A second article about NYPD revolvers. 14 years later. An era is ended

[StanTheMan]

Good article but I think it has a little too much of the sociopolitical jabbing and commentary in what should be mainly a sentimental historical perspective piece. At least for my liking. Of course we have a long-time police veteran here to fill us in on his perspective of swapping the spinner for a semiauto and if he himself would feel 'outgunned' with one today or not. But in a way that's something else for some other time.

So, anyway, still a great article and sorta sad news. Though honestly I'm surprised there were still guys 'on the job' still luggin' wheelguns in places like NYC.

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by StanTheMan

Good article but I think it has a little too much of the sociopolitical jabbing and commentary in what should be mainly a sentimental historical perspective piece. At least for my liking. Of course we have a long-time police veteran here to fill us in on his perspective of swapping the spinner for a semiauto and if he himself would feel 'outgunned' with one today or not. But in a way that's something else for some other time.

So, anyway, still a great article and sorta sad news. Though honestly I'm surprised there were still guys 'on the job' still luggin' wheelguns in places like NYC.

Yeah, but it's the New York Times. Can't run an article about guns without some type of social/political observations to make it "valid".

I've been a police officer since 2000 and I've always carried a semi-auto. I started with a Sig P220 (45 ACP), switched to the now discontinued Sig P245 when I made detective in 2003 and then the Glock 19 in 2006 when my agency went to a uniform issue. I was offered the Glock 21 but I don't like the grip of the 21. I have smallish hands. Now there is the 21SF/Gen 4, but I'm sticking with the Glock 19. I like the model. Plus it's an easier pistol to carry off-duty.

My father was a cop from 1970 - 1994 (Idaho State Police). He was there for the big LE transition to semi-autos. He went from the Smith & Wesson Model 65 (357 Magnum) to the Smith & Wesson Model 4586 (45 ACP/DAO) in 1991. He liked the pistol, but he never felt outgunned with a revolver. He did notice that there was less propensity for officers to blaze away with revolvers, but he liked the fact that the semi-auto could be reloaded a lot faster. He did speculate that in a gunfight there was a possibility that a bullet could strike the slide and put the pistol out of action. However he figured he was just worst-casing it. Sadly in 1998 Idaho State Trooper Linda Huff was ambushed. She managed to shoot her killer, but he actually struck her pistol and put it out of action.

I have been here for the big changeover from the 12 gauge pump shotgun to the AR-15 "platform" (I miss when it was just the AR-15 rifle/carbine). I was literally the last officer with my agency to carry the Remington 870. I was ordered last year to turn it in and pick up my brand new Daniel Defense M4 carbine that had been waiting for me for several months. Rifles definitely have their place, but so does the shotgun. However times, attitudes and tactics change. All the Remington now have bright orange furniture and shoot beanbag rounds.

Well I inherited both dad's Model 65 (ISP sold them to troopers for a very reasonable sum when they switched to autos in 91) and his 4586 (gifted when he retired) and they're great handguns.

[funkychinaman]

I wonder if that old Ruger Service Six had its factory trigger. Between keeping a revolver with a factory trigger and the option for single action or a Glock with 15 rounds but the NY2 trigger, that'd be a tough call for me.

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by funkychinaman

I wonder if that old Ruger Service Six had its factory trigger. Between keeping a revolver with a factory trigger and the option for single action or a Glock with 15 rounds but the NY2 trigger, that'd be a tough call for me.

Luckily my agency stayed with the Glock factory trigger. I believe it's 5.5 pounds.

[Mandolin]

Originally Posted by Jcordell

He did speculate that in a gunfight there was a possibility that a bullet could strike the slide and put the pistol out of action. However he figured he was just worst-casing it. Sadly in 1998 Idaho State Trooper Linda Huff was ambushed. She managed to shoot her killer, but he actually struck her pistol and put it out of action.

Isn't a revolver just as vulnerable to a barrel shot?

[Jcordell]

Sure that can be true of any handgun I suppose. Hands are often hit in gunfights and it stands to reason so are handguns.

[StanTheMan]

I saw those posts about you having the DD in another thread JC and it's a shame to hear you had to trade up the 870 for it. Revolvers I'll grant are outmoded in many respects but I most certainly agree even now a good riot gun still has its place beyond a less lethal "platform". But you get what you get and as you say, times and attitudes change. It's a shame, in more ways than one, but again, a talk for another time perhaps.

That said I'm glad to hear you inherited those old pieces. I love my nickel Model 13 and still want to get a good Smith 45XX at some point. But not with a twelve pound trigger.

[MT2008]

Jeez, I’m only in my early-30s, and this article makes me feel old. I’ve visited NYC every year since I was 7, and I’m old enough to remember when you still sometimes saw NYPD officers carrying revolvers.

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by MT2008

Jeez, I’m only in my early-30s, and this article makes me feel old. I’ve visited NYC every year since I was 7, and I’m old enough to remember when you still sometimes saw NYPD officers carrying revolvers.

I turned 50 this year. I feel downright creaky now.