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.
old School L.E.O's
- Thread starter bulletproof-791
- Start date
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
Member
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
US Veteran
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.
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
Absent Comrade
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
US Veteran
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
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.
He**, I would have paid THEM to do the job!'
I loved the job, don't ever forget that Adrenaline is the greatest drug in the world
.As with so many here I could not go back and do it again, nor would I want to.
Doc Mark
Member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
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Gentlemen,
I very much enjoyed reading this thread, and want to thank each of you, very sincerely, for having done, and still doing, a very necessary job!! With me being a love of the .41 Magnum, in all it's various flavors, I loved reading about those who chose to use that wonderful caliber in doing LE work!! It was Evan Marshall, and a few others, whose writings drew me to the .41 in the first place, and after talking to some of the LEO guys I met when I was a Range Safety Officer at a local gun club, who had good things to say about that caliber, I was hooked for life!!
In any case, no matter which firearms you all chose, or were issued, please accept honest thanks from my wife and I, for doing the jobs you did!! For many years, we have prayed for the safety of our military, LEO's, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical Personnel, every single night!! Thanks, again, Gentlemen, and may God Bless you and your families, always!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
P.S. One of my Uncles was in LE for most of his life, only retiring after having been stabbed three times in the spine with an ice pick, by some POS punk kid who he chosen not to shoot!! He suffered for the rest of his life with that wound. Never complained about it, though. He was a good man, and I always respected the job he did in local PD's and also the CHP, as I respect you Gents.
I very much enjoyed reading this thread, and want to thank each of you, very sincerely, for having done, and still doing, a very necessary job!! With me being a love of the .41 Magnum, in all it's various flavors, I loved reading about those who chose to use that wonderful caliber in doing LE work!! It was Evan Marshall, and a few others, whose writings drew me to the .41 in the first place, and after talking to some of the LEO guys I met when I was a Range Safety Officer at a local gun club, who had good things to say about that caliber, I was hooked for life!!
In any case, no matter which firearms you all chose, or were issued, please accept honest thanks from my wife and I, for doing the jobs you did!! For many years, we have prayed for the safety of our military, LEO's, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical Personnel, every single night!! Thanks, again, Gentlemen, and may God Bless you and your families, always!
Every Good Wish,
Doc
P.S. One of my Uncles was in LE for most of his life, only retiring after having been stabbed three times in the spine with an ice pick, by some POS punk kid who he chosen not to shoot!! He suffered for the rest of his life with that wound. Never complained about it, though. He was a good man, and I always respected the job he did in local PD's and also the CHP, as I respect you Gents.
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The first gun I carried in LE was a Model 19 four inch and that was in 1971. The last gun I carried in LE was a Sig P220 in .45acp and that was in 2004. Both good guns. I carried other inbetween and I aways felt as comfortable with a good revolver as a good semi auto.
Rule 303
Rule 303
wordsmith
Member
Well, for all the po-leece I've known over the past 40 years:
We were (every last one of us),... convinced that it was our eternal destiny to save the world from all the bad folks. Back then.. in the back-when... we were (every last one of us) idealistic enough to believe we could !!
We (every last one of us) just didn't know (or believe) there would've been more of them than there was us !!!!!!
DOE: 12-24-72 @ $433 / month, with $50 raise after 6 months + $50 more IF you got your "year" in. We finally went over $1,000 / month in Fall '76 - I'm talkin' bout young, single & RICH !!!
Mod. 10 Heavy bbl. to start, then a 4" nickel 19-3. Got the M-58 nickel in late '74 and the pre-war M-1926 .44 HE, 5" nickel in '77. Bought M-60 while in dope unit, '76. Still have it, the 58 and the .44 HE.
Came to the job at a good time, had a good time, left at a good time. If I had it to do over again, knowing now what I couldn't have possibly known then, and 20-years old again.... I'd do it over again "smarter" - but just as wide open !!
David
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I am gratified to see so many of us that carried the Mdl 58. I was the lonesome stranger as far as I knew back then. Until I heard about some Texas PD issuing them, I thought I was the only fool to carry one.
