Old school carry, because I can.

[scott1970]

I'm a police officer with fifteen years (as of next month) under my belt. So, I'm not "old", but I'm not a spring chicken either.

My entire career has involved semi-autos. A couple of years ago my PD retired our HK USP .40s and .45s and switched to Sig P220s. I love 'em all. I cast, handload, have my own range, and I shoot often. Over the last year things have been changing, though. I've become infatuated with revolvers to the point of neglecting my once beloved semi autos.

My PD allows off duty carry with non issued firearms if officers successfully qualify with the firearm in question. Single actions are not allowed, but calibers from .32 to .45 acp are permitted. So, with the revolver love in mind, I had a chat with the deputy chief concerning off duty carry. I asked him if .41 Mag was permitted for off duty carry, and he said, "Sure, why not."

Yesterday was firearms qualifications. I can now carry my no dash 4" Model 57 when and if I choose. The old heads oooh'd and ahhh'd and had flash backs to the "good ol' days" when real guns were carried. I can't say the younger officers were too impressed due to the lack of hi capacity mags, light rail, night sights, laser grips, etc.

I had a holster made a while back by Ryan Grizzle. Ryan does great work, and the holster carries like a dream. Plus, the Model 57 weights fifteen pounds less than what I wear everyday, so carrying an N frame Smith is like walking around naked. I'm a happy camper right now.




Ryan's horse hide handy work....

 

[Iggy]

As the cable guys sez.. That ol 57 will git'er done.

Dandy fine lookin' rig too.

 

[Dump1567]

Great choice.
My range guys get tired of seeing me show-up to qualify with different off-duties. Most of them N frames.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

The Force is with you young ScottWalker!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Scott, Take the next step: finish off that rig with a set of Craig Spegel's Extended Boot grips....... he makes a nice affordable set in black walnut..........

 

[flagman1776]

When I was told I could carry anything I qualified with... I showed up with my 25-2 (all 6 1/2" of barrel), a Bianchi 5BHL & moon clips. I'd already gone through the course with my 645 (easiest gun I've ever qualified with)... but the 25-2 was the classiest. Back then we could bring our own guns to the service center & I had the front sight changed to a ramp (the smith just rapped the partridge front sight to sheer the pin & install the plain ramp) and fitted a smooth trigger. (Both parts remain in the heavy plastic bag they were returned to me in.) It's just fun to clear leather & blast away with a good revolver.
I bought my 41's & 44's after I'd left Law Enforcement.

 

[jubela#4]

Good looking rig, you are well armed.

 

[S&W45Colt]

I've got a custom 45 colt at the gunsmith's getting tricked out right now. Big Bore revolvers have a sense of style and give a comfort Semi's just don't for me.

 

[C Islander]

Sweet rig! Revolvers have soul!!

 

[nocents]

my biggest sellers remorse was my model 19 .357..

 

[moosedog]

I still carry a model 29-2 4 inch.
Stay safe.

 

[holo]

wow wow wow that is SWEET

 

[MagnumForce44]

This is probably a stupid question to some of the old hands here but I'll go ahead and ask anyway. Please forgive my ignorance and wetness behind the ears but...If you are "off duty". As in "off the clock", "out of uniform" and on your "own time" why in the world would your department have any say as far as what you carry when you are off duty?

Gorgeous rig by the way!

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Big Bore revolvers have a sense of style and give a comfort Semi's just don't for me.

If just I could find a good grip for my short hands. Have never been able to properly hold an N-frame.

Same problem with motorcycles, my short little legs just don't want to reach the ground. Gave up riding after many, many times of lifting my bike off the ground to get back on it.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

why in the world would your department have any say as far as what you carry when you are off duty?

LEO's are viewed by their states as having plenary law enforcement authority 24/7 (a matter of law). This gives many employing agencies the authority to dictate what is carried when out of uniform.

 

[MagnumForce44]

LEO's are viewed by their states as having plenary law enforcement authority 24/7 (a matter of law). This gives many employing agencies the authority to dictate what is carried when out of uniform.

Thank you for taking the time to explain. That has got to be a pain in the backside for some folks.

 

[KLYDE]

Nice piece of iron and carry rig. Grizzle makes some nice products. Welcome aboard.

 

[Comrad]

Nice cannon.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm glad there are still cops who are not enamored of combat Tupperware.

 

[loc n load]

Revolvers on & off duty

I carried a revolver as a duty weapon and off duty weapon from 73-88.....then we made the transition to auto loaders, and I carried one of those until 2008.....For several years I carried a M-58 or M-29 4" as a duty weapon...and my 4" 65 as my off duty weapon.....retired in 08....recertified for my LEOSA cred's last week....did so with a 9mm hi cap and my M-58 41 mag.....used my old speed loaders and a pancake for leather....was one of the few "old dogs" shooting a revolver....only one shooting a big bore revolver....enjoy your 57, they are great guns....great caliber.