Pistol For Law Enforcement Job

[BlakeN70]

Hello i am brand new to the forum. I have a question to start out with. I just got hired on at a local Police Dept. And i was wondering if a 357 Smith & Wesson Model 66-2 with 3" barrel would be a good choice. Secondly in general is this a good gun? I bought it second hand for $250. I brought it in to a gun dealer today and he told me to make sure to hold on to it because there were only 2,500 of these PARTICULAR models made. Anyone with advice,input or anything else regarding this gun would be greatly appreciated as this is my first ever pistol i have owned.
PS... Regarding the police question, i need to know if this gun is accurate and has good "knock down" power. Thanks!!!!

[Gregory]

First off, welcome to the GBO forum.  I'm not a LEO, but I do know most carry revolvers with a 4" barrel.  I had a 66 with a 4" barrel and it was one of my favorites.  There is nothing wrong with a 357 for your line of work.  I'd recommend you take that 3" 66 to the range and shoot a bunch of 38 Specials out of it for practice.  Then sight it in for duty with either 38+P or 357 ammo.

[Bret4207]

I cartried a Smith 681 for the first few years on the job, till my Division switched to Glocks. There's absolutely nothing wrong woth the gun you have. You need to spend some additional bucks on a GOOD retention holster. By that I mean get a holster designed for police use, new or used, and learn how to use it. Practice is what you need now. Bwtter figure out if you're going to use loop loaders, speed strips, or speed loaders for reloads. There are older books around- Bill Jordans "No Second Place Winner" is good on revolvers.

[muskybite]

My department issues glock 17's. I debated buying a revolver for backup but decided to go with a glock 26 as i can use the 17 mags in it if needed.

IMHO you cannot go wrong with a glock. I own an HK USP and prefer the glocks over it for duty. I like my HK but the glocks are simply more utilitarian and simple.

I would use the gun you have, save your money and purchase an auto (I would buy a glock 22).

As far as prices for the glocks go, I have not found cheaper prices than www.streichers.com. Every year they have their annual glock sales and LEO's can buy the standard models in various calibers for approx. $410. Regular price $440.

[bigdaddytacp]

Hello i am brand new to the forum. I have a question to start out with. I just got hired on at a local Police Dept. And i was wondering if a 357 Smith & Wesson Model 66-2 with 3" barrel would be a good choice. Secondly in general is this a good gun? I bought it second hand for $250. I brought it in to a gun dealer today and he told me to make sure to hold on to it because there were only 2,500 of these PARTICULAR models made. Anyone with advice,input or anything else regarding this gun would be greatly appreciated as this is my first ever pistol i have owned.
PS... Regarding the police question, i need to know if this gun is accurate and has good "knock down" power. Thanks!!!!

..........The gun you have will do fine for LEO work.....the most important weapon you will have is your two eyes and brain with the training you get and good common sense.....then the dedicated consistant pratice with duty equipment on a regular basis will ensure the "total package of you and the gun/ammo " will work well IF or WHEN needed......get some good stocks that fit your hand and let the gun point naturally for YOU....and use the good 38Plus P 125 to 158 grain jacket hollow point OR 158 LEAD hollowpoint ammo and placed properly they will work well if needed.......as for "knock down power" it is more a case of the "location.location,location" than magic ammo.......BUT that said...given a choice.....the bigger and somewhat heavier bullet ...without going overboard .....works better in MANY situations......I started with a 4 inch 357 for duty use....30 years ago.......and still have the 4 inch Smith 19 that I used for most of that time untill switching to a 45Long Colt revolver Smith or a Sig 45ACP........I prefer the 45....BUT ... I don't feel naked with my super accurate and reliable old Mod 19...or the airweight 38 that is a backup and off duty gun..........I've seen too much good work done with almost all the available gun/ammo combos and also some failures..but MOST FAILURES were placement or tatics failures to get the desired results rather than the mechanical gun and ammo failing to work.......good leather is MANDATORY along with PRATICE and MORE PRATICE and good mind set..........enjoy the new life and good luck and good shooting.....at fun targets only......hopefully!!

[Somerled]

I had a S&W 66 with the 3" barrel and the round butt once. I wish I still had it. It is far better than the 2 1/2" Model 66. You paid an excellent price for it if it's in good shape.

It will rock you some with full-tilt magnum ammunition. Good grip selection will help a lot. The factory grips don't fill the area behind the trigger guard. Your shooting hand will slide up under recoil. Work a lot with 38 Specials. It is your first handgun. Don't hesitate to use .38 wadcutters for practice. Build up to the +P and then the magnum loads if that is what you eventually plan to use. I found the 125-grain rounds recoiled less. But some have greater muzzle flash.

True, most duty revolvers have 4" barrels. The extra inch doesn't add much. It will be good for off-duty carry as well.

[SUSQUASH]

Hello,
I just retired as an LEO after 32 years. I teach firearms at a local police academy and have had experience with both revolvers and autos.  The 3" Model 66 should work well for you.  I'd suggest a lot of practice with .38 Specials at the range and suggest you check with your department as to their requirements for duty ammo.   The 3" Model 66 won't be quite as accurate as a 4" because of the shorter sight radius but you can overcome that easily with lots of practice.  I would also suggest speed loaders for reloading on duty.  They are a lot faster than anything else.  Just practice with them and make sure your grip allows for them.  I would suggest a set of Pachmyr fingergroove grips.  Hope this has been some help to you although it looks like the thread has been out for a while.
Take care and keep your powder dry.  

[R. Tillery]

As a former LEO, in this day of autos, GOOD LUCK finding a duty holster for it.

[Nanuk]

I carried a Smith and Wesson 357 on duty for 15 years. They took it away as I was kicking and screaming. Master that revolver and you will be fine. Practice, practice, practice, learn to use those speedloaders corrrectly I carried 6 in loops and two speedloaders, the sixe loops are for when you have the opportunity for a tac load. The 3" was my favorite in the K/L frame guns. The 357 is a very effective cartrige when loaded with any good HP. Shoot a lot of 38's before you move up to maggies...it will make a big difference. Good luck with you're new carreer, I've been an LEO for25 years and do not regret a moment.

[Sgtshultzy1]

Like many other of the gentlemen on this post, I too was a LEO.  After over 25 years on the job in NY, and many seasons as a firearms instructor, I can tell you that the advice you have gotten here is great advice.

I happen to have a 3 inch 66 like the one you are talking about.  It was a special run made for a distributor in 1985 and in fact only 2500 were made.

That particular gun is as accurate as any "Smith" I ever carried even with longer barrels.  It's a great choice and a steal at the price you paid for it.  Your dealer is right, it has some collector interest and a research on the Smith and Wesson Forum of this gun will answer many questions regarding this gun.  

I caution you on it's use as a primary weapon for law enforcement however.   After reading the other responses I hope you are getting the impression that familiarity and practice are paramount with this weapon, as it should be with any firearm actually, but there are probably better choices out there for extended LEO use.

If you are forced to purchase your own handgun then in all practicality, please get the best gun you can get for the money.   Preferably new! There are a lot of "tools" in the trade of Law Enforcement..not all of them are inanimate objects, but the one inatimate object you need to feel most comfortable with, in terms of reliability, familiarity, and personal protection, is your sidearm.  Please dont settle in this regard.

Try to find out from the firearm instructor in your agency what his opinions are, he will know the rules and regulations for firearm use which should include specifics such as type of gun and caliber and possibly specific cartridges, and then purchase a new firearm accordingly.

In the meantime, keep the 66..shoot it and enjoy it, and most of all, be careful and accept our prayers that you will never have to use it or any other gun as a LEO.