What is you favorite "Service" type sidearm?

walnutred

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Reason I ask is that over the summer a group of us decided we would get together once a month specifically for handgun practice. The ulterior motive was to let our wives shoot as many different styles and calibers of handguns as possible. We thought that in a group setting it would be less intimidating and would open up the opportunity to try different firearms. For the most part we stayed mainstream in our selections but everything from 22LR to 45 ACP was tried in both revolver and semi-auto format. Pistols in sizes ranging from pocket pistols to N-Frames and 1911s were included. One of the pistols I brought every month was an old NYPD 10-6 that I’ve had for several years. In the past week two couples have mentioned they bought new house guns, one a 10-6 and the other a 10-8.

I have to admit that for me it’s a toss-up between a 1911A1 and this 10-6 when it comes to service style handguns. Just made me curious what your favorites are.
 
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Since the mid '70s I've carried several "Service" type sidearms 40+ hours a week. Favorite semi-auto was my stainless Series '80 Colt Government Model. Favorite revolver was the S&W Model 686. Along the way, also carried S&W models 10,64,66,586, Performance Center CQB, SIG P226, Glock and probably others I've forgotten. All good, but the Colt Govt. and S&W 686 remain my favorites... ymmv
 
70 series 1911, cocked & locked, ideally.
357 mag J frame practically.
 
Without hesitation, a 1911A1. From my Navy days, 36 years ago, till today, It is the most comforting inanimate object there is.
 
In the field, this one:

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In the home, this one:

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On the street, this one:

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I think these three will cover most eventualities.

John
 
Over the last half century of packing weapons professionally I look back and determine that the following were carried the most (in order from the top).
Colt 1911*
S&W M10*
Browning HP
S&W 940
Colt Python (4")
Colt Diamondback (2.5")

* The gubbimint made me carry these-but I loved them.
 
For my service handgun I like the size and balance of a 4" tapered barrel SB M&P/M10/M64 or Colt Official Police with 158 grain HPSWC aka "The FBI load".
 
Issued: S&W M15 4 inch, Beretta M9, Glock 21
Personal: Colt Python 4 inch w/Armoloy finish, S&W M4566
BUG/off-duty: S&W M37, M642, M340PD

Favorite: Colt Python
 
The first one issued to me on the first PD I was on...S&W M10 HB. Those were exciting days being a new officer and the M10 seemed all business to me. I later bought a Colt Combat Commander in satin nickel that I carried in a shoulder holster under my uniform coat in cold weather and in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket when off duty. That M10 had some substantial wear on the finish but was in perfect mechanical condition and the trigger was wonderful. Using that revolver and department practice ammo I learned to shoot a DA revolver with some good effect. Some of the detectives were issued 2" M10's and some 2" M15's. I left for another dept before getting to that stage in my career and never carried one but I have a nice M15 snub now.
 
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