Wheel-Guns on Patrol!

[Serpico6]

Hi All,
I wanted to know if there are any Wheel-Gunners, Six-shooters still out there on patrol! If so let me know make/model, and if it’s your choice to carry. I hope to hear from a few people under the age of 65.
:) :)

[Samurai004]

For some reason I see armored car security people with wheelguns all the time here in Dayton, Ohio. I don't know why, I would tend to believe if someone was going to take a proactive planned attack to an armored car they would come with something more than the average criminal. Therefore, the armored car personnel should tend to have at least if not more firepower available...geez, next thing I will find out is that they are carrying wheelguns in .38.

[williamssd]

I personally know of one US Marshal who still uses his wheel gun from his earlier days as a deputy sheriff. Not sure if this counts or not.

- Steve

[GangBuster]

Hey, as some of these officers that carry wheel guns will say, "it only takes one well-placed shot to be effective". I must say that I agree with this statement, but still choose to carry more "just in case"!!:shoot2:

[IL Lawman]

S & W Model 66 here. It's served me well throughout numerous years on the job. Yes, I know that it's the "in" thing to have a semi-auto with extra mags. And yes, I know that the bad guys often have superior firepower.
The reality is that you have to use & carry what you're comfortable with. Hopefully, you will practice often enough with your equipment so that it will become second nature for you to use in stressful situations.
If you think that one of the new large capacity autoloaders with 2, 3, 4 or more extra mags is a substitute for accurate shot placement & good basic marksmanship skills, you're kidding yourself. I've worked with guys who told me that they needed all those extra bullets so they can make "sure" they hit the bad guys. Well, what's going to happen with all the rounds that they fire which DON'T hit the bad guy? Ever think of that?
Remember too, that EVERY round you discharge will be examined & have to be explained away to an officer involved shooting team. That round will eventually come to a stop, either by losing velocity or striking something. Just PRAY that it doesn't end up by striking an uninvolved party!
Our PD authorizes 13 different makes/models of handguns to be carried. The majority of these are semi-autos. Find one which is as reliable as, or better than, my "wheel gun", and we'll talk about the purchase of a new one.
(Quite a bit younger than 65 <w>, 20 years on the job.)

[Signal_9_CPD]

If we were allowed to I would carry a Smith 686 7 shot .357 with the cylinder cut for full moon clips. I love my Glock 22 (it has saved my ass allready), but would like the option to carry the 686.

[Serpico6]

IL Lawman,
Glad to see that at least one person still uses a revolver. I feel the same way about all these popular hi-capacity autoloaders.

[Samurai004]

"it only takes one well-placed shot to be effective"

Then only carry one bullet, or maybe two if you think you will have to take on multiples.



The majority of these are semi-autos. Find one which is as reliable as, or better than, my "wheel gun", and we'll talk about the purchase of a new one.

GLOCK!!!

also, I understand that sometimes the spray and pray mentality will take effect with officers who don't practice, but is it really smart to limit the number of rounds an officer can carry to try to improve accuracy? My answer is practice practice practice. If I can carry 7x3 = 21 rounds or 16x3 = 48, I will choose the 48 rounds everytime, especially since they energy produced isn't that much different in the .40.

The .357 Magnum is a great round though!!!

[IL Lawman]

The Glock is one of our options. However, it has to be a 9mm - the .45 cal hasn't been approved yet. (Wasn't in production when they first approved auto-loaders).
Also, the Glock isn't everything it's cracked up to be. I know of NYPD officers who aren't happy with it. For that matter, I know of one SFPD Sgt. who admitted to me that the SFPD issued Beretta .40 cal was "lacking". He admitted to me that he still wished he had his S & W 66.
I agree with "practice" - this is something we don't do enough of in this job. If you think your PD will let you do it on "their" time, forget it.
It's up to you!
The same thing is true of DT training, as I've found out the hard way. Find an art that will work for you, and do it on your own time.
Whatever it is...firearms, baton, DT...you have to practice.
Remember: when you're not training, someone else IS training...to kick your butt (& maybe take your life.)
Everybody, let's be REALLY careful out there!

[Samurai004]

IDPA and IPSC is a fun way to help keep things in check. Occasionally good formal training instruction is necessary to make sure bad habits haven't developed and if so correct them.

And definitely the department isn't going to allow you all the range time and ammo you want...sad but true, probably because avid shooters like me would break the bank on ammo, hehe.

Lastly, the Glock is spectacular in my humble opinion. Plus if you carry a baby Glock of the same caliber the full size mags can be used in the backup, that is a huge plus in my book!!!

Stay safe everyone,
James

[Signal_9_CPD]

We (the City and County) both carry .40. The City has G22 and the Sig's. In the last 4 shootings we are 4 for4 in fatal stops, with 2 of those being through cars.

I have to love my Glock as it saved my ass. Also, it is an easy wepaon for non-shooters to learn to fire (not all Cops are like us and into guns).

[Samurai004]

What department are you with? It sounds like they are training their officers properly. What is the hit ratio of the last four shootings?

[IL Lawman]

FTR, I'm not "into" guns. It's a tool, just like everything else I carry. I just want whatever is going to work the best...whether I'm repairing a house or working the road.

[Serpico6]

Thanks all who replyed.;)

[jaybird]

You know, I've heard people moan about Glocks, Sigs, and HKs. My response has nothing to do with revolvers at all except that plenty of people have met their end due to a revolver.

If you ask me, its up to the person carrying the gun.
I've heard people say they hate how Plastic a Glock is. I know guys that carry HK .40s for their duty weapon and some of them hate it. I carry a Sig p229 .40. The Sig is fine with me, but it has a lot of parts to clean.

So anyway, this topic is like Ford or Chevy; which one do you like?

Stay safe, guys, and practice practice practice.
Jay