Uncle Scotty Stories: My First LAPD Duty Pistol 

I was actually the last LAPD academy class to be issued revolvers in 1989. Class the next month got Berettas.

I reloaded my issued Colt Detective Special w/an unauthorized speedloader in a 1974 gunfight w/armed robbery suspects. One uniformed cop went down w/a suspect’s round in his chest (he recovered) trying to reload his revolver from a dump pouch. None of my training up to that point (‘68 rookie year) taught me how to fight w/a gun. My rounds found their mark and the suspect died at the hospital that night.

That Quad Speadloader Pouch Is Awesome!!!!!

The 70s, wow! I was born in 66. Want to be a police officer since I was a child. I watched every cop show I could watch (The Blue Knight and Police Story were my favorites). I can remember watching videos of Uncle Scotty in the academy and thinking how cool he was/is. I graduated the academy in May if 93, and retired in 2021. It was a blast. Stay safe, y'all!

30 year retired cop here ... carried the S&W 65-3 .357 mag until they switched over to Glock. We were able to purchase our revolver, holster, speed loaders, pouches and one box of ammo for $100. I still have mine today.

I carry a 3 inch revolver as an off duty. Love classic firearms.

Nice seeing you again Scotty. I first saw you sitting in the first row at Wilshire Area Police Station on what I believe was your weekend out of the academy. I also retired in early 2006 and my Model 15 cost me $52.00.

We didn’t transition to semi autos until 1993. My Uniform duty carry was 18 rounds for the revolver. At first dump pouches then twist knob speed loaders. I carried in a 6 loop pouch some specialty rounds for wildlife. As a plainclothes officer I was issued a 5 shot Chief’s Special with a small dump pouch with 5 in a speed strip. PC duty carry 10 rounds. My first ballistic vest was purchased at an appliance store whose manager’s son was a police officer and he would supply the very rudimentary Kevlar vest at cost until we were issued vests probably in the mid 1980’s. I was very fortunate at the time (but really didn’t appreciate it or even know how fortunate I was) to have the legendary Jim Cirillo as my Handgun and Shotgun instructor. Thanks for the memories.

As a 54 year old Irish Texas state police officer who carried a S&W m657 revolver way back in the early 90's and who watched his father carry a S&W m28 with the Texas Highway Patrol for 33 years, this really hit a cord with me. I grew up around wheelguns and distinctly remember watching 'Adam-12' with my Dad as he cleaned his weapon and polished his boots and Sam Browne belt for duty. He'd tell me stories he'd read about LAPD while we watched, stories about William B. Parker and how LAPD set the standard for professional police conduct. Yeah, it was only a show, but to this day everytime I see an image of Reed and Malloy, I think "My dad was right. This is exactly how an American police officer should present themselves." My dad also was the first firearms instructor I ever had, and it was on his m28. He also showed me how to use both the HKS and Safariland speedloaders. Seeing you handle those speed loaders and hearing the years of 'mileage' if you will, in your voice and countenance, I am sharply reminded of my Dad, who has since passed on. I really appreciate you uploading this, it is bittersweet...but more sweet than bitter. Thank you.

Loved Scotty - He was the best trainer on the ENTIRE Dept...Everyone could tell how passionate he was about shooting accuracy and tactics...He is the real deal...LAPD's finest!!

I remember seeing cops in the 90s as a kid with revolvers, mainly the older cops used to their 38s

Mid 80’s I was an Air Force SP. S&W M15 4”, dump pouches with rubber stripper clips and 18 rounds of 135gr FMJ ball. Good thing I also had an M-16.

Joined the LASD in 1988, was issued a Model 15 .38 Special. We were issued Safariland comp II speedloaders and Federal 110 grain +p+ ammunition. Those loads were hot. When we were issued the Beretta 9mm in 1990, we were allowed to purchase our revolvers for $115. Still have mine, and it’s in 98% condition. Shoots like a dream. Thanks for the video.

Revolvers still a good edc carry to me

I became a cop 9-years after you at another Southland department and my duty weapon was the S&W 66. I loved that gun. I started at a college PD and was so wet behind the ears I didn't even carry any speed loaders or dump pouches. Then I went to Banning PD and was issued a Colt 1911. I was like "What the hell am I gonna do with all that gun?" Little did I know...

