OC Sheriff Deputies? Which Wheelgun was it?

[Amadeus]

Please tell me if you know the answer. What was the issue sidearm for the Orange County, California Sheriff's Department during the middle 1970's?

I know it was a wheel gun, but which one?
The question comes out of a conversation I had with a chap the other day whose Mother was with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in the mid-1970s. According to the fellow I was talking to his Mother carried a personally-owned sidearm that had all the other Deputies envious. That led me to wonder what the standard issue was. I figured she had something in a Smith and Wesson 19/66 while everyone else was packing around the Model 15. But that was only a guess. I thought I'd casually ask here to see if anyone had some knowledge.

 

[10-Ring]

I would think (strictly a guess mind you) that it would have been a S&W 686 or 66 or 19 prolly 4"
I too would be interested in finding this inf out

 

[RustyShackelford]

Orange County FL wheel guns...

When I asked the former Orange County FL Sheriff(now state atty) about the agency's issued revolvers he informed me they used S&W model 686 .357magnums, . The OCSO later went to the Beretta 92F 9mmNATO then in 2002 started to issue the Glock 21 .45acp. Some older uniformed sheriff deputies I see still pack the 92-F pistols and 686 .357 revolvers.

Rusty S

 

[Amadeus]

Thanks, Rusty. But if you would read the original post again it refers to Orange County, CA (California). Not Florida. However, your input does offer some hint as to what may also have been the issued firearm here in California.

 

[riverdog]

Not Orange County, but a friend of mine retired from LAPD and took his S&W Mod 15 with him.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Well, even a NEGATIVE datum is a partial answer - - -

What was the issue sidearm for the Orange County, California Sheriff's Department during the middle 1970's?

(Emphasis added.) Well, it wasn't the 686, or any L-frame S&W. The frame size was introduced in 1980 with the 686, and the blue 586 the following year.

If it was something I needed to know, I think I'd invest in a phone call or two, to try to find an old timer. It is not unusual to find senior deputies working in training while awaiting retirement. I'll bet there's a few guys from that era still active.

General information: (714) 647-7000 or (949) 770-6011
Training Division: (714) 538-9668

Their website may have a better number, but I didn't see one for their range facility.

Let us know what you learn, huh?

Best of luck
Johnny

 

[Amadeus]

Thanks, Johnny. It's not must have information. But if I do happen on the answer I'll be sure to tell everyone here.

The Genesis of the thread:

The question comes out of a conversation I had with a chap the other day whose Mother was with the Orange County Sheriff's Department in the mid-1970s. According to the fellow I was talking to his Mother carried a personally-owned sidearm that had all the other Deputies envious. That led me to wonder what the standard issue was. I figured she had something in a Smith and Wesson 19/66 while everyone else was packing around the Model 15. But that was only a guess. I thought I'd casually ask here to see if anyone had some knowledge.

 

[kirkcdl]

Or it could be that all the other deputies had their issue Smith&Wessons and she had a Python,that'd make me jealous...

 

[AmbulanceDriver]

Not exactly on point, but I recently purchased a S&W M28-2 from a retired CHP officer. He carried said revolver in the early to mid 70's.

N-frame S&W in .357. Aptly named the Highway Patrolman