old School L.E.O's

[Iggy]

Sheriff,
Nah I wouldn't go back either. I don't think I could do the job today. There are so many restrictions and regs that I would be in trouble all the time.

I was a heck of a lot happier keepin' somebody outta jail than puttin' them in.

We did things back then in the name of justice, that would put us in the iron hotel today.

Nah, I'll just remember the good ol days.

 

[David LaPell]

I would gladly carry a revolver if I had a chance vs the Glock's my department issues us. I remember reading a story where Texas Ranger Frank Hamer tried out a 1911 and it jammed. He put the gun down and went back to carrying revolvers. As many times as I have carried semi-autos, I always go back to wheelguns. I would either carry my 27-2, my M & P .38 or my 57 any day of the week knowing that it won't jam, the shell won't stovepipe etc.

 

[redlevel]

.......we weren't issued portable radios either....when you got out of the car, that was it for the radio

"866-A's 10-7 for detail at the City Cafe. You got the number if you need me."

 

[Iggy]

We had a numbered list of coffee shops, court, and other frequent stops that we all used.

I would call in " Pat 25 10-10 @ 3." That way the scannerphobes din't know where we were.

 

[sheriffoconee]

"944 10-6 on detail" We told the dispatchers where we would be eating before we went to eat, therefore we didn't have to give our location....of course, they always needed us to bring them something to eat as well...so going without talking to them wasn't a choice anyway

 

[1/74SIS]

I spent over three and a half decades on the streets of Los Angeles[patrol, gangs, SWAT, gang detective and SIS-plainclothes/undercover surveillance].
I carried various blue and stainless steel S&W .38 revolvers for the first 15 yrs. The excepton to the above was during SWAT missions, I carried various Colt .45 auto's. The 1911A1 was my favorite handgun and caliber for many years.
In approx. 1986, while assigned to SIS[surveillance] I started carrying the S&W Model 645 and also the Models 4506 and 4566 when they were produced. The last several years before retirement in '06 I carried Glock Model 21 & 30's.
I never felt th .38 special caliber was adequate for my primary handgun, as such I often deployed the "Judge"--read shotgun!I think the S&W j-frame .38 is a great back up and carried several during my career.
I still own several S&W handguns I carried during my LEO days. I started collecting S&W revolvers a few years ago. Mostly Pre War N-frame .44"s.
I enjoy shooting some of these old guns!
There is no way I would choose a revolver for my primary handgun in this day and age! My retirement carry guns are Glocks in various flavors I still train with both revolvers and autos on a weekly basis.

Happy New Year!

John Helms

 

[Muley Gil]

I started with a small sheriff's department in 1976. I was issued some uniforms and a badge. Had to provide my own revolver (I used a M27 converted to .44 Special) and leather. Very few walkie-talkies; back-up at night was miles away or might even come from the next county over. Pay was loow.

Went to a medium sized police department. I was issued a breast badge and a hat badge. Had to buy my own uniforms and provide a handgun and leather. The city gave us $50, which paid for the raincoat. Everything else was payroll deducted. The good thing was that I could get guns paid for via payroll deduction. I bought a couple of M28s, a M25-5, and a M24-3 that way.

Sidearm selection was good. The policy was .38, 9mm, or BIGGER. I carried mostly .44 Specials or .45s-both .45 Colt and .45 ACP-pistol and revolver.

My department had portable radios that plugged into the dash. You could unplug it when you left the car, but don't drop it or you had no radio then. These were GEs and were so-so in quality.

 

[Pigirondan]

1975, Model 19 and Remington 870 were department issue. Model 36 and 1911 purchased by myself. Model 36 was my BUG and the 1911 kept in my briefcase/report desk. (And placed on the seat of my car when I was parked under a street light at night catching up on my paper work.)

 

[lick88]

As a rookie deputy many moons ago it was BYOG and it was a 686. I went to a city PD years later and I was issued a model 64 which left me feeling a might light on the iron. Several years later the PD moved to the auto and went to the 645, I was rejuvenated. Years go by and we jump ship to H&K 45's, [10 year] bad choice! We have since been issued new Glock 21 SF and they are nice. As for which wheel gun... I would gladly carry a 625, a 627 or go retro and give me a 22-4. As far as that goes any N frame would do!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be safe

 

[ColbyBruce]

Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

 

[Iggy]

Heck that was pretty good pay back then. You got to wear that cool uniform with them neat Rayban sunglasses If you were lucky, you got to ride a motorcycle once in a while. It beat herdin' cows and fixin' fence for $150 a month.

