GatorFarmer
Member
Just curious if anyone recalls what the issue weapon, and/or gear, was for the MSP circa 1976-78.
What was the issue revolver for MI State Police circa '76-78?
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sigp220.45
US Veteran
Gator, I'm not sure of the exact timeframe, but I believe MSP troopers were issued two-tone Model 38 Bodyguards as backups to their main revolver. I remember KY Imports selling them - they were blue guns with a stainless cylinder.
As for the main duty gun, I'm just not sure but I think they were Smith revolvers.
Check this link - in 1968 they were Model 10 HBs.
http://www.pbase.com/lowthian/image/56429145
I also found this quote on another forum, so maybe the Model 10s lasted a while:
"It used to be worse. In the late 1980s I had the opportunity to stop by a small MSP post and visit for a while. This is the era where most everyone in LE were moving from revolvers to semi-autos. The MSP rig consisted of a .38 Special 4-inch revolver, carried in a flapped, cross-draw holster. Reloads were in individual belt loops on the Sam Browne. I had seen these before, but not since the late 1960s.
Also issued to each trooper, and part of the standard duty uniform, was a 2-inch .38 Special revolver with a shrouded hammer. It was carried in a plastic holster that fit into the right front trouser pocket. When a trooper approached your car, he often had his hand in his trouser pocket. He wasn't counting his change."
http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77137
Hope this helps.
As for the main duty gun, I'm just not sure but I think they were Smith revolvers.
Check this link - in 1968 they were Model 10 HBs.
http://www.pbase.com/lowthian/image/56429145
I also found this quote on another forum, so maybe the Model 10s lasted a while:
"It used to be worse. In the late 1980s I had the opportunity to stop by a small MSP post and visit for a while. This is the era where most everyone in LE were moving from revolvers to semi-autos. The MSP rig consisted of a .38 Special 4-inch revolver, carried in a flapped, cross-draw holster. Reloads were in individual belt loops on the Sam Browne. I had seen these before, but not since the late 1960s.
Also issued to each trooper, and part of the standard duty uniform, was a 2-inch .38 Special revolver with a shrouded hammer. It was carried in a plastic holster that fit into the right front trouser pocket. When a trooper approached your car, he often had his hand in his trouser pocket. He wasn't counting his change."
http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77137
Hope this helps.
Last edited:
Stinger4me
Member
It is my understanding there was a holster sewed into the front pockets of their trousers. If you see them with a car pulled over you will notice the Trooper with his hand in the front pocket. When they qualified it was with the pocket revolver. At some point they switched to a stainless revolver. Today they are carrying SIG autos and they may be witching over to DAO SIG pistols. Their SIG pistols have the emblem of the MSP etched or transferred onto the guns.
OP
GatorFarmer
Member
Thanks. I too had thought that Model 28s were issued for a time for some reason. Apparently I remembered wrong, or they had a relatively brief issue period (like the Colt New Service guns in .44-40).
The only trooper I knew personally, I think he went to work for them after the revolver era ended, and was a part of the Sig era.
The only trooper I knew personally, I think he went to work for them after the revolver era ended, and was a part of the Sig era.
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