Revolver on duty!

Downtown Nashville last night at Bridgestone Arena, I saw a revolver in a holster of a Metro Nashville Police officer. It appeared to be a S&W K or L frame stainless gun. Wasn’t a Ruger for sure, and it didn’t look like the right finish to be a Colt. I feel certain that the officer was off duty but in uniform for security purposes, but still, a revolver still in service is such a rare thing anymore that I got excited about it.

 

I’ve seen a few on the hips of security guards at parks and red areas but not so many on actually on duty cops. I guess some departments still allow the carry of whatever you want if you qualify with it.

 

Could have been an auxiliary policeman. In my younger day I served for three years on my hometown force. We had numerous auxiliaries that would work in full uniform as fill ins or local events and taverns. Course that was so far back in years all police used revolvers.

 

Until just recently, the private security guards at the local Bank of America branches carried M681s.

I was soooooo jealous!

 

For years the guards from the local "institution" would come and qualify at our outdoor range.

They left behind their empty .38 brass, all neatly collected.

And lots of pizza boxes.

 

Up until 2 years ago we had a roving Security Guard at work that carried a revolver. He carried a Taurus 65. I told him one day that I was happy to see he carried a revolver. He’s an older Asian gentleman and has a very slight build. He lit up like a Christmas tree when I told him I loved revolvers.
He said he grew up shooting revolvers and carried a revolver as a policeman in his home country. He said he was very comfortable with them and didn’t really like semiautos, but would carry one if he was made to do so. He never told me where he was from. He told me he had several revolvers to choose from but he preferred his Taurus. He said he trusted it wholeheartedly. I guess that’s what matters, yes?
Not long after talking with him I was talking to two of his coworkers. When I mentioned him and his revolvers they both started laughing and for a second I thought they were going to make fun of him. Both of them said they were laughing “because that man out shoots all of us at the range in accuracy and speed. No one makes gun of him and his revolver.”

I did see a Portland OR policeman with a revolver a few years ago but I wasn’t able to talk to him or ask about his sidearm.

It’s definitely rare to see police or security with revolvers these days. Many agencies no longer allow revolvers OR they aren’t on their approved carry roster.

 

Seeing an Officer carrying a revolver now days would be something to get excited about. I don't remember the last time I saw a revolver carried on duty.

 

Just out of curiosity, what age category would you put him or her in?

 

Some of our local armored car guys still carry revolvers. Judging by the condition of their carry gear, though, they're not gun people.

 

I want to say I’ve seen Dallas PD officers with wheelguns as long ago as like 6-7yrs. Pretty cool

 

When we went to the Smithsonian Museum a couple years ago all the security guards were wearing revolvers.

 

Early-mid 40s I would guess.

 

I am 62 and went on the job in 1981.Our agency (state agency) transitioned to autos in 1989. The local guys followed but most allowed guys to stay with revolvers if they wished. I think everyone in Dallas PD and most metro agencies that were grandfathered have now retired.

 

Revolvers are popular with security companies because they are simple. While some Security Officers are gun people (sometimes to the extreme) most are not - in fact I had a district manager for a large company tell me that he specifically seeks out employees that know little to nothing about guns; they don't have any bad habits to unlearn and are more reluctant to draw the weapon (what could POSSIBLY go wrong with that). Revolvers also work without a lot of care, because they won't receive any. Almost all the armed Security Officers I've seen around here (SC) are armed with stainless S&W wheelguns.

 

I see the occasional security guard or armored car personnel carrying revolvers.

It's been a long time since I've seen a city police officer wearing one.

I think I've seen sheriffs or deputies wearing them (and 1911's) in very small towns when I've driven cross-country in the past few years.

Perhaps my memory is faulty.

 

Speaking of security personnel not being gun guys.
We have a family friend that is an armed security for an armored transport service.
I asked him what brand of gun he carries, he said he didn't know......

 

In my experience you're much more likely to find a revolver used in the backup role of present day law enforcement. The huge advancements of semi-auto micro-compacts has about taken care of that though. It was always my preference to have at least one revolver as a backup when on duty however.

Most days it was this one.

 

It wouldn't hurt to walk up and ask him about it. He might even show it to you. I'd be interested in finding out why he chose that as a carry gun.

 

I was watching the news the other day about the escaped Alabama Jail Guard and perp boyfriend. The Sheriff (her boss) was an older guy, a throwback, and Southern Gentleman was armed with a revolver of some sort. I could clearly tell it was a blued revolver of round butt design but the coverage would not allow me to get a closer look. I have since looked for pictures but unable to get one showing his right hip. He had a fairly large waistline. Was good to see.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Lau...Ag&biw=414&bih=710&dpr=2#imgrc=_CWhFTJ0EWt_LM

 

Keep in mind, the largest city on earth is Tokyo Japan. And the largest police department on earth is the Tokyo Police Department. AND EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM ARE ARMED WITH A .38 SPECIAL REVOLVER. Although not domestic to the USA. I still find that to be interesting. I am old school as I prefer a revolver. I'm retired now, but was 35 years in law enforcement/ armed security. IF I were to renter law enforcement I'd carry my Charter Arms Professional III/#63546 if the department allowed me. I love my new Charter Arms Professional III. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Oh ya. My EDC is the Professional II/#63526.

 

So if a LEO goes to buy a new S&W revolver are they going to give him one with a lock on it? I hope not.

 

More than that. Apparently Japanese police arms are standardized nation wide.

They get the S&W 360J, a J frame .38 Special 13 oz 5 shooter, a contract version of the Chiefs Special Airweight.
It is carried on a lanyard in a flap holster.
It is loaded with 158 gr standard velocity lead roundnose.
Training is to shoot single action, two handed, cocking with the off thumb. Double action is considered insufficiently accurate.
Qualification is to hold the black of a 25 meter bullseye at 25 meters with 50 rounds.
The officer is expected to shoot 50 rounds a year to maintain qualification. Not clear if that is the qualification or if they get that much more for practice.

Why not? Don't you want him to be as safe as you?

 

Proof that revolvers still work and can get the job done. Real cops carry revolver.

I’d rather have a cool and calm officer with a Model 19 at hand than some new young buck with a plastic fantastic bottom feeder with a bucket if buckets pray and spraying all over the place. Revolver guys can shoot. The auto crowd? Some can, many can’t, and think slinging as much lead downrange as possible will win the day.