Why did office staff choose M36 over Airweights?

[rincar]

I have carried the S&W Model 36, Model 38, Model 042, Model 637, Model 640. I have found the all steel guns easier to shoot. The Airweight guns easier to carry. But for all around use a Model 36 or a all steel colt D frame gun. Just my humble opinion.

 

[GerSan69]

I don't know about the shooting part.... if things are going south, I'd grab anything with bullets in it.
The bigger issue where I was, was availability and price. Choices at a good price were limited unless you were a good horse trader, so most folks I knew went down to the Gart Bros. Sports Castle down on Broadway in Denver to see what they had. Then, as now, there were only certain brands, models and calibers approved (anything you want, as long as it was .38 special), which the bigger dealers tried to keep in stock or at least on order. I don't recall prices or what we were paid back then, but suffice to say there weren't many custom off-duty or backup guns among patrolmen, even among the more gun-savvy. Even so, those were the "golden days" of firearms, before polymer and hidden metal "chassis" turned it from developing a real "connection" with your duty gun to the cold, clinical, "cookie-cutter" sameness they have now....

 

[gwpercle]

Money ... I would bet a bucket of bananas the model 36 was cheaper than any of the light weights... Cost plays a big part in decision making ... Ain't much changed since the 80's , Money , money , money... these were office cops ...they didn't shoot a whole lot .
Most likely the Office Staff didn't get to choose anything ... the bean counters choose the cheapest revolver and issued them.
Look for the obvious answers .
Gary

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... there weren't many custom off-duty or backup guns among patrolmen, even among the more gun-savvy. Even so, those were the "golden days" of firearms, before polymer and hidden metal "chassis" turned it from developing a real "connection" with your duty gun ....

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Several of my pre-'70 Chiefs belonged to patrolmen. Your thoughts add an extra appreciation for the revolvers and the folks who carried them.

 

[rockquarry]

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Several of my pre-'70 Chiefs belonged to patrolmen. Your thoughts add an extra appreciation for the revolvers and the folks who carried them.

You may want to look at the "American Cop" magazine article "When the Cops Carried Revolvers" from some years ago. It should be available online, or maybe an abbreviated version of it.

 

[Cal44]

One qualification I used a S&W Model 642 on the 60 round course. NEVER AGAIN !

I shot my 340pd to qualify for my ccw.

30 rounds, 38 Special.

It wasn't too bad, but just as I finished the instructor said.

"Do you know you are bleeding?"

Sure enough, I somehow smashed my trigger finger.

Wouldn't have mattered, though, if someone had been shooting back.

 

[malph]

I shot my 340pd to qualify for my ccw.

30 rounds, 38 Special.

It wasn't too bad, but just as I finished the instructor said.

"Do you know you are bleeding?"

Sure enough, I somehow smashed my trigger finger.

Wouldn't have mattered, though, if someone had been shooting back.

Same thing happens to me. I'll get nicked up when practicing with the thing.

As you point out, it is not something that would stop me in a defensive encounter.

 

[Old cop]

Same thing happens to me. I'll get nicked up when practicing with the thing.

As you point out, it is not something that would stop me in a defensive encounter.

The 340PD is my EDC and I do limited range time w/it, usually around 50 rounds. For anything more extensive, 100 + rounds, my Model 60 gets the call. They both shoot to the same POA.

 

[lkabug]

My old department issued our S&W Model 10, 4 inch revolvers . There were also some Colts thrown into the mix. We could only carry what was issued. A snub nose Model 10 or Model 36 were issued to officers in administrative assignments. Those officers could carry a 4 inch Model 10 if they wanted. Backup guns were not authorized for carry. However on the squad level, it was a don't ask don't tell in most precincts.

 

[Old cop]

My old department issued our S&W Model 10, 4 inch revolvers . There were also some Colts thrown into the mix. We could only carry what was issued. A snub nose Model 10 or Model 36 were issued to officers in administrative assignments. Those officers could carry a 4 inch Model 10 if they wanted. Backup guns were not authorized for carry. However on the squad level, it was a don't ask don't tell in most precincts.

We may have served on the same department. I graduated from the academy in '68 and was assigned to the old Second Precinct, Fifth &the NY NE.

 

[Jackal11]

Thank you all for providing insight to the details that are hard to find in print! Your perspectives and experiences are invaluable at capturing the details of history - much thanks!