 

[ikor]

Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

Well Colby, respectfully I'd say that anyone who has to ask that question will never understand, not to mention that the possibility of serious injury was (and remains) part of the 'draw'.

I am reminded of a quote from an old Brit fighter ace many years after WWII had ended...something to the effect that 'They gave me a fast plane, plenty of ammo and lots of Germans to shoot at...He**, I would have paid THEM to do the job!'

 

[sheriffoconee]

Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

I never got paid to chase thieves, hunt fugitives, catch bandits and killers, I did all that for free. They have to pay me for the tedious paperwork, sitting and waiting for lawyers, standing in the rain, sleet, snow, or 115 degree heat directing traffic, hiring and firing, doing the budget, and all the "crap". They have to pay me for that stuff, I always figured I did the real "work" for free....
If they have to pay you to catch thieves, bandits, killers, rapists and outlaws, then you probably need to be in another line of work...

 

[m75rlg]

Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

Some of my friends would ask me that. I told them I was getting paid for doing the same thing we used to get in trouble for doing: Staying out all night looking for trouble, driving fast cars, and playing with firearms! What better job for a 23 year old!

Seriously, I decided that I wanted to go into law enforcement when I was about 15 years of age. I had intentions to save the world, or at least make it a better place. After 38 years in the criminal justice system and doing nearly every job except probation officer and inmate, there was a relief when on 4/2/2010 I was no longer under a sworn duty to defend the Constitution for the first time since 1971.

 

[ikor]

Some of my friends would ask me that. I told them I was getting paid for doing the same thing we used to get in trouble for doing: Staying out all night looking for trouble, driving fast cars, and playing with firearms! What better job for a 23 year old!

Seriously, I decided that I wanted to go into law enforcement when I was about 15 years of age. I had intentions to save the world, or at least make it a better place. After 38 years in the criminal justice system and doing nearly every job except probation officer and inmate, there was a relief when on 4/2/2010 I was no longer under a sworn duty to defend the Constitution for the first time since 1971.

Feels good to get your civil rights back, eh?

 

[WC145]

Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

The same reason that my son is fighting in Afghanistan today - Someone has to.
And there's a lot more to it than pay, hours, and potential consequences.

 

[Frank237]

Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

I'd say that many of us simply wanted to "help people" or serve our Community or State. That was my excuse.

Started in 1974 carried a 4" blued M-19 , with a 2" M-60 as my off duty. We eventually went to M-59's and 39's for the plainclothes guys.

Moved to MT and carried a personal purchase 686 on the Helena PD until I started on the Highway Patrol in 1985. We were issued ANCIENT 4" M-28's many of the guns "S" prefix models!! I lucked out with a NIB 28-2. Carried the 28's until we went 9mm and 5903's then SIG 229's in .357 SIG.

Would I carry a wheelgun TODAY? Hell no. I'd grab one of those SIG 229's and feel VERY WELL ARMED.

FN in MT

 

[kraigwy]

When I first hired on they gave me a Model 15, told me to come back in a couple weeks as they were expecting some Model 28s. I went for the trade a short time later. They furnished the gun and ammo but you could carry your own either Smith or Colt. I took the Model 28 but told them to keep their ammo. They were issuing 158 RN Lead 38s cast and loaded by prison trustees,.........no thanks.

I still have the Model 28, which they let me keep when I retired. If I was to go back into LE, it would be my choice for a carry duty weapon.

 

[MaximumLawman]

Originally Posted by ColbyBruce View Post
Respectfully, I must ask what drew you all to a job with low pay, horrible hours, possibility of serious injury? Surely the company car was not that appealing?

I needed a job out of high school after I decided college was boring. PD was hiring with a HS diploma or a GED! Dad said it was either stay in school, get out of the house or join the Army. I got out of the house and joined the PD instead of the Army. Worked out well for me. It wasn't a "calling" for me and I'm not one of those guys who knew he wanted to be the police since he was 2 years old, but in short order I realized I had a front-row ticket to the greatest show on earth and it was FREE! Did some police stuff made some good friends from all walks of life and had some laughs over 25+ years. I wouldn't want my kids to do it though.

I never considered the pay to be THAT low, even when friends were driving cars that cost more than I made in two years. The hours were GREAT as long as you didn't have kids. And even with kids, working mids allowed me to be home with the kids when the wife was at work. As far as risk of injury, there are a lot more dangerous and mundane jobs out there that aren't nearly as fun.

 

[Lt JL]

I see the OP still has a "Grip Protector" on his 66.
I would carry a 4" M19, the one they wouldn't let me carry at work back then. I went from a M10 4" pencil barrel to a 3" 36, to a Sig 9, to a Sig 40. Wheelies okay for BUG or OD carry.