Duty/Service Revolvers (real or imagined)

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SnubbyMan

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Just curious what people would choose if they were put into a LEO role and required to choose a revolver as their primary duty/service sidearm.

For the sake of this thread, the revolver can be something that is currently in production, a model that was produced in the past, or a model that has never been in production.

The only constraint I would like to impose would be it be chambered in a caliber that currently exists or was produced at some point in history. Actually, if you have ideas of some other "new" cartridge, that would be fine and interesting too.

Examples of some characteristics:
Stainless, carbon steel, alloy, polymer
fixed versus adjustable sights
caliber (considerations such as noise, effectiveness, penetration of barriers, etc.)
barrel length (including consideration such as getting into and out of patrol cars, rounds not reaching adequate potential, etc.)
capacity
weight (full-lug, partial-lug, etc.)
DAO, DA/SA, SA
speedloader versus moonclip
trigger weight
...just a few ideas...

What would be your ideal duty/service revolver?

Feel free to list a BUG too if you have any thoughts (revolvers please)...
 
S&W 686+ (seven shot) PRE-LOCK. The gun shop I work at has one in the case that I want in the worst way. Seven rounds of .357 is pretty potent medicine.:evil:
 
I still carry this PC tuned 625-3 when the spirit moves me.

f6396b7f.jpg
 
I'd take my stainless Ruger Police Service Six with 4" barrel in .357 Magnum, and load it with Winchester White Box 110 grain JHPs, or 125 grain JHPs going about 1200 FPS. Repeat shot controllability is more important to me than the last bit of MV. The Ruger is rugged, reliable, and should require minimal maintenance.
 
I carried revolvers in Police work for 21 years. Then I carried an issued piece of Tactical Tupperware.

If I were to come out of retirement today the gun of choice would be a Smith and Wesson Model 22 with a Tyler T grip adapter and a couple of Del Fattis Moonclip holders.

Right weight, right bbl length, right caliber and fast to reload. Did I mention accuracy, from what I hear very accurate. Double as an off duty weapon.

If this gun had been around in 1975 would have I been insightful enough to purchase and carry it? I let the 45 ACP Mtn guns go by and now I want one in the worst way.

As far as BUGs go I still have mine its a Ruger SP 101 in 357 with Pachmayr grip, Wolff Springs and a Meprolight nite site.
 
Was issued the S&W M10 in 1971. Did the required (strongly suggested) auto switch in the late 80's. If I went back to the revolver, I'd take my personal favorite, the S&W 686 with .357 rounds.
 
I would use a 1955 Target S&W in 45 acp cut to 5 inches. That and my 442 J frame Centenial that I have strapped to my ankle right now.
 
I carried a S&W Mdl 58 for nearly 20 years. We both have the scrapes and scars to prove it, but we're both still here.

I retired the wheel gun when I left LE but I wouldn't hesitate a minute to wipe it off and drop it back in the holster if called upon again.
 
After carrying a .357 for many a year in uniform. I'd not shot any DA revolvers in about 10 years.

A recent outing reunited me with the power of the .357 service revolver and magnum loads. Like a trip back in time!

I've had bad luck with Smith and Colt revolvers in the past, but this slicked up
S&W didn't miss a beat! Of course I had a cocked 'n locked CZ75 on my hip:)

346818-big.JPG


My preference for a duty DA is still a Ruger Security Six or a GP100.
The winchester slivertip load gives a good balance of stopping power and
penetration.

346819-big.JPG
 
I would carry the S&W Model 649 in 38 special (pre lock) as my backup serving as a patrolman or detective.

As a detective I would carry either the model 13 or the model 65 with the three inch barrel.

As a patrolman I would go with the (pre lock) Model 686 +, 4" barrel.

Now if I was to find that the Model 13/65 w/3" barrel was getting hard to find I would go with the 2.5" barrel 686+.

Good thread.
 
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I carried a S&W Mdl 58 for nearly 20 years.
Click to expand...

I will have one someday! I will probably put a bobed hammer in it for carry. Hogues and a combat trigger also.

For backup I would use my present carry gun: S&W model 38 with a stainless cylinder...special ordered that way by the Michigan State Police in 1968 and still being used by many of them today!:cool:
 
My first duty weapon was a S&W model 67 which I liked. However, given a choice, I would prefer a fixed sight sidearm. I would go with a S&W model 64 4" heavy barrel.
 
K-frames (Smith M65/66's & Ruger Security/Service Six's) in .357 would be my choice for the best combination of durability/power/portability. However, I would be just fine with an L-frame.
 
Out of my safe and collection:

1. Smith & Wesson Model 625 .45acp (pre-lock of course) 5" bbl

2. Smith & Wesson Model 686 Distinguished Service Magnum 4" bbl

3. Smith & Wesson Model 66 Combat Magnum 4" bbl

4. Colt Python .357 Magnum (stainless steel) 4" bbl

My BUG for all 4 would be the Andy Cannon Smith & Wesson Model 19 snubby I bought from another of our distinguished members. It's a sweety!

DA Ruger revolvers need not apply
 
4" Ruger GP-100 .357 with adjustable sights, loaded with Federal 125 JHPs. It was my spare gun...it stayed in the Crown Vic.

When cops carried .357 revolvers in great numbers, it is funny how you never heard about needing more than one round to put a bad guy down :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Any one of a number of N frames would be on my list for a duty weapon.

My tops would most likely be a M520, a M28, a M625, or a M24/M624. Not in any particular order
 
Carried the Ruger Security/Service Six with .357/125s from 1981 on and still do in retirement. That's 25 years of stone reliability. Might go another 25 for all I know.

Any K frame would do nicely as well; preferably a M19 4" in blue.

Hard to beat a good medium framed wheelgun with that load. If that's insufficient a Model 870 should do it.
 
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