LEO use of revolvers in 2014

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Hey gang!

As we all know, the "golden years" of the police wheelgun are behind us. However, I've still heard stories of some LEO officers/organizations that still use revolvers to some capacity. I hear they are still somewhat popular for undercover backup gun use like the S&W J-frames and the Ruger LCRs. I have also heard a smattering of full-size service guns are still in use. Recent developments like the S&W TRR8 make me wonder if those specialty revolver are being used by there intended LEO market in the real world, among more conventional/classic designs.

This article is concerning the current state of revolver use in the United States of America by Law Enforcement and Military agencies. Do you know any LEOs who still carry a revolver? Any organizations like prison guards still using them in your area? Do you know any cops who use them for backup? Does your local PD authorize them for use? Can cops still qualify with them and carry them?

I'm especially interested in responses from actual LEOs here on THR. I think this thread could serve as a nice little "time capsule" as it were to take a "snapshot in time" to see how many revolvers are still out there fighting crime. I know wheelguns are still plenty popular in civillian hands, I own and use them almost exclusively for defensive purposes (legally of course), but I am just very much curious to see if any "boys (and girls!) in blue" still count on the revolver in there day to day operations protecting and serving.

Thanks so much guys for your time, and have a great day! :D

PS: I'd also love to hear of current LEO revolver usage in other countries than the USA as well. Thanks!
 
I can understand it being popular as a BUG. I've always found that the market for really uber-small subcompact automatics is saturated with subpar offerings compared to duty sized options. I've never found areally lightweight subcompact that I felt I could trust my life to. An airweight S&W would fit the bill much better in my opinion. YMMV.
 
I just got back from holiday in Europe and in France a lot of the local police ("municipal") still had revolvers. I would have assumed MR73s but they looked like Smith stainless K/L frames.
 
One of my customers is a police officer that carries a five shot Rossi 38 as a backup while on duty and a primary while off duty. He works for the Athens/Clarke county pd and is required to qualify with it yearly.
 
I carried a revolver (Model 28) in LE but that was a long time ago. Don't see them anymore. Though if I was to go back into LE I would carry one if allowed.

I carry per the LEOSA, and like others I have to qualify once a year. The last time I qualified there were 4 other retirees present. I was the only one who showed up with a revolver.

I was kidded by the other retirees about my revolver. I kept my mouth shut (don't brag about your bird dog until after the hunt).

When it was all said and done, there was no laughing. The semi scores didn't come close to my revolver.

I just said "real cops carry revolvers". The young lady (firearms instructor in training) smiled and said "real OLD cops carry revolver". She got me there.
But then I practice with my revolver. I carry one, why not qualify with it?
Seems too many are concerned with how many rounds they can put down range then hitting what they are shooting at.
 
While I have to carry a Beretta 92FS on duty there is no policy for off-duty carry. Unfortunately when off-duty we are considered the same as any other citizen so if we carry we are required to have a concealed carry permit. Most of the time I carry a six shot 357 Magnum revolver with at least three reloads when I am off.
 
I carried a S&W J frame as my backup for years and years. I retired this spring and still carry one quite often.
 
They us to use revolvers here, they were not always easy to get. Now they use Glocks.

DESPITE a very public US ban on selling arms to the RUC at the start of the 1980s, the force was secretly continuing to receive American-made weapons, confidential files reveal. RUC had placed three orders for a total of 9,000 Ruger revolvers but that the Chief Constable subsequently decided that 6,000 would be sufficient.
Click to expand...
 
Every now and then ....when I'm traveling thru smaller towns ...in the western 11 states....like Montana or Idaho .....I will see an officer with a revolver in his holster on his belt as a primary weapon.

My hunch is - its what they had.../ they have to provide their own weapons especially in small towns.

The one's I happened to notice were S&W in 4" probably ...and they could have been K, L or N frames in .357 Mag...( I have not ever asked )...just happened to see them...

I have not seen any revolvers carried as primary weapons in the bigger towns...
 
I sometimes carry a Colt Cobra as my back up gun but most of the time I have a Ruger LCP because it's small and so far has eaten everything I have fed her. There have been a few days when I carried both like when I went with the warrant squad very dangerous. When I started in law enforcement I was a CO at the Florida department of corrections and we carried Smith model 14's still do as far as I know. The CO's at the jail can still qualify and carry revolvers in .38 or .357 if they want.
 
Off duty, when I need to pocket carry, it's a 642. Once in awhile, for court, I'll carry my 4" Python, Royal Blue of course.

I know of one full time deputy that carries a blue 4" Judge. He's got a boss who has carried a 4" nickel Python and a 6" m25, but is currently going through a 1911 phase.

I also have a friend/chief who carries a 6" Taurus, 7 rounder. A stainless snubby Judge is his off duty.

There used to be an officer in the area that toted a 4" m58 as well. Currently working in Ohio, he's forced to downgrade to a g22. His backup is a slicked up m36.

And yep, we have to qualify yearly.
 
Keep in mind that the Speer 135 gr. .38 spl. load was designed and produced at the request of one of the major Police Departments in the country. Seems to me that a bunch of cops must be carrying revolvers if they went as far as to request a special .38 short barrel load to be developed.
I carried a revolver for my entire 25 year career, both as duty and back up. Maybe it was the times, or I'm stupid, but I never felt I was poorly armed or undergunned.
 
I travel a fair bit. I see wheel guns on duty maybe 1 in 500 holsters I look at. Either small towns or sometimes airport cops at larger eastern cities / usually a more senior officer.
 
Very interesting stuff! I want to sincerely thank the LEO's who responded to this, and thank you for your service. Also thanks to everyone else for mentioning your "sightings". :)
 
Very popular as backups, alot of guys I work with ankle carry SP101's, 638's and 642's. Love the Ruger and use to have one, just seems a bit to heavy for ankle carry but does pack a .357 wallop.
 
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