LE handguns and long guns

[L Pete]

"Small Framed Officers".....well

I remember in the 1960s that the Texas DPS had a minimum and maximum weight per inch of height. If I remember correctly, it was a 1.5 lb. minimum and a 2.5 lb. maximum. With,...a minimum height requirement. There were no 4'11", 90 lb. troopers in those days.....yeah, they can work, but I'd prefer my partner be about 6'2" and 225 lbs., and hopefully played linebacker for the Cowboys, and boxed in the Golden Gloves, with a 175 IQ. But, that's just me....

 

[BAM-BAM]

My Father would be 98 this July .... was a police officer ( Patrolman to Captain) 1938 to 1976...... is that Senior enough?

From 1939 into the mid-60s his "primary" gun was a 6" Colt New Service in .357 magnum; worked over by Kings Gun works in Calf. backed up/off duty by a Colt Detective special, he had a couple of Colt .25s.

He also had a 4" S&W M&P dating from 1946 that saw a lot of use.

I got into the "armory" a couple of times in the 60s and early 70s .... Mt Lebanon was/is a affluent suburb of Pittsburgh.... so there was a lot of stuff...... but what I remember was a rack of about 6-8 Thompson sub-machine guns.

When I was about 12-14 I was in the Dept. at shift change (4PM)when a bank alarm went off (bank was about 6 buildings down the street). About 15-20 guys bailed out of roll call .......... the last 2 out the door had Thompsons!!!!! Dad pulled that big old Colt out of his bottom desk drawer and said...... "I'll be back!"
All that were left in the office were me and the dispatcher.....

 

[Fishinfool]

CSP? I can think of several possibilities, but you said federal. Customs of some sort?

CSP= Conn State Police. Went to a Fed job in 1989. CSP issued a stainless model 66 with a "blackened" finish, meant to imitate a blued gun. I am not sure what the name of the finish was, but it was not all that durable. A lot of the guns had a ratty look from holster wear, even though they were mechanically sound. They are probably collectors items now...

Larry

 

[Donn]

This thread is nothing if not a testament to the 870.

We used Winchester Model 97's. Short barrel, bayonet lug.

 

[DR505]

We used Winchester Model 97's. Short barrel, bayonet lug.

Ever have to "fix bayonets?"

 

[Iggy]

Personal S&W Model 58 sidearm from 1966 to 1979. Issue 870 with rifle sights in front of the seat and a personal Armalite AR-180 under the headrests.
Personal scoped Remington 300 H&H magnum rifle in the trunk.

 

[safearm]

In the first department (1977-78), you bought your own. Initially a Model 36, then a Colt GM .38 Super; High Standard shotgun in the car.
Second department (1978-84), issued a Model 15, had to carry it until after probation period, then I carried a 4 inch Colt Python I received in trade from a detective who had to have my 2 1/2 inch Model 66. Remington 870 in the car.
Last department (1993-2007) started with buy your own, Model 4566, later issued Glock 21 with Model 642 BUG. Remington 1187 and Colt M4 in the car.

 

[Joe Kent]

This thread came up in my likes box today. Anyone care to add to it today?

 

[SAFireman]

This thread came up in my likes box today. Anyone care to add to it today?

Joe,

I am far from senior, old, or retired, but at the academy I carried a Sigp229 in 357 Sig, and a 11-87 Police. In the trunk was a 308 FN FAL and in my pocket was a AMT 45 ACP backup.

Thanks for bringing it up again, I am a fan of LE guns, stories, and ephemera

 

[The Big D]

Missed this thread way back in 2014...

...but I first carried a Model 10, heavy barrel, and an 870.

Later a H&K P7-M13 and a Mini-14, stainless.

Never a second handgun.

Be safe.

This thread came up in my likes box today. Anyone care to add to it today?

