Josey
member
I am interested in what LAPD revolvers were issued. Anybody know? Is there a site with the info? I also wonder if one could find a LAPD :clamshell" holster somewhere?
LAPD revolvers ?
- Thread starter Josey
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FPrice
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Josey...
"I am interested in what LAPD revolvers were issued."
From what I understand the S&W Model 15, the Combat Masterpiece, was THE LAPD revolver for many years. But I don't have a source for that, a person with a lot of experience in S&W stated that one day.
From what I have heard, unless it's for historical purposes you do NOT want a clamshell holster. I believe that Bill Jordan discussed them briefly in his book, "No Second Place Winner". I have heard them referred to as awkward and slow.
"I am interested in what LAPD revolvers were issued."
From what I understand the S&W Model 15, the Combat Masterpiece, was THE LAPD revolver for many years. But I don't have a source for that, a person with a lot of experience in S&W stated that one day.
From what I have heard, unless it's for historical purposes you do NOT want a clamshell holster. I believe that Bill Jordan discussed them briefly in his book, "No Second Place Winner". I have heard them referred to as awkward and slow.
Serpico
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Yes, the 15 is correct...
dfariswheel
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The LAPD also issued Colt Trooper Mark III revolvers for a time.
In the early days I think they issued Colt Official Police models, and S&W Model 10's or 12's.
The clam shell holster was made by the Audley company.
Short of finding one on Ebay or at a gun show, I don't know where a clam shell holster can be found.
The last place I saw them for sale was in Austin Belert's catalog back in the early 70's.
In the early days I think they issued Colt Official Police models, and S&W Model 10's or 12's.
The clam shell holster was made by the Audley company.
Short of finding one on Ebay or at a gun show, I don't know where a clam shell holster can be found.
The last place I saw them for sale was in Austin Belert's catalog back in the early 70's.
Josey
member
A friend is really into the LAPD. His dad was LAPD in the 50s. He wants to gather up a similar to my own duty sidearm collection. We think the Colt Official Police in 38 Special, S&W M&P, S&W K38 and the Colt Trooper MKIII in 38 Special are the appropriate revolvers for this. His dad had 40 years in LAPD active. He was a civilian employee after his retirement. The leather seems to be the hardest to find items. The 8 pt hat in wool was difficult to locate in good condition. People kept wanting to buy his badge collection. The old LAPD Policeman badges are rare animals.
banzaijohn
Member
The Model 67 too. They went to SS in the early 80s.
RON in PA
Member
Why do think that they were Model 14s with a six inch barrel?
BluesBear
member
Clamshell holsters were still available as late as 1980. An officer on a neighboring department bought one in 1979 from the rep who came visiting. He paid a fortune for it only to be told by his Captain 3 weeks later that it didn't meet departmental guidelines.
He placed it on consignment with me. After six months of lugging it to gunshows I traded him for it and used it myself before finally selling it.
For a swivel holster it was blindingly fast. You did have to put your finger inside the triggerguard to release it though.
The problem with it was that it really took two hands to reholster. While it could be done with only one hand, you had to stand still and pay close attention to what you were doing.
If they made a highride one today, I'd buy it! As a civilian I have all the time in the world to reholster.
He placed it on consignment with me. After six months of lugging it to gunshows I traded him for it and used it myself before finally selling it.
For a swivel holster it was blindingly fast. You did have to put your finger inside the triggerguard to release it though.
The problem with it was that it really took two hands to reholster. While it could be done with only one hand, you had to stand still and pay close attention to what you were doing.
If they made a highride one today, I'd buy it! As a civilian I have all the time in the world to reholster.
TxShooter
Member
Circa 1970, the 4" S&W M15 in DAO format would've been standard. Most of the info I've come across said that the 6" K38 was grandfathered in for older officers...detectives could only carry 2" revolvers if they'd qualified with them prior to 1968. The field manual I bought also stated that officers with city-owned 6" revolvers could pay to have the armorer cut the barrel to 4".
LAPD also got a few of the Model 68s originally made up for the California Highway Patrol...essentially a M66 chambered in .38 Special. Not sure if they were 4" or 6".
The Clamshell holster was originally made by Audley, and later by the Safety Speed Company (still in business, I think). There was a version for the 1911 that I've been trying to find for my collection. One episode of "ADAM-12" featured a S&W hitting the pavement as soon as the car door was opened, due to a faulty latch.
One of the more popular duty holsters was the Bianchi M27 BreakFront...still available on eBay for $20-$40. Essentially a refinement of the old Berns-Martin concept, with most of the drawbacks still intact. A simple neutral cant thumbbreak, or an FBI tilt with a sight track is more secure.
LAPD also got a few of the Model 68s originally made up for the California Highway Patrol...essentially a M66 chambered in .38 Special. Not sure if they were 4" or 6".
The Clamshell holster was originally made by Audley, and later by the Safety Speed Company (still in business, I think). There was a version for the 1911 that I've been trying to find for my collection. One episode of "ADAM-12" featured a S&W hitting the pavement as soon as the car door was opened, due to a faulty latch.
