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When I was first sworn in as a deputy sheriff, our department would provide you with an old S&W model 10 with a 4" barrel. It was chambered for the .38 special. We could also purchase our own sidearm (at cost) and carry that. I opted for a S&W Model 19 with a 6" barrel. Back in those days, deputies patrolled very rural areas and if gunplay were to arise, a longer barrel seemed like an advantage. It later proved to be less so, because my revolver and holster were pushed up under my armpit while driving my patrol car. I quickly purchased a Model 19 with a 4" barrel and was much happier.
We had to qualify every six months, but could use .38 Special wad cutters (target ammo) to do so. As a result, many of us became "Expert" marksman and wore a bar indicating so. Once a year, we had to qualify with the ammunition that we carried on patrol. Almost everyone carried Super Vel ammo and it was pretty hot. Consequently, most of us demonstrated that we were not, in fact, expert marksman. The timed fire events were awful because of our inability to recover sufficiently to get back on target and fire again. All this was done using double action only. Eventually, I mastered .357 Magnum ammo and could hold my own with the other guys. Then S&W came out with the Model 29 .44 magnum! I was able to purchase mine for $129.00. I bought mine with the 8 &3/8" barrel. I just wanted to own one, not carry it. However, there were two deputies that decided to buy the Model 29 with 4" barrels and carry them as duty guns. They are very heavy and if you are chasing someone, chances are the weight will pull your pants down. But I digress. When it came time to qualify with your carry ammunition, 2nd shot recovery was just plain silly! I was teased a lot because I wouldn't carry a .44 Mag, but I was concerned about the reality of 2nd shot recovery. Gunfights start quick and end even quicker. We didn't wear body armor and if you got hit, you bled a lot. I stuck with the .357 Mag through the Model 66. I found it to be a great caliber and I could actually shoot six rounds very quickly and hit what I was shooting at.
Today, I get teased because I shoot several 9MM's. I understand the .40 Cal and the 10MM, but I might get the first round on target, but probably not the rest. Personally, if you can't fire an entire magazine and keep them all in the black, what's the point in carrying it? Just my opinion.
We had to qualify every six months, but could use .38 Special wad cutters (target ammo) to do so. As a result, many of us became "Expert" marksman and wore a bar indicating so. Once a year, we had to qualify with the ammunition that we carried on patrol. Almost everyone carried Super Vel ammo and it was pretty hot. Consequently, most of us demonstrated that we were not, in fact, expert marksman. The timed fire events were awful because of our inability to recover sufficiently to get back on target and fire again. All this was done using double action only. Eventually, I mastered .357 Magnum ammo and could hold my own with the other guys. Then S&W came out with the Model 29 .44 magnum! I was able to purchase mine for $129.00. I bought mine with the 8 &3/8" barrel. I just wanted to own one, not carry it. However, there were two deputies that decided to buy the Model 29 with 4" barrels and carry them as duty guns. They are very heavy and if you are chasing someone, chances are the weight will pull your pants down. But I digress. When it came time to qualify with your carry ammunition, 2nd shot recovery was just plain silly! I was teased a lot because I wouldn't carry a .44 Mag, but I was concerned about the reality of 2nd shot recovery. Gunfights start quick and end even quicker. We didn't wear body armor and if you got hit, you bled a lot. I stuck with the .357 Mag through the Model 66. I found it to be a great caliber and I could actually shoot six rounds very quickly and hit what I was shooting at.
Today, I get teased because I shoot several 9MM's. I understand the .40 Cal and the 10MM, but I might get the first round on target, but probably not the rest. Personally, if you can't fire an entire magazine and keep them all in the black, what's the point in carrying it? Just my opinion.
