Smith Wesson model 66, 4 inch, with a black nitride finish of some type. 1978

1st) Beretta 92FS
2nd) Sig P220
3rd) Glock 19

1989 - I carried my personal Beretta 92C (13 round version) for my first year, while waiting to be issued a SIG DA/SA (department was transitioning to the SIGs from S&W revolvers, but it was by seniority.)

After that year, I carried a P226 9mm or a P220 .45 acp. A S&W J frame (different models) was always my BUG.

Before my LE days, I was issued and qualified with a 1911 and a Beretta in the Army.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Orive 8,

S&W 645 in 1990

A 4 inch Smith & Wesson Model 66-2 in 1981. I still own it.

In the Army, a 1911. In the prison system, a Colt Police Positive.

Beretta 96D in 1994.

Pennsylvania 1973: S&W Model 19 revolver, 357 magnum.

Started with a 4" M66, then a 4" M686 (issued) and M27 (personal) because it was bigger and bigger was cooler before lower back pain was a thing.

Went Fed and in succession a P229 in 357SIG, then in .40 before we transitioned to Glocks: G23/G27 and G45/G43 pairings.

Now I feel old.

USMC-
Started with the M-9, was later issued the 1911.
Trained a lot on a S&W 19 & 66
(Don’t ask about the BHP)

Police-
P-226 DAO
P-220 DAO
P-220 DAK
S&W 442 then 340pd
G-21 & G-30 as a backup
G-19
G-17
G-34
G-43x

1991 SIG 226 and S&W 940 as a backup. Still working and now issued G35 with a RDS. Hellcat off duty.

1976, as a rural deputy sheriff, not long out of high school, my first sidearm was a Ruger Service-Six 38spl. In early 1984, I bought a Beretta 92S,with the mag release button at the bottom of the gripframe. It was the only one available at the time. Carried it until I retired from policing in 2008. Every police agency I worked with required us to furnish our own sidearms.

6.5" S&W Model 27 which was also my off-duty and PPC gun for several years when money was tight.

I guess first time I got paid to carry a gun would be a Sig 220, once the armored transport company got bought out, then swapped to Glock 22, 23, 27 and oddly enough Smith and Wesson 65, since some of the guys I was training still liked revolvers.

Once I went over to the PD world, it was a Glock 22, which I was able to buy when we switched to Glock 17s.

Then they “let me” buy a personally owned Glock 34 MOS so T&E an RDS, so I have had that ever since.

Bill R

Smith & Wesson Model 10 in 1987 (issued).

My department transisioned to semiautos in either 1991 or 1992, issuing the Sig P226.

I was already carrying my personal P226 as a backup, so I just made it my sidearm.

Smith 4043. I do not miss that duty weapon.

Over the 7 or so years between when I started and we replaced the Smiths with Sigs, I had several 4043s break on me, and I wasn't a super high volume shooter. Gun just didn't stand up to .40 well.

I am a fan of the 5946 that the 4043s replaced, That thing is indestructible.

USAF (1979)

I remember it as: "Revolver Caliber 38 Special Smith & Western Combat Masterpiece Model 15", as it was written on the PE Equipment AF Form 1297. (Or thirty eight.)

1966... Browning Medalist shooting bullseye in a junior league in NJ. Wish I still had it.

Police career in 1975...S&W model 28 - 6"... what a anchor.

Smith and Wesson Model 10 heavy barrel.

As a reserve in 2013, a trade-in Atlanta PD S&W M&P 40 with a magazine disconnect safety. Disabled that “feature” before ever carrying it.

Gen 4 G22 at my first real cop job.

P229DAK in .40 at the next one. Worst gun I ever carried. We replaced those guns with M&P9 2.0s.

Gen 4 G17 at the current agency. Then switched to a personally owned Gen 5 G45MOS when we authorized optics and personally owned guns. Then finally to a Gen 5 G34MOS when it became clear they wouldn’t authorize a comp for the G45.