It's 1940, what's your CCW?

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Ya been doing some research on the BHP.....looks like a one in a million chance of laying hands on one in 1940 USA. Full production had only just started for the Belgian Army and the factory was overrun by the Germans shortly thereafter. Commercial importation didn't begin until 1954.

Click to expand...

I had lots of connections in Belgium back in 1940, as well as in the U.S. Customs office.

Model 1911A1 or a Colt Detective Special.

Smith and Wesson I frame revolver 2" barrel in either 32 S&W Long or 38 S&W

Probably a single action in .45LC, and a S&W DA .38 Special with around a 3" barrel.

I'd say a .357 mag, but they'd be new enough in 1940 that getting one (and ammo) might be difficult/expensive. I'd also say a .44 Special. But being as handloading information was likely much harder to come by back then, I'd likely be religated to factory ammunition, where the .45LC out-performed the .44 Special.

jmr40 said:

4" Smith 10. Or what ever they called it back then.

Click to expand...

Yep Pre Model 10.

If you are in a place in 1940 and needed to carry best have a 1911 in a shoulder holster and a Thompson SMG in a violin case.

The Registered Magnums had been phased out the year before, and these were all built to order for the customer with almost unlimited options for barrel lengths, finish, sights, grips, etc. So by 1940, the S&W Model 27 Revolver which had been introduced the year before, was the best bet. I would choose the 6-1/2” barrel version, I once had a 6-1/2” 27-2 a 1978 vintage that I always regretted parting with, and now I’m getting a 6-1/2” 27 Classic since I always thought this was the revolver I always liked shooting the best.

Colt Detective Special in .38 SP. Very common LEO weapon then. Automatics were around but don't go by the prop department handing them out on the set, they were another part of the costuming for that particular character to enhance portrayal. They were quite rare in the hinterlands away from abundant supplies of ammo, which always determines what you finally decide to carry.

Even today if there's some kind of concern about ammo supplies what dries up? Military issue - and during the last two banics I saw .30-30 and .38 SP spread out over the shelving to take up the emptiness, no run on it at all. Since we were aware of war and it's impact on supplies, the last thing I would buy is an issue gun in .45ACP when every round was needed overseas - and the entire country was being told that in posters, over the air, etc.

No way am I as important as our fighting boys overseas nor am I going to hoard the ammo they need to win. Wheel gun in the new .38 SP strikes the best balance and I don't have to worry about FTF or stoppage drills - if I can pull the trigger then I just accomplished one in less time than it takes to cycle the slide by hand. That is an inherent advantage that I as a former "auto only" guy was never quite aware of. The automatic fans tend to gloss it over or say more ammo is better, yet a quicker repeat shot from a functioning gun is discounted.

Our grandfathers and uncles were more than aware of all this and the use of revolvers in clandestine ops was the norm, not issue automatics which could be construed as such. Soldiers in civilian clothing are spies, but civilians with commonly available revolvers are just civilians of whatever stripe.

FWIW.

Baby Browning, people were smaller back then

1911, ivory grips (this is not mine, wish it was):

FN P35, maybe a Colt 1908 now and then.

Colt Single Action Army, .45 caliber.

Bob Wright

Hmm....My initial thought was a Walther PPK. Or a Sauer 38h.

BobWright said:

Colt Single Action Army, .45 caliber.

Bob Wright

Click to expand...

So...

Same as 2018?

The only pictures of guns that i have from my family in that era is '97 and '12 winchesters.

Corpral_Agarn said:

So...

Same as 2018?

Click to expand...

No, Sir. Now its a Ruger Blackhawk. I'm with the times.

Bob Wright

View attachment 786212
N frame 45 and two 357s.

Colt 1903 .32 ACP.

John Joseph said:

S&W Model 40 Centennial or Colt 1903 Pocket Automatic would probably be my choice with a suit. A 4" Model 10 or Police Positive Special if I were wearing an overcoat.

Click to expand...

My bad! The Model 40 hadn't been on the market yet in 1940---the closest to one would be the S&W New Departure

When life gives you lemons, bring a lemon squeezer.