Maybe the FBI should have hired keyboard commandos to run the Firearms Training Unit and to teach the proper way to conduct felony stops in a manner that would prevent gunfights. But that was before the internet, so those are moot points, too.
FBI stainless J frame
- Thread starter skyraider
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gruntdeputy
Member
Brave men went out onto the street looking for viscous killers. Two laid down their lives and several others were permanently effected, physically and emotional from that gun battle.
Let us not tarnish their sacrifices with this discussion that is off-point anyway. We were not there; we were not forced to make the choices that they had to make.
Let it go!
Frank
31-years of law enforcement service.
Let us not tarnish their sacrifices with this discussion that is off-point anyway. We were not there; we were not forced to make the choices that they had to make.
Let it go!
Frank
31-years of law enforcement service.
budrichard
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-Dick
-Dick
getoff
Member
i too have a model 60 "FBI" gun. i got it from a former agent and he only told me he carried it OTJ. he did not specify if it was an issued gun or one he bought. either way i wish it could talk. the agent was and continues to be rather salty...
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The article "A History of FBI Handguns," written by a former agent, claims that, "concealability (or convenience) must also have been a factor as a number of small-frame revolvers were purchased and issued through the years. They included the Colt Pocket Positive, S&W's Model 49 "Bodyguard," Colt's Detective Special (with hammer shroud) and later the Smith Model 60 "Chief's Special."
The article, however, is rather light on substance and contains many errors. Two such glaring errors are the claims, in the picture gallery, that the Model 10 was issued in 1935 and that the Model 27 was issued in 1937. Obviously, S&W had no revolvers by those names in 1935.
The article is, unfortunately, more of a very cursory listing of guns that the author claims were issued, whatever that means. What is not known is whether the list of small "pocket revolvers" listed in the article were actually issued as primary sidearms, or issued out when an agent had need of a small revolver.
Based upon the article, it seems plausible that the FBI purchased Model 60s, however. The article lists the date, however, as 1979, not 1974.
Seven3
Member
A former law firm partner of mine was an FBI agent in the 1960s. According to him, the issue gun was the model 10, presumably 4 inch. However, he and many other agents disliked them because of the size and weight, so they opted to buy their own guns from an approved list. In his case, it was a model 49 carried in what he described as a clamshell holster. If the 49 was approved, it makes sense that the model 60 was also, so my guess is that gun in question was not FBI issued, but was personally bought and carried.
stiab
US Veteran
The September 2011 issue of American Rifleman has an interesting article about the history of FBI issued handguns, and it states that in 1979 the Model 60 in .38 special an issue item. It's a good article if you can find it.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
There were a lot of mistakes in that article.
I have seen J frames in the gunvaults of various field offices I've worked in, but they were there for special purpose issue, usually to guys doing undercover work. It is possible, but highly unlikely, an enterprising agent could have had one permanently issued to him then managed to buy it upon his retirement prior to 1993.
A letter or a call to Roy Jinks would settle it.
stiab
US Veteran
I never assumed they were standard issue to all agents, or it would be well known. I assumed they were on a special need basis. My 3rd issue ATF gun was a Colt Python, but not every agent had one, and I'm sure people would tell you today that the US Treasury Department never issued Colt Pythons.
In the early 70s, the only sidearms that I saw the agents carrying were either M-10s or M-36s, and agents were the firearms instuctors in the Academy that I attended. I never saw an agent in those days carrying anything stainless steel or even nickel. The M-60s of the early 1970s was very difficult to come by, and quite expensive when found. Prices for those highly wanted revolvers was really quite high, with some approaching todays prices for the same models. Those models were the M-29s, M-57s, M-60s, M-64s, M-66s, and the M-67s. That was the premium stuff in those days......
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Links to, or pictures of this M10? Never heard of that critter. Thanks!~
dacoontz
Member
UGA11,
Was this an FBI issued M60. If so, have you lettered it? Would love to know for sure and see what the serial number range is. It could help to find others, if they still exist. Thanks for the pic.
dmc8163
Member
Ran across this thread while researching claim made by a "reported" S&W expert collector. He claims to have a Model 36-1 that is one of 212 revolvers shipped to the FBI pursuant to a contract. If true this is news to me. I've read through the thread and I'm hoping someone may have some more specific information. In 1982 I was issued a Colt Detective Special out of the Dallas FBI gun vault. At that time I didn't note any Model 36's. Not long after the Colt was called in by the FBI Academy Gun Vault and destroyed along with all the other FBI owned Colts (yes, exception for a limited number of Colt Thompsons). I became a Field Firearms Instructor in 1983 and never saw an FBI owned Model 36. Still, it makes perfect sense that the FBI would have purchased a limited number of Model 36s for undercover use. I find it very doubtful that the FBI purchased a Model 36 for use by women (or men) with small hands. Working on getting the serial number and additional history on this revolver.
dacoontz
Member
dmc,
Would you be referring to the 36-1 that's coming up for auction? I noticed that too and wondered what made that gun a limited run of FBI guns and with such a specific number to boot (1 of 212). Nothing mentioned in the standard catalog about it either.
Would you be referring to the 36-1 that's coming up for auction? I noticed that too and wondered what made that gun a limited run of FBI guns and with such a specific number to boot (1 of 212). Nothing mentioned in the standard catalog about it either.
dmc8163
Member
Yep. That would be the one. Contacted the auction company and at present they are relying on word from the estate as to the history of the revolver. No paper or other authentication. Requested the serial number but no response yet. I would seriously love for this story to be true. DMC
In 1970, a $107 was a big pile of money. You must have been on your way to SE Asia for your pop to spend that kind of money. The M-60s were very popular over there.
