NYPD Calls it Quits on Wheel Guns

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Blacksmoke

Blacksmoke

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In case you missed it, The New York Times published a story on June 1 that the last of the service revolvers in use by NYPD officers will be retired and replaced by semi-autos. It seems there are still 50 officers who refused to give up their Ruger Service Six or Smith & Wesson Model 10s. This comes as no surprise since the other 39,000 or so swtiched long ago. I admit to a tear or two reading their stories as one spoke of his faded and cracked leather swivel holster containing his reliable old friend, a Ruger six shooter. I can just imagine what my Great Uncle, a retired NYPD Officer, would have said about this if he still could. He was a man who never left his house without a Colt Police Positive in a Hip Pocket Holster.

Sorry, no internet link. Just a print reference:
NY Times, June 1, 2018, Page A10, "For a Final Few Officers, the Era of the Revolver Is at an End."
 
I have to wonder why they are in such a hurry to force just 50 guys out of 39k to switch from something they are likely very competent with and accustomed to. 50 who are going to fade out with retirement, switching to other jobs etc.
 
One of my Houston PD academy classmates is still carrying an L-Frame on night shift patrol. Class 117, March 1984!

I had two G19 and two 1911 duty pistols on my “qual card” as “primary duty” weapons when I retired in January 2018. (Yes, 1911, a pair of Baers.) I had not “grandfathered” any of my revolvers as “primary duty” weapons in 1997, so could no longer carry them in the duty rig, but could continue to use revolvers as back-up weapons while on the clock.

I have no way of knowing how many Houston PD officers still carry revolvers as primary duty weapons. Until some time in the early or mid-Nineties, all HPD rookies were limited to DA revolver handguns (plus the approved shotguns) during our first year of sworn service. We had/have to buy our own duty firearms, and not everyone wanted to switch to autos after that first year.
 
the Black Spot said:
Wonder what Cirillo would say?
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Well He cut his teeth on Wheel guns but he grew an appreciation for Glocks over in his later years. I think he would approve but to the point about capacity only he'd probably hate the triggers and the horridness of the NYPD's shooting statistics that they cant shoot any one outside of 7 feet and even that is iffy.
 
Rexster said:
One of my Houston PD academy classmates is still carrying an L-Frame on night shift patrol. Class 117, March 1984!

I had two G19 and two 1911 duty pistols on my “qual card” as “primary duty” weapons when I retired in January 2018. (Yes, 1911, a pair of Baers.) I had not “grandfathered” any of my revolvers as “primary duty” weapons in 1997, so could no longer carry them in the duty rig, but could continue to use revolvers as back-up weapons while on the clock.

I have no way of knowing how many Houston PD officers still carry revolvers as primary duty weapons. Until some time in the early or mid-Nineties, all HPD rookies were limited to DA revolver handguns (plus the approved shotguns) during our first year of sworn service. We had/have to buy our own duty firearms, and not everyone wanted to switch to autos after that first year.
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I've seen a few HPD still carrying revolvers in the last few years. Some of them females.
 
I put away the 7-shot L frame 686 4” back in 2006. I carried it for about 18 months after a thumb injury made operating slide releases and mag releases hard, but I could push the cylinder release on the S&W.

I also think that the auto is the way to go, especially when it comes to logistics and training for a major department, but in the case of those old patrol dogs I wish they would let them retire out with their revolvers at their side.

Stay safe!
 
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The end of an era in American LE.

A friend of mine was in the last LAPD academy class to graduate using revolvers. He said the unofficial class motto was "The Last of the Gunfighters".

I missed my issued revolver for some years after we transitioned to hi-cap 9's, and even still later on when were carrying .40's, .45's and 9's. I'd have gone back to carrying a revolver on-duty if the option had been available.

I still like my revolvers, and often carry one of them as a retirement weapon. (This is being said by a longtime 1911 owner/shooter, and someone who used issued pistols as a LE firearms instructor for 26 years.)
 
I don’t buy that the death of a rookie cop employed by a hidebound department which didn’t authorize speedloaders proves that revolvers aren’t viable combat sidearms.
When I was young and starting to carry, I used to scoff at the Cleveland police and their old Model 10’s, while I packed a “high capacity” Browning HiPower.
I still like autos, and it is undeniably comforting to know you have 17rds in hand.
However, now 61, with years of shooting various modern pistols, revolvers are in my life. It started with a surplus Model 15 I bought during the great police revolver sell off, when you could buy them cheap.
Since then, I have added a Model 10 like I used to laugh at, and have also owned a Model 19 snub and a 4” L frame (both moved on).
Currently, the handgun most likely to be in my hand for home defense is a Ruger GP100 3”.
 
The sad part is what happens to those revolvers? Do the officers get to buy them? I am guessing no. I hope I am wrong.
 
dodo bird said:
The sad part is what happens to those revolvers? Do the officers get to buy them? I am guessing no. I hope I am wrong.
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NYPD officers buy their handguns. They are not issued the handguns so those revolvers belong to the officers.
 
dodo bird said:
Rha

That is good to know. Thank you.
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No problem. I assumed that the NYPD (of all the large police agencies in the U.S.) would issue handguns. Imagine my surprise when I learned that was not the case.
 
RPZ said:
I have to wonder why they are in such a hurry to force just 50 guys out of 39k to switch from something they are likely very competent with and accustomed to. 50 who are going to fade out with retirement, switching to other jobs etc.
Click to expand...

I would guess it comes down to logistics and supporting revolver ammo and semi auto ammo?
 
Off duty revolvers are still authorized, and there are many more who carry annodfy duty revolver. Hundreds, easily.

The ammo would still be there. The armorers are still gonna be there. It was simply streamlining the qualifications. They should have let the guys retire with them. They’ve had the chance to get a free 9MM for the last 25 years. 29 guys, with the least senior having 26 years on the job, have chosen to keep heir revolver. They will all be gone within 2-3 years. None of those carrying one are even doing enforcement duties. They’re riding a desk. Nobody was in danger. They should have been able to see their career through with what they started with.
 
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And the gunbroker sales are already popping up as special NYPD duty revolvers for which one can pay a premium. It's the American way to try and earn a living for the family, but this crap strikes me as being underhanded. I don't like it.
 
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Yeah. It’s funny. Right next to 1 Police Plaza, there was a gunshop. The owner used to buy the revolvers of retiring guys. He would pay 20 bucks for a Model 10, and $30 for a Model 36. You could go in there and buy one. $100 for the Model 10’s, and $150 for the Model 36’s. Pick whichever one you wanted from a milk crate. I knew one guy who retired and left his locker open, announcing guns and uniform were in there for the taking. Unfortunately, I was off that day.

Mid 90’s, when the switch was underway to the 9MM, guys were selling their revolvers with all the leather gear to fund the purchase of an off duty 9MM. $100 for the full rig.

Funny thing is most NYPD revolvers aren’t marked as such, other than the stainless spurless models, which were always scorned by the guys who had spurred hammer Model 10’s.

People who want to pay a premium for an NYPD gun are free to do so. But I don’t get the attraction. I do miss my old 64-1, but just for nostalgic reasons.
 
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