Old Duty Handguns

[Cosmoline]

I've noticed a number of old police duty handguns going for amazingly low prices. I'm not sure what the market's reasoning is, but as far as I can see a lot of these old style duty guns are the best deal going for concealed carry or light weight carry. Here are some examples I've seen locally.

Colt Police Positive Special, second and third generation
These are massively undervalued compared with other Colts. Why I don't know. I found my PPS to have the best double action trigger on any revolver, and it was exceedingly accurate and pleasant to shoot with 158 grain lead RN loads. I got my PPS at a pawn shop for under $200.

Ruger Security/Service Six. These are often overlooked, but IMHO they represent the golden mean between S&W's and the newer, more massive Rugers. They are big without being too big, and have much better ergonmoics than the GP-100 frames. At the same time they do better with a hot diet than a S&W. I found an old Security Six for $100 and after $80 and a trip to Ruger it's been re-blued and completely fixed up. It's not too heavy, yet it's easy to control and pleasant to shoot even with hot loads.

Walther PP. This is a real mystery to me. The PPK's go for a mint, but their slightly larger older brothers often go for half the price. I recently picked one up and have been very pleased. Accurate, reliable and very well made.

Part of the problem, I suspect, is that a lot of these handguns are in "unfashionable" chamberings. People poo-poo the .32 ACP, the .38 S&W and even the .38 Special as too weak for protection. Their loss can be your gain, though. Many of these old handguns are much lighter than modern equivalents. The Colt PPS, for example, is so light it can be used as a CCW piece even with a 4" barrel.

 

[Sunray]

20 some years ago, when most police departments jumped on the 9mm band wagon, the thousands of .39 Spec revolvers were surplused off. This is where they came from. Apparently they're starting to show up in the pawn shops etc as anyone who wants one has one, so there's no demand either.
"...have much better ergonmoics than the GP-100..." Not in my hand they don't. The GP is a much newer design as well. And it's a .357 mag. I know that one or both of the two Rugers you mentionis too, but neither is even close to a GP-100 for strength.

 

[Cogar]

My first handgun was a duty handgun. I have never regretted that purchase. My Mom "inherited" it from me.

 

[pwrtool45]

Yep. If a body were more interested in a pistol's ability to put bullets where they're supposed to go as opposed to being able to stuff it full of the newest coolest tacticalest projectiles they would do well to considering some of these pieces. They had it where it counts: accuracy and ergonomics. Personally, I'm fond of straight-shooting guns that line the sights up by themselves. Less work for me to do.

It's also interesting to note that a standard pressure 158gr LSWC .38 special leaves a permanent wound cavity that's conspicuously close to .45 hardball. The .38 got a bad rep with using 158gr LRN bullets which can perforate a coke bottle without pushing it over. Doesn't Col. Cooper still carry FMJ in his .45s? It seemed to work pretty well for the GIs in WWI, WWII Korea and Vietnam. Good enough for them, good enough for me I guess. Not so great against the Moros in the Phillippines, but then, they didn't answer to much short of the shotguns anyway.

 

[Daniel T]

My first handgun was a .357 Colt Lawman Mk III with just a touch of holster wear on the barrel. The best $200 (maybe $250, it was over 10 years ago) I've ever spent.

It still has the prettiest blue out of any of my pistols.

 

[DMK]

I've got an old .38 S&W Lend-Lease British service revolver that sat in the gunsafe for a long time collecting dust. I never could get it to shoot straight until I tried some Miwall reloads in it. Man, that really got it shooting great! I love it when cheap ammo works out well. Now, it's a great little, easy to shoot, fun range gun with a sweet trigger (it's well broken in).

I also have a CZ-70 and a Manhurin PP. Very accurate little pistols, lots of fun.

These guns are all curiosities and toys though. Perhaps in their day, they were duty guns, but I'd rather trust my life to my 45ACP, 357 and 40S&W guns or the 12 guage if I'm home.

 

[Ala Dan]

Back in 97 I found a nickel Smith & Wesson 10-6 (I think?)
with a 4" bull barrel, OTD for $169.95. It had a few minor
surfaces scratches, and a departmental number stamped
into the trigger guard. I believe it to have come from a
Federal Reserve Bank; but I don't know for sure?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Johnny Guest]

I like 'em - -

I have an old pre-model 10 Military & Police, circa 1948 vintage. It looks a little scruffy, but has an amazingly smooth double action. Former cop gun. It came with a set of the old Mershon 10-Point rubber stocks, from before Pachmayr took over the line. I changed over to a proper set of factory large diamond walnuts, and it is a great shooter.

And, an ex-police Model 19 - - Minor holster wear but a fine shooter.

And a Model 10 Heavy Barrel - - A big industrial security force swapped in a bunch of these on new 9mms. Still pretty shiney, too.

Nope, not near as strong as a GP-100, but they are not for deer hunting - - -

Johnny

 

[LoneWulf]

Police trade ins are usually very good deals.
Most are holster worn, but are in very good shapes.
I have bought several of them and will continue to do so.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Hey, hey, hey, shhhhhhh. Keep it quite, willya? I'm saving to buy some nice old revolvers and I don't want everyone to start snatching them up.

 

[444]

One of my faviorite guns is a police trade in Model 10 pencil barrel. Stamped on the grip frame is; RHKP (Royal Hong Kong Police).
It has a very sweet action. I like it so much that I neglect my other guns for it. On more than one occasion I went out and fired in excess of 500 rounds through it in one day.
I have also used it to get a couple of my buddies wives into shooting. They all told their husbands, "I want a gun just like that one".
I think I paid a little over $100 for it. It has been reblued and looks great.

 

[Ky Larry]

From what I understand, cop's guns get carried a lot and shot very little. The finish may have some wear, but inside they are practically new. I have a Colt Police Positive .38 Spl made in 1937 that was ,I beleive, a cop's gun.It has a little holster wear around the muzzle and front of the cylinder but is still in good shape. The double action trigger pull is smooth as butter.Try the trigger on an old Colt or S&W and compare it to the stuff coming from the factories today. We have lost a lot of skill and craftmanship in the last 50 years.

 

[berettaman]

She's defended democracy,upheld law and order,protected our family and sadly even been called on to relieve the suffering of many an "ole friend".(dogs).
In 60 years she's never once failed her calling.