[jolly roger]

I am in a quandary...ready to retire after 32 years as an LEO. They give us our duty gun for a buck...yeah I know...spoiled. The ONLY quandary is this. Should I retire with my Glock 30SF or the fairly pristine Model 12 S&W Airweight snub I carried when I first became a Detective? That's still in the armory amazingly enough. I already have other 45s and 38s. Just can't find old pinned barrel Model 12 snubs too often anymore. Leaning toward taking the 12. What to do?

[bluethunder1962]

After 32 yrs you can't get both?

[rcmodel]

or the fairly pristine Model 12 S&W Airweight snubThats for sure what I would do.

They still make all the Glocks you could possibly want.

And every one of them is pretty much the same cookie cutter, soulless, bullet launching machine as all the rest of them.

You show a retirement Glock to a guy on the street, and it's just another Glock.

You show him, or most anyone else an older S&W Model 12 Airweight and they will never have seen one before.

rc

[forindooruseonly]

The model 12 snub, for sure.

[jolly roger]

Yep...just needed validation :) Thanks

[tekarra]

No question, the model 12.

[Old Fuff]

I too would jump at the S&W model 12. In addition you might consider:

Information concerning historical letters of authentication from Smith & Wesson’s historian, Roy G. Jinks can be obtained from the link listed below.

In exchange for a $50.00 research fee (make any check out to Smith & Wesson, not Mr. Jinks) he will search through the company’s original records until he finds your particular revolver. He will then send you an official S&W letter which usually includes:

A short history of the revolver model’s background.

What the barrel length, caliber/cartridge, finish and stocks were, as well as the exact date it was shipped from the factory – and to what distributor, dealer or individual – as whatever the case may be.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image

Also one of our members (user name: Robbit) might be able to duplicate the holster you used to carry it in, and maybe a cartridge slide.

And do be sure to write a short statement about your history when you carried the revolver (What years, doing what, any special cases, etc) and have it signed and noterized. Someday a century from now someone will thank you.

[ColtPythonElite]

Snub for sure....Thanks for 32 years of service.

[MedWheeler]

Did anyone mention yet that you should go for the snub..? :D

[jolly roger]

Thanks Colt

Still gonna serve a while dispatching at the local Sheriff's Office where I live. WHOLE lot less stress than where I work presently...plus not in charge of squat...

[jolly roger]

You know, I believe I'll go for the snub :)

[Fotno]

The S&W without doubt, and thanks for your service.

[gearchecker]

S&W without any doubt. Glock's are just too utilitarian to show to your friends as what you got for retirement. The Model 12 has personality and a bit of old school Panache'.
Besides Glock Pistols are so ugly, I find them unbearable to look at.

[beatledog7]

Take the snubbie, order a new Glock.

[Old Dog]

Holy cow, you have to ask? The Model 12 in a heartbeat.

Glocks are a dime a dozen ... I'm still kickin' myself for trading off a LNIB Model 12 snubby a few years back, and haven't seen one in near-mint condition for years ...

[wgsigs]

Sounds to me like you already made the decision in your original post. :D Congratulations on your retirement, but I agree with bluethunder. You should get both after 32 years.

[Arp32]

Forget what these other guys said. I'd take... The 12.

[Capt. Ct.]

The last gun I bought was a model 12. Not that easy to find. Not like a Glock anyway. Go for the 12. Try to get both. ;)

[Certaindeaf]

Nothing really more personal or sentimental than a good snubby carried back in the day.

Tell your armorer that you gots your eye on thatn so it doesn't get traded or sold or whatall in the interim.

[1911 guy]

Go with the Model 12. As stated, they make Glocks every day. Even though I'm not a revolver guy, I still recognize a decent piece of workmanship when I see it.

[Trebor]

I'm going to have go against the flow and recommend the Model 12.

(Seriously, you had to even think about it?)

[wwace]

The model 12 snub, for sure.
have mine currently on my desk, wish I could have got her for a dollar

[bikerdoc]

I faced the same dilema in 88, when I retired, Take the new wonder nine, or the Ruger Police Sevice Six.
Took about 6 seconds to get my Ruger back, Still have it, Still carry it.

[460Kodiak]

Smith

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Maybe stick it out for another 32 years and get both. :eek:


Congrats on your service!

[bruzer]

Get the Snubby and that comes directly from a Glock guy. Then if you can't live without a Glock your LEO discount gets you a brand new one for under $400.
Good luck and stay safe,
Mike

[Reloadron]

You know, I believe I'll go for the snub :)
Wise move, see all the training paid off. :)

Congratulations on the retirement and thanks for the service.

Ron

[MedWheeler]

Bikerdoc writes:

I faced the same dilema in 88, when I retired, Take the new wonder nine, or the Ruger Police Sevice Six.
Took about 6 seconds to get my Ruger back, Still have it, Still carry it.

Great revolver. I have, and sometimes carry, my dad's. He and I were both in LE, though neither of us retired from the field. He worked in Colorado; I in Florida, and we didn't know each other at the time. We re-connected a decade or so before he died in 2010, at which time his Ruger (and his Undercover 38) became mine.
Think I'll go strap it on now; got some errands to run.

