Paul1948A
Member
The Ill. State Police and Las Vegas, Nevada, San Bernadino, Glendora and Covina, California come to mind but there must be others???
Which PDs used Model 39s???
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Conn. State Police?
39s.....
The Clark County Sheriffs office(CCSO) used the S&W39 and the Las Vegas Police(city)used a mix of revolvers until 1973 consolidation/merger into Las Vegas Metro Police(LVMPD) the S&W model 59 was issued for all. Years later 1990ish you could carry you own as long as it was on the approved list.
The Clark County Sheriffs office(CCSO) used the S&W39 and the Las Vegas Police(city)used a mix of revolvers until 1973 consolidation/merger into Las Vegas Metro Police(LVMPD) the S&W model 59 was issued for all. Years later 1990ish you could carry you own as long as it was on the approved list.
I believe Rich McMillan had a long list of law agencies that used the 39s.
I will find my Journal at the bottom of the stack.
I will find my Journal at the bottom of the stack.
Alk8944
US Veteran
First was Illinois State Police. The second department to adopt the Model 39 was Salt Lake City Police Dept. in 1970 or early 1971. After that I have no idea.
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Venom6
Member
In the early 1970's the Portland (OR) Police Bureau issued about a dozen M39's to selected North Precinct officers as a pilot or test program. Lasted about a year, with the decision to shelve the project. During that time one officer's life was saved when a bad guy got his gun and tried to shoot him, but the safety was on. The issue was revisited in the mid-late '80s when S&W 645's and SIG P220s were authorized.
McMillan has a partial list of 33 LE depts.
fiasconva
US Veteran
I'm sure these lists could go on and on but would love to see how many used 5906's and 4506's.
Which PD's used Model 39's
The Tigard Oregon Police Department started using Model 39's
in 1970. They were the first PD in Oregon to make the complete
switch from revolvers to 9MM.
Back then officers had to furnish their own weapons.
The Tigard Oregon Police Department started using Model 39's
in 1970. They were the first PD in Oregon to make the complete
switch from revolvers to 9MM.
Back then officers had to furnish their own weapons.
Some departments did not issue any kind of firearm and you had to get your own. I worked for the Ogle County Sheriff s Dept (IL) and it was a mix of 39s,59s and SW or Colt revolvers in .38/.357.
I carried a 39-2.
I carried a 39-2.
VASCAR2
Member
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Department in Evansville Indiana did not issue duty weapons in the 1970's. Several Deputies carried nickel model 59's and a couple used model 39-2. There were quite a few Deputies who carried 5" nickel model 27 38/357. The K frame revolvers were very common whether 19/66, or the 38 Special models.
Several smaller counties and cities in Indiana permitted semi auto for duty use and Colt 1911 and Commander models were in use as well as S&W 9 MM. I never saw anyone carry a Browning High Power. It was well into the 80's before I saw any European manufactured semi autos carried by Police.
Several smaller counties and cities in Indiana permitted semi auto for duty use and Colt 1911 and Commander models were in use as well as S&W 9 MM. I never saw anyone carry a Browning High Power. It was well into the 80's before I saw any European manufactured semi autos carried by Police.
Back in the late 70's when I became a LEO there was one agency (Fairfax PD) in my county that issued Model 39's. The other agency that allowed semiautos (1911's) was Tiburon PD.
When I went to the academy, we had a large contingent of cadets from the Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety. They also issued the Model 39, but were in the process of transitioning to the Model 59.
I believe that the San Francisco PD allowed Model 59's around that time as well.
When I went to the academy, we had a large contingent of cadets from the Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety. They also issued the Model 39, but were in the process of transitioning to the Model 59.
I believe that the San Francisco PD allowed Model 59's around that time as well.
njdet354
Member
Model 39
The South Amboy New Jersey PD issued model 39's in the mid 70's.
The South Amboy New Jersey PD issued model 39's in the mid 70's.
This is 1 of 180 model 59 shipped to Las Vegas Metro in May 1974.
The purchase was made through Cake Davis in California.
The purchase was made through Cake Davis in California.
I was going to say Salt Lake as well.
IrishFritz
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The New Hampshire DOT inspectors carried 39's before they were incorporated into the NH State Police. NHSP were still carrying revolvers at the time.
The Berkeley California Police Department was the first P.D. in California to issue the Model 39. I believe within the first year of being issued, they credited the Model 39 in saving the life of one of their officers. He was in a fight with a suspect, and the suspect went for the officers pistol, and was winning. Just as the officer was about to lose the pistol, he managed to release the magazine, which made the pistol inoperable. He got pistol whipped, but was not shot with his own gun.
In about 1979 I was in college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater Oklahoma. I remember going to the police station to sort out my buddies problem and the detective was a big guy with a model 39 in a pancake holster on his right hip. I think the pancake holsters were pretty new and I was admiring how it tightly hugged that slim pistol into the body so I went to the Tulsa gun show and traded my worn looking Ruger 22 standard auto and 175 bucks for a brand new model 39. That was a classy looking 9 mm and I can't think of any new 9s that look that good now.
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