J frame as LE backup

haywood said:
I'm not LEO but, I worked at several gun shops over the years and knew plenty of LEO's that carried J-Frame backups. Also Retired Officer's and Sheriff's that carry J-Frames as EDC. I read enough books by Evan Marshall, Jim Cirillo and Massad Ayoob ,to name a few, to have learned why it is a good idea to carry a backup. I normally carry Two J-Frames but, years back going through a few semi autos I always had a 442 in my pocket. When your behind a gun counter and questionable looking people come in, it was comforting to casually put my hand in my pocket.
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One of the older detectives who helped me get going in plain clothes work always carried a 2" Model 36 in his jacket pocket. When approaching people or knocking on doors he always had his hand in his pocket and that little .38 Special was pointing right at the object of his attention.

When entering the courthouse we had to lock up our handguns in a bank of lock boxes in the lobby area monitored by a deputy sheriff. The old boy made a show of locking up his holstered Model 19, then proceeded on with the little Chief Special in his pocket.

Knew an old sheriff who kept a Chief Special in a Velcro rig inside the crown of his Stetson hat. That did not strike me as being very comfortable.

I tried a couple of ankle holsters but found those to be uncomfortable and a little awkward. Used a deep-riding IWB belt-clip holster in my right groin area for a long time. With western boots I found that I could carry two Chief Specials, one in each boot in clip-holsters attached at the top of the boot shaft (but this makes it very difficult to run if you have to). In my later working years I wore vests regularly and carried a Model 36 or Model 37 in a vest pocket (which takes some counter-weight at the off-side to keep the vest straight on the body).
 
I used to carry a 642 in a holster secured by my vest straps. With a reload speed strip on the other side in a pouch.

I always felt a wheelgun will usually work if dirty or somewhat neglected, more so than a semi-auto if not properly maintained (lint, lack of lube, sweat, etc.).

I was never a fan of ankle carry on duty (nor allowed by my Dept.). And a buddy had his fallout during a foot pursuit.
 
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I have been on the job since 1990. In 1997 I bought a 640-1 and it became my everyday secondary weapon. The 23 year old 640-1 still goes with me to work everyday.

The "kids" I hire and work with do not seem to appreciate a J frame, but I have exposed a few of them to the world of service revolvers while on the range and they have enjoyed the experience. For a couple of them my revolvers were the first ones they had ever shot.
 
Dump1567 said:
I used to carry a 642 in a holster secured by my vest straps. With a reload speed strip on the other side in a pouch.

I always felt a wheelgun will usually work if dirty or somewhat neglected, more so than a semi-auto if not properly maintained (lint, lack of lube, sweat, etc.).

I was never a fan of ankle carry on duty (nor allowed by my Dept.). And a buddy had his fallout during a foot pursuit.
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My J frame popped out of my ankle holster wrestling a suspect yrs ago & was pocket carried after that.
 
My Dad invested in my future by giving me a 28-2 "Highway Patrolman" when I returned home after my Army service. I practiced with that revolver every chance I got while I attended college. (Shot "Master" with the 28-2 they issued me in the Academy.)

While I was in college, I bought a new 36 "Chief's Special" and it became my companion. When I entered civilian LE, I carried that 36 in an ankle holster (even though it wasn't authorized by the department... "better to be tried by twelve than carried by six" is what they taught us in the MP's.) When Calibre Press introduced the vest holster I started using that instead of the ankle holster.

First time I saw a 649 in a gun shop I thought S&W must have been thinking of me when they created it so I bought it on the spot.

A few years later the department went to 9mm so I bought a 940 and carried it for a few years.

I'm retired now and I don't go anywhere without my 442. J Frame S&W is the handiest revolver out there and I still have mine.
 
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I've carried one or another J frame as a BUG since 1970. Since 1998 to today, the Jack Weigand custom 642 in my avatar has either been backup or primary with a Magnport 342 as BUG. I own a bunch of J frames in calibers from 22 to 357 magnum. An earlier poster is right. They're not for every one but they can be incredible shooters if you practice regularly.:D
 
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Started in LE in 1976 and served..........

