[DonGlock26]

Let's say you get a retirement job as a security officer at a hospital or other institution that allowed revolvers only. What would be your choice? I've always liked the S&W686 with a 649 bobyguard for back-up.

[AngryBassets]

Sounds good to me (686).

Only I'd have a airlite (337,342,360,340, etc) as a BUG.

At times, I regret starting out in LE after most of the revolvers had gone....away.

[Mike Irwin]

S&W Model 19. Hands down.

[LWCmdr45]

A .45ACP M625 with lots of moon clips on the belt and a .357 M640 as back-up.

Steve

[Marko Kloos]

Plainclothes? Model 13 or 65, 3".

Uniform/open carry? Model 686, 4".

In both cases, a Model 642 for backup.

[Shane]

I think my choice would be a .357 magnum Redhawk. I know they are not common, but I'd make every effort to find a "like NIB" one.

[Gabby Hayes]

I'd be standing in line for one of those new X-frame .50 S&W Magnums. Wouldn't need no backup! :D

[Albert Shear]

Gotta go with Steve on this one. Up until a year ago I would have said my 686+. Now that I have two 625s(3" & 4") I use both for carry. With full moon clips & carriers they are the easiest to speed reload. With my usual carry ammunition recoil/muzzle flip is negligable.
ps-a 642 is in the front pocket.
Al

[Hkmp5sd]

6" Stainless Ruger GP-100

[Dr.Rob]

SW Model 65 .357

4" Ruger GP 100

I like the heavy contour barrels on these models, plus it might help if you ever had to club somebody with your empty gun.

:uhoh:

Seriously, I like the old Colt New Service for sheer "yikes" factor, and it doesn't kick at all shooting big .45acp loads, but I doubt any Security Service would let me carry a revolver made in 1917, though it has the tightest lock-up of any revolver I've ever handled.

[Poohgyrr]

My choice??

First, a 4" K frame and a Magnum Carry; second, a 4" 8 shot N frame and 640/Magnum Carry.

Third, if they are afraid of .357's, then a 4"N frame in .45/.44 Spec and 640 or DS.

[Old Fuff]

Don't think you fellows know much about the security business. Given the realities you'd be lucky if they allowed any cartridge other then .38 Special. So if they're was any choice (usually there isn't) I'd go for a good, used older Smith & Wesson model 10 - hopefully with a 4" heavy barrel and a worn but very smooth action. As for power, I'd depend on marksmanship to make up the difference. Backup? I don't think they'd allow it but if they did I'd want a Colt Detective Special - six shot, smooth action, and wide visable sights.

Next time you see a real security guard take a good look at what he/she has - if they're armed at all and you'll see what I mean.

[Mark IV Series 80]

I'd want the S&W M66, Combat Magnum with the M638, Bodyguard Airwieght for back-up.

[Kahr carrier]

I like Donglock 26 Combo.:D

[bpisler]

Any good quality 3 or 4" 38spl,357mag 44spl,45acp or 45 colt would work for me but if i have to pick 2 it would be my 625-6 45 colt mountain gun backed up with a 2",RB 12-2.

[MR.G]

My choice also. Mine is the 686+, and the 638.

[Tom B]

In my new retirement job in an armored truck I chose the S&W M66 even though we could carry semis except Glocks.

[10-Ring]

1st choice, 4" mod 19. Of the choices, you've given, I'd go w/ the 686.

[Litlman]

Colt King Cobra 4 in. 357 or S&W m. 19 6 in. S&W 442 for the bug.

[M58]

M66 and M638.

[Brian Williams]

Mod 13 3" or
Mod 586 4"

with a mod 60 backup

[DeltaElite]

Smith 58 :D

[Gordon]

Model 66 4" for carry and a scandium J frame BUG. I think the BUG would be real important to an 'armed guard'. Stainless is more carefree and the 4" is about as long as you can sit down with. Why carry any more weight than you have to in a gun seldom if ever pulled?

[M1911]

625 in 45 ACP. It's much quicker and less fumble-prone to reload with full moon clips. Just as powerful as 357, but with less muzzle blast.

[sixgun_symphony]

Colt Official Police and a Detective Special for backup. Load both with standard .38 SWC loads.

I would carry a nightstick if allowed.

[Rob96]

Ruger KGP-141, with my SP-101 for back up.

[Dobe]

GP100

Dobe

[EJ]

S&W 41mag Mdl #58 with a Smith 38Sp Mdl# 442--

Or --If I can have an auto-- I'ld still stick with the #442 as my secondary--:D

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All,

Well, perhaps I've been there and done that. And here
is my take on the situation. I would allow each individual
to choose his or her weapon; so long as the following
criteria were met:

a) the firearm chosen must be of high quality,
and of reputable manufactuer'er.

b) the weapon can be of either .38 Special or .357 magnum chambering; but in a hospital type setting the
use of the .38 Special +P will be the cartridge of choice.

c) barrel length will not be shorter than 2" nor greater than 4".

d) and finally and most importantly, each individual must
achieve a qualifying score; in order to function on and armed
security post. NO EXCEPTIONS!

*And with that said, I carried a Smith & Wesson 1979-80
vintage model 60 with pinned 2" barrel, and begining with
the "R" serial prefix.


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[mdsteele]

4" 686 and a cheifs special or SP101

[Johnny Guest]

N-Frame Smiths? Colt NEW SERVICE? REDHAWK?
A hospital guard is unlikely to need to deal with hordes of meth crazed biker thugs or rioting Brownie troops. There's a lot of foot patrol and sitting around the Emergengy Department.

