Talk:Colors

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if the S&W Model 14 was ever issued to the LAPD? -Gunman69 17:39, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Actually, I just watched "Adam-12" (which was an extremely accurate portrayal of the LAPD), and I think they used Model 14s too, so it probably was (unless someone else begs to differ). -Gunman69 19:51, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

The LAPD used the 6" model 14 for years. In more recent years, the more frequently carried revolver was the 4" S&W model 15, although several other models were authorized (S&W models 10, 64, 67, 68 -a .38 spl version of the model 66-, etc.).

I have been trying to get this movie for 3 months, but the people at netflix just won't send it to me-S&Wshooter 18:57, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

I've seen copies for sale at Walmart for under $10.00. So if you went that route and weren't impressed you could alwasy turn around and sell it to Hastings or maybe a yard sale. Just an idea. --Jcordell 17:08, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

it seems odd that a seasoned veteran like Hodges would be using a Beretta 92 instead of the gun he had been using for the better part of his law inforcement career-S&Wshooter 01:42, 1 August 2009 (UTC)

Agreed, especially since a rookie like McGavin is using a revolver. McGavin should be using a Beretta and Hodges should be using the Smith & Wesson. -Gunman69 19:05, 5 August 2009 (UTC)

Or just give them BOTH S&W's-S&Wshooter 00:15, 7 August 2009 (UTC)

He wasn't using a Beretta 92, he was using a Beretta 92F. They're different models dammit! - Gunmaster45

It's part of the Beretta 92 pistol series though, so unless I'm trying to be real specific, I will just call any pistol in this series a Beretta 92-S&Wshooter 05:10, 23 August 2009 (UTC)

If you were to do that while making a page, however, it would be wrong, and you would be corrected. The 92 and 92F are two different guns, and it only takes one more keystroke to differentiate them, anyway.

Anyway, I do agree that it seems weird that Hodges and not McGavin uses the Beretta. Normally, in these movies, I would expect the veteran to be carrying the older gun and the young hotshot to have the latest, greatest pistol money can buy (and in the late-80s, the Beretta 92F was pretty much that gun). Why that wasn't the case here is beyond me. -MT2008

Maybe he's a revolver guy like me-S&Wshooter 02:03, 24 August 2009 (UTC)

Is this movie good? and Should I buy this movie?.--Dillinger 20:00, 12 August 2010 (UTC)

It's okay. Seemed really groundbreaking in 1988, but 22 years later (and all those gangbanger movies that followed) it seems a little dated and even over the top. However I like it becasue it's one of the few movies to try to show the cops prespective in the gang situation in L.A. --Jcordell 01:30, 9 December 2010 (UTC)

As far as the Beretta discussion goes, in my mind it kind of made sense that Duvall's character had the 92 rather than Penn by virtue of the fact that they would have issued, at least in my opinion, a "new" weapon to the more senior officers rather than the rookie. And, again, wasn't this the time that the semi-autos were being brought into general service to most police departments? --Charon68 02:21, 9 December 2010 (UTC)

Handguns of the L.A.P.D.

In the April 2008 issue of Guns&Ammo there is an article by Robert Kolesar about the history of the guns of the L.A.P.D. The article is called Guns of the LAPD. Kolesar is currently on active duty with the L.A.P.D. He states that in 1987 both the Beretta 92 and the 9mm S&W autos were authorized for carry. Officers could purchase them with their own money and had to attend a three day semi-auto transition course at the L.A.P.D. police academy.Kolesar was one of the instructors on the transition team for two years.

At one time LAPD officers were issued the S&W Model 14 with the 6" barrel. If I read it correctly the model was double action only and in 38 special. Kolesar refers to it as "Neutered". The six inch Model 14 was very common up until the mid-70's when the 4" S&W Model 15 began to be issued. Many of the six inch Model 14 barrels were cut down to 4" by department armorers and re-issued.

But I believe that those officers who wanted to carry the longer barreled model were still authorized to do so. Another model that was popular was the short lived S&W Model 68 with six inch barrel. The Model 68 is the Model 66 only with the 38 special cylinder instead of the .357 magnum cylinder and stamped 38 special on the barrel instead of .357 magnum. The Model 68 was requested by the California Highway PAtrol and later was also sold to the L.A.P.D. Whne the C.H.P. requested the Model 68 the officers were not allowed to carry .357 magnum revolvers. Guess the C.H.P. was a victim of the political think of the time. The Model 68 was never cataloged by the company and only made from 1977 - 1988. a little over 6,000 were made. They are becoming collector items now.

In the early 1980's the L.A.P.D. began issuing the Model 67 with 4" barrel. The Model 67 is the stainless steel version of the Model 15.

According to Kolesar the L.A.P.D. has always allowed it's officers an extraordinary amount of leeway when it comes to handguns. Back in the revolver days officers could purchase and carry Rugers and Colts for duty though S&W was king. I remember seeing a photo of a uniformed officer at the North Hollywood bank robbery in 97. He was equipped with the S&W Model 68 with a 6" barrel.There are even a few old-timers still carring full sized revolvers on their duty-belts.

So it isn't totally implausible (when Colors was filmed in the spring of 1987) that Sean Penn's character would have a Model 14 and Robert Duvall would be equipped with a Beretta. Sure it takes a little stretch of the imagination, but it could have still been the case back in 87. Albeit barely. --Jcordell 22:40, 9 December 2010 (UTC)

It's symbolism. Robert Duvall's character has 'new' ideas, so carries a new style pistol. Sean Penn has 'old' ideas, so carries the old style revolver.--Sg688 (talk) 15:41, 3 November 2012 (EDT)

I like that and I didn't think of it that way. --Jcordell (talk) 01:02, 13 December 2013 (EST)

So they could get 6" barrel and target sights... but it had to be DAO? What would be the point then? --Funkychinaman (talk) 15:36, 13 December 2013 (EST)

Interesting bunch of info, JCordell. Thanks a lot, all a good read. Strange they went through the trouble of getting a .38 special only cylinder for the Model 66, guess they REALLY wanted to be sure no one was using magnums. As I understand though, California LEAs and especially CHP were big customers who pretty much could get things made a certain way for them. Looking into Mopar history they had certain 'special' specs for their police vehicles that wasn't part of the regular police packages, I think its even said they had a particular cam grind on the engines, among other things. So in a way this doesn't surprise me. Still, quite interesting nevertheless. StanTheMan (talk) 15:25, 13 December 2013 (EST)

The big agencies in California have always been given special treatment by companies regardless of what they make. Back when I was a kid the LAPD was looked to guidance by many a police department up here in IDaho--Jcordell (talk) 15:09, 3 December 2015 (EST)

Model 64 4"

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Other LAPD officers are armed with the revolver during a raid.

This is listed under the S&W Model 64 section as 4" barreled Model 64, but it appears to have the larger ramp front sight and adjustable rear sights, making me think this one might actually be a Smith & Wesson Model 67. StanTheMan (talk) 20:18, 21 March 2015 (EDT)