The Great Magnum Conspiracy

[hoosiertraps]

Being new to the forum, I enjoy the information posted regarding the various Smith and Wesson revolver models, ie 15-1, etc. The information is very enlightening, and in fact brings back memories of an earlier time. In 1962 I was employed by a state police department in the mid west. Troopers were issued what was described to us as a Combat Masterpiece Revolver in 38 special caliber and provided with 158 gr. round nose lead cartridges. The outfit had a standing order that only issued equipment was to be carried, and all was well and happy until one of our fellow officers noted, after engaging in a serious social engagement with a fleeing desperado, that several of his bullets had glanced off of the drivers side window of a 1955 Oldsmobile, apparently having been launched from a position located at an angle to the vehicle. Naturally this observation was the subject of much coffee shop conversation and debate. Soon one of the more literate of our group came forth with an magazine article touting the merits of the Combat Magnum by Smith and Wesson, having been written my a Long tall, Border Patrolman from Louisiana. The Combat Magnum, it was revealed was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge which was the do all, end all solution for folks like us. The interesting development that the revolver bore a striking resemblance to the then thought of weak sister service revolver that we had been issued. There was also information provided that this magnum ammunition was even available in armor piercing variety. It was agreed that such a weapon would be a boon to we, who set forth to fight sin and degradation and the race was on to acquire one. Great care was taken to utilize K frame Magna stocks to camouflage the switch. I sweated through several impromptu field inspections wherein the weapon was examined by a Sargent without its identity becoming an issue. This practice remained in affect for several years, until the " powers that be" must have read the same magazine article and issued us a Smith & Wesson Mod. 66.

 

[old bear]

Sir, welcome to the forum, and a great opening story.

 

[Damn Yankee]

Did you have any more trouble with 1965 Oldsmobile driver side windows with this Mod 66 in 357 Magnum which was the do all, end all solution for folks like us?

 

[hoosiertraps]

No Sir, on a couple occasions it worked very well.

 

[David LaPell]

As a fan of the .357 Magnum (a BIG fan) I can tell you that over the years I have read articles of .38 Specials, especially those old 158 grain lead round noses bouncing off alot of things, somewhere I even think I have one where one was deflected by a big belt buckle with little injury to the victim.
The .357 with the right bullet can very well do pretty much everything that needs doing. From small game to big game and for personal defense it's hard to beat.

 

[Dennis The B]

The 158gr RNL bullet from a .38 Special has two major flaws -

• It will over-penetrate soft tissue, and if it doesn't strike bone, can over penetrate, and go out the other side of the target.
• It will carom off hard surface targets, and go who knows where.

Seems oxymoronic to me.