Hospital security directors and Administrators tend to caution the guards about NO GUNFIRE except in actual defense of self or others.

A retirement job is mentioned-- -- The older guys are not usually interested in carrying around a lot of extra weight. At the same time, I would want a piece that looks like a "real gun," which rules out a snubbie in an outside holster. A great piece might be a Police Positive 4", a Detective Special 3", or, better still, if one could find one of the Cobra 4" pieces--Light AND appear full size.

A K-frame S&W or Ruger Security Six, preferably with fixed sights, would be about the largest sidearm I'd choose. Other gear would be
a high ride holster on a wide but lightweight belt, with a few extra rounds and a pair of cuffs. There would have to be room for a radio, certainly. ASP or PR24 batons, additional cuffs and other jangly accouterments would be needless extra stuff.

Yes, I like big handguns, and own several--I just think one should choose a sidearm for practicality.

Oh, yeah--Backup. Probably couldn't do much better than an alloy frame, small, Colt or S&W, again stipulating a revolver.

Looking back at the thrread, seems Ala Dan, Old Fuff, and I are
pretty much in agreement. Imagine that! :D

Best,
Johnny

[The Silver Bullet 1719]

A Smith 10-5 filled with +Ps would suffice for me.

[Rob96]

Now that I think about it, I would probalby opt for a Security Six or Model 19. I do work in hospital security for a pretty big health network, while we do get our crazy times, a revolver would suffice for most situations. I would also opt for either 158gr LSWHP +p's or a lite loaded 125gr magnum load, like the Golden Saber. On the belt I would also have a cannister of OC spray, cuffs, radio, flashlight (hospitals are very dark when the lights go out), asp baton, and glove pouch.

[foghornl]

Hmmmm

If I was limited to the .38Spl revolver, my choice would be the 4" Model 10/M&P. [That particular weapon is what first springs to mind when I hear "Service Revolver"] For a 357, GP-100 in 4" stainless, and an SP-101 for 357 backup. in 38Spl backup, a 'Chief's Special' or 'Detective's Special' model from respective makers.

[Dr.Rob]

Yeah Johhny I LIKE my New Service!:D

But seriously, when I applied to work at Hospital Shared Services they had very similar requirements. NAME BRAND maker (that meant Colt, Ruger or Smith and Wesson), could be purchased used and they gave a great explanation on how to shop for a used revolver. It had to be 38 or 357, but you had to qualify with your carry loads (ie no blowing out the x-ring with target wadcutters, then loading up your pistol with 357+p) Max barrel length was 6 inches, minimum was 3. No target grips allowed. Ammunition was the same ammo approved for use by the Denver PD.

That was about all they had to say about it. Most guys I saw had police-trade model 10's. The 3 guys I knew working for HSS all carried different stuff. One guy had a Ruger Service Six, another a Colt Diamondback (he got it from his dad) and the last had a SW model 686 .357, he carried slivertips in it.

HSS told me my New Service was a no-no, but ONLY because it was a .45. if it had been a .38/357, no problem.

[MCNETT]

Ruger GP-100 4" Stainless Steel. Ruger SP101 as a BUG.
-Mike

[Gary A]

4" GP-100 with fixed sights and half-lug barrel with SP-101.

[Schuey2002]

I'd have to go with the S&W model 686 since i own one.. ;)

[Tom B]

YOW you guys want to carry around N and L frames and GP100s all day long and fire off 357mags in a hospital? How about 38spl+P. A little more "down to earth for the occasion don't ya think"?

[Johnny Guest]

Dr. Rob - - -
No slam at all intended toward the grand old Colt--I have one in .44 Special worked over by King's, and have had 'em in .45 Colt and .45 ACP as well. They are just a bit of a bear to carry in "subdued, social situations." Unless you pack one in a flap holster, a la Indiana Jones, there's NO WAY you don't look like a man honing for a fight.;)

I recall many years back, Numrich Arms (now Gun Parts Co.) used to offer "Conversions" for the NS--Complete cylinder in .357, along with a big long barrel comoplete with front sight on a ramped base. And, I know Colt offered the NS in .38 Spl from the factory. I don't have a reference book at hand, but I think they also offered some in .357.

One of the latter would certainly qualify for the .38 restriction, but, still, pretty heavy. And, the trigger reach on the NS is awfully long, even for me, and I have large hands. Don't see how so many guys with smaller hands carried 'em in past decades . . . .

Best,
Johnny

[Dr.Rob]

Well seriously at the time I didn't Own a 38 or 357, and if you look at my first post I suggested a model 65 (that's the 4 inch HB stainless medium frame SW with the heavy barrel, right?)

I always thought my buddy Bryans 686 looked like a monster in his holster, but he carried it daily. HSS was a uniformed service and you used duty belts etc.

Lucky for me I was about to take the job when I got my first gig as a graphic artist, so I had no need for a 38/357. My only .357 is a Colt Magnum Carry, and I think that would make a dandy "unobtrusive" piece for a plainclothes guy. Too bad its discontinued.

[Blueduck]

Hospitals are one of the few indoor places you might actually have to shoot a fair distance (looong hallways in most I've been in). Knowing that I'd want a full size accurate gun but also something fairly light... 4" S/W model 15 or 67. My 4" 19 would do just as well but it's a bit heavier and hey new job new gun ;)

Also would not mind having a 642 as backup.

[firestar]

"Let's say you get a retirement job as a security officer at a hospital or other institution that allowed revolvers only."

The answer is in the question, the Ruger Security Six of course! Actually I would pick the Speed Six but Security Six sounds much better.:D

I did my best revolver shooting with my 4" 586 but it is a little heavy for the job.