Posted: 6/10/2007 4:38:35 PM EDT
|
For those of you gentlemen who have had the opportunity to train with and carry a wheelgun during some part of your career (or for those of you who knew enough about a friend, relative, or partner who did) I have a few questions. 1. What did your department issue for duty and plainclothes, or what were you allowed to carry? 2. Did you or your acquaintance on the force carry a revolver on the beat, undercover, or both, and what was used? 3. What ammunition was used, how much did you carry, and how was it carried (belt, strips, speedloader)? 4. What were your/his impressions of the revolver (particularly if you made the transition from wheelgun to auto)? |
| I had a friend of mine on the force in my hometown that bought one of those light-weight S&W .38 snub-nose for back-up weapon/ankle carry. He loved it. IIRC he carried just the ammo that was loaded into it, maybe a speedloader in the cruiser, and all the ammo for his duty weapon.. All told, I would guesstimate he had right around 50-65 rounds on his person at any given time. |
When I went through Academy training (1989), we used our own revolvers. Mine was a S&W 586 in 4". For a short time, I carried this revolver with issued 158 Gr, JHP 38 Spc +P rounds. I also carried two speed loaders, for a total of 18 rounds (6-revolver, 12-speed loaders). When it came time to transition to a semi-auto, it was a non-issue as I had been shooting semi-auto handguns for quite a while. I feel that I shoot better with the revolver, but I credit that to the "double action" as a means of aiding my aim. Perhaps if I used a DAO semi, I would see the same results. Ask any person who practices reloading with speed loaders, they can be just as fast as mags, they just don't hold as many rounds... |
S&W model 10 with 5" barrel. I'm corrections so we don't do the plain clothes thing.
158 gr lswhp..the old "RCMP load". 12 rounds. 6 in the gun, 6 in a speed loader.
I've always had a soft spot for wheelguns. I subscribe to the KISS principal and you don't get much simpler then a revolver. If you maintain your gun and use quality ammo, stoppages or jams are pretty much non existent. The consensus seems to be that most handgun shooters are more accurate with a revolver then a pistol. I'm going to assume these are people that only shoot during requals though. We will be transitioning to pistols soon. As a shooter it isn't that much of a big deal to me as I own and shoot both already. As a firearms instructor, I'm looking forward to new training and training coworkers on shooting a pistol. Requals get rather monotonous.. |
|
I came on the Department in 1986 and our issue at that time was the S&W model 66 For off duty I was issued a model 66, 2", but the majority had model 36 or other small type Smith. We carried reloads in speed loaders for 18 total, plus there was a box of ammo in the glove box of every car, plus officers carried more speedloaders in their gear bag. The issue ammo was Winchester 158 gr +P LHP. In 1989/90 we changed tot he SIG P226 9mm, and have went through several SIGs and now carry the P226 DAK and P229 DAK in 40. My backup gun is a S&W 642, yes I still carry a wheelgun, and have never been without one. For backup/off duty we can pretty much carry what we want. I never felt "undegunned", only I just had to remember to load after every 6! You did count your rounds! |
I had co worker carry a nickel Colt Python with a 6 inch barrel. That revolver was sweet. The barrel made a good impact weapon . He carried two speed loaders on his gun side.I never carried one on the street but did go through the academy with one in 1990. A Taurus model 66 .357 mag. |
| We have a few wheel guns in our department. Sheriffs Correctional Officers are provided Glock 17/19's now. But the old S&W 686 4" in .357 mag is still being carried as well. Those with wheel guns are provided 2 speed loaders. But the thing I find distressing about the revolver shooters is that the department allows them to use .38 special if they want. Most of them complain about recoil from the .357 and go with the .38 spl. They way I look at it if you are going to carry a revolver you do so for power, and if you are going to carry a .38 you might as well carry a 9mm. |
|
With my department when I started you had to show competency with a wheelgun before being considered to be allowed to carry a semi auto. I would still work the street with one and not feel out gunned. I carried a 4" 686 for a while 6 in gun, two speed loaders, and 12 rounds in loops. along with a 2" SP101 as a backup. Only hits count. |