whats the latest/last revolver the US military used?

[SkaerE]

i got a bunch of USGI holsters for revolvers.

seen here:

Holster

any idea what will fit it? I assume a K frame, but am not really sure.

thanks

 

[dfariswheel]

That's a "K" frame S&W holster. Pretty sure those are surplus US Air Force Security holsters.

 

[SkaerE]

excellent, i figured they were for a K frame (its the only S&W i'm sure was issued)

thanks bud.

 

[Old Fuff]

During the early 1980's the military also bought some Speed Six Ruger revolvers. I suspect the holsters would fit those too.

 

[Old Fuff]

I just noticed the rear sight protector. I think they are Air Force holsters intended to be used with S&W Combat Masterpiece (model 15) revolvers, which the Air Force used. They should also fit similar S&W revolvers with 4 inch barrels and built on the K frame.

 

[Gordon]

Hi Old Fuff ! The Army actually issued those Rugers to Motorcycle scouts, whose bikes rode on copter's landing gear. I saw, and handled those rigs when I encountered the young fellas on training in the Hunter Ligget while I was hunting in the mid 80's. They had them tied on with lanyards! I was issued an S&W model 12 in 1972 for plain clothes work, I hated it as it was hard to qualify(once a year with). Sure wish I had one now! BTW: I noticed the Army issuing some Colt Trooper MK 3 or 4' s to the Iraqi police, wonder where they had all those stashed!

 

[FPrice]

They sure do look like the holsters we used for our S&W Model 15's. If they were right-handed I'd offer to buy one or two.

 

[liliysdad]

On a related note, I always read snippets about the SEALS using 686s. What type of function do these serve for them?

 

[Old Fuff]

The military folks are interesting. Every now and then someone buys a bunch of surplus holsters that don't seem to fit any known G.I. handgun. Awhile back I seem to remember some rigs that apparently fit a 3-inch revolver, although there aren't any known purchases of such a gun. But then, maybe they'll turn up.

 

[Old Fuff]

Gordon:

I know about the Ruger revolvers because Bill Sr. and I had a discussion concerning certain technical specifications the Army had imposed on him that he thought were ridiculous. I agreed, but pointed out that this was part of the fun one had when they decided to do business with the government. I always thought it was “interesting†how some flunky somewhere in the system thought he was smart enough to tell Bill Ruger how to build guns.

Be that as it may, I never knew what happened to them, and now I do.

Thanks.

 

[Old Fuff]

SkaerE:

I hope you understand that left-handed military holsters are most unusual, and that there are military holster collectors out and about. I'd suggest that if you put them on an Internet auction as "rare" and could document the source you would likely get a lot more then $10.00 per pop.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"Left Handed Military Holster..."

Didn't the guard unit at NORAD have a special uniform that included an S&W Mode 15 in a crossdraw holster with stag grips?

 

[Lone Star]

Mike Irwin-

You're thinking of the Strategic Air Command Elite Guard Security Police.
They were based at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. They were also the first SP's to have the blue beret.

Lone Star

 

[SkaerE]

I hope you understand that left-handed military holsters are most unusual, and that there are military holster collectors out and about. I'd suggest that if you put them on an Internet auction as "rare" and could document the source you would likely get a lot more then $10.00 per pop.

nice idea, to be honest, it had never occured to me. now, lemme look for some more info:

boxes (still closed) are marked:

1095-00-480-6806
P/N B07-44YLH
Holster LH
1 Each
F09603-87-M-3040
A/C 4/87

any help? looks like they are dated Apr 1987.

 

[armoredman]

BTW, the Rugers weren't just Army or Air Force - I had four Ruger Service Six 38Spl 4" in the armory, with no holsters, speedloaders or even ammo. We could buy our own 38Spl ammo and shoot them at the range during qualification, but no where else. Poor revolvers were practically unused when I left in 89....

 

[Erich]

SkaerE

Email sent to eddress on your site. Cool holster!

 

[sgtmaj13]

The Corps issued leftover WWII Victory Model S&W's to USMC
Pilots prior to the M9. The Marine Security Guard Bn/State Department used to issued Ruger Speed Sixes to the Marine Embassy Guards. HTH's.
SgtMaj13
Semper Fi

 

[BigG]

We had std M&P type S&Ws with 4" bbl when I was aircrew member. Also had choice of a Colt or the new fangled Ruger, all in .38 Special flavor. You can guess which one I opted for.

 

[fix]

The S&W 686 is still in use by the Navy for long range dive operations.

 

[MrAcheson]

The S&W 686 is still in use by the Navy for long range dive operations.

Thats true the SEALS use some sort of stainless revolver when they expect to have to deal with really nasty weather/salt/etc and need something that will still go bang.

 

[jc2]

It's just plain-jane, off-the-shelf 686 (and before that it was the 66).

 

[liliysdad]

OK, I assumed it was something like that. I know they use the 686 4"bbl Smith, just couldnt figure out why. I kinda thought it would be something similar to this, but was unsure, thanks!

 

[Old Fuff]

SkaerE:

1095-00-480-6806 (Is the Federal Stock Number.)
P/N B07-44YLH (Is the Part Number.)
Holster LH (Is the Item Description.)
1 Each (Is the quantity.)
F09603-87-M-3040 (Don't know what this is)
A/C 4/87 (Is the Contractor Code and Date Manufactured).

The interesting thing about the date is that by 1987 everyone was supposed to be using the Beretta M9, but obviously they weren't.

Maybe someone else can better explain the above, or whoever you bought them from might have more information. If I was in your shoes I'd try to find out. Left-handed military holsters are not common.

 

[Sam]

That is indeed that same critter I carried am M15 in from 1974-1992.
That Blue beret was/is a lousey hat. Stolen from a refugee frenchman in a back alley somewhere. Every time it rained you got a blue face. Only superior to the Black and White wheel cap.

My unit didn't get anyM9's till 1992.

The NSN on the RH holster sitting in my lap is 1095-00-480-6807. P/N is BO&-44Y if you care to know.

Sam

 

[JohnKSa]

Pretty sure that fighter pilots were issued small S&W revolvers into the 1980s.