Nice find Erocksmash, They were private purchased by members of the Firearms Training Unit mostly, their may have been a couple officers from other units because you had to get to 20+ to get the build done. Guns were delivered to a couple dealers, mostly because the Academy Revolver Club store wanted to charge like 75 per gun to get them shipped there, and other local stores like B&B Guns in North Hollywood did it for free, go figure. I had mine lettered cant remember the dates etc , but it states 20 or 21 ordered, cant remember how many were delivered. I thought a couple never made it to the guys who ordered them. I would be interested to know( even privately) how you hunted one down, all though most everyone who ordered them are retired and have moved/fled from CA. I will probably sell mine at some time, not right now. I have never shot it and I have no heirs. I wanted to take it to Tulsa, isnt that coming up in Nov.
Great find . We did shoot some guys and like other PC guns at the time they shot really well. Mine is 197, not sure of the serial range. I will look for the letter and post a copy. Very nice...
The reason most were never shot or very little was they were never approved for duty until 10 or 12 years later when 1911s were approved for all officers. So even guys who still had them just went 1911. The guys putting the order together were told by the Depts armorers that as long as the guns said 4566 and had no special engraving they would be approved. When the guns came in after they were examined, the powers to be felt that they were too tight and would require more maintenance than the average officer would perform,if others outside the FTU were to start ordering the same type guns, so they were not approved. Those of us already shooting the P/C 9s in competition knew this was B/S . The guys failed to get the Capt or someone of rank into fold on the order so it got the thumbs down , gun jealousy being what it is among police.
I was able to locate this last night. The second page shows the gun build started in 02-98 and they were shipped out in 04-98. Says 22 were built, I kinda remember 2 guys didnt get theirs, at least initially, and the story from S/W was one frame was not right and one gun was taken by the sales dept. So those guns may have shipped later , I dont know. I was hoping to get the serial number range. But maybe the other info posted here, covers that. I know 3 or 4 guys who still have theirs maybe I will try and send them an email to check their number. At least this settles the initial order/ number shipped info.
