Pittsburgh police sidearm policy

[JustinR]

So quick question. Does Pittsburgh have an "approves" sidearm list for police, or is it anything you can qualify with?

Never really thought about it, but saw a cop with a Security Six outside the Kuhn's on Banksville road. Older guy, right age for him to have bought it new in 1985 or so.

Is he grandfathered in, or can a PGH cop carry whatever he qualifies with?

[ar15jules]

So quick question. Does Pittsburgh have an "approves" sidearm list for police, or is it anything you can qualify with?

Never really thought about it, but saw a cop with a Security Six outside the Kuhn's on Banksville road. Older guy, right age for him to have bought it new in 1985 or so.

Is he grandfathered in, or can a PGH cop carry whatever he qualifies with?

Are you certain he was Pittsburgh PD? Maybe store security?

[JustinR]

Are you certain he was Pittsburgh PD? Maybe store security?

Driving a brand new explorer with PGH PD insignia all over it. He got out to look at a car I shook my head at walking in, one of the "no way that passed inspection in the last year" mobiles.

Black guy, not overly tall, salt and pepper around his temples - but wearing a PGHPD ball cap.

Very much PGHPD, but saw the grip of the revolver as we both walked towards our vehicles - me to his right. He was looking at his note pad/ticket book (not sure which?); and a security six has a very distinct grip VS. a S&W.

[Emptymag]

Wikipedia sez...

Service pistols

Service pistols are usually Glocks. An officer must purchase his own service pistol. If officers were hired with the bureau in or prior to the year 1992, they have the option to carry a revolver on duty. Officers hired in 1993 and after must carry a semi-automatic pistol on duty. Prior to 1985 all officers could carry was a .38 caliber 5 or 6 shot revolver. In 1985 the bureau phased in the use of 9 mm semi-automatics to Special Operations and Narcotics units. In early 1990 all officers were allowed and encouraged to carry 9 mm semi-automatics, with the training and ammunition changeover costing the city roughly $2 million.^[4]

[JustinR]

Wikipedia sez...

Service pistols

Service pistols are usually Glocks. An officer must purchase his own service pistol. If officers were hired with the bureau in or prior to the year 1992, they have the option to carry a revolver on duty. Officers hired in 1993 and after must carry a semi-automatic pistol on duty. Prior to 1985 all officers could carry was a .38 caliber 5 or 6 shot revolver. In 1985 the bureau phased in the use of 9 mm semi-automatics to Special Operations and Narcotics units. In early 1990 all officers were allowed and encouraged to carry 9 mm semi-automatics, with the training and ammunition changeover costing the city roughly $2 million.^[4]

Huh, thanks for that, never thought to Wiki it - tried going straight to the PGH PD website and struck out.

So he hired on before 1992 and has had the same gun since 198x.

But yeah, thanks! That answers it all!

[JustinR]

Double tap.

[MT1]

Huh, thanks for that, never thought to Wiki it - tried going straight to the PGH PD website and struck out.

So he hired on before 1992 and has had the same gun since 198x.

But yeah, thanks! That answers it all!

Based on the wording... he could have been hired prior to 1992 and just bought his latest revolver yesterday. He has the option to carry a revolver. It doesn't say the revolver has to be of any specific manufacture date.

[MT1]

Huh, thanks for that, never thought to Wiki it - tried going straight to the PGH PD website and struck out.

So he hired on before 1992 and has had the same gun since 198x.

But yeah, thanks! That answers it all!

Based on the wording... he could have been hired prior to 1992 and just bought his latest revolver yesterday. He has the option to carry a revolver. It doesn't say the revolver has to be of any specific manufacture date.

[lemko]

There's an older lieutenant in my police district in Philadelphia who still carries a stainless S&W .357 revolver.

[JDA58]

FYI.. I love Kuhns Italian Subs...