Texas Rangers: History of their guns.

[XDgal]

I found this site on a non gun related forum, but thought ya'll would like it. It is produced by the city of Waco and has videos of various bits of the city's history, including a dozen or so videos from the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco. Be sure to click on the "return to video menu" to see all of the offered videos. Here's the link http://www.waco-texas.com/city_depts/mu ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RECIT]

A while ago there was a cool write up about the history of the 1911 with the Texas Rangers. It was in a 1911 only magazine, its sitting on the back of my toilet right now actually. I was drooling over 1911's at the time and wanted to know everything I could about them. The magazine gave cool history about the rangers and what type of mods they made to their pistols also showed some old pics of Rangers and their 1911's and their history w/ the Rangers.

[Oldgringo]

If you're ever in Waco with some free time, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame is a worthwhile visit, IMHO.

[Biga9999]

The Dr. Pepper museum as well.

[RiverRat]

Thanks for the post. Very informative.
.357sig????? What a lame choice of ammo? I'm sure it has the right ballistics, but I hope it's furnished to them free. Try and find some.

[ELB]

Thanks for the post. Very informative.
.357sig????? What a lame choice of ammo? I'm sure it has the right ballistics, but I hope it's furnished to them free. Try and find some.

I believe the DPS selected 357 Sig for all its officers (troopers, rangers, etc) quite awhile back, citing its effectiveness in penetrating barriers such as windshields and remaining effective (for a pistol caliber). I expect that someone who can sign a big contract with pretty much a guaranteed ability to pay -- such as the DPS -- can find someone to supply bulk amounts of ammo.

[srothstein]

Thanks for the post. Very informative.
.357sig????? What a lame choice of ammo? I'm sure it has the right ballistics, but I hope it's furnished to them free. Try and find some.

I believe the DPS selected 357 Sig for all its officers (troopers, rangers, etc) quite awhile back, citing its effectiveness in penetrating barriers such as windshields and remaining effective (for a pistol caliber). I expect that someone who can sign a big contract with pretty much a guaranteed ability to pay -- such as the DPS -- can find someone to supply bulk amounts of ammo.

Actually, DPS (and TABC - we use the same contract) are caught up in the ammo shortage just like everyone else. I can get 40 SW okay only because GT Distributors decided to specialize in it and gets a load in once per month. Other calibers are backordered for anywhere from 3 to 6 months. I am now almost out of 9mm because we are loaning some to another agency since they could not get any in.

but to keep this on topic, the Rangers still carry 1911s. They get them customized and buy new ones every so often. I think one of the rules to be a ranger is that you know how to field strip a 1911 blindfolded. Well, an unofficial rule anyway.

[Liberty]

but to keep this on topic, the Rangers still carry 1911s. They get them customized and buy new ones every so often. I think one of the rules to be a ranger is that you know how to field strip a 1911 blindfolded. Well, an unofficial rule anyway.

Constables must only have to field strip a Glock in a dimly lit room.

I always thought that Rangers were allowed to carry whatever they wanted.

[AEA]

Walker, Texas Ranger, carries a Beretta.

Seriously though, I would like to know how to find information on how the Rangers customized their 1911's and in particular who did the work for them.

[llanite]

Thanks for the post. Very informative.
.357sig????? What a lame choice of ammo? I'm sure it has the right ballistics, but I hope it's furnished to them free. Try and find some.

A lot of agencies have turned to the .357 sig. This caliber is the latest that federal agencies have tried (previous ones include the development of the .40 and the 10mm) after the 1986 Miami FBI shootout that resulted in 2 bank robbers killing or wounding 7 of 8 FBI agents during a 4 minute engagement that had the criminals hit multiple times by 9mm and .38 caliber rounds before finally being stopped.

Even the air marshals have adopted the .357 sig - though in a -P round to avoid depressurization in their vehicles....

Here's an OK summary of the Miami incident and subsequent experimentation in higher calibers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FBI_Miami_shootout" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Reloader]

Here is th link to the Texas ranger Museum. Wealth of info including interviews with former and retired Rangers. http://www.texasranger.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Enjoy!

[hirundo82]

Even the air marshals have adopted the .357 sig - though in a -P round to avoid depressurization in their vehicles....

As I understand it, FAMS went over to 357 Sig because their director came over from the Secret Service after 9/11; they simply adopted USSS's issue weapon, the Sig P229 in 357 Sig (using Speer Gold Dots IIRC).

I've always thought a round as prone to overpenetration as 357 Sig was a poor choice for an enviroment such as an airliner. While explosive decompression really isn't a concern--planes already have holes in their skin for various purposes, and a hole .35 to .45 inches in diameter isn't going to cause a problem--they do need to worry about hitting passengers behind their target with how crowded planes are. I've always thought .45 would be a much better choice for that application.

I've never really been a fan of 357 Sig anyhow. The larger case diameter decreases the number of rounds in the magazine without the projectile diameter advantage of .40 S&W, and the velocity isn't much more than a hot 9mm (1375 fps for Gold Dot 357 Sig 125gr vs 1220 fps for Gold Dot 9mm +P 124gr).

[Liberty]

Even the air marshals have adopted the .357 sig - though in a -P round to avoid depressurization in their vehicles....

As I understand it, FAMS went over to 357 Sig because their director came over from the Secret Service after 9/11; they simply adopted USSS's issue weapon, the Sig P229 in 357 Sig (using Speer Gold Dots IIRC).

I've always thought a round as prone to overpenetration as 357 Sig was a poor choice for an enviroment such as an airliner. While explosive decompression really isn't a concern--planes already have holes in their skin for various purposes, and a hole .35 to .45 inches in diameter isn't going to cause a problem--they do need to worry about hitting passengers behind their target with how crowded planes are. I've always thought .45 would be a much better choice for that application.

I've never really been a fan of 357 Sig anyhow. The larger case diameter decreases the number of rounds in the magazine without the projectile diameter advantage of .40 S&W, and the velocity isn't much more than a hot 9mm (1375 fps for Gold Dot 357 Sig 125gr vs 1220 fps for Gold Dot 9mm +P 124gr).

The way I understand it, They considered the fact that the bullet could penetrate a human hostage and continue to penetrate into a terrorist was considered a benefit. Penetrating airplane seats before it reached a terrorist would be a plus

[surprise_i'm_armed]

The Texas Ranger Museum is in Waco, right next to I-35 and on the banks of
the <whozit/whatzit?> River. Anyone passing through Waco should take a few
hours out to go see it.

They even have the very weapons (BAR's/others?) that were used to kill Bonnie &
Clyde.

Ever think about the difference between yesteryear's lawmen and the more
PC lawmen of today? Who shot Bonnie & Clyde? It was a mix of Dallas County,
Texas sheriff's and Texas Rangers, in Louisiana, with the express intent to
ambush them and kill them. No attempt was made to capture them since they
had proven to be quite the escape artists. Think that kind of thing would fly
today?

By the way another great museum is the Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville,
right off I-45. They have a Model 1911 that was Clyde's, and was recovered
from the car after Bonnie and Clyde were killed.

[WildBill]

By the way another great museum is the Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville, right off I-45. They have a Model 1911 that was Clyde's, and was recovered from the car after Bonnie and Clyde were killed.

I visited this museum one Saturday. It's pretty small, but it has some interesting exhibits. It's close enough for a day trip from Houston. I went mostly for the gift shop. You can buy some stuff made by the inmates. I bought a nice money clip with the Texas Seal on it. If you can wait, you can also order personalized money clips and keychains. http://www.txprisonmuseum.org/giftshop.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of these days I'll visit the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco.