Handguns of the S.F.P.D?

[Checkman]

Okay first let me state that I'm not interested in hearing once again about how stupid, weird and left wing whacko this city is. I know all that. What I am interested in is the type of handguns the department has issued over the years. This weekend I was looking at another officers revolver collection. He recently purchased a 6" S&W M28. Much to my suprise it had S.F.P.D. engraved on the frame. I always pictured that department carrying S&W Model 10's or 15's during the wheelgun days. Needless to say I was suprised. Of course if this is a genuine SFPD issued handgun then isn't it ironic that this particular city's police department sold some of it's old guns. Anyway any info would be appreciated. I'm also interested in what they're carrying now. My guess is probably a 9mm semi-auto.

 

[Lone Star]

I believe that at one time, they had the option of the .41 Magnum, but it never caught on big. Kicked too much for many officers, especially females, and weighed too much. The so-called police load was underdeveloped, and leaded barrels badly and was inaccurate.

Lone Star

 

[MK11]

I think they were carrying some variation of the .40-cal Beretta 96, and just switched to Sigs in .40. Do a search here or over on www.thefiringline.com, I recall a discussion about it.

 

[50 Freak]

From what I've seen recently, they carry Berettas. Not sure if it is in 9 or 40 (most likely 40). I have seen a couple of glocks though.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

SFPD

I have a new Smith 58 .41 mag and a used one I carried at my department and they are excellent weapons. I can shoot a DX score without target sights and they are very accurate and like all Smiths can out shoot their owners. I made my own line of molds at Saeco so cast and reload for it. My department did not engrave their weapons as the chief decided that officers could buy their own.

I had a friend at San Francisco PD who learned I sold Brass belt buckles with gun logos and I made some solid brass SFPD buckles back in the 70s for him and friends and I have sold extra ones all over the country to the Santa Fe RailRoad Police and regular Police departments.

My point is that pistol could have been from anywhere in the country from a PD with the same initials.

Fitz

 

[4v50 Gary]

Many years ago, some officers did carry the .41 Magnum. Was told that a Pete Gardner (sp) did and drew down and blasted Market Street. The BG saw the muzzle flash, dropped his gun and meekly surrendered. A variety of revolvers were carried by them at one time or another. Then standardization set in with the Beretta 96. Now they're going Sig.

 

[Checkman]

Paul "Fitz" Jones

I actually considered that the SFPD could be from another department, but I figured start with biggest and go from there. Actually I couldn't believe that the SFPD would supply M28's to their officers. I always figured the big California departments for .38's. But now I find out that the department authorized the Model 58. Wow! Now I know that the 41 magnum as it was conceived by Keith was meant to be a police round. I also know that some some say if the situation had worked out a little differently it might have done for the police revolver what the 40 has done for the police auto. We'll never know the answer to that one. Anyway that's impressive. 41 magnum.

 

[4v50 Gary]

BTW, the story I related is was told to us by an ex-SFPD cop.

 

[Blueduck]

Was it the SFPD that eventually had the rule that any "Non-Magnum" S/W revolver was ok, so the 25's in 45 Colt became very popular

 

[9mmepiphany]

when i was in high school...lo many years ago...i worked in a movie theater in san francisco that the "beat cops" would stop by on their breaks. i remember our two regular guys carrying big wheelguns.

one was a m-58 and the other was a 6" m-28. both were engraved on the backstrap with SFPD. the beat sgt would also stop by and he showed me his new m-59. the last time i spent any time with some officers down there, they were carrying the beretta

 

[106rr]

I have seen two beat cops recently in SF who were carrying well worn 6" K frames in well worn holsters. I believe their standard issue was a 40 cal Beretta. This model had a shoreter bbl than the 96. there was a newspaper announcement that they were changing over to another piece, I think a SIG. I haven't seen any new guns on the street. They are an unusual dept in that they promote only on seniority. I think they have the highest rate of unsolved major crimes of any large city in the US.

 

[edw794]

Hello,

I knew ex San Francisco Police Officer Pete Gardner. He was one of the Criminology instructors at City College of San Francisco when i was a student there back in the mid 60's. Mr. Gardner was a super nice person and i heard he later became head of the the Criminology department years later. I also heard Mr. Gardner had since passed away.

Ed

 

[Fed168]

Smith and Wesson Model 29.

 

[stans]

Dirty Harry had a model 29, but did any real SFPD officers or inspectors carry model 29's?