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safearm
US Veteran
I was issued a Model 15 with the "Chicago" load, 158 grain LSWCHP+P (1978). After a year, I could carry a personally owned weapon, and carried a Python with the same issue ammo (still have that gun).
When I finally retired in 2007, after a number of departments, the issue gun was a Glock 21 and a S&W 642 BUG.
If I were to go back today (and I really don't see myself doing that), I'd carry my Python again and still feel comfortable.
When I finally retired in 2007, after a number of departments, the issue gun was a Glock 21 and a S&W 642 BUG.
If I were to go back today (and I really don't see myself doing that), I'd carry my Python again and still feel comfortable.
TexasRebel
Member
When I was 13, my dad gave me a Colt Trooper MK3. Years later, he retired from the big city PD. We moved to a small town and he decided to go to work for the PD there. He "borrowed" (LOL) my Colt for a duty gun and used it until he retired from the street.
About the time he went off the road, I started the academy. The old Colt went with me and followed me as my first duty weapon. It proudly served two generations of Texas lawmen.
I then bought a 439 S&W that I carried for six months. My last and longest carried was a Colt Gold Cup. Two years ago I purchased an M&P 45 for a duty weapon(just in case I get a wild hair to go back on the job).
I would not feel under gunned today packing a revolver. Give me a Colt, Smith,or Ruger....... 4" 357 and a couple of speed loaders......I'll be happy AND well armed!
About the time he went off the road, I started the academy. The old Colt went with me and followed me as my first duty weapon. It proudly served two generations of Texas lawmen.
I then bought a 439 S&W that I carried for six months. My last and longest carried was a Colt Gold Cup. Two years ago I purchased an M&P 45 for a duty weapon(just in case I get a wild hair to go back on the job).
I would not feel under gunned today packing a revolver. Give me a Colt, Smith,or Ruger....... 4" 357 and a couple of speed loaders......I'll be happy AND well armed!
smith revolver cop
Member
First (and favorite) service gun was a Model 65. For a while, also carried a dept-issued Model 57. Would gladly carry the 65 today, but my dept does not allow wheel guns anymore. In place of the 57, my next choice would be a 58. (Never terribly fond of adjustable sights on a duty gun.)
CW Spook
US Veteran
Back in the day, standard carry was a 4" Model 19. I'd still be happy with one.
rangemaster
Member
Hmmm. Interesting nostalgic thread!
If I could carry any of my revolvers on duty, for uniform duty I'd pick my 624 4". Since I am plainclothes for the time being, I'd opt for my 3" 13, but I would have a tritium dot installed in the ramp first.
When I started in 2003, my first issue duty gun (which retired to my safe) is a 4006. I'm now carrying an issue G23 with night sights, and use a Streamlight M3X after dark.
Forgot to mention; our dept. encourages us to carry our duty gun while off-duty, but doesn't preclude other firearms.
If I could carry any of my revolvers on duty, for uniform duty I'd pick my 624 4". Since I am plainclothes for the time being, I'd opt for my 3" 13, but I would have a tritium dot installed in the ramp first.
When I started in 2003, my first issue duty gun (which retired to my safe) is a 4006. I'm now carrying an issue G23 with night sights, and use a Streamlight M3X after dark.
Forgot to mention; our dept. encourages us to carry our duty gun while off-duty, but doesn't preclude other firearms.
MPSGT
US Veteran
Rudy Lozano/Blackhills Leather made that rig for me. I also had him make a matching holster and double mag pouch for my S&W 1911 9mm Pro Series to go with the belt and handcuff pouch. He does very nice work.
Thank you. I'm familer with Rudy. He's done three holstrers for me, two from exotic skins ( Gator & Rattlesnake), he is very good indeed.
Revolvers in LE
Got to get in on this. Started in USAF Investigations in 1971. First issue was S&W M-15 followed shortly be S&W M-36 3"HB. The one in the pic is not AF issue but private set up exactly as issued. I carried it in a Bianchi 5B holster. I went through the S&W Academy Police Firearms Instructor course in 1975. It was almost 100% revolver oriented, although we did shoot the M-39 a bit. Shot a lot of PPC. Entered civilian LE in early 1990s in small SO where we still furnish our own weapons, the dept issues .45ACP and S&W .40 but you can carry anything you can qualify with. I attended the Colo LE Firearms Instructor POST course in 2004, they did not even teach revolvers in the course, although the Instr's manual still has the info. I have seen several younger officers who could not clear a revolver at a crime scene.
