Were you law enforcement in the 70’s-80’s? What did you carry?

[prairieviper]

1. S&W 66-1, 4", .357 Magnum

2. Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP (Approved optional carry gun for those that qualified)

3. SIG P226 in .40 S&W

 

[smokycity]

Military Police (1983-87) - 1911A1, M16A1, and M97 trench gun.
Civilian LE (1987 - present) - Model-64, 686, 5903, Beretta 92FS, Sig P229, Glock- 22, 19, and 45 as primary side arms; Model-36, 669, Beretta-85F, Sig P232, Glock-26 and 43X as secondary, back-up, or off duty.

 

[LPD256]

May of 73 I started with the department at 20 in my college town. I was issued a parkerized S&W stamped US Navy. Later a used pencil barrel Model 10 followed by my first new gun, a heavy barrel Model 10. I carried SuperVel 110 grain hollow-points but was issued 158 grain round nose lead. I may have actually carried my personal Model 19 occasionally. (The statute of limitation has expired. Right Sarge?) the department switched to Model 59's. When promoted to narcotics undercover I carried a 36. And as a detective I carried either the 59 in a shoulder rig or a 2 1/2 inch Model 19. On occasion I had a Smith Model 76 submachine gun in my car. The good old days. Jim Hill, who many of you know on this forum was in the same training class as me.

 

[Baxter6551]

I concur on the Armaloy. I had a PPK done in that finish. It too developed some rust spots years later after I gave it to my buddy's daughter for a graduation present from the academy.

Started in 1977 carrying personal revolver. Could be any 4 or 6 inch revolver as long as it chambered the issued Remington .38plus P 125 gr. JHP. Initially I had a model 28 but switched to the lighter model 65. Carried a 6" 66 for a short time on a walking beat. Also a 4" electroless nickel Python but deemed it too nice for patrol carry. Sadly sold all of them when City decided to issue model 65 with .357 ammo. Carried those till they issued Sig P226. We were allowed to buy our 65s for $100.

 

[renroh]

I started in the 90's but my first duty weapon was a S&W Model 64 that was my Uncle's former duty weapon at Metro PD in Nashville. I was proud to carry his old duty weapon for a short while before Glock transition

 

[Russell Cottle]

Started with a small pd in '73. we were required to furnish out own leather and firearm, S&W or Colt, .38 special or larger. Started with a Colt Lawman Mklll. After I got my 1st paycheck, swapped it and some cash for a S&W M19.

 

[wrkerr]

Started in '77. Carried a few different wheelguns over the years, but the one I started with is this M10. I think I paid $89 for it then. Still my favorite. (And never transitioned to autos; carried revolvers my entire career.)

 

[F224]

As a part time & intern deputy in 1980-81, I carried a Colt Combat Commander. Later as private security guard, it was a Ruger Speed Six.

 

[thebolt]

I started my LE career with a 4" Model 19 and later switched to a 6" Model 19. I changed to a 4" Model 66 when they became available.

I carried a Model 60 in an ankle holster, as a 2nd gun, shortly after I started my career. I changed to a Nickle Model 37 to replace the Model 69 and it was much more comfortable.

I carried a 2 1/2" Model 66 when I was a Detective and occasionally carried a 6 1/2" Model 29 when I was working some high risk undercover work.

We transitioned to the Colt 1911 in the late 1980's and I carried that the remainder of my police career.

 

[algentry1]

I was in Army CID in Vietnam. Colt Detective Special, concealed carry. I still have one, 1959 model. Worked then, works now I suppose. Although I don't intend to find out.

 

[TwoShoes1]

Went to work for a large department in 1966 and started with a 4" Model 19 but was only allowed to carry 38 special ammo. After a year I went to a 1911 Colt (larger bullet, faster reloads) and stayed with it until S&W came out with the Model 645. Used it for some but after having to replace the sear twice and the rear sight once when half of the rear sight broke off during qualification, I went back to a 1911 style pistol in the form of a Kimber CDP Pro in 45 ACP which I carried until my retirement after 49.5 years on the job.

 

[Jerry M]

Late 70's early 80's in the Maryland State Police l carried 6" Model 10, then a 4" Model 19 (privately purchased) then an agency issued Model 13. All loaded with Winchester 110 grain +P+ the Treasury Load.

 

[jimgoldth]

I carried a Number of S&W Revolvers as we were required to buy our own revolvers or Semi Auto Pistols. I at one time I carried a model 39 on my right hip and a S&W model 67 4" on my left hip.

 

[Kevin1961]

Started at a medium size department in 1981. Carried a model 15 4 inch and a 36 off duty and as backup.,issued 125 grain plus p for duty ammo. Most guys had model 19's and a few Pythons. I liked my 15 and carried it for years. Still have it