When did American cops start carrying guns?

police started carrying firearms in the 1800’s – shortly before the time of Pinkerton, the time of the advent of the FBI, etc. it didn’t become common place until the time of the expansion west.

What did cops carry in the 80s?

Legacy: When Cops Carried Revolvers

• Colt .
• Colt L-frame double-action .
• On a limited basis, semi-automatic handguns were used in law enforcement long before the semi-automatic “transitional” period of the late 1980s.
• Smith & Wesson Model 29s in .

When did police start carrying revolvers?

Released in 1908 as the Colt Army Special, the revolver was renamed the “Colt’s Official Police” in 1927 in order to better market to law enforcement agencies. It became one of the best selling police firearms of all time, eventually in the 1950s coming to exemplify typical law enforcement officer weaponry.

When did the NYPD stop using revolvers?

In 1994 the NYPD replaced the revolver as its main service weapon and adopted the 9mm semiautomatic pistol as its standard issued sidearm, replacing the . 38 Special revolver. NYPD officers who were “on the job” on or prior to 1994 could continue to carry their revolvers if they wished.

Why did law enforcement go back to 9mm?

Spoiler Alert: “While some law enforcement agencies have transitioned to larger calibers from the 9mm in recent years, they do so at the expense of reduced magazine capacity, more felt recoil, and given adequate projectile selection, no discernible increase in terminal performance.”

Why did the FBI switch back to 9mm?

Conclusion. While some law enforcement agencies have transitioned to larger calibers from the 9mm Luger in recent years, they do so at the expense of reduced magazine capacity, more felt recoil, and given adequate projectile selection, no discernible increase in terminal performance.

What pistol does LAPD carry?

FN 509 MRD LE
Inside look: Why the LAPD chose the FN 509 MRD LE as its new duty weapon. The Los Angeles Police Department recently announced that the FN 509 MRD-LE will now serve as the department’s new duty pistol. FN’s 509 MRD-LE went head-to-head against several competitors in a 20,000 round endurance test.