Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L
Special Interests - Groups & Societies => BOLD Chambers => Topic started by: Elmer Watson on January 31, 2012, 09:26:42 PM
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As a deputy in the 1970's I carried revolvers. Recently thanks to the Austrialian police going to semi automatics I was able to find an old friend a Smith & Wesson model 10-5 with a 3" barrel. I am having a grand time and having many memories brought back to life. Has anyone else found an old friend?
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I found an old friend. In the 80s, I was a firearms instructor and rangemaster at a PD in Washington State. We carried 59 and 439 S&Ws, so the S&W rep brought the new 469 S&W 12 shot for us to try. It was a prototype. I fired it and loved, so bought one the first year they issued them for an off-duty weapon. Had it until the late 90s and sold it when I retired from the SO, after carrying it for about 15 years. I regretted it immediately. About a year ago, I found a mint, 2nd year production 469 and grabbed it. I LOVE it. Fortunately I had kept most of the mags for it. I shot a 498/500 on the BSIS Armed qualification with it in November. It is my daily concealed carry weapon. It is like an old friend.
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One I let get away, damit! First off-duty gun I ever bought was a S&W Model 39, 9mm. Recently saw one at a local shop, like new in the original blue S&W box. Should have bought it then and there but I waited a couple of days and when I went back it was gone. Next time I won't hesitate.
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My first semi-auto carry gun was a nickel plated Model 39. It was dept. issued. I offered to buy it when I left, but they were in short supply. I was unable to purchase it. I have never been able to find another. I have since been able to purchase a 5906 and a 669.
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My first off duty gun was a Charter Bulldog .44 special. Second was a Smith & Wesson Model 59. The 469, however, has been my favorite. Glad I found another one....
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I started out my career as a Reserve Officer with a S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman with a 6" barrel back in the late 70's. Later on, I switched to a 4" barrel Model 28 as it was a little easier to carry.... Eventually, I foolishly sold the 6" to buy one of the new "Wonder nines" (Sig P226) and I gave my dad the 4".....
I was helping a neighbor out with some chores the other day and he knew I had been a LEO. Apparently he had been a Sheriff's Auxiliary Deputy some years back and he still had his duty sidearms. One was a S&W Model 10 with a 4" heavy barrel and the other was a brand new, in the box, S&W Model 28 with a 6" barrel! Both had been sitting in a closet for many, many years and were gummed up with old oil or grease, so you couldn't get the cylinder open on either one very easily and the actions were gummed up as well......
Fortunately, I am a S&W LEO armorer, so I brought them home and spent a couple of hours cleaning them and doing a little work on the actions for him. The ejector rod on the 6" Highway Patrolman was a little too long, causing it to not lock up properly when closing the cylinder, so a few swipes with a file, followed up with a stroke or two from a stone took care of that problem in short order. The Model 10 had been his primary duty sidearm and had a bit of holster wear on it. The Highway Patrolman looked like it had never seen leather in it's lifetime at all!
Handling that old 'N' frame Model 28 sure brought back fond memories for me.....I still remember how awkward and heavy it was on my duty belt for the first few weeks. I think I hit every doorway and caught it on every chair I walked by or sat in for the first couple of months I carried it. I told my neighbor that, should he ever want to sell his Highway Patrolman, to please come and see me first!