Four different yet similar Military/Police revolvers in .38 special - from the 1920’s to 1980’s

[@CarolinaRimfire]

I love that Ruger. I don't think I've ever seen a blued Service Six chambered for 38spl only. Great find!

[@crankygunreviews]

@@CarolinaRimfire yeah it was an odd one, I had to have it

[@kbm-zw5jd]

@@crankygunreviewsthe NYPD authorized the blued Service Six in .38 Special for many years. In 1987, we went to double action only and those were stainless steel with no hammer spur. I have one of both. We carried the Model 64 when we went to double action only and it also had a spurless hammer.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@kbm-zw5jd nice! I always like hearing from someone who was there :)

[@johnmadow5331]

I have one in .38 Special blue in excellent shape that I brought thru GB from the pawnshop in South Calionna foe $425.00

[@pogihead1019]

I use to carry that Ruger when I was in the Navy in the early 1990s. I carried it when I was on base security. Our Rugers were US Govt marked. Bought sometime in the early 1980s through a revolver contract with US Navy.mThey were exceptional pistols! One day I showed up to arm up and they were no longer in the armory, I asked the watch commander where the .38s went, he said base ordnance retired them, Carry the 1911.

[@marks1638]

The US Air Force carried Model 15's from 1962 thru the late 1980's (Security Police Working Dog teams still used them for dog training until early 90's). My dad is pictured with one in 1963 as Air Policeman (he said it was a brand-new Model 15, 4-inch barreled 38 Special literally just arrived in crates from the factory). I carried one as a Small Arms Instructor at Lackland AFB in the early 80's. When I came back to the career field in 1991, they had switched to Beretta 92's. I love revolvers, especially Smiths and Rugers.

[@crankygunreviews]

Very cool! Love hearing these stories

[@everettsnyder1763]

I ran a Model 15 in the USAF fro 1986-1991 some bases issued them through 1992 and MWD teams used them until around 2018 until the Sig M18 was adopted Not sure how but apparently the M18 is able to have blank conversions. Great guns!

[@crankygunreviews]

Nice! I just got a M17, haven’t shot it yet- looks almost new

[@richapolonio1701]

I have a 38special.. have used it twice to defend my home never failed me.. its not flashy or modern gun but it works..

[@crankygunreviews]

@@richapolonio1701 it’s a great caliber, many different loads, and been proven. Maybe not the most prevalent today, but definitely still a viable option

[@dougrogers835]

Very nice. I have a couple 1920's M & P in 4" and 6". I have never come across a 5" in that time frame. I'll have to research that. Very cool.

[@crankygunreviews]

The 5” is very pleasant

[@johnmadow5331]

I have Pre War MP Model 10 that has 5" barrel blue in original condition, I love it. I also, brought Nickel Plate S&W MP-10-5 from Wayne County in .38 Special with original 200 round 158 Lead Round Nose. I have original Instruction dated 1955 with the gun along with box.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@johnmadow5331 super cool! These older guns have unmatched quality

[@foreignmilk]

that ruger is perfect, model 15 is nice too

[@crankygunreviews]

@@foreignmilk I agree

[@2Chron7-14]

After returning home from the Cuban Missile Crises, my Dad was one of our local Sheriff’s Deputies. He never felt underfunded, carrying a Smith model 10. By the way, the biggest (Not the only one) reason for cylinder lockup is the ejector rod backing out. Tighten her down and see what happens.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@2Chron7-14 I will check that- could also be a reaload too- if the case stretched and I missed it when checking them.

[@RickNethery]

Beautiful revolvers brother 👍

[@crankygunreviews]

@@RickNethery thank you!

[@guaporeturns9472]

Sweet lineup of revolvers. I think shooting at a smaller target (the head) generally results in a smaller group. Maybe not the best way to compare accuracy but it’s no biggie. Thanks for sharing

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks! I have a part 2 of this coming

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@crankygunreviews Get what I’m saying..? The groups shot at the head should generally be smaller than the ones shot at the center mass.. our eyes just naturally and involuntarily tighten things up when shooting at a smaller target

[@crankygunreviews]

Yeah I get it, funny how the brain works

[@johnzeszut3170]

I carried a Model 10 for the majority of my police career - the department decided that automatics ought bu be the weapon of choice - you had to buy your own weapon - because I was not required to make the change I kept the revolver feeling very comfortable with it. I still have it.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@johnzeszut3170 great story and great gun

[@johnzeszut3170]

@@crankygunreviews I felt very comfortable with that revolver and carried two speed-loaders so I always felt that if things got bad I would have 18 chances to win.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@johnzeszut3170 exactly

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

I have a model 13 S&W given to me by a retired sheriff deputy. Love the 357/38

[@crankygunreviews]

@@arthurbrumagem3844 oh the 13’s are nice!

[@natwolf687]

FBI piece, nice.