One of the more popular duty holsters was the Bianchi M27 BreakFront...still available on eBay for $20-$40. Essentially a refinement of the old Berns-Martin concept, with most of the drawbacks still intact. A simple neutral cant thumbbreak, or an FBI tilt with a sight track is more secure.
i'm pretty sure that the m-68, made up for the CHP started life as the m-67 to which was added a 6" barrel with a shouded ejector rod housing. this same barrel was later screwed onto the m-66 (which up until then was only available in 2.5" and 4" barrel lenghts)
I doubt that! The blue M19 Combat Magnum was out in six-inch in 1964!
The idea of the .38-only chambering in what was basically a M-66 is just that the California Kops didn't trust their men with .357 ammo. Might upset liberal demonstrators.
Older photos often showed LAPD with K-38's.
Lone Star
The idea of the .38-only chambering in what was basically a M-66 is just that the California Kops didn't trust their men with .357 ammo. Might upset liberal demonstrators.
Older photos often showed LAPD with K-38's.
Lone Star
TxShooter
Member
LoneStar, the M68 was adopted shortly after the Newhall Massacre. CHP removed .357s from the approved list, and specified .38 +p+ for duty and practice use. Most of the info I've read attributed the CHP officers' poor shot placement to carrying .357 ammo on duty but only practicing with .38 Special.
BluesBear
member
Tis true
S&W didn't offer a 6" barrel on the model 66 until 1978.
The .38 Special Model 68 was introduced in 1977 in 6" only.
A little background info on the .357 Magnum Model 66;
Introduced in 1970 in 4" only.
2½" added in 1974.
The .38 Special Model 67 was introduced in 1972, 4" barrel only.
S&W didn't offer a 6" barrel on the model 66 until 1978.
The .38 Special Model 68 was introduced in 1977 in 6" only.
A little background info on the .357 Magnum Model 66;
Introduced in 1970 in 4" only.
2½" added in 1974.
The .38 Special Model 67 was introduced in 1972, 4" barrel only.
Ivy Mike
Member
My grandfather carried a S&W model 19 combat magnum as his service weapon during his service with LAPD. He was on from 1954 to 1974. He also carried a 2" Colt Marshall as a backup.
bigger jon
Member
?
They were issued mod 15 but the mod 14(6in) was most desired and that made them hard too find, after they went to 9mm the market was socked with mod 14 I bought several for my shop and myself for around 125 each we only have one left now.
If i rember right they also used Tex Shoemaker, Hoyt holsters on a swilvel
They were issued mod 15 but the mod 14(6in) was most desired and that made them hard too find, after they went to 9mm the market was socked with mod 14 I bought several for my shop and myself for around 125 each we only have one left now.
If i rember right they also used Tex Shoemaker, Hoyt holsters on a swilvel
RustyShackelford
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Colors(1988)
The Sean Penn film is called Colors, www.imdb.com
.
I remember the scene where Penn's LAPD character is fighting with a gang member in a restaurant kitchen. His leather holster for his big .38spl revolver is open and flaps all over, . Those duty rigs did not look very secure for 6" barrel DA revolvers.
Rusty
The Sean Penn film is called Colors, www.imdb.com
.I remember the scene where Penn's LAPD character is fighting with a gang member in a restaurant kitchen. His leather holster for his big .38spl revolver is open and flaps all over,
. Those duty rigs did not look very secure for 6" barrel DA revolvers.Rusty
lilrays
Member
Clamshell Holsters
I used a Stanroy clamshell during the last year when I was a cop in Compton CA. I carried a S&W 28 in a 4." When safety speed folded up their business a few years ago, I tried to purchase one of theirs but it was too late.
What I liked about S.S. holsters were that when opened, it sprang open about 1/4th of the way thus allowing the wearer to resecure the holster with one hand. With my Stanroy, I have to use two hands to close it.
What was cool with Compton's policy regarding holsters, (before LASD took over in '00), you had to have the holster secure your weapon and it had to be a basketweave stamped design . . . it's it!
I used a Stanroy clamshell during the last year when I was a cop in Compton CA. I carried a S&W 28 in a 4." When safety speed folded up their business a few years ago, I tried to purchase one of theirs but it was too late.
What I liked about S.S. holsters were that when opened, it sprang open about 1/4th of the way thus allowing the wearer to resecure the holster with one hand. With my Stanroy, I have to use two hands to close it.
What was cool with Compton's policy regarding holsters, (before LASD took over in '00), you had to have the holster secure your weapon and it had to be a basketweave stamped design . . . it's it!
Piedmont Plinker
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A special unit called F Cars carried either Colt Officer's Model Matches (plural of Match?) or K-38's. They were unmarked units who patrolled the streets of Hollywood. Aside from that I think they carried M15's.
ktd
Member
Its been a long time since I saw Colors, but if you look close, the Beretta is actually a Taurus, or an old Beretta with the frame safety, though I am pretty sure it was the Taurus from the looks!
lilrays, Compton PD is no more? that is too bad, I knew some cool folk there. Interestingly, despite rap songs, Compton did not lose an officer in the line of duty until the mid 1990's if I remember correctly.
k
lilrays, Compton PD is no more? that is too bad, I knew some cool folk there. Interestingly, despite rap songs, Compton did not lose an officer in the line of duty until the mid 1990's if I remember correctly.
k
wcwhitey
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If you do a good search of Ebay, there is one seller of holsters that has been selling alot of old LAPD gear. He was even selling custom holsters for the K38 and such and a few of the items were new, unissued. Do a search for leather holsters and you may find something you need. If I run accross his name I will post back. Bill
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