Police Service Revolvers

[Ala Dan]

I know I'm 'bout too open a can of worms by asking this question; but I feel
we need to review what our choices were [and are now]; as the old Police
Service Revolvers are dwindling in actual use, by todays well trained and
highly motivated Police Officers. In my way of thinking, several good ones
come to mind; for instance: the S&W models 10, 15, 19, 27, and 28 stick
out, as useful tools of their trade. Also, the Colt Police Positive, Lawman,
Trooper, and Python fall into that category as well. And don't forget, the
Ruger line of quality service revolver's; such as the 6's, the Speed, the
Service, and the Security-Six.

If I had too pick just one hand gun (revolver) for duty use, from the day
I was sworn it until the day I retired; well- I would have too vote for the
4" nickel S&W model 19. Weighing just 35 ozs, I would wear it in a basket
weave high rise all leather holster; such as those manufactuered by Mr.
John Bianchi, or Safariland leather. When carrying a weapon for at least 8
hours per day, COMFORT becomes a big issue; and this is my reason for
choosing this weapon.

Now, I would like to know what your choice(s) would be and why? Please
refrain from the stainless steel craze; and lets set a hire on date of some
time in 1955. I'm monitoring your responses with great interest; and many
thanks for sharing~!

 

[Jim March]

I think a lot can be said for a sixgun driving a big, barely subsonic, expands-great load. That includes various 4" barrel 45ACPs, 45LCs and 44Spls.

Running energy levels just about where the 40S&W is or a bit under, they perform well with ammo running 1,000fps or a bit below. That means less ear damage in indoors or in-car use. They'll also do decent damage if they don't expand, moreso than a .357-diameter slug.

In the L-Frame these would be five-shot but these relatively mild loads would be compatible with an N-Frame-size Scandium or Titanium platform.

So what's needed?

Ruger needs to finally apply their Titanium tech to guns. The Redhawk in 44Spl or possibly 45LC would be a splendid police weapon if it was a bit lighter. Speer's 250gr Gold Dot "giant hollowpoint from hell" would be a superb police round and the guns should be less in volume than the S&W Scandiums, which would otherwise work fine.

 

[sparkyguy]

My choice would be a S&W mdl 19 4" P&R. Even though you obviously don't like the stainless steel guns, I picked this one up from gunbroker last year that has "Pittsburgh Police" stamped on backstrap.

S&W mdl 64-3 4" HB with pinned barrel circa 1977. Tight lockup and accurate as all getout. Price? $255 +shipping.

 

[Starter52]

Your choice of a nickel M19 is perfect. For a fixed-sight gun I'd favor the Colt Official Police.

 

[armoredman]

Smith 10-8. Already have it, shoots straight as a laser.

 

[Ash]

I have a S&W 67 and a Trooper Mk III with 4in barrel. I prefer the Colt.

Ash

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

M65 Heavy Pin Barrel with recessed cylinder.

This would be my choice if allowed.

Got mine for $245 in excellent shape. No Pictures of it yet. How in the heck do you guys get the entire weapon in focus?

 

[Drail]

M 58 or M 24.

 

[Keeterbird]

I think I would pick the Colt Official police 38. Now this might be a little bit of a nostaligia trip, because my first handgun was the very Colt OP-38,that I still have and it has been with me for 40 years. I could always shoot it well, and it was always comfortable in my hands. It just felt right. I had a western holster and a 2 inch belt and it never felt heavy. I suspect that the chief would have something to say about the holster, but it would be comfortable and my choice.

I still love to shoot the gun. Probably always will.

 

[Brian Dale]

The 1952-manufactured Colt Border Patrol model. It's a four-inch, heavy barrel .38 Spl.

Reasons: accuracy, weight and carryability.

 

[oneiron]

I would not want a colt 38 that I carried as a cop. The 38 Special goes through to easy, but then again I had a partner that killed 4 with one. With what I know today, I think would wear a 44 Special 4" barrel 5 shot model. Of course when I was on the force six shot were the rule.

 

[evan price]

Colt Trooper. The cylinder goes 'round the right way.

 

[rooter]

S&W model 29
Why?

Cause I could say cool stuff like "Was that 5 shots or six?" and "Do you feel lucky, punk, huh, do ya?"

 

[John C]

I think it's clear that the S&W mdl 19 was the pinnacle of service revolver design. Sales figures alone show the K frame, in all it's iterations, was the best combination of price and capability. The .357 is obviously the most potent cartridge effectively chambered in the platform.

The only real improvement to the model 19 was the introduction of stainless steel, disallowed for this topic, but clearly the pinnacle of the platform. Although I think that modern service autos are a better choice, I wouldn't feel undergunned working as a police officer today with a nickled model 19.

