dabney
Member
In 1986, I purchased a second-hand pre-war .38/44 Heavy Duty. I had been serving as a lawman since 71 and was keen on firearms, especially S&W and Colt six-guns from pre-war times. This .38/44 was a once in a lifetime (for me) purchase, and by 1986, I was fully aware of the history of this legendary Smith & Wesson. The cost of this big revolver was but $139.00, and even by 1986 standards, this was a good buy on a well used .38/44. I would later find out that it was a PD-trade-in from Nogales PD in Nogales Arizona to J&G Arms in Prescott Arizona. Advertised through Shotgun News where I spotted the ad and acted quickly. On arrival, I suspected former PD use by the tell-tale wear characteristics about the 5-inch barrel, cylinder, and frame. But a smooth, long trigger-pull, pre-war action she had. Battered, pitted, but unbowed would be the best way I could describe it on package unveiling. It had been rode hard and long but thanks to the stout, muscled-up frame it had survived rough cop treatment. I shot this gun enough to become familiar with all the described qualities after replacing the beat-up and battered service grips with black rubber Pachmayr Presentation Grips and in recent times to the black rubber finger-groove Hogue Grips of today. I carried this .38/44 as my on-duty arm for a period of time as the Chief of Police in small town America. By 1990, some surrounding agencies were going to the wonder-nine pistols just coming out. But, and a great big but, my big Heavy Duty gunned down most of these wonder-nines on the field-of-honor, the range on Qualification Day. In the late 80's, my eyes, hands, and all other bodily hydraulics were on line and pumping! I was able to shoot through the pistol packers by practicing much at the range, prior to qualifying. That trigger-action was absolutely superb! Using regular .38's (158-gr. LRN), this six-gun would shoot tight groups for me. The revolver was not unusual in this time period as many cops still carried them. It was in the mid-90's when all the revolver carriers, save one, had retired and my .38/44 "did" stand out on those special range days (Qualification). We managed to keep her reputation for outstanding service intact with shooting scores high enough to beat most. I was slipping, not her! I could see this as time advanced, as it was requiring more and more time on the range just to pass, let alone beat out most of my brother/sister officers. In the past few years the course of fire was "not" revolver friendly and neither were the range officers who viewed my wheel gun with open disdain at times. This was a phenomena that I have not mentioned in past posts because I was still serving. Now that I have retired, I feel it incumbent to defend my much beloved 38/44's honor and set the record straight. I was a Lt., still holding on to my revolver despite the stacked deck facing us on the range. Each time I qualified was like thumbing them in the eye. Them, being the few naysayers within the range crew who felt strongly that me and my revolver needed retirement. "Obsolete and not needed" was one comment that managed to reach my elderly ears.
Well, I was around a long time and it was getting past time for me to retire. It just hurt me that I didn't get the respect and honor that was once given to the old timers. This is something that is going on in other agencies I've been told by other old timers, like me. Just the mind-set of "some" of the new centurions coming on. I'm so thankful unto GOD that HE saw me through the good times, but more importantly, through these rough times of rejectment by younger officers. I was so proud of my .38/44 that I wore it to work on that "last" working day of my career. She was really pretty that day!
David
Well, I was around a long time and it was getting past time for me to retire. It just hurt me that I didn't get the respect and honor that was once given to the old timers. This is something that is going on in other agencies I've been told by other old timers, like me. Just the mind-set of "some" of the new centurions coming on. I'm so thankful unto GOD that HE saw me through the good times, but more importantly, through these rough times of rejectment by younger officers. I was so proud of my .38/44 that I wore it to work on that "last" working day of my career. She was really pretty that day!
David
