old School L.E.O's

[CajunBass]

I've never been a cop, never wanted to be one really, but at various times I have worked as a "rent a cop" both armed and unarmed positions. The first was with Burns Security I guess back in the late 70's. They gave me a Colt Official Police 38, six rounds of RNL ammo, a Sam Brown belt and holster, and told me "Don't shoot yourself, or anybody else if you don't have to." That and a little book called "You and your revolver" were the total extent of my training. Later on with Pinkertons, I was issued a Model 10, I want to say it was a HB, but I can't say for sure. I actually did have to take a class and qualify with that one.

I forget which company it was, but one of them, I never really quit, I just sort of stopped working, but they must have carried me on the books for a couple of years. Anyway, I never turned the gun in. Finally, about two years later, they called me and asked if I still had the gun. I told them I did, and they asked me if I'd mind bringing it back. They were doing inventory and wanted to be able to account for it. I did.

 

[george minze]

Model 10 Smith was standard issue. we had a test program with the fixed sight 41 mag with city loads,(Mod 57 ??) The old timers were dead against it (to heavy) us younger (then) guys loved them...That was in the 60's...later in St. Louis it was model 10 heavy barrel issue ,you could carry approved revolver as long as you used 158 grain 38 special...Yea that was adhered to,, (Super Vel was the ticket then) just had to have 158 gr, at inspection!!Later in plain clothes SW 39-2 That was when most coppers retired at 60 or 62,,,,,surprising how smart they were in retrospect..First job $5480.00 pr year...Overtime that was a joke...Damn I loved it...

 

[smith revolver cop]

From the early 1980s, I remember an officer with a small neighboring department. He was into all sorts of different guns, and often had some rather obscure ones. (He had the first CZ I had ever seen.) He favored the CZ, but also his Model 25. (I think in 45LC.) BUT... since he changed his carry gun on a fairly regular basis, he would occasionally show up with duty featuring his Model 25 and CZ mags, or his CZ and Model 25 speedloaders!

 

[JWM]

DOD Police early 1980's....

Besides the usual S&W revolvers, I briefly was issued a four inch Colt Commando in .38 special. Plastic grip panels; parkerized finish. As soon as they had some S&W model 15's turned in to the armory due to retiring officers, I quickly switched back over to the familar USAF model 15's that I had used on active duty.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Started in 1962 with a 4" Colt Trooper .38 with a yearly salary of $2600.00.
Retired 2007 with issued Sig-Sauer P-229 .40. Disability Retirement after nine surgeries and four stainless steel replacement joints.
I would return to duty in a heartbeat if I could.
Once a Cop, always a Cop.

 

[SF180A]

Back in the day I started out with the department issue S&W 66 with 158 gr. JHP, setting next to me in the cruiser was a 12ga Remington pump.

But along came a slick traveling snake oil salesman and it was a sad day when our leadership decided to trade in our 66s for the Ruger Speed Six. Still would like to find an old 66 to bring back the memories.

Remember the first fast accurate shot goes home, and that needs to be you!

Brent

 

[JamesArthur60]

It wouldn't be the standard issued .38 M10 I received in 1972. Today, I would carry anything suitable for the .357 magnum round. With speed loaders, not those stupid hard to open, drop the rounds everywhere, snap pouches.

 

[Muley Gil]

"With speed loaders, not those stupid hard to open, drop the rounds everywhere, snap pouches."

When I went to the po-leece academy back in the '70s, it was either use the dropboxes or use loops. Speedloaders weren't allowed then, nor were those newfangled semiautos.

I could have carried my M27 converted to .44 Special, but my department gave me 500 rounds of .38 specials, so I used a M19. I had roundbutted it and had the only RB 4" M19 there. I had also installed a target hammer and a smooth, rounded Ranger trigger. My instructor, who was a big fan of the M13, really liked my sidearm.

Several of the other cops liked the idea of the smooth trigger and I took their revolvers to the instructors house and smoothed and rounded them for good DA work.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

Those were the days.....

My 1st service revolver was a 4" Model 19. It served me well through the age of the "wonder 9s". As much as I love wheelguns, I wouldn't go back to one as a duty weapon today.