[@JG-xt9io]

Nice revolvers, I have two pre-number smiths , one is a mp pre 10 with a 6 inch barrel , the other is a pre 14 , with 6 inch barrel . Both have buttery smooth trigers. Have seen a couple sp 101 in 38 special, both had gone to France for police use . Good to see you out shooting again

[@crankygunreviews]

Sp101 in .38 special? Wow

[@TheJHMAN1]

My first issue was an old colt, after that a couple of model 10s last one in the late 80s was a Ruger.

[@crankygunreviews]

Awesome! What force were you on, if you don’t mind my asking.

[@TheJHMAN1]

@@crankygunreviews Army helicopter crew.

[@crankygunreviews]

Very cool! Thanks for your service

[@jefferynatter1961]

Nice revolvers i especially like the ruger had a security six but I prefer non adjustable sights on my revolvers looking for a service six or speed six

[@crankygunreviews]

@@jefferynatter1961 the Police service 6 was the star of the show that day

[@robertpontisso4953]

When I, was stationed in Korea, our pilots carried the Ruger service six and the Smith & Wesson model 10. 1988-1989

[@crankygunreviews]

@@robertpontisso4953 nice!

[@oldcop18]

I was issued a Model 15 in the ‘70s & used it, close range in a local motel hallway, to save a hostage that was being held w/a butcher knife in his mouth.

[@crankygunreviews]

🫡👍

[@calvinhandley2373]

Your 64-8 wasn’t introduced until 2002. Massachusetts State Police was notorious for marking the department name on the back strap. If it were an issue gun from that department, it would be marked as such.

[@crankygunreviews]

I’m 99% sure my 64 was not a police issue gun. But the model 64 was used by police

[@PassivePortfolios]

I have a S&W Model 10 HKRP (Hong Kong Royal Police), S&W Model 13, S&W Victory Model, S&W K-22 target model 6" barrel, and a Ruger Security Six blued with a 6" barrel. Also have a S&W Model 49 and a 36 with a 3" barrel, both are 5 shot J frames.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@PassivePortfolios nice collection!

[@PassivePortfolios]

@@crankygunreviews the other good part is that I bought these many years ago when they were relatively cheap as police trade ins. The HKRP revolver may have some historical significance because it was part of the batch sold after China took over Hong Kong from the UK. The K-22 was bought at a gun show for $185 from a guy who wanted to trade it in for $150 credit towards a new gun. The dealer wanted to kill me when I handed the seller the cash. It is in mint condition and shoots great.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@PassivePortfolios wow! $185? That’s awesome. I always haggle. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no

[@PassivePortfolios]

@@crankygunreviews I beat the dealer's offer by $35 and handed the guy $185 in cash, grabbed the revolver and got out of there, just in case anyone tried to change the deal. It is my favorite revolver and I will never sell it.

[@crankygunreviews]

I love those stories

[@hoffmiermp]

My victory model is probably one of my favorite smiths.

[@crankygunreviews]

They’re amazing

[@kylewood8327]

Man those are nice!

[@crankygunreviews]

They are! Thanks!

[@pme166]

What about the 38/44's from Smith and Wesson? The big N framed guns firing a 38 special round. You could also buy 38/44 high speed ammo which would toss a 158 grn SWC or LRN at 1100 FPS give or take (38/44 High Speed is dimensionally identical to 38 Special just a lot more pressure). I know several of mine went Police departments and the most famous 38/44's are the Austin PD's block or nickel plated versions. They can be found occasionally at gun shows for a reasonable price. I think there were several hundred of them original with an APD & number engraved on the backstrap. My favorite is my 5" post war (made in 49) that I bought directly from the police officer who carried it. It has definitely been used and is worn on one side but the internals are perfect.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@pme166 haven’t seen a lot of those around, I was trying to focus this on what I have

[@keysgirl7699]

I own more S&W than Ruger. I have a Security Six .357 in blue 6” & a Security Six .357 in stainless steel 4”. They are two of my favorite revolvers.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@keysgirl7699 very cool

[@davidkachel]

If you have grunge in the cylinder of your Model 64 (or any DA revolver), it will add weight to the double-action trigger pull. (Single-action too, but that will be less noticeable.) Also, hold your DA revolvers higher on the grip (lower in your hand). The hammer should very lightly, and almost imperceptibly, touch the web of your hand, just at the instant before it lets off. Any lower and you are giving the firearm needless leverage and additional recoil, slowing your recovery for the next shot and throwing off your aim.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@davidkachel thanks for the tips

[@11oldpatch]

I have a 10-6 and a colt official police

[@crankygunreviews]

Nice! Yeah the official police don’t fit my hands too well, so I’ve not bought one

[@craigbenz4835]

I hadn't seen one of those old M&Ps with the combination of a fixed rear sight and patridge front sight. Did it ship that way?

[@calvinhandley2373]

That gun was altered by a gunsmith. The original half-round sight was milled away and the blade sight was pinned in place. From what you can see in the video, the gunsmith did a nice job.

[@crankygunreviews]

Probably not shipped that way. It was cerakoted as well, which is not original.

[@crankygunreviews]

I agree the gunsmith did a great job

[@jamesvandemark2086]

Why .38 Special when you could have a Charter Arms .44 Special? Really- I was very happy with mine in the 80's as a courier!

