Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default PSP carry gun history?

    Anyone know what the carry guns of the PSP has been in its long history?

    I tried researching this on the WWW but have been having trouble finding any info prior to 1980.

    Here is what I have gathered.

    1. 2007 - Present - Glock 37 45 GAP
    2. 1993-2007 Beretta 96D 40S&W (Silver first, black second)
    3. 1980 - 1993 Ruger Security Six - 357 Magnum 4" barrel Stainless finish

    I have heard they carried a Colt Official Police in .38 Special before this, but I cant find anything that verifies this.

    Anyone know what they carried before 1980, and what years?

    This is just one of those "I have too much time on my hands" projects I have been researching.

    Thanks for any help

  2. #2
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    They did carry a 6" barrel Colt revolver in .38 special for many years.

    ETA: Here's a reference to that, strange, the PSP website talks about their history, but not the Colt .38, 6". But I do know they carried them.

    The year 1936 saw the New Service chambered for the powerhouse handgun cartridge of the day, the .357 Magnum. The New Service in .38 Special was popular with police and was used by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol, Pennsylvania State Police, Kansas Highway Patrol, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and San Antonio and Richmond police departments. The New Hampshire State Police bought some in .357 Mag.
    Last edited by HiredGoon; January 15th, 2010 at 10:28 PM.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    I came on the PSP in 1965 and the issued weapon was the Colt Official Police 6" bbl. Later, around 1970, they tried the Colt Trooper(Mk III, I think) in 6" bbl. During the mid 70s, I think, they went to the Ruger Security Six 4" bbl in .357. As far as I know, the Colt Official Police was the original weapon the PSP issued from its inception in 1905. I know the holsters and Sam Browne gear was the same up until the Rugers came on scene.
    "He was born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad."
    Rafael Sabatini's "Scaramouche"

  4. #4
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    I remember it taking a lot of legislation before troopers(also other LEOS) were allowed to carry magnums. Liberals thought the magnum was an inhumane cartridge and feared for the safety of bystanders. At least we have come a long way in that regard. 38 Specials were the pistol of choice in most law inforcement agencies in early years. Some western states carried 45 revolvers. That's good history to research.
    Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    This reminds me....

    A couple weeks ago I was at the state game lands range in Wexford shooting my Sig Mosquito and a young guy approached me and asked me what I was shooting.

    I said "It's a Sig Mosquito" and he laughed at me for shooting a .22.

    I saw that he had one of the FN-P variants in his hand and I asked him if it was a .45, he said "No, work won't let us carry .45s anymore it's a .40"

    I asked him where he worked and he said he was state police.

    Odd. I thought state troopers were carrying .45 GAP Glocks.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    Quote Originally Posted by bert View Post
    I remember it taking a lot of legislation before troopers(also other LEOS) were allowed to carry magnums. Liberals thought the magnum was an inhumane cartridge and feared for the safety of bystanders. At least we have come a long way in that regard. 38 Specials were the pistol of choice in most law inforcement agencies in early years. Some western states carried 45 revolvers. That's good history to research.
    Yep, it did take a bit of convincing to get that change to the .357. But, the New York State Police, patterned after the PSP and started only a few years after us, carried the big old N Frame SWs chambered for the .45 LC with a 6" bbl. They changed over during the seventies and a lot of the old NY Staties still would have rathered carrying the .45s.
    "He was born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad."
    Rafael Sabatini's "Scaramouche"

  7. #7
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. Too bad they wouldnt have went with the Pythons!!

  8. #8
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    Quote Originally Posted by BlackWolfsburg View Post
    This reminds me....

    A couple weeks ago I was at the state game lands range in Wexford shooting my Sig Mosquito and a young guy approached me and asked me what I was shooting.

    I said "It's a Sig Mosquito" and he laughed at me for shooting a .22.

    I saw that he had one of the FN-P variants in his hand and I asked him if it was a .45, he said "No, work won't let us carry .45s anymore it's a .40"

    I asked him where he worked and he said he was state police.

    Odd. I thought state troopers were carrying .45 GAP Glocks.
    PSP have changed over to the 45 GAP now so not sure what that guy was referring to ?

  9. #9
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    sounds like a bullshitter to me

  10. #10
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    Default Re: PSP carry gun history?

    Quote Originally Posted by den9 View Post
    sounds like a bullshitter to me
    He could have been refering to his off duty carry. I know a lot of departments have a list of what guns and calibers you are allowed to carry while not in uniform (other than your duty issued sidearm).

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