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Bought one in 1972 before shipping out the SEA. The Air Force used S&W .38 Combat Masterpiece Revolvers for aircrew and Security Police in those days. I had an instructor in F-4 training who was shot down on his first tour. I recall him commenting that a revolvers was a POS to reload when you’re being chased through rice paddies. Decided I wanted higher capacity. Seems that the choices in those days was either a 1911 or a Browning Hi-Power.
An interesting side story was getting it over there. I left Houston for Travis AFB. I called the airlines and asked what to do. They just said to put it in my baggge (B4 bag for military folks). Got to the Phillipines for a few days for Jungle Survival School. When I checked in for the flight to Thailand, they said the same thing about putting in my baggage. When I got to Ubon, I asked our Life Support Guys where to store It. They said you couldn’t have a personal firearm in Thailand and violation could be severe, up to the death penalty. I just kept it in my locker and put it in my holster when we went to fly. No one ever commented on it after that.