I also think that the model 12 would be an ideal duty weapon, if I were restricted to .38 special. The light weight of the aluminum frame would be welcome on long patrol shifts. As much as I love the model 10 and 15, I would go with the 12.

-John

 

[Moonclip]

I wou;d not carry a mod 12 due to durability and controlabilty issues. And the Mod 58 didn't come out until at least 1964, when the .41mag was introduced. As many people are at least 5-10lbs overweight, I never saw the great interest in shaving off a few ounces with alloys for most applications.

I have open carried a S&W 25-2 all day w/o too much disconfort but that didn't include a nightstick,radio,ect. I'd probably go with a N frame S&W chambered in .45acp. Effective jhp ammo was not around in the old days either so that would really make a choice for me also.

 

[Ala Dan]

Wow~! Some good responses thus far, keep 'em coming~!

I was surprised too see the Colt Border Patrrol show up on this list;
an absolute perfect duty weapon, in its own right~! Also, as my
friend Mr. Jim March seems too think a 4" S&W model 25 (either
in .45LC or .45 ACP) would make for an excellent choice. One of
Birmingham PD's finest carried one back in the turbulent 60's as
a patrol supervisor. After the riots of that period, most officers
opted for the 4" model 57's and 58's in .41 magnum; circa of '64.

When I started in '77, I carried a 4" nickel model 19 .357 magnum;
and I guess that is why it remains as my favorite~!

 

[mavracer]

I want a 4" gp100 rechambered to a 5 shot 44 special or a 696 smith.of my currently owned guns either my 4"65-2 or my 3" taurus 431

 

[Virginian]

S&W Model 65, 4". Had one, loved it. Most accurate revolver I ever owned; shot everything I wanted to shoot to point of aim, even with fixed sights. Sold it in a fit of stupidity/44magnumitis.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Colt Anaconda 45 Long Colt, 4 inch barrel. First two rounds would be silvertips and the last four would be Buffalo Bore.

Or

A six shot 44 special Ruger with a 4 inch barrel, nickel plated, and maple grips.

 

[foghornl]

When I hear "Service Revolver" the first thing that pops to mind is a 4" Skinny Barrel Model 10 S&W for .38Spl wheelguns

A lot of other really good choices open up when .357Mag is added to the mix......Ruger Sec/Serv/Speed Six, Mdl 19 Smith, Colt Trooper/Lawman

 

[Brian Williams]

Round grip 4" S&W 19.

 

[strangelittleman]

Hmm....A hire date of 1955, that narrows it down nicely...
If .357 ammo would be authorized for duty, I'd have the nickel S&W M19 w/a 4"bbl (which I actually have) or either the old Colt Trooper 4"bbl( w/ the exposed ejector) or the 3 1/2"S&W M27. A close 4th choice in .357 would be the S&W Highway Patrolman w/4"bbl.
If .38spl was the only authorized ammo, S&W M15, M10 or the Colt Border Patrol model, all w/ 4"bbl. A close 4th choice in .38spl would be the S&W .38-44 Heavy Duty w/ 4"bbl.
Any of the above carried in a "Jordan" type border patrol holster.
I don't think a man would be undergunned w/ any of the above choices. It was a great era of classic revolvers!!

 

[Checkman]

Smith and Wesson Heavy Duty with 4" barrel. Fixed sights (no snagging), ejector rod protected by a full lug and the ability to load hot 38 rounds. Assuming that I got hired in the mid-50's. I had another 13 years to go before my birth in reality.

 

[Gladius]

What did dad carry?

He started out with a S&W Highway Patrolman (the old model 28), but traded it off for a Model 19. It was a beautiful thing, 4-inch barrel, oiled blue finish, with wide target trigger and hammer, red ramp front and white outline rear. He replaced the wide "coke bottle" grips with smaller service grips and the old Pachmayr inserts to fit his smallish hands better. 158-grain "Lubaloy" SWC's (no HP's in those days). Even though it was a holster gun, there was suprisingly little holster wear visible on the finish.

After he retired, he traded the 19 off for a 66. Pachmayr "gripper" grips instead of the old insert, and no wide trigger or hammer. It's been a good gun, but it just lacks something that old 19 had... "personality", maybe? It's hard to explain.....

Dad may not have been as "into" guns as I am, but he knew what worked for him... he bought one of the first model 60's made, and carried it right up until he passed away.... he didn't worry that he only had five shots of a supposedly "weak" round, it worked for him (although, he was probably glad that he never actually had to use it!)...

 

[dao]

Manurhin MR73 .357 mag 4".

Why ? Because it has a out-of-the-box 8 pounds short trigger.

It's a pity the french Police don't use it no more...

Only G.I.G.N refuse to stop to use it : MR73 is still their primary handgun.