[@crankygunreviews]

@@jamesvandemark2086 why not have both like I do? This is not a comparison of 44 special versus 38 special, I was just showing 4 different 38 special guns that were used by the military or police in the US over the years.

[@kbm-zw5jd]

The model 10 cylinder not turning might have been powder under the ejector star, especially since you’re shooting reloads. And fully taking apart a used revolver is a must for me. I’ve seen some nasty stuff under the side plate. The cylinder on the 64 being sluggish probably means there is oil and gunk inside it. There are tons of videos on how to do it and it’s pretty simple.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@kbm-zw5jd thank you, you may be right

[@mannywilliams6409]

What no Colt?

[@crankygunreviews]

Don’t have any police colts- only a detective special

[@lky056]

Did you re blue the Ruger Service six?

[@crankygunreviews]

@@lky056 no it’s original.

[@johnmadow5331]

During these day, the labor cost to refinish is about $500.00 plus shipping $65.00-100.00 per gun plus destroy the gun value by as much as $50.00. No one want to do it. Ruger revolver worth about $500-800.00 in current market value.

[@crankygunreviews]

Yeah mine is original, and still in great shape

[@rachelsatlas]

Colt

[@crankygunreviews]

I don’t have a police positive or any of those- I said I made this video with the ones I have

[@seanhiatt6736]

Early models used in the Philippines in the beginning of the 20th century were chamberd for 38 S&W not Special, those came later.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@seanhiatt6736 yes, you’re right.

[@calvinhandley2373]

No, the US Army NEVER used the .38 S&W cartridge. The M&P was NEVER made in .38 S&W before WWII when they were made for the British. During the Spanish American War the US Army used Colt revolvers chambered for .38 Long Colt, not .38 S&W. The two are not interchangeable. In 1900 the US Navy purchased 1,000 M&P revolvers chambered in .38 Long Colt (aka US Service Cartridge). In 1901 the US Navy purchased 1,000 M&P revolvers, also chambered in .38 Long Colt. In 1902 the US Navy purchased an additional 1,000 of the improved 1902 Model M&P. These were also chambered in .38 Long Colt. All other M&P purchases by the US Armed Forces were in small quantities, and chambered in the standard .38 Special chambering.

[@seanhiatt6736]

@@calvinhandley2373 During the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), various revolvers were used by both the United States military and the Philippine Revolutionary Army. Here are some of the revolvers used during that conflict: *United States Military:* 1. Colt M1892 Navy & Army: A double-action revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt. 2. Colt M1878 Double Action: A double-action revolver chambered in .45 Colt. 3. Smith & Wesson M1891: A double-action revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt. 4. Colt M1889 Navy: A double-action revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt.

[@seanhiatt6736]

@@calvinhandley2373 , the .38 Special cartridge was used in the Philippines: Development The .38 Special was designed in 1898 as a higher-velocity round with better penetration than the .38 Long Colt. The .38 Long Colt was used by the government in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War, but it couldn't penetrate the shields of the Moro warriors.

[@walksfletcher]

Why don't these people ever get their facts straight ?

[@crankygunreviews]

What facts are wrong? Instead of showing up and putting a negative comment, why don’t you offer some constructive feedback about what I said wrong? Maybe I’ll get it right in the next video

[@Percyalleline]

The 38 m&ps were used during the Phillipine insurrection, they had to bring back the 45s bc of the lack of power. Also the 2nd gen 15 handle doesn't look original, i have one, theres a cavity behind the trig guard, that they later fixed with making the grip cover up that open space.

[@crankygunreviews]

Mine has altamont grips on it- thought I said that in the video.

[@RequisiteFunction]

The .38 in question was not 38 special. It was an older .38 cartridge .38 Special is more powerful and designed with that incident in mind.

[@crankygunreviews]

38 S&W maybe?

[@calvinhandley2373]

The M&P did not see significant use in the Philippine insurrection. The Army did not take delivery of the 1,000 M&P revolvers until well in to 1901. The standard issue Army revolver during this time period was the Colt Model 1892 chambered in .38 Long Colt. The 1,000 S&W revolvers were primarily purchased for evaluation. Since the Army insisted on them being chambered in the same useless .38 Long Colt cartridge instead of .38 Special they didn’t fair any better than the Colts.

[@calvinhandley2373]

@@crankygunreviewsyou did.

[@raythompson5087]

Kind of a mess

[@crankygunreviews]

@@raythompson5087 what is?

[@raquelgordon10]

hi! i’m sure you’ve caught the attention of soo many women, but I just have to say, you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen!

[@crankygunreviews]

Ok…

[@TheIrishAmish]

Sorry, but you are SO misinformed on the history/transition models. Do a 15 minute search on the Model 10. Please.

[@crankygunreviews]

What am I wrong about? The hand ejector 1899 was the pre-cursor for the military and police, which was then made into the model 10, with a typically fixed rear sight and blade or ramp front sight. What did I say wrong?