Revolvers and gear of the USAF

[ECS686]

Below is some of my experiences carrying a S&W Model 15 as well as a link that I got the pics from and goes more in-depth on the holsters and gear.


Some USAF History in sidearms. Below are some pics of (probably late 1970’s to early 1980’s) of Strategic Air Command (SAC) elite gate guard with the cross draw holsters and stag grips. Quite snazzy but not practical.

The duty belt pic was exactly my setup with a Jorden style holster and 2 dump pouches. Which like mine you can see the Bianchi Speed Strip sticking up. Most of us replaced the crude clear tear away plastic strips that the AF used with the Bianchi strips or ran the rounds loose in the dump pouch.

Around 1988 our commander at Eaker (Blytheville) AFB Arkansas authorized us Speedloaders so most of us carried Safariland Comp 2’s in Dual Split Six speedloader pouches. We carried the pouches on the strong side because we were trained to use the FBI reload technique switching hands and using our dominant hand to load.

For duty ammo ee ran 130 grain PGU ball which was pretty decent powered stuff. We clocked around 1,50-1,75 out of our 4” Model 15’s if I remember right. Prior to that before my time In the 1960’s the USAF used M41 130 gr ball that was really anemic due to the few wheelguns that had a lot of aluminum in the construction. The Model 15’s like most all other K frames were all steel and we had zero issues with the ammo loaded tj a 38 Soecials true potential.

We started to transition tj moBeretta M9’s in late 1988/79 but our Commander gave us the option since we still had Aircrew running Model 15’s so half of us kept the revolver the other went with the M9 because Lethal Weapon was the hotness at the time.

I deployed I. 1991 with a model 15 as my secondary. Shortly after I had to go with a M9 because they phased out the model 15 for wverything but training Military Working Digs because they could use blanks with no feeding issues.

I have a great fondness for Wheelguns to this day and if I went down to a couoke handguns a wheelgun would be my choice. I run a K frame S&W most of the time off duty and usually run a 64 DAO that can be seen in my profile pic.

Also a great link I got the pics from on Military revolvers below.

USAF Revolver Holsters & Ammo Pouches – Heloderm LLC

heloderm.com

 

[NMEDGE]

I was assigned to the 509th Security police squadron Pease AFB from 1975-1979 until I was cross trained to Aircraft Maintenance. I normally worked the alert facility or the weapons storage area. We didn't wear those fancy uniforms.

 

[HayesGreener]

I always felt the blue uniforms pictured should have been standard for all SP's in garrison.

 

[GPS]

I have a model 10-6 that has a lanyard loop, would anyone know anything about PX ones used around the Vietnam War? I suspect it was a pilot private purchase or maybe a police department trade-in, with the likelihood being a motorcycle cop model.

 

[ECS686]

I have a model 10-6 that has a lanyard loop, would anyone know anything about PX ones used around the Vietnam War? I suspect it was a pilot private purchase or maybe a police department trade-in, with the likelihood being a motorcycle cop model.

I am not up to speed on Army stuff but do know some Huey pilots carried Model 10’s and the -6 were started around 1962 so great possibility.

A female friend and former conworker was an Army MP in the early 80’s to 91 and said Female MP’s were issued Model 10’s but she said they were heavy barrel which were probably -8’s and time wise sounds right as there weren’t many female MP’s until the later 70’s

 

[3L120]

I was the PMO ay Camp Robert’s 1987-93. My femaleMPscarried where guns, while the males toted 1911s.

 

[HayesGreener]

This is the same type rig I carried my Model 15 in while in SEA. Never liked the swivel holster. I had some M16 mag pouches in the back. And Woodland camo fatigues

 

[ECS686]

This is the same type rig I carried my Model 15 in while in SEA. Never liked the swivel holster. I had some M16 mag pouches in the back. And Woodland camo fatigues

We never had the swivel. I had a Jordan for my Model 15 on either a Sam Brown or the web like your pics (love the pre plastic buckle in yours by the way)

And the dunp pouches until they authorized speedloaders and split six holders

 

[HayesGreener]

We never had the swivel. I had a Jordan for my Model 15 on either a Sam Brown or the web like your pics (love the pre plastic buckle in yours by the way)

And the dunp pouches until they authorized speedloaders and split six holders

The Jordan holster came along later, I had moved on to OSI and a Model 36 by the time the Jordan and speedloaders came along. Everybody jumped on the speedloader bandwagon after the Newhall Incident.

 

[ECS686]

The Jordan holster came along later, I had moved on to OSI and a Model 36 by the time the Jordan and speedloaders came along. Everybody jumped on the speedloader bandwagon after the Newhall Incident.

And or partial reloading the gun with 2,3 or 4 instead of all 6.
Of course by the time I was in it 1986 the second gun (NY reload) was the real thing if it went past 6 rounds