 

[mckenney99]

I was issued the dept required S&W HB M10 in the academy with the Speer 125gr JSP +P round. All patrol cars were equipted with Rem Wingmaster 870P's with rifle sights. Shotguns were loaded with an alternating load of slug, 00 buck, slug, 00 buck. As soon as I was released from my 60 day "coach" (FTO) period, I was allowed to start carrying my privately purchased and fully approved/qualified 2in M 64 as my backup gun. We eventually traded in the M10's for S&W 681's but carried the same issued Speer 125gr JSP +P ammo and still had the Rem 870's. I won't go through all the backup guns I carried or off duty weapons but it was quite a list. Troopers were permitted to carry backup guns but they had to be furnished by the Trooper, they had to be approved by the range officer and you had to qualify with it just like the duty weapon. Off duty carry was neither encouraged nor discouraged but NO issued equipment or weapons could be used for off duty carry. We eventually added extended mags to the Rem 870's and the Rem top folding metal stock/torture device that just about made the 870's too uncomfortable to use. Next up was the issued Beretta 96D and new Rem 870 Express shotguns. At some point we got away from the alternating load of the shotgun and tried #4 buck only, with slugs in a bandolier, but after numerous failures of the #4 buck, we went back to 00 buck. We always carried 25 slug & 25 additional buck in bandoliers with the shotgun in the car (25 of each additional kept in the trunk). When I retired we were carrying Sig P226 DAO's in 40 S&W and we still were carrying the proven Rem 870's with 00 Buck and slug available.

 

[CQB27]

Still on the job

Began my career in 1995....
Issued pistols:
S&W 5906
Glock 22 (Gen 2)
Glock 22 (Gen 3)
Glock 27 (Back-Up)
Glock 17 (Gen 4 & 5)

Issued Shotguns:
Remington 870
Mossberg 590 with 14 inch barrel
Remington 870 with 14 inch barrel

Issued Rifles:
HK G36 (bar none worst rifle I have ever been made to carry)
Colt M4

Issued Sub-Guns:
Colt Commando 9mm
HK MP5

Personal Gun Carried on Duty:
S&W 642 in my coat pocket in winter

Off Duty: I always carry my issued pistol. That way if something happens and the gun ends up in the rust locker at the crime lab/evidence room, it's their gun and not mine.

 

[CQB27]

Joe,

I am far from senior, old, or retired, but at the academy I carried a Sigp229 in 357 Sig, and a 11-87 Police. In the trunk was a 308 FN FAL and in my pocket was a AMT 45 ACP backup.

Thanks for bringing it up again, I am a fan of LE guns, stories, and ephemera

Even in your tiny avatar Bill Jordan's hands still look huge! Lol
I would hate to take an overhand right form that man!

 

[Old cop]

Started in 1968 w/a 4" Colt, then 4" Model 10 (following an OIS w/the Colt), S&W Model 15 (changed departments), Colt DS, Model 10 snub (following an OIS w/the DS), Model 64 4" & later 2" (made lieutenant), & generation 2 Glock 23 when I retired.

 

[sigp220.45]

Model 15 then an M9 in the Air Force, then a personally owned Sig P220 from 91-2016 in the FBI.

Long guns were an Air Force GAU-5/A, then an H&K MP5/10mm and a 14" 870 in the Bureau.

 

[K Frame Keith]

1984: S&W Model 67 with a Winchester 12 GA in the car. My first off duty was a PPK/s followed by a S&W Model 37 Chief Special.

2011: HK USP Compact 40, Remington 870 and Colt M4. Off duty, Kimber CDP .45, S&W 37 and 60.

 

[Joe Kent]

Thank you one and all for your additions to this thread. All my best, Joe.

 

[biku324]

80s/early 90s we were issued a mix of S&W M19s older 28s, and some 686s. By the early 90s we were given 5906s for a couple of years, quickly replaced by 4506s after pretty miserable actual shooting results.

Everyone got a shotgun - some older Ithaca 37s, Remigton 870s, then S&W 3000s, then Mossberg 500s. When they started issuing AR-15s in '92, the were Colt AR-15 HBARs.

The Tactical Team used MP5s, Benelli semi-autos, and a few Ruger AC 556s.

 

[smithra_66]

Started in 1968 w/a 4" Colt, then 4" Model 10 (following an OIS w/the Colt), S&W Model 15 (changed departments), Colt DS, Model 10 snub (following an OIS w/the DS), Model 64 4" & later 2" (made lieutenant), & generation 2 Glock 23 when I retired.