Photo ID: Far upper left, S&W M-36 as issued in USAF OSI. Right from top going clockwise: S&W M-19-3, S&W M-686-CS-1, S&W M-65-2, S&W M-646. I have carried each at one time or another, still carry the 646 on occasion although normally carry a Para-Ord LDA. Duty rig is Don Hume for each of the above. Six for sure! Keep shootin'
Got to get in on this. Started in USAF Investigations in 1971. First issue was S&W M-15 followed shortly be S&W M-36 3"HB. The one in the pic is not AF issue but private set up exactly as issued. I carried it in a Bianchi 5B holster. I went through the S&W Academy Police Firearms Instructor course in 1975. It was almost 100% revolver oriented, although we did shoot the M-39 a bit. Shot a lot of PPC. Entered civilian LE in early 1990s in small SO where we still furnish our own weapons, the dept issues .45ACP and S&W .40 but you can carry anything you can qualify with. I attended the Colo LE Firearms Instructor POST course in 2004, they did not even teach revolvers in the course, although the Instr's manual still has the info. I have seen several younger officers who could not clear a revolver at a crime scene.
Photo ID: Far upper left, S&W M-36 as issued in USAF OSI. Right from top going clockwise: S&W M-19-3, S&W M-686-CS-1, S&W M-65-2, S&W M-646. I have carried each at one time or another, still carry the 646 on occasion although normally carry a Para-Ord LDA. Duty rig is Don Hume for each of the above. Six for sure! Keep shootin'
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Damn Yankee
Member
Just took this rig off tonight.
Iggy,
Amarillo, Tx PD started issuing Model 58s after Patrolman
William Stanley Medows was killed in 1964 n the line of duty.
He was involved in a vehicle chase where the two juvenile perps who were shooting at him with a .257 Roberts rifle. He and the other officers were shooting .38spl 158 grn RNL. The pickup the perps were in looked like it had been in a bad hail storm.
Finally two DPS Trooper pulled up behind it and unloaded two thirty round magaines from a M2 Carbine into the back of the pickup. Killed the driver and the other perp said the driver was shooting, driving and holding the gun on him. The jury bought it lock, stock and barrel. The Surviving Perp later murdered his family in Oklahoma.
Amarillo PD immediately put in an order for Model 58s and was the first large PD to issue them to all Uniformed Officers and Street Detectives.
Patrolman William Stanley Meadows | Amarillo Police Department, Texas
I have two Model 57s and a Model 58 sitting in one of the gun safes now. The Agency I worked for let us carry what we wanted and I still have the four inch Model 29 that I carried on patrol work for many years. That and a two in Model 36 and then a 49.
Rule 303
Amarillo, Tx PD started issuing Model 58s after Patrolman
William Stanley Medows was killed in 1964 n the line of duty.
He was involved in a vehicle chase where the two juvenile perps who were shooting at him with a .257 Roberts rifle. He and the other officers were shooting .38spl 158 grn RNL. The pickup the perps were in looked like it had been in a bad hail storm.
Finally two DPS Trooper pulled up behind it and unloaded two thirty round magaines from a M2 Carbine into the back of the pickup. Killed the driver and the other perp said the driver was shooting, driving and holding the gun on him. The jury bought it lock, stock and barrel. The Surviving Perp later murdered his family in Oklahoma.
Amarillo PD immediately put in an order for Model 58s and was the first large PD to issue them to all Uniformed Officers and Street Detectives.
Patrolman William Stanley Meadows | Amarillo Police Department, Texas
I have two Model 57s and a Model 58 sitting in one of the gun safes now. The Agency I worked for let us carry what we wanted and I still have the four inch Model 29 that I carried on patrol work for many years. That and a two in Model 36 and then a 49.
Rule 303
Rule 303.