I hit the bricks in 1979 with a S&W model 67 and dump pouches, but most guys carried a speed loader in their uniform trouser pocket. Thanks for the video, it brought back a lot of memories.

My first duty carry1978, a model 15 S/W and double dump pouch! Thanks Scotty!!

Hello Uncle Scotty! My Grandfather became a Milwaukee Police officer after WW2 he was a Marine fighting in the South PACIFIC like my uncles to all Marines. In 1971 my Uncle and dad came home from Vietnam. My uncle became a Greenfield police officer in 1973. My Grandfather carried a Colt 6 inch Police Special till 1955 when the Colt Python came out. He carried that when MPD allowed 357 magnums to be used. He used a slide on ammo pouch with 20 bullet holders in 1946. He switched to dump pouches in 1955. He carries a wood night stick and could twirl it!!! He had 2 cuff pouches, flashlight ring, pen/pencil pouch, and a black jack! Boy that hurt! I used to play police officer with Grandfather stuff and his hat! My uncle had speed loader pouches, Smith and Wesson model 29 6 inch 357 magnum. He had a knight stick, flashlight ring, mace, lock in knife and a 38 snub nose Colt police special. Back up! He carried that off duty and his Marine Corps Colt 45 ACP so did grandfather. He had 2 handcuff pouches, and a Motorola RTO. In 1990 his dept. Switched to Smith and Wesson model 4506 APC. No college needed just Academy. In 1987- 1991 I in listed into the Marines to. I was Forced Recon sniper 3-3. After I got out had to go to college for 2 year degree police science?! I learned more on the streets and tossed the book away? Grandfather passed on and left Dad and Me his WW2 weapons he took from Japs and Germans! My uncle snuck home a Communist 9mm Makarov and a AK-47. I got the Colt python 357 to carry at work they were using Smith and Wesson model 629 357 magnums! I graduated from school and the academy in December 1994. I got on January 1995. CPD went to 45 ACP Smith and Wesson model 4506s to. Was I pissed I was sitting with a 4 inch Colt Python, Smith Wesson model 4006 40 cal, a Glock 22 40 cal, and a Colt 1991A1 I brought home from the Marines including my SIG Sauer P 220 45 ACP! I SOLD MY 40S TO COP BUDDIES, MY 45;Colt 1991A1 to a deputy school pal of mine! And My Glock 40 to another classmate he got on with SMPD HER IN WISCONSIN. I carried their 45 Cal Smith and Wesson which failed the following year after my FTO training which I passed. They had no more to give me as they returned to Smith and Wesson for repair. I told them Chief all I got left is a SIG Sauer P 220 45 ACP! He laughed and let me carry it until we switched to SIG Sauer P 320 45 ACP! GREAT WEAPONS. NO PROBLEMS LIKE THE 9mm?! 😮 I carried my P320 45 ACP in a plastic Safariland basket weave 6360 triple Retention holster, leather long gone since 2010. We carry ASP BATON in a scabbard, flashlight pouch stinger, 2 cuff cases, mag pouch, Gerber tool pouch, RTO pouch, key holder, oc spray pouch, holster, and gloves. WOW! Now we tasers, Norcam, and TQ and First aid Trama kits like we had in the military. Remington, 12 gage 870 pump, M-4 carbine and me a sniper rifle with scope M-24 300 grain magnum. Remington. How crap has changed since you vets were on! I'm close to retirement and I'm 56! Got 26 years on! Bad back, bad heal spears and arthritis in my spine?! Lol! Great show sir! Thank you for reading all this!

Ahhhhh.....memories. My first duty gun with Tucson was a 4" Smith Model 19. We could carry anything we wanted as long as it was the one they handed you with the Sam Browne belt, 12-round loop carrier, double speedloader pouch and two HKS speedloaders.

My first full time department required a 38 or 357 revolver, Colt or S&W only, 4 or 6 inch only, and mandated the use of their 38 special non plus p 125 grain JHP ammo. Speed loaders were allowed. That was in 1986.

That was a nice walk down memory lane. Great times.

