What S&W revolvers were used in Viet Nam?

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A recent thread mentions the M15 being used in Viet Nam. I had heard something about that and would like a bit more information.
The reason I ask is because on Friday I am once again going to display a series of rifles and handguns used by our military personnel in the various conflicts. This will be at my daughter's Christian high school. I posted about that last year when I did it. I brought guns from the 1870s through the 1950s.
This year I am going to add my M12 S&W revolver. I have read chopper pilots carried those in Viet Nam. I also know the M56 was developed specifically for the Air Force at about that time. It was produced in very small numbers and is quite rare. It became the 2" M15 with a few minor changes.
But what can you tell me about the use of the M15 in that war?
Or any other S&W revolvers for that matter.
Jim
 
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USAF Model 15, Vietnam

This is the revolver that was issued to USAF pilots in Vietnam, in the late '60s.
I got a letter from S&W confirming it.
I carried one identical to it until I managed to snag a Colt 1911A1 from a US Army captain. My issue was not the revolver, capacity, or power of the .38S&W Special. Rather, it was that we were issued the revolver with 18 rounds. I got the Colt with 7 magazines.
In actuality, it was pointless for us to have one. The idea that we'd be able to do much with them against the NVA was ludicrous. Still, it was a comfort to have one while entertaining the enemy from above.
While visiting an Army poker buddy at An Loc I did get the "opportunity" to throw some bullets at the NVA before a M-16 was thrust into my hands. I'm sure they were terrified.
Some of the most "fun":eek: I had was between there and Tay Ninh.
I remember talking with Army helicopter crewmembers at Song Be who said they actually used their S&Ws. As you might suppose, it was the last ditch, used only because the "real guns" were out of ammo or out of reach.
S&W 15-2 USAF.jpg

S&W 15-2 right.jpg
 
I graduated from high school in 1967 -- while the Vietnam war was ramping up.

I went to college to study engineering and had a deferment, but many of my HS buddies ended up drafted or enlisted and went to Vietnam.

During that time there was much press about M16 rifles jamming.

Several of the parents whose kids were deployed to Vietnam were trying to figure out how to send them revolvers so they would have a reliable weapon.

Not sure how that worked out, but if they were successful there may have been various models of S&W's that ended up over there besides the specific ones issued by the military.

Dave
 
Hope this isn't too much of a thread hijack, but does anyone remember what model revolver was used for the Russian Roulette scene in the 70s Vietnam movie "Deer Hunter"? Would be interesting if it was a model 15, but I have no idea.
 
Given that by that time the military and government were simply buying commercial revolvers as needed for special purposes, virtually any S&W could have been issued and used in Vietnam.

However, the Model 15 was standard issue for the Air Force, most Army helicopter units, and the US Navy.
 
I was able to carry my model 19. I saw a quite a few model 60's and model 10's
 
Harkrader said:
While visiting an Army poker buddy at An Loc I did get the "opportunity" to throw some bullets at the NVA before a M-16 was thrust into my hands. I'm sure they were terrified.
Some of the most "fun":eek: I had was between there and Tay Ninh.
Click to expand...

An Loc, Tay Ninh, Quan Loi, Lai Khe. Sounds like the old neighborhood to me.
 
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I remember about a M-29 44 magnum that was invented for tunnel clearing. It fired a shot load and the wad/plug thing never left the casing and this was to reduce noise and flash while clearing the sneaky little VC out of their tunnels.
 
During two tours there I saw a large assortment of S&W revolvers and an occassional Model 39. Along with Colts and Rugers scattered about.

US Army Huey pilots were issued Model 10 4 inchers. Air Force Security Police and pilots were issued the Model 15. I never saw a 56 there. They were issued strictly to the Fire Control Officers at ballistic missle sites.

I did see 19's 2 1/2 and 4 inchers in the hands of Army officers and some SF troops. They were allowed personal weapons. A few Pythons. A lot of 36's, 38's and 49's.

Browning Hi Powers were readily available on the black market in Saigon. Along with a cornicopia of other weapons for the right price.

Air Force regs prohibited the SP's from carrying personally owned weapons..that being said...;) my nickle Model 38 came in a tin of cookies from my folks...lol.
 
dfariswheel said:
Given that by that time the military and government were simply buying commercial revolvers as needed for special purposes, virtually any S&W could have been issued and used in Vietnam.

However, the Model 15 was standard issue for the Air Force, most Army helicopter units, and the US Navy.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about the Model 15 being used by Army and Navy personnel? I think the Army was more likely issuing Model 10s and the Navy was using Victory Models.
 
USAF - Definite official issue of Model 15 CM during the Vietnam period and after.

Lots of Victory model .38 revolvers from WWII used by lots of troops, mainly aviation-related issue.

M1911A1 - Same as Victory. Everyone used them.

Untold numbers of almost any handgun you can name could be found among the troops, but were not military issue. If you couldn't bring your own or get your parents to send you one, there were lots available on the local market for sale or trade. Model 19s were popular.
___________
One I just remembered. A friend had a Browning Model 1900 in .32 ACP. Apparently there were many of these around as they had been in wide use by the French military during the colonial period. Actually a fine compact little pistol that didn't take up much space.
 
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Model 10 4"
I was aircrew on CH47C Chinooks in RVN, 1969-1970. We were given the choice of well used 1911's or S&W M10's, I chose the M10-5 as they were in decent condition as compared to the "rattletrap" 1911's. Other than shooting up the country side a few times, I never needed it.

Donn - III Corps was my AO as well. I was at Phu Loi with the 213th ASHC BlackCats, 1st Aviation Brigade. I knew well Quan Loi, Tay Ninh, Lai Khe, Song Be, An Loc areas. Quan Loi (think red dirt) especially as that was one of the main base camps used for the Cambodia Incursion.

Here's a pic of a M10-5 the same as the one issued.


And a pic of the Black Virgin Mtn. (Nuibadin) just outside Tay Ninh.
 
Were military personnel allowed to purchase sidearms at the BX, PX or Rod and Gun Club in Vietnam like they were elsewhere?
 
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