Standard Us Army .38 pistols issued to helicopter pilots?

[tytl]

Hey all,
I know this topic does not belong here, but I was hoping there was someone that was in Army aviation beginning around 1985 or so. I was a Warrant officer flying helicopters, and for several years, our standard weapon to qualify on was a .38 special pistol. I can't remember the make or model. I would like to know what brand and model, and see if they are available in the used market, feeling a bit nostalgic I guess. Since joining this forum, I have received my Texas CHL, have a Bersa Thunder 9MM HC, and a S&W 442. I am still a bit partial to revolvers, and would love to purchase the old Army issue I used to shoot.
Thanks in advance for any help. I have been searching the web but to no avail so far.

tytl

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[P95Carry]

Not sure at all - but moved this to 'general firearms'.

[Greg in VA]

Maybe a S&W Victory Model (Model 10)?

[swiftyjuan]

I'm with Greg, the S&W Model 10 also called the military and police.

[OPFOR]

From FM 23-35 Chapter 1 (US Army Handguns):

1-3. REVOLVER, CALIBER .38

There are six basic caliber .38 service revolvers in use by the Army. One is a 2-inch barreled, .38-caliber revolver made by Smith and Wesson; five are 4-inch barreled, .38-caliber revolvers--three made by Ruger, and two by Smith and Wesson. The 2-inch barreled revolver is used mainly by Army CID and counterintelligence personnel. The 4-inch barreled revolvers are used by aviators and military police.

a. Equipment Data.


Smith and Wesson

Caliber-----------------------------------0.38 inches
System of Operation-------------------Rotated chamber
Length: 2-Inch Barrel--------------------7 1/4 inches
4-Inch Barrel--------------------9 1/4 inches
Weight: 2-Inch Barrel---------------------26.5 ounces
4-inch Barrel---------------------30.5 ounces
Length of Barrel--------------------2 inches/4 inches
Muzzle Velocity-------------------950 feet per second
Muzzle Energy------------------16,000 per square inch
Maximum Range: 2-Inch Barrel---------------868 meters
4-Inch Barrel---------------992 meters
Maximum Effective Range-----45 meters (2-inch barrel)
60 meters (4-inch barrel)
Front Sight--------------Fixed 1/8-inch serrated ramp
Rear Sight-------------------------------Square notch
Safety Features-----------No manually operated safety
Basic Load----------------------------------18 rounds

Ruger

Caliber-----------------------------------0,38 inches
System of Operation-------------------Rotated chamber
Length-----------------------------------9 1/4 inches
Weight--------------------------------------33 ounces
Length of Barrel-----------------------------4 inches
Muzzle Velocity-------------------950 feet per second
Muzzle Energy------------------16,000 per square inch
Maximum Range------------------------------992 meters
Maximum Effective Range---------------------60 meters
Front Sight-------------------------------Fixed blade
Rear Sight-------------------------------Fixed groove
Safety Features-----------No manually operated safety
Basic Load----------------------------------18 rounds
b. Operation.

(1) When firing single-action, the hammer is pulled back, and the sear engaged the full-cock notch in the hammer.

(a) Smith and Wesson: Pulling the trigger lowers the hammer block, allowing the hammer to fall.

(b) Ruger: Pulling the trigger raises the transfer bar into the firing position between the hammer and firing pin, allowing the hammer to strike the firing pin.

(2) When firing double-action, the trigger is squeezed. This engages the sear, raising the hammer to nearly full-cock position. Continued pressure on the trigger allows the sear to escape from the trigger and the hammer to fall.

(a) Smith and Wesson: When the trigger is squeezed, the rebound slide pivots the hammer block downward, striking the cartridge primer.

(b) Ruger: When the trigger is squeezed and held to the rear, the transfer bar passes force from the transfer bar to the firing pin, striking the cartridge primer. If the trigger is not held to the rear, the hammer rests directly on the frame and the transfer bar remains below the firing pin.

(3) The cylinder stop (Smith and Wesson) or latch (Ruger) prevents the cylinder from making more than one-sixth of a revolution each time the weapon is cocked. The cylinder stop/latch withdraws from the cylinder as the trigger moves. The trigger hand (Smith and Wesson) or pawl (Ruger) pivots and engages the ratchet on the extractor/ejector portion of the cylinder. The trigger slips off of the cylinder stop/latch as it continues rearward. The cylinder stop/latch then engages the next notch.

NOTES: 1. In firing the Ruger, the trigger must remain all the way back till the hammer falls. If the trigger is released before the hammer falls, the weapon will not fire. In firing the Smith and Wesson, the weapon fires only when the trigger is pulled all the way back.

2. For additional information on the technical aspects of the caliber .38 see TM 9-1005-226-14 and TM 9-1005-205-14&P-1.

[rhinokrk]

Hey all,
I know this topic does not belong here, but I was hoping there was someone that was in Army aviation beginning around 1985 or so. I was a Warrant officer flying helicopters, and for several years, our standard weapon to qualify on was a .38 special pistol. I can't remember the make or model...

...feeling a bit nostalgic I guess...

tytl

How nostalgic can one be, if he doesn't remember the make or model?

...I;m just saying.
YMMV

[tytl]

thanks all for the info so quick, the model 10 does seem like it may have been the one, I will continue to research the model also.
tytl

How nostalgic can one be, if he doesn't remember the make or model?

...I;m just saying.
YMMV

Well, at the time I was 22 years old, The type of gun I was firing was of no concern then, little did I think that later in life I would want to know.

....I'm just saying!!!

[Captain Crunch]

U.S. Army Aviators were generally issued the S&W Model 15 .38 Special Combat Masterpiece, 4 inch barrel, adjustable sights, factory Magna stocks.

[nn]

How nostalgic can one be, if he doesn't remember the make or model?

...I;m just saying.
YMMV

Because he was issued a .38 revolver; 1 each.
All I can tell ya about mine was it was a S&W beyond that all we needed to know was it did not shoot .45 acp like the handguns the non aviators had.