I used some of the same gear. My first dury weapon was a Modle 15 S&W. Used the Safariland Comp 2 speed loaders. Wound up going to a Colt Python for duty carry. Excellent program buddy.

I own only one k frame. A model 64-3. It started out with a four inch duty barrel and fixed sights. Some time before i owned it, previous owner had a gunsmith replace the barrel with a six inch pipe, front & rear adjustable sights. Most accurate 38 i own. Slightly beats out a Colt Model 3-5-7 and a circa 1940 S&W Heavy Duty, also in 38. Thank you for your public service sir. The revolver world is underappreciated.

Love 4" Stainless"K" frames. Just completed a four gun mini collection. Models 64, 65, 66 and 67.

When I was a kid in the River Quay the police carried model 15 Smith's combat masterpiece, they won many gunfights with them, I have one myself today that I keep in my nightstand stoked with FBI load.

I started in 1987 with a Smith Model 64 and two dump pouches. We were "high tech" and issued speed strips. After about two weeks I showed up with speed loaders and the nashing of teeth and wailing commenced. Took us till about 1991 to move to semi-autos.

I know it’s crazy but guys were still carrying revolvers in the 90’s when I came on. Great video!

what an excellent video to watch, I’m a 44-year-old guy who saw revolvers on police officers belts when I was a kid in the 80s. So I identified with real guns ever since. I own two Smith & Wesson revolvers, and I am always looking for these kinds of videos. Just imagine this guy and Mossad Ayoob doing a collaboration video on revolvers, how cool would that be ??

You need a show on The History Channel. Very informative and extremely enjoyable

Thanks for the memories. I started at a small L.A. Co. department in ‘79. I was issued a S&W mdl 15 with Safariland comp II speedloaders but in the Sheriff’s Academy I switched to my 6” Colt Python so I could qualify expert.

My dad joined in 83' he was issued a model 15, but after a he finished probation, he then carried a model 19, and believe it or not, well into the mid 90's he still carried his model 19 but eventually had to get with the times and he switched to a Beretta and carried that for the last 25 years of his career.

Thank you! When I started we were carrying either M10’s or M19’s, but most guys shot 38+p. I still carry revolvers at times and enjoy shooting them.

Great trip down memory lane. We still had revolvers in the late 90s. Went to the 4506-1 in 1998 and the 4566 in 2001. I bought and read your book, The Art of Modern Gunfighting several years back. I am eagerly awaiting Volume 2! Stay safe!

Great video. I remember coming on as an Auxiliary Police Officer 1991, and our Department had just switched over from S&W .38s to the Sig Sauer 225 9mm.

Great piece. My first issued pistol was a model Smith and Wesson model 64. Wasn’t that something. We had just transitioned from the model 10’s. Two speed loaders. Eighteen rounds. And today 18 + rounds in the Handgun itself. Thank you for a great reminder.

My first pistol was a K frame Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece and later I bought the 15-4. I shot a couple of Browning's with 13 rounds and still preferred the revolver. I also bought a K frame snub for easy carrying. I still love revolvers.

Scotty, thanks for the history, got my M67 with Harry’s M64 barrel replacement when I retired. If I wanted to endure fire a firearm you were our guy. Thanks 🇺🇸🇺🇸

I was armed with a 1911 for almost 2 years while in the Marine Corps in the early 1970s. The gun I had was made by Union Switch and Signal during WW2. If they had allowed me to buy it for a few bucks, I would have in a heart beat. Those things are worth thousands now days.

This fellow is good! Brings back a lot of memories.

I love revolvers, it’s a lost art. They’re not tactacool like the semi auto type pistols.

Great history lesson I really enjoyed it!! Off duty / backup during the same era please....

Ok so now you have to do a video on semi autos . I remember watching you as a teenager on lapd life on the beat and always loved your shooting segments. Now years later 14 years police and 6 years on my department’s swat team, I still watch those videos . PS : I’m still trying to find a smith 4506 because of you !

Stainless steel Adjustable sights Smooth trigger Accurate shoots like a laser. It truly is a combat masterpiece.

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

I started in 1969, with a 4" S&W Mod. 10.

Thanks for taking me back to the greatest time of my life.

