That’s the only place you’ll see a revolver in LE, and then only rarely.
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LEO Revolver Carry?
- Thread starter Glenn R. McMannly
- Start date
That’s the only place you’ll see a revolver in LE, and then only rarely.
gmiller0737
Member
Somewhere in Southern West Virginia a couple years ago I saw a small town Deputy Carrying a Stainless S&W Revolver
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
It was several years ago I read where the last NYPD officer grandfathered in that was still carrying a revolver retired. The policy of grandfathering in revolvers ended at that point.
BigBoku
Member
There was no grandfathering, In 2018 the NYPD phased out service revolvers by mandating transition to one of the authorized 9mm Service pistols.
NYPD officially phases out revolvers as 25-year vets transition to 9-mm. – New York Daily News
When I retired in 2001, I was carrying a 3" M625 in .45 ACP. Using full moon clips, I could reload as fast or faster than most of my fellow LEOs armed with semi-autos.
31FordA
Member
As much as I like revolvers I know they will never make a return as an issue weapon. Economics alone prevents it. A good revolver costs way more than a Glock or M&P, and .38 or .357 ammo costs lots more than 9mm. When I order ammo for the office a case of .38 costs more than twice what 9mm does. When it’s only one or two cases the bean counters don’t get too upset, but if it was a few thousand cases they’d have a stroke. Ammo cost is killing off .45 in many agencies as well.
The other problem for revolvers is that there are very few instructors left who are familiar with them. Everyone still on the job who knows them is my age or older, and we’ll all be retired soon. Many officers now have never even shot a revolver, so in a few years there will be nobody left who knows how to use one.
The other problem for revolvers is that there are very few instructors left who are familiar with them. Everyone still on the job who knows them is my age or older, and we’ll all be retired soon. Many officers now have never even shot a revolver, so in a few years there will be nobody left who knows how to use one.
Bill In Texas
Member
I saw a Texas Ranger having lunch in a burger joint wearing what I think was model 27 or 28 with ivory stocks a few months ago.
oink
Member
I was one of the last revolver guys with my agency. They finally quit supplying ammo for it so I went to a Kimber 1911 in 45ACP for my last couple of years. I'd still feel perfectly fine with a revolver as a duty gun. I did have a speedloader case that held 4 loaders until we switched to the cheaper ugly nylon gear from black basketweave leather. The ugly stuff is lighter which is a plus.
My old agency ( Cal. Dept of Corrections) finally switched to Glock 22s due solely to ammo cost. Of course a hand gun is not a primary weapon for a prison guard. They use long guns or gas guns.
In moving traffic stops in Chile and Argentina I saw a mix of Glocks, 1911's and what looked like Model 28's At least 1/4, maybe 1/3 revolvers. I would expect that they are owned by agency and issued as needed as I saw young officers with revolvers.
While traveling in foreign countries, I am never dumb enough to speak with an LEO about a firearm. No reason to draw attention to myself.
While traveling in foreign countries, I am never dumb enough to speak with an LEO about a firearm. No reason to draw attention to myself.
Was at National Archives in D.C. earlier this year. Security were all carrying revolvers. When I asked about it, was told they switched because, "Automatics made visitors nervous." I don't get it either, but that's what they said.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
I don't know whether the National Archives uses actual Archives police officers or contract armed security. If contract security...it's not often to see them issue self-loading pistols. They often issued Taurus revolvers when I was working as a LEO in DC. Government contracting...being what it is...hires the least common denominator which translates to poorly paid and poorly trained security officers...often right off the boat immigrants.
I had to oversee some of these security companies qualify their hires for carrying a sidearm...it was very disconcerting to see how many couldn't pass a basic firearm safety test...much less actual shooting ability. Those that couldn't pass the tests weren't fired...just moved to a contract not requiring firearms being issued.
One night at a government building one of the contract guards was having some kind of personal issues...and decided to swallow a .38 in the security office.
I had to oversee some of these security companies qualify their hires for carrying a sidearm...it was very disconcerting to see how many couldn't pass a basic firearm safety test...much less actual shooting ability. Those that couldn't pass the tests weren't fired...just moved to a contract not requiring firearms being issued.
One night at a government building one of the contract guards was having some kind of personal issues...and decided to swallow a .38 in the security office.
Rammer Jammer
Member
At a local grocery store in Omaha there is an off duty officer who carries a revolver. After seeing him a few times I had to inquire on my way out.i could tell it was blued and wearing Pachmayr grips but not the make or model. I politely asked him about his roscoe and he told me it was a Model 10. I told him it was cool to see an officer still toting a wheelgun and to have a good night.