Did they force you to change guns after the OIS?

 

[.357magger]

Took the oath in 1981. I vested and retired early in 1994 (lived long enough to start collecting my pension funds at age 55 ).

While not THE exact gun I started with, this 4" 66 No Dash is set up exactly as mine was "back in the day ". This is the most accurate revolver I own and can still shoot Master on a POST course.

The 66-1 2.5" IS the one I carried during my time in Investigations. Got me out of a scrap or three.

Long arm in my patrol car was a Remington 870 Wingmaster, 20" bbl, with rifle sights. Personal purchase in those days. When I moved to SWAT, we used Ruger Mini 14s, and the above personal shotguns as needed. Also was issued our version of a Witness Protection 14" bbl 12 gauge based on Remington 870s. We made those ourselves in house.

We transitioned to S&W 59/659 around 1991 IIRC, never really liked them, or any SA/DA semi for that matter.

 

[elpac3]

signed on in 1972.

Carried a 4" model 19 with a model 36 in a shoulder holster under the jacket and for off duty.

Ithica 37 Riot gun with #4 buck in the car.

Switched to the Model 39 in 1975

 

[mk70ss]

Model 15 S&W, Beretta 92F, Beretta 96D, Sig 229.

Beretta 12 gauge auto loader, Colt M4 rifle.

 

[biku324]

Indeed. I bought and carried a Browning High Power in 40 for my last few years. We experimented with 4006s and H&K USPs, but admin couldn't tolerate the USPs in Condition 1, so why bother?

 

[jbtrucker]

Asked my retired LEO cousin few years about a gun and rig I seen of his back in the 70's he said with PD carried a Model 28 .He sold it and purchased a 686 when started working with Sheriff Dept. He returned to the PD and was issued Glock 17 with SWAT he carried a MP9 .

 

[hittman77]

A current LEO I know has:

Glock 17
Glock 43
Remington 870
Rock River AR

 

[viceunit]

Hired 1979. First issue S&W 10-6. Subsequently issued 586, G17, G22, G23, G27. Long guns in cruisers were mix of Mossberg and Remington 870 shotguns. By the time I was in the Detective Bureau the cruiser long gun was an AR rifle. Personal weapons were permitted, but most carried the issued gun. When we had the 10-6, one officer I knew carried a Colt Trooper. When we transitioned to the 586, he retired the Trooper. I carried a 2.5" 19-3 for off duty; purchased in 1976 - still have it. Retired 2012 and was given my last issued gun, a G23, upon retirement.

 

[AppStFan]

When I started out in 1980 I was issued a S&W Model 10 heavy barrel and was later issued a S&W Model 65. We then transitioned to the S&W 5906. Upon my retirement in 2008 I was carrying a department issued Beretta 96. My issued long gun was a Mossberg 500. Shortly after my retirement the department went to the Glock 22 and 23.

 

[Faulkner]

I started with the sheriff's office in 1995 and initially carried a S&W 586 as my uniform duty sidearm and most patrol cars were issued Remington 870s.

Just before the turn of the century (sounds like a long time ago ) the department acquired several dozen surplus USGI .30 M1 carbines that we reworked and issued to deputies. I carried mine for about 15 years.

My current daily carry firearms are a .40 S&W Glock 23, a first generation Ruger PC4 in .40 S&W, and a Mossberg 590. I am pleased and have been well served by all three of these firearms.

 

[JM4151]

First LE guns

I started in May of 1971 and bought myself a 4 in blue model 19. Their was also a dept owned Ithica 37in our car.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Started in 1971 on the island of Marthas Vineyard. We supplied our own weapons and most carried a 4" 66 due to the salt air. I purchased a model 60 as well. Went to Colorado in 1980 and was Undersheriff of Eagle County for 16 years. I could carry what I wanted to so first had a 2.5" 66 and then transitioned to a 1911 or some sort for the rest of my career, for the most part although I carried an HP for a while and a Glock 19 for a short time. While Chief in my town for 12 years I continued to carry a 1911 custom.