Thank you for the cool video. I love revolvers. I have a S&W M27 with a 3 1/2” barrel. It is a delight to shoot. I enjoy shooting the magnum ammo. The 38 special ammo is ok but boring in comparison to the magnum ammo.

Classy Centurion for sure! Thanks for your service & wisdom Scotty ;)

I remember it all very well. Great video down memory lane Uncle Scotty. Thank you for making it. I dusted off some memories. 👍👍❤️

Thank You Uncle Scotty. I am looking forward to seeing more content, and hope that there are more videos, and books from You coming soon. Kind regards, Denis

I would like to see him in action with his 67! I think in a low crime region or city a revolver would be still enough for an officer.

Great video Sir! My dad also bought his original Smith .38 back from the LAPD when he retired. It even has "Los Angeles Police Department" stamped on the side of the barrel, which is really cool. Revolver shooting is certainly a lost art. I own a Smith Model 442 .38 +P and I really like it. Being proficient with a revolver is something I enjoy training on. When you take one to the range these days, people look at you funny because its not a Glock I guess, but I never feel unarmed with a revolver at all. Thanks for a great video. I look forward to more! Semper Fi.

Looking back, I should have gone wiith the Safariland speedloader and that quad carrier. That said, I'm glad we went to semiautomatic pistols in the late eighties. Thanks for the perspective from LAPS, Scott. Still awaiting your book on shotguns.

When I first started taking an interest in firearms by watching videos on RU-vid, I watched several videos of police involved shootings and others of course, and in the space of a week I saw four videos where an auto-loading pistol jammed hard after the first shot, right in the middle of a shootout. From that time on, I've always thought that it might still be better to carry a five shot revolver over a seventeen round auto-loading pistol. Just recently there was a video of a handcuffed suspect accompanied to the hospital by the police, and it turned out the suspect still had a firearm concealed in his pants. After the suspect shot himself with a negligent discharge while the gun was still in his pants, one of the officers pulled his pistol, fired one round, and his gun jammed. If that officer was in an exchange of gunfire at that point in time, he would be very dead today.

amazing pistol, love the wood grips

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

I can't wait to take your revolver class!

Loved this video!

When I became a Deputy in '99, in what will be here an unnamed semi-backwards yet charming Ohio County....both the Colt Python and SW 66 were authorized. Glocks were still a "new" thing by comparison and I still have my 66. When I left due to health issues in 2009, they had standardized on Glock but those of us who qualified were grandfathered in.

We were partial to 6" Model 19's in this neck of the woods.....

Thanks so much Scotty!

Have several revolvers. They serve well. Autos as well.

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

I remember going to central station with my dad when he worked a desk there. I saw a couple guys who looked like they came straight out of an old police sting video carrying Dirty Harry style revolvers. One even had a clam shell holster. I’m guessing they retired that year. This was early 2000s.

Great explanation of the progression

THANKS SCOTTY 🥃😎👌

I was in class 3-77, I was issued a model15 blue steel and I eventually found Fuzzy Ferant? He made me a perfect set of grips.

I came on in 1987. My issued sidearm was either a 67 or a 67-1; I don't remember which. Carried it for three years before switching to another agency in 1990 that was issuing the Ruger P-85. I still have my two HKS speedloaders, and a box of commercially-reloaded "Police Cartridges" training ammunition (we were issued one box a month if we asked for them.) I never shot the Ruger as well as I did the Smith. Today, among other guns, I own a nice Ruger P-95 and an even nicer Model 67-1. ;-) Thanks for sharing.

I have your book on Kindle, Scott, and enjoyed it quote a bit. I'd love to take a class from the company, but, failing that, look forward to watching more videos. Your 30 years must have given you many stories to tell, if you want to, and we'd like to hear them. In an aside, I recently discovered the LAPDs archive from the BOPC regarding Officer Involved shooting incidents. Fascinating reading. Thanks again.

I worked for BRINKS in 1990s. We used similar set up. S&W MOD 64 38 revolver. Usually 2 speedloader pouch but mine was a triple decker! With spyderco knife stuffed behind ammo pouches . We used ballistic nylon duty equipment. Most had body armor but got sweaty. Wed " sneak" on back up guns too. One white shirt Sup had a TEC 9 in his messenger coal bag. Hed go full DELTA FORCE ON YOU,if you had any deleterious ideas about doing a 211

Great video enjoyed it.

