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Old January 19, 2018, 03:41 PM   #1
simonrichter
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Revolvers as a duty weapon today?

Are there any PDs in the Staates or other agencies worldwide that still issue revolvers?
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Old January 19, 2018, 04:40 PM   #2
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If you include agencies that allow personal choices of weapon, Then I know a Lt @ a Texas SO that can speed load his .357 Python faster than most can swap mags.
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Old January 19, 2018, 05:54 PM   #3
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I am unaware of any police or military forces that still use revolvers as primary duty weapons. I also know that many officers carry snubs as backups.
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Old January 19, 2018, 06:25 PM   #4
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I believe my local PD issues revolvers to honor guard members to wear during official functions. While officers are "on duty" during honor guard functions, I have never seen an officer carrying a revolver while working the streets.
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Old January 19, 2018, 10:15 PM   #5
James K
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That change took place rather rapidly, in part because the Feds will provide 9mm at under cost, while any department or individual officer that wants to use, say, .38 Special, is on the hook for the whole cost. The result was predictable.

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Old January 20, 2018, 02:30 AM   #6
Model12Win
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None that I am aware of but some corrections still use revolvers. Illinois Department of Corrections issues the S&W Model 64 double-action .38 Special CTG. revolver.
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Old January 22, 2018, 07:43 AM   #7
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New York State Correction Officers still carry revolvers when transporting prisoners.

Don
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Old January 23, 2018, 10:17 AM   #8
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None that I know of.
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Old January 23, 2018, 11:19 AM   #9
johnwilliamson062
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I haven't been for a few years, but revolvers were quite common with law enforcement last I was in Latin America. Local types, not national forces.

Nothing was standard. One guy might have an old Taurus 92, the next a beat to death glock, the third a taurus revolver.

Last edited by johnwilliamson062; January 23, 2018 at 11:26 AM.
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Old January 25, 2018, 08:52 PM   #10
Tom-R2
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I was through O'Hare in Chicago recently and saw a couple of CPD officers working the airport assignment in uniform still carrying revolvers. I have read travel stories from a fellow law enforcement officer who talks about police in some South American countries still carrying 6-shooters. So, they are still around here and there.
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Old January 26, 2018, 04:01 AM   #11
Model12Win
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Quote:
Originally Posted by USSR View Post
New York State Correction Officers still carry revolvers when transporting prisoners.

Don
Yep, so do Illinois corrections officers. Saw an inmate transportation detail at a Southern Illinois hospital last summer carrying S&W Model 64s.

Also remember seeing a security guard in a Metrolink station in St. Louis carrying a stainless revolver about 8 years ago.
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Old January 26, 2018, 06:02 AM   #12
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Tom-R2,

I suspect those Chicago officers were grandfathered in.

Usually O'Hare Airport duty is considered easy and
a number of vets go there for their remaining time
on the force.
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Old January 26, 2018, 11:05 AM   #13
mrray13
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My department is a "roll your own" kinda place, however, if need be, we have a 66 that gets issued if you don't have a firearm.

I know several who carry revolvers by choice, but other than IDOC and some security/armored car places, I don't know of any that issue wheel guns.
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Old January 26, 2018, 01:20 PM   #14
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Corrections and some South American and up to having the budget for any kind of upgrade. Plus a certain amount of how strong the union is.
Cops up here argued that a revolver was a health and safety issue. Probably was too. They were not allowed to fix the really crappy triggers their Colts or Smiths with no sights had. Mind you, by far, most of 'em carry anything because they're required to. Lotta horror stories about how unsafe cops are with their issue piece. Just as many about how they neglect 'em too.
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Old January 26, 2018, 01:27 PM   #15
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I see a lot of bank guards with revolvers?
Is that a matter of "less likely that someone gets hurt", while still being armed?
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Old January 26, 2018, 01:41 PM   #16
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“...the really crappy triggers their Colts or Smiths with no sights had...”
Um, haven’t seen any Colt or S&W without sights...and their triggers are usually pretty good.
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Old January 26, 2018, 01:49 PM   #17
UncleEd
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RickB,

I haven't seen a bank guard, armed or otherwise,
in probably 20 years.

Last one I can recall was a young fellow at a
Chicago Michigan Avenue bank near the
Wrigley Building. He had a Smith 659.

But I do recall one many, many, many, many
moons ago at a Northwest Side saving and loan.
As a kid I used to admire his revolver nestled
in its holster while he dozed in a chair near
the front door.
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Old January 26, 2018, 02:30 PM   #18
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I see a guard, every week, outside my bank.
It reminded me that just about every time I see an armored car, the crew is armed with revolvers, too.
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Old January 26, 2018, 07:48 PM   #19
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I drive by the Brinks depot in Downtown Cleveland often. Some times, they have the overhead door open to back in a bank truck...other times, they are backing in one of the weird, low 53’ cash semis.
When that door is open, two guys stand outside with what look like Glock 19’s in hand by their side.
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Old January 27, 2018, 03:58 PM   #20
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I think you can safely say that any police department of any size in North America, Europe, or East Asia issues semiautomatic pistols.

I think you could with equal certainty say that anyone who says there are no police departments issuing revolvers in North America, Europe or East Asia is wrong.

I am familiar with some two-, three- and four-man municipal police departments where everyone is still carrying revolvers on duty. This may invite a semantic analysis of the word "issue" because these departments do not inventory weapons that are then assigned to individual officers, instead the officer acquires the pistol and is reimbursed by the department.

I was stopped in a small town in east Arkansas by a municipal police officer who was still carrying a S&W revolver. The reason I was given for the stop was that it was 2:00 a.m., I was driving a restored 1968 Plymouth Barracuda and I slowed down to the speed limit rather than blowing through at highway speed like everyone else. Yes, obeying the law was cited as suspicious behavior. But that's a discussion for inside a courtroom, not a roadside where it would be so easy to be perceived as a threat. Personally, I think he was just bored and wanted to look at the car.
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Old February 1, 2018, 09:16 PM   #21
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UncleEd, I assumed the same thing. I'm passing through O'Hare whenever I'm there, so I don't feel too inclined to stop and talk about the 'good old days'. I am more concerned with getting through the TSA lunacy. I just hope they are proficient with them if need be. I hate not being in a position where I can protect myself.
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Old February 2, 2018, 05:02 AM   #22
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Quote:
They were not allowed to fix the really crappy triggers their Colts or Smiths with no sights had.
You discredit yourself with almost every post.
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Old February 2, 2018, 05:04 AM   #23
Model12Win
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amd6547 View Post
“...the really crappy triggers their Colts or Smiths with no sights had...”
Um, haven’t seen any Colt or S&W without sights...and their triggers are usually pretty good.
This^^^^^^^
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Old February 3, 2018, 05:50 PM   #24
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My town has some part time reserve officer that still carry revolvers, but they do more of the ceremonial work (funeral escorts, directing traffic or security at local festivals, etc.) They are usually retired from full time police work. One of the deputy chiefs carries a J frame snub around the station. Rumor has it that it might even be loaded sometimes.
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Old February 3, 2018, 06:10 PM   #25
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if you find a cop that carries a revolver as his primary on-duty, he more than likely rides a desk far more than he does a cruiser.
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