Duty issue revolvers in LE?

[Surefire]

These days, I RARELY see officers carrying revolvers as their primary firearm. I suppose the big-city cops want all the advantage they can get against the gangs and criminals that carry hi-capacity firearms.

Occasionally, I spot a rural officer that carries a sixgun, but even this is rare these days.

Anyone know how many departments (and the percentage) of big or small departments that still issue revolvers as primary duty weapon? Are there ANY large cities that issue revolvers as primary duty-handguns?

I realize that some officers might use compact revolvers as backups, but I rarely see officers carrying revolvers as primaries these days.

 

[TMM]

considering that i just saw here an article saying how cops fired some 100-odd shots, and not ONE of them hit thier mark. since thier method seems to be more "spray and pray" then "aim", i'd think they'd favor a hi-cap handgun.

(no offence to LEO's here, of course)
~TMM

 

[Coronach]

We still have a few old heads running around with Model 10s, but it is not the current-issue gun.

Mike

 

[DMF]

I know of one fed agency that issues a S&W revolver as a backup, but I can't think of any that still issue a revolver as a primary weapon.

 

[mike45]

I can remember when I started in police work and we would talk about radical departments that issued that "new" S&W mod. 59. Or worse yet, those departments (usually out west) that issued an "antique" Colt .45 (1911).

It ain't the gun, it's the individual. (Took me a long time to learn that)

Mike

 

[Gabe]

Not LE but I see armored car security with their revolvers all the time.

 

[4v50 Gary]

The National Archives Police carry revolvers. Same with the Smithsonian Police. Haven't been to the Library of Congress this year though.

 

[LeonCarr]

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Institutional Division (Texas Prison System) still issues the Smith & Wesson Model 65 .357 revolver. To my knowledge, it is the only Texas state agency that still issues a revolver.

Every once in a blue moon I will see a rural Deputy Sheriff or small town Police Officer carrying a revolver, usually a K or L frame Smith.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[P. Plainsman]

One of the security guards at the mall across the street totes a stainless revolver with a Pachmayr grip; think it's an L- or K-frame. I've been meaning to ask him about it.

 

[Aikibiker]

The Corrections Department I work for still uses .38 revolvers. I don't feel unarmed with one. It is the issued ammunition, LRN reloads from a company called Zero, that I object to.

 

[Elmer]

California Department of Corrections also still issues revolvers. Probably fine for their job. Those of us that grew up in police work carrying revolvers would like to think we could still go back in the field with one. If I was working in an office or courtroom I probably would, but on the street I'd stick with an auto. My house gun still is a revolver.