I believe in Omaha the PD allows officers to choose their own duty weapons and he was one of the last of the "old guard."
I believe in Omaha the PD allows officers to choose their own duty weapons and he was one of the last of the "old guard."
David Sinko
Member
The local Sheriff's Department all carried revolvers (S&W Model 64, I believe) up until about 10 years ago. As far as I know they were the last holdouts around here. I qualified with and carried a 625 as my off duty and a 940 as my backup. We used an abbreviated course of fire for the backup gun qualification and I demanded to qualify using the full duty gun course. The Academy instructor laughed at me and pretty much dared me to try it. I shot one point down, missing a perfect score by about an inch on a 25 yard shot. They didn't laugh after that.
Shibadog
Member
And few sidearms carried today have the punch of a .357. IF an officer can shoot a wheelgun would still be able to deal with most situations. Todays thugs all are hi cap folks whose “spray” philosophy sends a lot of rounds downrange. I sincerely believe our LE agencies need to REALLY stress marksmanship far far more than is currently “standard”. I know some LEO’s who shoot quail’s annually but other than that period their firearm just sits. I do NOT deliberately go in harms way (as a good cop does every day) but I darn sure put a lotof rounds downrange regularly because I want my skill set to be up to snuff.
Yes, the continuation of the debate about whether extra capacity for police results in increased missed shots and collateral damage.
Your comment reminded me, not of a US agency, but that AFAIK the French GIGN and perhaps some other French security/police continue to use revolvers for the majority of their work requiring sidearms. They also put in an incredible amount of training time.
Rigor, Discipline, and Excellence: Christian Prouteau on GIGN Training and the MR-73 - Forgotten Weapons
This interview with Barrett focus on the business strategy.
How The Glock Became America's Weapon Of Choice : NPR
People can prob find other interviews with your favorite search engine.
Your comment reminded me, not of a US agency, but that AFAIK the French GIGN and perhaps some other French security/police continue to use revolvers for the majority of their work requiring sidearms. They also put in an incredible amount of training time.
Rigor, Discipline, and Excellence: Christian Prouteau on GIGN Training and the MR-73 - Forgotten Weapons
And not purely by chance either. Paul Barrett Glock: The Rise of America's Gun, explains how Glock entered the US mainstream. One could argue the development of the AR platforms was already pointing the way, but even so Glock was leader in the handgun transformation.
This interview with Barrett focus on the business strategy.
How The Glock Became America's Weapon Of Choice : NPR
People can prob find other interviews with your favorite search engine.
Whether true explantion or not I can't say. However, being that it is a museum type of site, its not surprising that at least someone believes that was the reason. The NPS wrestled with that concern for several decades in deciding the appropriate roles and image of the NPS Park Ranger. Of course there is a difference between security guards and Park Rangers. Park Rangers' primary role includes providing information, education, and in general representing the park.
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Erich
Member
I intend no disapproval of this interesting discussion of technological change by this comment: I wonder whether automobile aficionados/hobbyists ever had discussions about police departments that hadn't gone over to fuel-injection.
rockquarry
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It seems marksmanship skills are very secondary not only to most law enforcement but also to most civilian concealed carriers as well. From all appearances, people reason that a large magazine capacity will make up for a lack of skill, just like some falsely justify a high magnification scope and light trigger will substitute for skill with a hunting rifle.
You mention a .357 revolver...virtually any bullet (except FMJ) and weight works exceeding well in any situation without gimmicks. It does takes time and effort and practice to shoot a .357 well with full power factory ammo, something many don't care to do. But then, I suppose the same holds true for other revolvers and chamberings.
Conversely, maybe there isn't a need for handgun skill these days especially if you have a lot of ammo in your semi-auto 9mm and more in spare magazines. If one can hit the target much of the time at close distances, that's good enough. Then maybe we should relegate shooting skill to an academic status.
The Last Standing Knight
Member
I'll bet it was the M28 he was issued as a Trooper!
If I was a bad guy, I'd be more concerned about the Coposaurus Rex carrying a wheelgun than the latest Wondernine...because the cop with a wheelgun most likely knows that weapon and will make every shot count.
VERY VERY few wheelguns in service around here anymore. Harris County Sheriff still has them on the approved list but most cops I see have SIG's, Glocks, or S&W M&P's these days.
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