walsh carried a .357 Smith (4-inch barrel) and alot of others carried the 3 1/2 inch version. Here is an agent at the range with what appears to be a 3 1/2 Registered Magnum.

 

[jimmyj]

In 1964 my Agency sent me to a FBI Training School. At that time the standard FBI issue service weapon was a Colt Official Police Model and a Smith and Wesson Model 10. Both .38spl, four inch barrel, and blued finish.
The FBI firearms instructor reported that the Colts were received in for repairs more often than the S&Ws due to the Colt cylinder timing. If the Colts were dropped, most times the cylinder was
knocked out of time.

 

[jumbeaux]

FBI

Appreciate the responses. I am trying to do a little research on the app. dates that the Field Agents carried the 3" Model 10 and the 3" Model 13. I recall an American Rifleman article that featured an FBI Special Agent describing the proper draw procedure of the revolver while wearing a jacket. I believe he may have been utilizing a Model 13 but it has been awhile ago and my memory isn't what it once was. BTW, he also described the reloading procedure.

Thans to all,

rick

 

[jag312]

I don't recall the exact year, but it was in the mid 1980s that I recovered a S&W Model 13 with the serial number removed. The revolver was used in a homicide and dropped at the scene. After the serial number was restored, it was determined that the revolver was stolen from an FBI agent in Las Vegas.

 

[dmc8163]

The Model 10 issued to Agents just prior to to the Model 13 had a 2 1/2" barrel. No FBI Model 10s had a 3" barrel.

 

[sheriffoconee]

My father was an FBI agent from 64-84....
In New Agents school, he was issued a standard barrel Model 10. He carried it in a "Hank Sloan" holster. He bought a 2 inch Model 10 that he carried throughout his career. I have that personally owned Model 10 now, and I still carry it at times. Somewhere around 1980 Dad was issued a 3 inch Model 13 and he surrendered his original Model 10 that he was issued in New Agents...
According to my father:
He liked the 4 inch M 10 fine, it was just awkward to carry under a suit.
He liked his 2 inch better....and he still asks me about it all the time.....
He LOVED the 13, but who doesn't....
He doesn't recall being issued a 2.5 inch, or other Model 10....

 

[doublesharp]

I stumbled across this 10-8, 2 1/2" a few years ago and it's in the serial # range of the FBI guns.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I have a friend who is now retired from the FBI. He was carrying a Sig 226 when he finally retired.

 

[rchance]

Tommy Lee Jones always carried a glock. Sorry just had to throw that in their.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Tommy Lee Jones always carried a glock. Sorry just had to throw that in their.

And J.Edgar Hoover carried some pantyhose and a garter...

 

[sgt.207]

I went to FBI FIS in 1991 at Camp Smith in Peekskill NY. At the time, some were carrying 3" model 13, but the instructors all had the new 1076.

 

[jimmyj]

Wasn't Tommy Lee Jones's role a U.S. Marshall?

 

[truckemup97]

Wasn't Tommy Lee Jones's role a U.S. Marshall?

Details, details.

 

[27145]

Details, details.

This is the internet, we don't have to get our facts straight before posting.

 

[Armyphotog]

Learn something new everyday. Never heard of a 2 1/2 inch barrel Model 10. Thought they were all 2 inch. Will have to keep my eye peeled for one of thoses. Looks interesting.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I stumbled across this 10-8, 2 1/2" a few years ago and it's in the serial # range of the FBI guns.

It appears that this model 10 is both pinned and recessed, which I find interesting. I was under the impression that only the magnums and the .22 rimfires were recessed.

John

 

[doublesharp]

It appears that this model 10 is both pinned and recessed, which I find interesting. I was under the impression that only the magnums and the .22 rimfires were recessed.

John

You made me look. Pinned but not recessed.

 

[st regis]

Michigan state police had 2 1/2 inch 10s too.