My new Model 68-2 LAPD

[bigl1911]

Not sure if this is a great gun but have a LAPD commemorative 19-4 so thought it would be a good friend...

 

[153]

Nice bookends!

 

[qrachel]

Looks like you have a friend for a life time.

R

 

[bigl1911]

I should have mentioned this question as part of my post. This revolver is in Cali gun jail (10 day hold dros), but the one think odd it is a SA/DA. Appearently some of the LAPD revolvers were shipped SA/DA other only Da. Any info on this?

 

[mscampbell2734]

I sort of doubt any were shipped DAO.

Its still LAPD policy that revolvers carried for duty use MUST be modified for DAO. This involves grinding off the SA sear point.

 

[OIF2]

I should have mentioned this question as part of my post. This revolver is in Cali gun jail (10 day hold dros), but the one this that is odd it is a SA/DA. Appearently some of the LAPD revolvers were shipped SA/DA other only Da. Any info on this?

I also have an LAPD 68, which I carried for a while as a duty revolver, before the onset of autos. It is now used as a bullseye gun in NRA revolver distinguished matches. It also was SA/DA (unmodified) when I got it. I bought it in the LAPD Revolver Club and walked it over to the Armory, where it was "de-nutted" (LAPD slang for DAO conversion). It was then added to my approved weapons card. After I retired, I had a new hammer put back in, allowing me to shoot SA again.
Bob

 

[bigl1911]

Thanks Bob,This now makes complete sense. Very interesting about the nra matches. Since it was clear this was a service intended revolver, my assumption is these revolvers were delivered only in a box without a presentation case. Btw beautiful gun and thanks for sharing the picture.

 

[OIF2]

Thanks Bob,This now makes complete sense. Very interesting about the nra matches. Since it was clear this was a service intended revolver, my assumption is these revolvers were delivered only in a box without a presentation case. Btw beautiful gun and thanks for sharing the picture.

Yes on the box; no presentation case. Just the usual blue box with tools and paperwork. I probably should have bought 2 and kept one unfired; there were lots floating around the dept for awhile.
Bob

 

[murphydog]

The LAPD commemorative revolvers were SA/DA from the factory, including the model 19.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I should have mentioned this question as part of my post. This revolver is in Cali gun jail (10 day hold dros), but the one think odd it is a SA/DA. Appearently some of the LAPD revolvers were shipped SA/DA other only Da. Any info on this?

Perhaps some of the forum members who were on LAPD can help with this, but my recollection is that the Model 68 was made prior to the mandated change to DAO. Thus, I do not believe that EITHER the commemorative 68s or the actual use 68s were DAO as originally shipped by S&W.

 

[OIF2]

Perhaps some of the forum members who were on LAPD can help with this, but my recollection is that the Model 68 was made prior to the mandated change to DAO. Thus, I do not believe that EITHER the commemorative 68s or the actual use 68s were DAO as originally shipped by S&W.

The M68 came out in 1985, just after I got off probation. The mandated change to DAO came in 1971 after a shooting by an officer holding a suspect at gunpoint with his revolver cocked. Some of the newer M67s that the dept bought in the early 80's came DAO from the factory, but the majority were "denutted" at the Armory before issue. All LAPD revolvers were required to have the hammer spur on the gun after DAO conversion. Recruit revolvers were also issued with Hogue hard-plastic Monogrips (which I detested, and replaced with Pachmayrs). Officers were allowed to purchase their own revolvers, but it had to be converted before carry. Issued guns (K38s, M15s and M67s) could be purchased at retirement, or turned in. Surprisingly, many retiring officers didn't buy their guns. I saw lots of cut-down, reissued K38s in clamshell holsters during the revolver era.
Bob

 

[j a]

My ignorance shows

Newbie to S&W here. But I think this is the first model 68 I have seen. Is the caliber the only difference between a model 66 and a 68? I guess I would like to know what makes it a model 68 and what years were they produced?
This is what I like about S&W handguns. There are so many different models and variations that I can learn something new every time I log on here. There are just so many different directions for my interest to be drawn.
So many guns, so little money.

 

[murphydog]

Newbie to S&W here. But I think this is the first model 68 I have seen. Is the caliber the only difference between a model 66 and a 68? I guess I would like to know what makes it a model 68 and what years were they produced?

Yes, the model 68 is a .38 Special model 66 (with the exception of caliber stamping and a shorter cylinder), down to the ejector rod shroud. They were made from 1977-'88.

 

[j a]

Bigl1911 nice find. And interesting thread.

bigl1911 that is a beautiful gun. Congrats.
Thanks murphydog. That is what I suspected. When you say the cylinder is shorter do you mean physically in length or the chamber dimensions for the shorter .38 sp?
Was the model 68 available to the public or a LE only item? 6 inch only or was other barrel lengths available? Thanks.

 

[murphydog]

My understanding is the overall cylinder length is shorter, like a standard K frame .38 Special. 6" is the standard model 68 barrel length, and the only ones originally sold went to law enforcement. Many CHP issue guns were overstamped "OHB" on the left frame and sold to dealers.

 

[bigl1911]

Alan - I think you are correct but it leads to a question. Were the ones (like mine) that sold to dealers law enforcement only purchases or were they sold to the general public? I was told my new one was sold to a SWAT guy that safe queened it. It doesn't really matter to me but it is interesting nevertheless..

 

[murphydog]

Some were issued by the agency (CHP), some were sold to individual officers from the agency (LAPD, as OIF2 mentioned), and the commemoratives may have only been offered to LEOs. Someone else here probably knows the answer.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The M68 came out in 1985, just after I got off probation. The mandated change to DAO came in 1971 after a shooting by an officer holding a suspect at gunpoint with his revolver cocked.
Bob

Bob:

I had no idea it had been that long. Time flies when you're having fun!

Shawn

 

[Powder8000]

I got one from one of the dealers I buy from in the high desert. Hammer will not lock back. When you pull back the hammer the cylinder will turn. I was gonna get it fixed but now I think I will keep it like that.