Excellent video. I lateraled to an agency that gave officers much more freedom and firepower. But now I regret not buying my old wheel gun back.

Sweet!

What I get from this interview with Uncle Scotty, is I need to spend a lot of time practicing speed loading as I have a love for a revolver merely because I dont have any experience worth calling it that with any other gun.

Love it. I'd love to see some detail pics of that Model 67. I have been trying to duplicate it, though with a Model 14

Love the Comp II’s. Have the worst time finding concealment pouches to hold them though. Would love to be able to find one of the quad carriers you mentioned. Great video, thank you.

My first duty weapon was a S&W model 28 N frame Highway Patrolman. Great fire are and I still keep it in excellent shape. The we went to the S&W 10 mm. It was a boat anchor. The we went to Glock 22 40 cal and I loved that weapon. The department had our badge laser engraved and the serial number matched our designated serial number. So min was xxxxxx19. And they gave it back on retirement.

7:30 reload. I have for my S & W Model 19 is four HKS brand Speed Loaders like the one he has, I also have a Datona Systems button release speed loader.

Yup, still got my B/S model 15 with John Hurst grips, given to me by an instructor friend, upon my Academy graduation!

Uncle Scotty. Just came across this vid on revolvers. I thought it was great. Although I started in the academy for my agency in 1994 with a revolver (6" S&W 586) until graduation, then til I passed probation. From there, I bought a 4" Colt Python and carried that in a Hoyt front break swivel holster til 1998 when I switched over to a S&W 4566 in .45 acp. Uncle Scotty would you be willing to showcase the holsters of your area (clam shells, front breaks etc.) if that's something worthwhile doing? Thanks Uncle Scotty. ITTS Alumni 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011. -Rey

30 years? 30? There? You sir, qualify as a saint.

Here we are in 2023 some Oklahoma police officers are still carrying revolvers you will find them occasionally here in Perkins Oklahoma I’ve seen some officers carry revolvers

No wonder the NY reload came about.

You were an LAPD Officer during the same period as my father. He was Van Nuys Div.

Hey, Scott. Greetings from Pennsylvania. I'm a retired Pennsylvania State corrections officer. Guess what my service pistol was? S&W M 65 four inch with round nosed lead rounds. Two years of before I retired, we were finally issued lead hollow point semi wadcutter ammo. The DOC is now issuing the Glock 45 9mm. Take and Happy New Year.

LASD 1980 S&W MDL 15 GREAT WEAPON

Your presentation makes me wish I was on with the LAPD back in the day! You were TRULY fortunate and I can tell highly regarded, as well, sir. Thanks so much for your presentation ! Ps: you remind me of bad-as “officer Davis” (portrayed by David Soul) in the Dirty Harry film “Magnum Force” 👊 I have the fixed-sight version of your model 67, the model 64 . Mine is from 1983, 4 inch heavy barrel. Kudos!

A bit late but if some one put forward the idea of using a pistol cartridge like .45 ACP or a .38 Super in a revolver then using moon clips for reload the problem of speedy reload have been solved long time ago.

Mossad Ayoob and this guy should collaborate in a video.

Forgotten LW 6-Shot Smith & Wesson Carry Snub ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zZfKz7ySsEI.html Uncle Scotty/IntTactical did a funny ending and gave you guys a shoutout.

LAPD sold their revolvers last year to current officers on a lottery basis. The price was the exact same as you paid for it. $67.

U. Scotty - What did you carry as your bachup weapon?

SHOTS ON TARGET. First to connect usually wins. Multiple high capacity mags can give a false sense of security.

When did moon clips come out?

What's The Brand On The "Quad Speed Loader" Pouch??

This Guy looks like the professor from guiligans island

Have to count your rounds if you want to get a fast reload.

I’m not sure what I’d do with a dump pouch after wetting my pants, as Clint Smith would put it

So when was the 1911 invented? 1911? Thought so. Why did cops cary .38 special?

Can you imagine if you were not allowed to be fat and out of shape to be a cop? What a concept!