Which handgun would you pick?

[Andy Taylor]

I would go with either a Colt New Service in .45 Colt, or a M21/M24 S&W .44 Special. A M25/M26/1917 in .45ACP would also do well. I don't believe S&W was making anything in .45 Colt just yet. Barrel would be between 4" an 6".
Back up gun would be a 36/37 with a bobbed hammer.
Off duty would be either a M10 or a Colt OP 4"

 

[feralmerril]

When I first started as a lockheed guard in 1965 we were issued colt offical police,s in 4". Then S&W 586,s and ruger stainless security sixs. By that time I was senior whiskers and mostly still the only one to stay with the colt. We averaged close to a 300 man department, not much action and really probley were armed only due to goverment requirements. I liked the colt because it was noticably lighter to carry than my other choices. For a long time against rules I carried my own 357 trooper with service grips. That really wasnt too bright, but its a long done deal.

 

[bummer]

I would probably carry a 3 1/3" model 27 for the win because it has both power and concealability

 

[kennyb]

my first that was issued to me was a 4"model 10...i later replaced it with a model15 and later a colt trooper...eventually we were issued ruger security six...i carried a 4" and later a snub...finally a beretta 92d...the beretta is the only one of that group that i still have....as to what i would pick...either a model 27 (i just picked one up last week!or a model 657

 

[greyhawk178]

1962....We were issued a Colt Police Positive or Official Police. A long time ago. I think I bought a Colt Detective Spl for off duty. We were only allowed to carry 158 gr, LRN until the advent of SuperVel.
I remember that Colt gave a "Police discount " back then

 

[GatorFarmer]

A nickel plated 4" 15-3. I used to have one, NIB, from the latter part of the 1960s. Nice gun. The area where I live now was all farmland and such back in the 1960s. Might as well just carry something with a bit of style.

 

[GF]

I would probably carried this "pre Mod 10" M&P.

It would have already been 16 years old in 1960!

 

[feralmerril]

Even dads old 1917 was acceptable back then.

 

[Racegunner]

Probably a K frame .357 with a 4" tube.
The N frame is bigger and heavier, so if the 19 was available back then that would have been my choice. Also taking into account ammo availability. You'd always have the .38 spl. option.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Given the time frame you specified, what was available back then, and the demeanor of my town during that time, I would have chosen a 4" Model 19 .357 Combat Magnum.
Our city cops carried the Model 10 .38Spl. Heavy Barrel back then and were not undergunned for the era.

 

[ladder13]

A 3 inch 686+

 

[Alpo]

A 3 inch 686+

Got a time machine? 686 was not available until the 80s. Kinda hard to carry one in the 60s.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I would probably carried this "pre Mod 10" M&P.

It would have already been 16 years old in 1960!

That's one of my very favorite pics!

 

[S/W - Lifer]

Plainclothes or uniform a S&W Model 58 with the standard police load. I couldn't ask for more or better, even now.

 

[perrazi]

would been colt python-4in, colt commander 45acp ltwt. s&w 57-4in. in that order. at one time carried a python and commander at the same time.

 

[Farmer17]

I would carry a backup M-38 airweight bodyguard in nickle finish for rust resistance, and a primary M-58 .41 Magnum in nickle finish, just cause it looks "cool"!

How about an Ithaca, an M-14, and a Thompson in the trunk.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Hands down, a 1911 commander. I'd shoot 230g lead TC. Plenty of power, big metplat for shock transfer, solid lead penetrates.

Two full magazines in a pouch and off to the races.

By way of wheel gun, I suppose a 25 or a 29 with a 4 ~ 5 inch barrel. I'd shoot specials in the 29 - reloads of 250g lead SWC @ 900fps.

If I remember correctly, reloads were allowed then.

 

[Sonny Crocket]

4" M10 HB and a M40 or 42 for a second, but I would also go with the Chief or Bodyguard styles.