My issued Glock 22 is as close to the perfect duty pistol as I've ever carried in almost 30 years on the job. In a week or so, it'll be retiring in favor of the Glock 30 Gen 4 .45. (I buying the G22 & giving it a good home ) The G22 has ridden a lot of miles w/ me. I have never failed to qualify on the first round w/ this pistol (even on a bad day!). I'm looking forward to carrying a .45 again. But, my old reliable .40 won't ever be too far away stoked w/ the 180 gr Winchester Ranger HPs at home or off duty.

P.S.,

I've been on the job long enough to remember when your "walkie" was you car radio's mike stretched out the car window over your sideview mirror. You did this so that you didn't have to get all the way back in the car to call for help when the fight started w/ the drunk on the traffic stop.

 

[10mmauto]

At first, I couldn't think why all these threads were being brought back from the dead, then I realized - it's almost Halloween!

 

[model70hunter]

At first, I couldn't think why all these threads were being brought back from the dead, then I realized - it's almost Halloween!

Yes, I noticed this the other day. I've named them zombie threads......

 

[steelslaver]

When I was a kid and up till I finished HS, the Sheriff lived on the next block over, his kids and us grew up together, played together and all that. Anyway, he carried a 45 Colt single action. Old school guy and I think it was more his badge than his actual badge. Last time I was home for the Bucking Horse sale, a big event in Miles City, and the Sheriff always rides his horse in the parade. Guess what he was wearing then? Yup, a Colt single action.

 

[williamlayton]

While this is an old thread and I am theoretically banned from commentary, I still have an opinion.
It is not visual effect/affect that is the reason for choosing.
Seems to me that if I was in the business--professionally--I would be looking for capacity.
Blessings

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Started in 1962 (BYOG era). 1. 4" Colt Trooper 2. S&W Model 10 3. S&W Model 28 4. S&W M1950 Military .45 5. S&W Model 29
1975 first issued service weapon: S&W Model 64
1989 issued Colt Python 6"
1995 issued S&W Model 29 6" for duty and a S&W Model 28 4" for off duty
1998 issued Sig-Sauer P-229 .40 (kicking and screaming when I had to turn in my revolvers)
Retired in 2007 (disability-5 joint replacements and Cancer)

 

[DR505]

Well, this old thread has been resurrected, so here is my choice:

This was my first LE Revolver, a Model 27-3:

It had different stocks way back then. I'd carry it today, and just may once I retire. It has a smooth action, is accurate, and has an adequate caliber. I also carried a 627-0 for a bit, but that beast was too heavy.

 

[webley green]

Yep, it is a good thread to read. Our department was BYO .38 revolver, carried only department issued Remington Hollow Point ammo. Yep, dump pouches, clarino leather (the real shiny pia stuff). Walkies if one was available. Plastic night sticks, which usually stayed in the car, used the Maglite instead and leather slapper in uniform pants leg pocket. Air Force type hats. I had Colt Trooper, switched to a S&W 66 4 inch which I still have shoot regularly. It's a different world now.

 

[wildenout]

This is literally one of the only threads I have read start to finish! So many cool stories and guns, brave folks you all were. Cheers!

 

[Kilo66]

In the Beginning:
S&W Model 67 .38 Spl. - on duty primary weapon
S&W Model 36 .38 Spl. - on duty back up weapon
Colt Detective Special .38 Spl. - off duty

After Making Detective:
Colt Government Model MK IV Series 70 .45 ACP - on duty primary
Detonics Combat master (stainless) .45 ACP - on duty back up & off duty

After A New Chief Terrified of Condition One Carry:
Beretta Model 92 9MM - on duty primary
ASP 9MM - on duty back up & off duty

 

[Kilo66]

Well, this old thread has been resurrected, so here is my choice:

This was my first LE Revolver, a Model 27-3:

It had different stocks way back then. I'd carry it today, and just may once I retire. It has a smooth action, is accurate, and has an adequate caliber. I also carried a 627-0 for a bit, but that beast was too heavy.

Beautiful weapon and certainly very serviceable. Are those Mustang grips?