Hypothetical: What sidearm would you carry?

[ZeSpectre]

Colt. Probably a police positive like my grandpappy carried as part of the "Florida Highway Safety Patrol" (aka the state police) from the start in 1939 to his retirement in 1954. (Grandpappy was #30 of the first 32 graduates ) though I believe he also carried a gov't issued 1911 sometimes after 1942 but he preferred that police positive.

Just as a bit of history about an actual lawman of that era, Grandpa said that until they go the first radios in (I think) 1942 or 43 his best friends were that sidearm and his "Ford Special" patrol car. He also had a few stories about how tough the WWII years were with most of the manpower gone and a very few troop covering a LOT of territory as well as providing escorts for military vehicles. Post war ('45-47 apparently wasn't much better in terms of manpower because a lot of the boys coming back wanted nothing more to do with firearms or violence of any sort so manpower stayed pretty low for a while and each officer had to be a pretty independent sort to carry out the job.

 

[DevilDog0402]

1911

 

[dmxx9900]

A Smith and wesson M&P in 38 special that would do the job for that time and even now.
And a standard hollow point in 158 grain would do the job.

 

[sigp6]

Walther P-38

 

[DMZ]

1911 with hardball.

Cut down BAR w/surplus ball ammo for between the seats car gun.

Win Mod 12 w/00 buck in the trunk.

 

[shooter429]

A bit before my time, but I think the two at the top of my list would have to be S&W .357 or Colt 1911 in .45ACP If not I would go to a .44 Spl or .38/44 and handload.

 

[rcmodel]

In 1948:

Oklahoma had only been a State for 41 years.

The Colt Commander hadn't been invented yet.

9mm was a dirty word in the U.S.

JHP auto-pistol ammo hadn't been invented yet.

The only HP revolver ammo was cast bullet reloads.

rcmodel

 

[Magnum.35744]

Colt SAA .357 Magnum

 

[DougDubya]

Smith and Wesson Triple Lock or a Registered Magnum. I love the looks of the 3 1/2 inch version.

 

[BlindJustice]

The O.P. sets the year as 1946, then picks a Model 27
which wasn't named/numberd til 1957. There's also the problem
of immediate Post-WWII, where industry was changing to produce
civilian goods, waiting lines for new cars, and S&W was changing
from the long stroke Pre-WWII to the short DA action so how soon
would a sheriff in OK. have to wait to get a S&W revolver of choice?

COlt 1911A1 or a civilian model if available.

 

[DougDubya]

BJ - I think he's just going with the name we recognize the Registered Magnum as nowadays.

 

[dagger dog]

I'd opt for the Colt thumbuster .45 the 6" bbl cut to 5" carry it in a high ride strong side.

 

[rcmodel]

Colt SAA's came in three barrel lengths.

4 3/4" = muzzle even with the ejector rod housing.

5 1/2" = A 3/4" past the end of the ejector rod housing.

7 1/2" = Matt Dillons gun.

rcmodel

 

[mavracer]

I'd carry somthing that starts with a 4.and a 94 30/30 in the car.

 

[bestseller92]

Of course, as someone pointed out on another board (and just prior on this board), the Smith 27 wasn't CALLED the Model 27 in 1946, but it was still the same gun. Let's call it the Smith N frame .357, shall we?

 

[M1 Shooter]

For a revolver, either a S&W N-frame(not sure of the model) in .44 Spl. or Colt New Service in either .44 Spl. or .45 Colt loaded with a heavy LSWC hardcast bullet.

For an automatic, a Colt Gov't Model, loaded with 230gr. hardball of course.

 

[bestseller92]

A Colt New Service .45 would also be an excellent choice.

 

[PhrankKastle]

Colt New Service .357

 

[Cosmoline]

My own sentimental favorite is the Colt Police Positive Special in .32-20 with a matching levergun.

 

[jungleroy]

Perhaps two of the Colt,1911's with standard ball would be ok with me in those circumstances.

 

[Shawnee]

Colt Model 1911, .45 ACP

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

ExSoldier, 5 mags on your belt? That seems like it would be pretty heavy.

 

[BlindJustice]

SKeeter SKelton once was writing of LEO's options back in the late 40s/early 50s. He said he knew a couple of LEO's in the wild border town of ElPaso who had M1917s in .45 ACP cut down from 5 1/2 inch Bbl. to
4" inch Bbl. They had the guns loaded in .45 Auto RIm and heavy SWCs,
and their reloades were half moon clips of 230 gr. FMJ if they got in a
gun fight. He probably also mentioned the T-Tyler Gripper. That was the
state of the LEO art 60 years ago.

My point about the ref. to a 27 is if you want to put some Hypo. secnario out here on THR you oughta do your homework and know what IS or WA available at that time. nothing else was available and you didn't have a crystal ball as to improvements in ammo, or guns to be offered or improved upon.

Besides the 1911A1 would be a fine gun in the Post-WWII era with most
likely applicants for Deputy would have experience if they were WWII vets.

 

[Diamondback6]

Custom pair of "handed" (left/right) 1911s not unlike what I plan to build for myself in the future, also to be made as the first long-slides, with 7" barrels. (Custom work is allowed, right?) .45ACP, natch.

The technology existed, it would have just been a matter of the customer persuading Colt to build it and signing the check.

 

[Trebor]

Colt 1911 in either .45 ACP or .38 Super.

Heck, I'd probably try 'em both and figure out which one I shot better and go with that.

Back up would be a Colt DS.