Past carry guns of American Cops

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Oldjarhead

New member
As someone who served in Military and civilian law enforcement from 1977 to 2010, now retired, I thought it might be interesting if I and others, list the handguns they carried during their career. I worked most of my career in Texas. Well here goes: 1977-78 SW M28 .357 Highway Patrolman. 1978-1987 SW M15 .38sp Combat Masterpiece. 1987-1992 SW M64 38sp. 1992-1999 SW M5906 9mm. 1999-2010 Glock m23 .40SW. I spent the first half of my career carrying revolvers, and the other half semi-autos. I wonder if anyone else ha similar experiences.
 
When I first hired on in Mar 74 I was given a worn out Model 15 but told to come back in a couple weeks as they were expecting some new revolvers. I did and was issued a Model 28. Later in my career, late 80s they started authorizing semis so I went to a Colt 1911.

I worked in Anchorage and we had a lot of moose-vehicle encounters often resulting in the moose having to be put down. I found that my Model 28 with LSWCs worked better so I went back to my Model 28, carrying it until I retired in '94. Still have the Model 28, they let me keep it when I retired.

If I was ever to go back into LE, my number one choice would be my Model 28 with LSWCs. Always had good luck with that combination.

Interesting note: When I first hired on, they issued 38 spl 158 grn RN ammo cast and loaded by trustees. Needless to say I elected to go with my reloaded 150 grn SWCs.
Later they went to WW 125 HPs, I tried them, but went back to SWCs.
 
not hired as long ago as you dinosaurs but have always carried 40's just about a year ago I purchased a G22 and love it.
 
1974 - 1982 Department issued 4" M-19, along with my personal M-60.

1982- 1995, personal 2 1/2" M-19 along with my personal M-60.

1995 -2001 back in uniform Department issued M-19, along with my personal M-60. I guess I was/am a creature of habit. Still have all three (3) of them today and have no intention of getting rid of any of the three (3).
 
1994-2003 We were issued Beretta 92F's.

2003-2007 We went to the Beretta 96 in .40 S&W

2007-2010 Sig Sauer 229 in .40 S&W

2010-Present We have S&W M&P .40
 
In order of carry from when I came onto the street:
1. S&W 5906 9mm-sold to fellow officer whose duty weapon was stolen in a burglary of his residence
2. Glock 17 gen 2 9mm- sold to fellow officer
3. Glock 19 gen 2 9mm-sold to fellow officer
4. Glock 23 gen 2 .40-sold to fellow officer
5. H&K USP .40 w/stainless upper-sold to fellow officer
6. Beretta Cougar 8040 .40
7. Beretta 96D .40
8. H&K P2000 .40
9. Glock 23 gen 4 .40
I also carry a Bushmaster XM-E2S "M4" .223 in my unit.
I can't remember the years I carried each weapon but I think I carried the USP the shortest time because I really really didn't like the nasty DAO trigger
 
Guns carried through the years

1967-colt police positive
1969 colt python
1971 smith 19
1974 smith 39
1978 smith 66
1989 sig 228
unit guns mp5-remington 870-smith 640.
 
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I've never been a cop, but I have been an armed security guard on a couple of occasions.

I was issued 38 revolvers on both assignments. One was a Colt Official Police, the other a Smith & Wesson Model 10. I couldn't tell you the "dash" number. They were both nice guns.
 
1964 - 1996

1964 - My First Issue in Uniform Patrol was a S&W model 10 tapered barrel then in 1967 we changed to the Model 10 Bull barrel. In 1977 was assigned to Detective Division issued a S&W Snub Model 36 then in the late 1980's was issued a Sig - 9 mm Carried it until retirement in 1996. I always liked the revolvers better.
 
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1965 - 1995

Mod 10 , blue, pencil barrel, '65 to 82
Mod 64 , stainless, heavy barrel, '82 to '95
Mod 36 Chief, blue, for detective work and off duty carry

Vehicle gun: Remington mod 870 12 ga.

Baton: oak or hickory (free from local furniture mfg.)

No magnums allowed and no auto loaders allowed until mid 80's. Bought a S&W mod 59, 14 shot 9mm. Qualified with it and sold it a week later...stovepipes.
 
Joined as a Reserve in 1984. The SOP said rookies were required to carry a revolver thier first two years, but, the firearms instructor we went to was a big fan of the 1911. I had one and he suggested I use it as the gun in class. I did and was authorized to carry it. Went regular in 86 and kept carrying the same gun.

Brief stint with a Sig P220 and an HKP7M8 and back to the Colt. 12 years ago, issued glock 35's those were replaced last year with Glock 22's.

But, there has been a J frame as a backup in either my pocket or ankle holster for all those years. For the last 15+ years, its been a 642.
 
Before I became a Police Officer I was an armed security officer. The guns I carried in order are H&R model 925 or 926 (38S&W top break), 6" Colt Python, 4" S&W Model 28-2, 4" S&W model 686-1, S&W model 59, Beretta 92F, S&W model 10-8 (required by contract), S&W model 64 (required by new company). During my time as a security officer I was also a Private Investigator and carried a2 1/2" S&W model 66-2. As a police officer I have carried only 2 handguns. I was first issued a S&W model 64 the we switched ti Beretta 92FS which I still carry.
 
S&W Model 15
Personal S&W 686
Personal SIG P226
Personal S&W 3904
2nd gen Glock 17
2nd Gen Glock 22
3rd Gen Glock 23
4th Gen Glock 23 (current)
 
Hello, I am going on memory now, but years ago, I read the bibliography of Theodore Roosevelt..when he was police commisioner of NYC, he was instrumental in getting .38 caliber revolvers as std. issue. Up until then, almost all police carried .32's.
 
When I started in 1989, I was issued a S & W model 65. However, since I worked for an agency that allowed duty carry of personal weapons, I later began toting my Taurus PT-92. Since then, I've changed agencies, and have thus far been issued a S & W 5906, followed by a Sig P220, and most recently the P220ST. Given the poor reliability thus far demonstrated by the Sigs [in my experience], I really wish I were still allowed to carry a personally owned weapon on duty!:mad:
 
USMC M.P. 1991 to 1994
Colt 1911

Texas peace officer 1994 to Present
Glock 21 .45acp
Springfield TRP .45acp
Kimber Series I .45acp
S&W 627pc .357mag
 
1980-85 S&W 64 4 inch
1985 to about 89 S&W 645 and 4506
1990-2009 HK USP 45 C
2009-Glock 30SF (detectives and admin) Patrol has 21SFs. WILL retire with the G30. Plan to go either tomorrow or 3 years from now :)
 
Started back in 66'

66-68 Colt "357" 6" issued by Sheriff/ back up Colt Dick SPl
68-69 S&W 27 3 1/2"/ issued by the Sheriff / back up Colt Dick Spl
69-72 S&W 19 4" issued by State/ back up Walther PPK
72-76 Colt 1911 38 super/Commander series allowed by County/ back up PPK
76-79 S&W model-10 4" pencil barrel issued by state/ back up S&W 36
79-85 SIG 226 issued by state/ back up model -60
85-2005 SIG 228/229 9mm-40cal issued by state/ back up P35

05-12 Glock 19 issued by PD back up/ SIG 232

At various times while with the Sheriff I carried the S&W model 24, 39 and 39
Couple times wih the state,1911 45acp,Browning 25cal Charter Bulldog 44spl and the SIG 220/38 super
 
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