I had a similar incident with a fleeing vehicle. A deputy riding with me leaned out the window of my car and dumped and entire drum out of a Tommy gun into the back of a sedan at 95 mph. They stopped.
I found out that the old .41 Mag will penetrate a moving vehicle quite well.
One shot stop of a sort on a Ford Bronco. Kid tried to run me down. I put one thru the tail gate. It took out the radio in the dash.
He didn't have permission to be driving the Bronco, so for an alibi, he went to the PD and reported he was being chased by mexicans.
Another WHP who was at the PD put things together and arrested him.
He was out of jail before I got out of the ER, but that's another story.
I had a similar incident with a fleeing vehicle. A deputy riding with me leaned out the window of my car and dumped and entire drum out of a Tommy gun into the back of a sedan at 95 mph. They stopped.
I found out that the old .41 Mag will penetrate a moving vehicle quite well.
One shot stop of a sort on a Ford Bronco. Kid tried to run me down. I put one thru the tail gate. It took out the radio in the dash.
He didn't have permission to be driving the Bronco, so for an alibi, he went to the PD and reported he was being chased by mexicans.
Another WHP who was at the PD put things together and arrested him.
He was out of jail before I got out of the ER, but that's another story.
When I first hit the streets as a Rookie in 1976, I carried a blue 4" Mod 29.
I carried that gun for 4 months until I was moved to deep nights, and you had to have at least a 6" gun, so I switched to my 6 1/2" blue Mod 29.
In 4 months I was off training, and back on evenings.
After I was assigned with to a beat with a regular partner, who carried a Mod 27, I "switched" him to a 4" 44 Mag and we both bought Nickle 4" Mod 29's 25 serial numbers apart.
Later I switched to an accurized 1911 and carried that for several years.
Then we had a Chief that banned semi autos, and another that banned the big magnums.
So durring this time you could carry only a revolver in 38 Special, a 357 Mag, a 45 Colt, or the 45 ACP
This happened in the early 1980's.
I carried my 6 1/2" Mod 25 in 45ACP with half moon clips, but switched to full moon clips when they became available. We could carry a semi auto as a second gun so I carried a 45ACP Colt LW Commander, and 2 extra mags in a tandem pouch.
I bought a new Mod 25 in 45ACP, it was a 6" and started carrying it, with the 6 1/2" held in reserve.
I was carrying the Mod 25 when I transfered to Tactical [what we called SWAT] back then.
I carried it for several years till another Chief took all the big bores away, and allowed us to carry 9mm's.
I carried a 2 Glock 17's on duty until I retired, at just over 30 years.
I carried that gun for 4 months until I was moved to deep nights, and you had to have at least a 6" gun, so I switched to my 6 1/2" blue Mod 29.
In 4 months I was off training, and back on evenings.
After I was assigned with to a beat with a regular partner, who carried a Mod 27, I "switched" him to a 4" 44 Mag and we both bought Nickle 4" Mod 29's 25 serial numbers apart.
Later I switched to an accurized 1911 and carried that for several years.
Then we had a Chief that banned semi autos, and another that banned the big magnums.
So durring this time you could carry only a revolver in 38 Special, a 357 Mag, a 45 Colt, or the 45 ACP
This happened in the early 1980's.
I carried my 6 1/2" Mod 25 in 45ACP with half moon clips, but switched to full moon clips when they became available. We could carry a semi auto as a second gun so I carried a 45ACP Colt LW Commander, and 2 extra mags in a tandem pouch.
I bought a new Mod 25 in 45ACP, it was a 6" and started carrying it, with the 6 1/2" held in reserve.
I was carrying the Mod 25 when I transfered to Tactical [what we called SWAT] back then.
I carried it for several years till another Chief took all the big bores away, and allowed us to carry 9mm's.
I carried a 2 Glock 17's on duty until I retired, at just over 30 years.
