Is there any Police Agency that still requires revolvers?

[GatorFarmer]

DSS has issued 9mm 3rd Gen autos for a while. They had some revolvers still in service, Ruger Sp101s if I recall and modified to DAO, in .38. DSS had large stocks of Nyclad ammo after everyone else had run out prior to it being reintroduced. This came up in discussions in the past.

The State Department does arm its people when it is felt necessary. Apparently old guns from other agencies are in circulation for this based on the story of that Model 13. That isn't surprising, since it isn't a priority.

Some agencies in France probably still use Manuhrin revolvers, and revolvers are also seen in India. They make local copies of the Webley and still have some old K frames from WW2 kicking around.

 

[Ron H.]

Is there any police department anywhere in the U.S. that anybody knows of that still requires and/or issues revolvers as their primary sidearm?

Some holdout old school traditionalist sheriff or police chief that still believes Six for Sure.

Sir, I haven't seen a cop carrying a revolver around here in years. I'm told that some private security outfits here issue/mandate .38 revolvers.

In Philly a couple years ago, I saw several uniformed folks around the convention center carrying revolvers. Not sure whether they were cops or some kind of security people, though.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Doug.38PR]

I know a lot of departments will let the policeman carry whatever he wants, revolver or auto, (seems like in the South they all let you do what you want, except for some pseudo sophisticated urban centers like Houston or Dallas which have grandfathered out everything else but .40 S&W....gotta be like NYC and L.A.) I was just wondering if it was required. I was just wondering if it was mandated anywhere

 

[sheriffoconee]

Our insurance companies LOVE it when we strictly dictate the type/caliber/make/model weapon our officers/deputies carry. The more standardized, the more they like it, and therefore they are more likely to reduce our liability premiums....the more "out there" you get, the more it costs GENERALLY.
Insurance and risk reduction drive weapon standardization as much, or more, than politics do

 

[4864]

When we still issued revolvers the women on my department wouls put the Magna grips on their M-66 and had no problem qualifying. I think revolvers are easier to fit smaller hands that autos.

I carried a revolver for the first 13 years of my career and I never felt undergunnned. I am a gun person and I don't think revolvers are just for "non-gun" people as someone stated. I would have carried a revolver for my entire career had department regs allowed.

My Mother has one of my late Fathers old duty guns for home defense. A Model 15-2 with 4 inch barrel. It had full sized target grips on it. She did not like them so I put Magna grips on it for her. Left panel is a standard Magna and the right panel is a PC. She loves the feel of it and shoots very well with it.

 

[Agent 86]

San Diego PD issues several types of weapons, but does not require revolvers. Most officers here are carrying semi-autos of various types, but if requested, an officer will be issued a revolver. I have seen 6" pencil barreled Model 10's, Model 60's and Ruger revolvers all issued and still being carried.

I carried a 3" Model 66 until I retired, it was and is my personal weapon.

 

[Doug.38PR]

Insurance and risk reduction drive weapon standardization as much, or more, than politics do

Actually what drives insurance and "risk reduction" IS politics. The more politically correct you are the less likely you will get sued. That's why we have so many "safety laws" and "crime prevention" laws. I.E. Bike Helmets, Motorcycle helmets, seatbelt laws, removal of diving boards, filling of swiming pools entirely, removal of realistic toy guns, etc. etc. etc.
The insurance companies don't want some liberal judge or lawyer or congressman costing them a fortune in frivilous lawsuits to "save the children" or "protect minorities"

 

[dwever]

I'm somewhat sure our agency will allow reserves to carry revolvers under certain circumstances, but I've never seen one. Regulars are issued Glocks. Period.

Our agency authorized S&W through one distributor to sell a 686 L to current and retired agency personnel only. It is a special edition for the agency's 75th anniversary but we won't see it on duty obviously.

 

[8-Shot]

Here in Okla. most of us are issued Glocks. If you go to work for some of the smaller sheriff's offices and you can not provide your own weapon the sheriff will issue a revolver from the vault. If you work for OKC and are on the honor guard you are issued a Smith and Wesson Model 65. You are required to qualify with it once a year with magnums and carry magnums on duty. It is your choice what you carry on duty, the revolver or your glock. They carry revolver for the 21 gun salute. You will also see many other honor guards in Okla. carrying revolvers, ie (Tulsa, Yukon, and some smaller agencies).

 

[Doug.38PR]

I've noticed that whenever I go to an Astros game in Houston, the police all over the ballpark whether walking the corridors or on the field all seem to have revolvers. (young and old)

 

[Damn Yankee]

I have posted this picture before and I am always asked why do you carry a Revolver and what is in those little pouches on your belt? Can I look at it?

I just say real guns are made of steel and wood not like those dishwasher guns made of plastic.

I have heard people say "Look at that Old Timmey Gun" One guy said you can tell a old cop cause he is carrying a revolver

We qualify 4 times a year and every time someone on the line has some kind of trouble with fail to feed,stovepipe, mag not seated fully or not in battery. If my weapon does not fire I just pull the trigger again and after six reload. Very simple gun to operate.

 

[18DAI]

Very nice Damn Yankee. i like the old style hand cuff keys too. I still have and use mine.

Is that a 66 in the holster? Regards 18DAI.

 

[remat457]

A while back I saw a Seattle PD officer directing traffic carrying what appeared to be a Security Six. I think GL22's are standard issue.

 

[wlm]

started in1960.retired in1990. after that worked :details".carried my Mod65 -3".Construction workers asked if it was a "cowboy" gun. I believe in "dancing with the girl you brought to the party" I,m 75 yrs old and I,ll stick with the wheel gun. Chief Larry Marsell (ret.)

 

[Doug.38PR]

I have posted this picture before and I am always asked why do you carry a Revolver and what is in those little pouches on your belt? Can I look at it?

I just say real guns are made of steel and wood not like those dishwasher guns made of plastic.

I have heard people say "Look at that Old Timmey Gun" One guy said you can tell a old cop cause he is carrying a revolver

We qualify 4 times a year and every time someone on the line has some kind of trouble with fail to feed,stovepipe, mag not seated fully or not in battery. If my weapon does not fire I just pull the trigger again and after six reload. Very simple gun to operate.

VERY Nice DamnYankee,
I can tell you and your gun have been through a lot together (what kind?) as the bluing is all taken off the backstrap of the grip frame. I have only had my Colt Official Police 5 years and it's only turned from blue to a slight brown so far
Nice belt too....it seemed kind of strange for it to have that plastic snap like on a fanny pack instead of a belt buckle.

Maybe you could repeat your experience over on the Louisiana forum Is there any Police Agency that still requires revolvers? - BayouShooter.com Forums
that LSP fellow. He's hellbent on convincing everybody that revolvers fail as much as autos and revolvers are outdated


For myself, I own about 6 revolvers, all of them between 60-30 years old and seen use before they got to me. I have 2 new and modern semi automatics. I shoot all my guns a lot, but shoot the revolvers far more than the automatics.......I have had more malfunctions with the semi autos than any of my revolvers put together. That alone tells me something

 

[Damn Yankee]

The Revolver is a 686 in a Safriland holster.

 

[Doug.38PR]

nice...and with checkered wooden target grips instead of dull rubber patchmyer or hogue

 

[BUFF]

My agency transitioned from .38/.357 revolvers (issued the Model 15 or older Combat Masterpiece) beginning in 1991. They banned revolvers entirely about 1998.

About 2005 the agency reinstated 5 shot J frames for backup and off duty carry. I doubt revolvers will ever become a duty option again.