....... with three different departments ( and a couple SOs unpaid while took 2 yrs out to finish degree ) and retired in 2017. During those years was never without a backup.

I was guilty of trying a few different platforms and brands in the eternal quest for the perfect secondary weapon ( ran into a lot of non trustworthy sm semis) but kept coming back to the J frame Smith. Always steel because I shoot J frames a lot.

Tried many carry methods over the years but primarily pocket. Loved winter because it rode in my jacket pocket on the advice of an older Officer. I am positive that lots of folks I met on traffic stops thought I was pretty careless for having my gun hand in my pocket, little did they know.

The award for the longest tenure, going on 25 years, goes to an early 649 .38 Special that has been enhanced by Cylinder & Slide.

J frame, never leave home with out one.
 
I've been in uniform patrol for over ten years now. I carried my 642 for about six or seven years as my BUG in my uniform left front pants pocket (weak hand side). Never had issues with qualifing with it or carring it on and off duty. My Ruger LCP has replaced it for the last three years due to its flat profile. I still love and shoot revolvers, but the fatter I get, the flatter I like my carry guns. Old age sucks.
 
KarmannGhia said:
I've been in uniform patrol for over ten years now. I carried my 642 for about six or seven years as my BUG in my uniform left front pants pocket (weak hand side). Never had issues with qualifing with it or carring it on and off duty. My Ruger LCP has replaced it for the last three years due to its flat profile. I still love and shoot revolvers, but the fatter I get, the flatter I like my carry guns. Old age sucks.
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That's funny, unfortunately you ain't seen nothing yet !!!!
 
I just recently retired after 27 years on the job.

I started my career as a NYC Transit Cop which was merged along with the NYC Housing Police into the NYPD In 1995 (Better known as the Hostile Takeover).

Not being held to the NYPD Stainless DAO Revolver standard which started in 1987 my first off duty/backup was A really nice old flat Latch model 36 that I found in a LGS. A few years later I bought a brand new 1994 "Fourth Series" Colt DS which I carried for about five years until it was replaced by my no dash 640 that I still have and carry.

I always felt it was the best of both worlds having a semi auto service weapon and a revolver as a backup.

Unfortunately off duty revolvers have not been an option in the NYPD since 1997.

Stay safe!
BB
 
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I carried a nickel-plated S&W Model 37 in an ankle holster or pocket holster for a while backing up my S&W Model 13-3, 65-1, or 686-6. Bought a 642-2 to replace it and, Saints be praised, we were authorized uniform pants with cargo pockets. The 642-2 rode there until I traded off the 37 for a 12-2, then the 12-2 rode in the cargo pocket opposite the 686-6. My last week of work two years ago, I cleaned the 686-6 for turn-in and carried my old friend the 65-1, in absolute violation of the rules and regulations. I was the last of the revolver toters in my agency. The 642-2 is now my granddaughter's. The 13-3 is now my son-in-law's.
 
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Back in the "Good OL' Days"..........With S&W revolvers and Super Vel ammo. ;) :D

IM000630-JPG.jpg


.
 
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Starting in 1972, I carried a dehorned m 37 in either an ankle holster or in my uniform trouser front pocket. My lovely bride reinforced the trouser pockets to accomidate the revolvers extra size. In winter, which is very short in South Texas, I carried it in my jacket pocket. Some of the officers I worked with would carry either a Browning or Colt 25 app as a backup. The only problem was they would not carry it "cocked and locked" because they did not trust the safety.
 
ejr10mm said:
No BUG is authorized at my place. Off duty my 340MP is always in my pocket.
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*
That's disgraceful. You have command officers who should be given a Loudermill hearing, a trespass notice, and a boot in the seat of the pants. At best, they are not getting good legal or safety advice. That should generate a safety grievance through whatever process you have, and a complaint to the state analog to OSHA.
 
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