LEO use of revolvers in 2015

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Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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Hey gang! I actually posted this topic around the same time last year with "2014" in the title, now that it's nearing the end of 2015 I'd like to post it again to get the current status of LEO revolver use in 2015. Thanks!

As we all know, the "golden years" of the police wheelgun are behind us. However, I've still heard stories of some LEO officers/organizations that still use revolvers to some capacity. I hear they are still somewhat popular for undercover backup gun use like the S&W J-frames and the Ruger LCRs. I have also heard a smattering of full-size service guns are still in use. Recent developments like the S&W TRR8 make me wonder if those specialty revolver are being used by there intended LEO market in the real world, among more conventional/classic designs.

This article is concerning the current state of revolver use in the United States of America by Law Enforcement and Military agencies. Do you know any LEOs who still carry a revolver? Any organizations like prison guards still using them in your area? Do you know any cops who use them for backup? Does your local PD authorize them for use? Can cops still qualify with them and carry them?

I'm especially interested in responses from actual LEOs here on THR. I think this thread could serve as a nice little "time capsule" as it were to take a "snapshot in time" to see how many revolvers are still out there fighting crime. I know wheelguns are still plenty popular in civillian hands, I own and use them almost exclusively for defensive purposes (legally of course), but I am just very much curious to see if any "boys (and girls!) in blue" still count on the revolver in there day to day operations protecting and serving.

Thanks so much guys for your time, and have a great day!

PS: I'd also love to hear of current LEO revolver usage in other countries than the USA as well. Thanks!
 
A few months ago I was visiting a family member in the emergency ward of a hospital in the Norristown area of Montgomery County, PA. A couple of prison LEO types brought in a prisoner. They were carrying revolvers. No idea as to type of revolver, but did notice what appeared to be Pachmyer grips.
 
I have not seen it in quite a while. I do remember when they were NYPD standard issue.
 
My guess is the only LEOs still carrying revolvers as their main weapon are going to be some western sheriff who carries a single action cowboy gun for show or some officer who is 60 years old and never switched over. Probably more folks carrying J frames as undercover deep concealment but even those are rare now.
 
Certainly not the most effective or the best choice for LE in today's times, but I will say this y'all... In the good ol' days a Texas Ranger or Local Sheriff in a cowboy hat, shiny boots, driving a LE 4 X 4 truck, wearing mirrored teardrop shades, that carried a big ol' 44/45 six shooter strapped to the hip in a fancy six gun leather rig.... well now, boy howdy..... that was certainly very cool and darn right intimidating imho. :D
 
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice (State Prison System) still issues 4 inch S&W Model 65s with .38 +P LRN ammunition. To my knowledge they are the only Texas State Police Agency still issuing revolvers.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Barry the Bear said:
Read about the swat team point man using that Smith and Wesson model tr8 for entry purposes.
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Have these guns really been used by SWAT teams? Although I know the story behind the proposed development of the TRR8, I have read of no actual SWAT teams who have adopted them.
 
My gunshop guy says nobody is buying revolvers...they are dead. It is a shame....the good revolvers are fine pieces of craftsmanship. Generally, you won't need more than 5 or 6 rounds for SD, but I understand the desire for more fire power in today's crazy world. The only time I carry a revolver is when I am cycling and I stick either my Colt DS II or my Ruger SP101 .357 in my waist pack. I also keep the Ruger in my truck console, but my BHP is always on me then.
 
Cooldill said:
Have these guns really been used by SWAT teams? Although I know the story behind the proposed development of the TRR8, I have read of no actual SWAT teams who have adopted them.
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Saw a video on it by nutnfancy on youtube, he says his buddies on swat teams use them but its the internet so take everything with a grain of salt.
 
Good for you BSA1.

It's the person behind the gun, not the gun, that is the big deal.

Skill at arms and willingness to practice beats many a wonder auto cause most of those packing those autos think just cause they have a 15-19 shooter they don't need to shoot strait nor fast.

Deaf
 
When I was in Los Angeles earlier this year, there were a couple of LAPD motorcycle officers with big old S&W wheelguns on their hips, and handlebar mustaches. They might have literally been from central casting since they were next to the film set for Dudes and Guns, but I think they were enjoying their last few years before retirement directing traffic around movie sets.
 
" I do remember when they were NYPD standard issue."

IIRC, at one time NYC carry permit holders were told to carry only revolvers, as the police had been trained to treat anyone carrying an auto pistol as a criminal and act accordingly. Things do change.

Jim
 
The only LEO I have seen carry a revolver recently is the chief of the Daytona Beach Police Department. He is a rather odd duck, though his officers seem to like him and the criminal class here seems to hate him. I guess that speaks well for him.
 
Police officers in my country (Pakistan) still use different variants of S&W model 10. All are 38 specials. Only officers can carry a handgun. Lower staff will carry an AK or sks.
 
I have seen some colts but very rarely & they can range from official police positive to a newer model with full barrel under lug & colt mono grips. I will have to check model but some of them are dao.
 
Jim K said:
" I do remember when they were NYPD standard issue."

IIRC, at one time NYC carry permit holders were told to carry only revolvers, as the police had been trained to treat anyone carrying an auto pistol as a criminal and act accordingly. Things do change.

Jim
Click to expand...
That must have been during the Dark Ages. I knew a guy in the early 70's who's dad had a NYC carry permit and carried a PPK daily.
 
I carry a S&W Model 49 Bodyguard as my backup. However my primary is a Glock 19. I also carry a Remington 870 as my long-gun. Guess I'm something of a dinosaur in 2015. Most of the officers (younger than me) I work with carry some type of small 380 or 9mm pistol as their BUG and an AR-15 variant as their long-gun.
 
In 2005, I was accepted as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Dekalb County, Alabama. I've since moved on. At that time, the dept. did not issue a handgun to the deputies. Rather they had a $500 uniform allowance for new hires to cover their duty pistol. The parameters were semi-auto, in either DA/SA, or DAO, or DA revolvers in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum, with a 4" barrel only. I raised the question about a Smith and Wesson 625 in .45 ACP, as many of the deputies were carrying Glocks and Sigs in this caliber. I was immediatly shot down, and refered back to the rules stated. I wound up with a Glock 22, like most of the other new fellows were using. Sometimes I wish I would have gotten a 4' revolver to carry just to be different. J frames were allowed as backups. The only person openly using a revolver was the Chief Deputy, who carried a Colt Detective Special. He could do that because of his rank I suppose. I did own a 6" GP-100, and asked about it, to which he replied, "No, were not having any John Waynes running around out here." Nobody else carried a revolver, but there was a mix of Glock and Sig Suaers on staff, with a few Smith and Wesson and Berettas thrown in. The division among the staff on Glock and Sig was as much there as it is on this furom.
 
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