[bikerdoc]

MedWheeler,
cool and touching story!

[Red Tornado]

Wow, I've never seen an unanimous thread before. :) Enjoy your retirement.
RT

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

I'm jealous.:rolleyes:

[EastKY_DO]

What rcmodel said!

Glocks are coming off the line daily.

When is the last time you saw a S&W 12 Airweight anywhere for sale?

For me, that's an easy question to answer.

Best.

[royal barnes]

Congratulations on your retirement. I won't tell you which one to choose. You've already heard that enough.................and you know. I retired with a Smith 1076 but was allowed to buy all my transition guns that I had along the way as we would switch. I have my 1076, Colt Trooper, Trooper MKIII, Colt Detective Special, and Smith 66's in both 2 1/2" and 4". Most I paid for any of them was $150.00. They're worth a lot more now but not for sale.:)

[Rexster]

I am envious! Yes, I am another vote for the Model 12! Thank you for serving your community, and congratulations on your retirement.

About all I get to keep when I retire is my badge. The only weapons I am issued, however, are a hardwood baton and a Taser. I must buy my duty firearms. I am going to try for at least 30 years, if all the important moving parts keep working well enough; I have almost 29 now.

[Plan2Live]

Snub the Glock, take the S&W. :neener:

[SouthernYankee]

Hmmmmm... Block Glock:scrutiny:, Cool Snub:)...Block Glock:scrutiny:, Cool Snub:)...Block Glock:scrutiny:, Cool Snub:)... COOL SNUB:D!!!
You made it, Congratulations! Take that snub to the range and show it off, you earned it.

[Certaindeaf]

12 for 12. close enough for me anyways

[TennJed]

the 12. go bay a glock with your pension

[wlewisiii]

The Model 12. Glocks are a dime a dozen for all practical purposes.

Thank you all you have done on behalf of our society.

[ArchAngelCD]

I got to this thread late but you already knew you should take the M12. (you never did say if you could buy both for a Dollar each)

Congratulations on retiring and thanks for your service!

[Leadbutt]

Jolly, you will never regret taking the Model-12, just memories will be worth it,

When I retired back in 05 after 42 years , I was able to take the pencil barrel, Model 10 I was issued at the last department, just holding blued steel brings back memories, of the "old days"

[The_Armed_Therapist]

As someone who would much prefer to carry the Glock 30, go with the 12. No matter how much I love the G30, it would be silly not to take the revolver instead. RC's right; you can get a G30 wherever and whenever you want.

[ATBackPackin]

I would have taken the Glo..........................OK, I cannot even type that with a straight face.

Congrats and thank you for your service.

[tomrkba]

It comes down to your personal situation and if you already have carry guns available. If you want to walk down memory lane, get the Model 12 since it was your first police gun. If you need a carry gun because you have nothing else, then buy the Glock.

[BigShep85]

You gotta put up some pictures when you get it too!

[pete950]

You can always buy a Glock, but finding a model 12 snub very hard!!!

[SaxonPig]

I'd pay more than a dollar NOT to have to take the Block... er, Glock.

[Old Shooter]

A Glock for a dollar sounds about right but I'd still go for the snub.

[crazy-mp]

Somebody needs to lock this thread too many people agree on the model 12, as much as I like my Glocks the 12 would go home with me, Glocks are still in production. Sell your vacation days and buy a new Glock.

[Doc3402]

I would go with the Smith. It celebrates a milestone in your career.

[Cocked & Locked]

I'd have to go with my S&W model 12...especially if it was a round butt. Even if a square butt the S&W would be my choice.

I'd much rather retire with steel and aluminum that with steel and (ugh) plastic. :barf:

[Iggy]

I think you made the right choice.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p246/Iggy25/Mdl12-4.jpg?t=1241980704
Been packin' this one for a good amount of years.

[NCSUPackman]

A Glock 30SFs isn't hard to come by. A Smith & Wesson Model 12 on the other hand...
Buy the S&W 12 for a $1 and you can always buy yourself a Glock 30SF later.

[Seven High]

I would pick the one that I had the most emotional attachment to. IMC the Model 12.

[CAPTAIN MIKE]

You've EARNED it - Ask for BOTH.

[bigride]

Get the model 12 for a dollar. I buy it from you for two dollars and you double your money.

Enjoy retirement and thanks for your service.

[Deaf Smith]

I am in a quandary...ready to retire after 32 years as an LEO. They give us our duty gun for a buck...yeah I know...spoiled. The ONLY quandary is this. Should I retire with my Glock 30SF or the fairly pristine Model 12 S&W Airweight snub I carried when I first became a Detective? That's still in the armory amazingly enough. I already have other 45s and 38s. Just can't find old pinned barrel Model 12 snubs too often anymore. Leaning toward taking the 12. What to do?
Get them both if you can. If not get the snub.

Plastic guns are not good guns to hand down to family members.

That wheelgun was your first, and thus I feel your last (well not last last, but I'd keep it.)

Deaf