New LEO Service Revolver

[sjs]

OK, this is a fantasy question for revolver enthusiasts. I am a reading a book about classic revolvers and am on a chapter about the old SW M&P and the Colt OP revolvers and a question came to mind.

Assume you are the man in charge of firearm procurement for a large city PD and your local government has lost its mind (that could never happen, right?). You have been ordered to replace all current service pistols with a revolver. Must be 38 SP (or .357 but only 38 ammo would be allowed) double action, US manufacture, and box stock, no modifications of any kind. You have some budget flexibility but can't go crazy with the cost, and PC models are out (not that it has to be a S&W at all).

What revolver would you pick from the current stable of products, and why?

 

[Dieseltech56]

New model 19

 

[sigp220.45]

New Colt Python, 4.25" barrel.

Why?

Its a Python.

 

[RevolverJim]

686 SSR, 4" probably 7 shot.

A few ounces lighter than the standard 686, a bit faster to get into action because of the lighter weight and better weight distribution.

Second choice would be a 625 PC (if Smith would make them,)
Again, lighter and better weight distribution than the 625 JM and importantly, uses moon clips.

Yes, I know you said PC's were out..........

 

[glenwolde]

I'd ask them to crank me out a batch of 681's.

 

[EMS6260]

Model 10 classic.

 

[mscampbell2734]

Why not the last great service revolver, the Model 67?

 

[S-W4EVER]

Either a seven shot 686 or an eight shot 627 (I'd prefer the latter).

 

[Fishinfool]

Probably the 7 shot 686, 4 inch barrel. Having that extra shot is worth the extra weight of an L frame over a K, at least to me. I'd like an 8 shot 627, but a lot of folks with normal to small hands have a hard time getting a good grip for DA shooting with the N frame.

Larry

 

[shawn mccarver]

OK, this is a fantasy question for revolver enthusiasts. I am a reading a book about classic revolvers and am on a chapter about the old SW M&P and the Colt OP revolvers and a question came to mind.

Assume you are the man in charge of firearm procurement for a large city PD and your local government has lost its mind (that could never happen, right?). You have been ordered to replace all current service pistols with a revolver. Must be 38 SP (or .357 but only 38 ammo would be allowed) double action, US manufacture, and box stock, no modifications of any kind. You have some budget flexibility but can't go crazy with the cost, and PC models are out (not that it has to be a S&W at all).

What revolver would you pick from the current stable of products, and why?

Been there, done that.

S&W Model 10 or 64, round butt.

 

[Echo40]

Smith & Wesson Model 327 TRR8.

A modern, lightweight Revolver chambered in .357 Magnum with an 8-shot cylinder and pic rails on both the top strap and barrel under-lug for mounting accessories.

I believe this to be a perfectly viable choice for Law Enforcement to carry. Sure, it carries less than half the rounds that your typical semiautomatic 9mm pistol holds in the magazine, but in my opinion the power of .357 Magnum more than makes up for it, and if officers could be trained to use speedloaders than the lack of capacity could be negligible. For officers of smaller build who cannot handle the recoil, there's .38 Special +P.

 

[31FordA]

Choosing from current production guns I could think of a couple of options:

Option 1 is the Colt Python for uniform, Colt King Cobra snub or Cobra for plain clothes. I'm pretty good at creative writing, I'm sure I could write a proposal that justifies the cost of the Colt's.

Option 2 is the Ruger GP-100 4" for uniform and the 3" GP-100 or the SP-101 for plain clothes.

If we're limited to .38 Spl ammo I'll load them with the 135gr +P Gold Dot.

 

[crazyphil]

sjs - you had the answer to your question in the first sentence. In the early
1950's a new FBI Agent showing up for training was given a choice
of either a S&W M&P with heavy 4" barrel or Colts Official Police with the
4" barrel. Either one would still be a good choice today. By the way, the
issue holster was either a Heiser model 457 or a similar one by Crump.
Heiser on the left and Crump on the right, both with my S&W Model 10.

 

[pete950]

8 shot 627!

 

[S-W4EVER]

8 shot 627!

I'd be perfectly comfortable carrying an eight shot .357 on the street. Heck, I've always shot my N frames the best anyway and there is nothing faster than a good breakfront holster with a forward rake (A. E. Nelson for me).

 

[4speed]

I'm going to cheat
and say MR 73

 

[chief38]

If the purchase HAD TO come from the current selection of production Revolvers it would be a Colt Python, 4.25". IMHO it more than beats out the current run of S&W Revolvers. I'd also procure the Colt Cobra current production for back up.

If I could turn back the clock to yesteryear, then the S&W M15 or M10 (if only 38 spl ammo was allowed) would be my choice with a M36 or M60 as back up. If one was allowed 357 Mag ammo, then the M19, 66, 65 would be perfect.

 

[SuperMan]

Under your parameters it would be a Ruger GP-100 for uniform duty and a 3" for plainclothes....that said...

My personal choice would be the GP-100 MC 10mm. Moon clips for fast reloading and choice of from target grade .40 S&W to full power 10mm...

Bob

 

[BAM-BAM]

4" 681...... maybe 7 shot? Though I've never warmed to the 7-8 shot revolvers.... the "old dog" thing...... I think

3" for Lt's and up...... and Detectives and plainclothes

 

[twodog max]

Either the 4 inch 19 or the 686 SSR for less carrying weight.
No Colts please. The problems with the current production are well documented. With CZ buying Colt who knows where they are going and if they will solve the problems of the Python remake. They have a long way to go to get back to their status of the past and they ain't there yet.
All revolvers these days seem to be having some sort of quality issue because all the focus is on some sort of polymer self shucker. Revolvers are in the back seat in terms of attention to details.