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29aholic
Member
Not an LEO
But I was around a few. Back in the 80's when I worked at my first gunshop we had one of the few ranges in town. We had a lot of connections with the local PD and SO as well as MHP. Outside the State Boys, the chosen BYOG was a 4" 686. About the time a new class would start up I would order a couple of dozen or so and give the LEO discount to new recruits. A few years later a good friend of mine on the force, who I met when I was a cadet, enlisted me in convincing the powers that be into letting officers to carry the Glock as an off duty weapon. Now folks I am NOT a Glock fan, but the abuse we put that gun through...including throwing the frame down the hall of the PD and some 50,000 rds w/out cleaning convinced the upper cadre that it would probably be alright. At one time anyone around Springfield MO who owned a Glock 17 probably bought it from me.
My friend, Truly Applegate, the same one that helped get the Glock in, used to carry a round butted 29 (done by him) when he drew PC duty. I know this for two reasons...one I had seen it, and 2 he was on kinda bad roll out and swang by the shop knowing I had 3 or 4 speedloaders for the gun I carried. Actually now that I think about it...dont think I ever got those back
But I was around a few. Back in the 80's when I worked at my first gunshop we had one of the few ranges in town. We had a lot of connections with the local PD and SO as well as MHP. Outside the State Boys, the chosen BYOG was a 4" 686. About the time a new class would start up I would order a couple of dozen or so and give the LEO discount to new recruits. A few years later a good friend of mine on the force, who I met when I was a cadet, enlisted me in convincing the powers that be into letting officers to carry the Glock as an off duty weapon. Now folks I am NOT a Glock fan, but the abuse we put that gun through...including throwing the frame down the hall of the PD and some 50,000 rds w/out cleaning convinced the upper cadre that it would probably be alright. At one time anyone around Springfield MO who owned a Glock 17 probably bought it from me.
My friend, Truly Applegate, the same one that helped get the Glock in, used to carry a round butted 29 (done by him) when he drew PC duty. I know this for two reasons...one I had seen it, and 2 he was on kinda bad roll out and swang by the shop knowing I had 3 or 4 speedloaders for the gun I carried. Actually now that I think about it...dont think I ever got those back
RABULL
Member
Ok, I will play... 1976 to 1980 at a City PD, I carried a S & w Model 25-2 .45 ACP 6 1/2" revolver in a Hoyt Breakfront holster. I tried a S & W Model 25-5 .45 Colt 6" barrel revolver for a few months before I was hired by the local County Sheriff's Department 5n 1980. At the Sheriff's Department, they made us carry a .357 magnum, so I took a S & W Model 19 .357 magnum and had Bill Davis Gunsmithing install a 6" blued Python barrel on the S & W. They called it a "SMOLT or Smython" back then but it was one of the nicest .357 magnums I have ever shot (this was back before S & W made a Model 586 or 686 and this was how you got a heavier barrel on a Model 19). This revolver also had a custom Hoyt Breakfront Holster made for it (with my name, agency and badge # stamped on the back on the holster). I still have the revolvers and holsters. In 1982, I was offered a City PD Police Sergeant's job at another agency and this time, I thought I would go big time and upgraded to a Colt Custom Gold Cup 1911 .45 ACP in the E-Nickel finish. I still have that handgun also. Later, at other police departments, I was issued a S & W Model 659 9mm and later a S & W Model 4006 when it came out in 1990. At the end of my LEO career, I was back to carrying a 1911 .45 ACP with a Les Baer Thunder Ranch 1911 which is the best shooting 1911 that I have.
Below are some photos of my S & W Model 25-2 .45 ACP, my S & W Model 19 SMOLT and my Colt Gold Cup 1911 .45ACP. I don't have a photo of my Model 659, 4006 or the Les Baer right now.....Sorry for the poor quality photos.....
Below are some photos of my S & W Model 25-2 .45 ACP, my S & W Model 19 SMOLT and my Colt Gold Cup 1911 .45ACP. I don't have a photo of my Model 659, 4006 or the Les Baer right now.....Sorry for the poor quality photos.....
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armsmaster270
US Veteran
I carried an issued Model 15 4" with issued 110gr +P+ with no complaints. Here is the slug they took out of the body of a rapist who tried to cut his way past me with a knife
More info: https://sites.google.com/a/armsmaster.net/www/negrete
More info: https://sites.google.com/a/armsmaster.net/www/negrete
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