I recently passed through Waco, Texas and had a chance to kick one more item off the bucket list: a visit to the Texas Ranger Museum there.
As a little boy in the 1950s one of my favorite TV shows was “Tales of the Texas Rangers.” I can’t remember a single plot-line now, but I do recall the strong emphasis on old-fashioned ideals of justice…and I thought it was pretty cool that each Ranger carried a pair of fancy Smith & Wessons.
Live and learn: I hadn’t known until the visit that some two dozen Texas Rangers died at the Alamo in 1836. 
I expect the many horsemen and horsewomen among the Backwoods Home readership would have spent more time than I did on the fabulous display of saddles. In my case, the only bronco I ever owned was a Ford product. As you might imagine, I spent more time among the impressive gun collection.
These brave men started out with single-shot muzzle-loaders for both their rifles and handguns, which shows how far back the organization goes. They were the first to use revolvers, the Patterson Colt of 1836. Its rapid fire capability proved to be a force multiplier, and Ranger Samuel Walker convinced Samuel Colt to make a larger and more powerful one, the legendary Walker Colt .44. In the latter 1800s, they all but standardized on the Colt Single Action Army revolver and the lever-action Winchester rifle, and when the more powerful box magazine 1895 model came out, they flocked to them so fast that they are prevalent in pictures of Rangers during that period.
The Texas Rangers may also have been the first law enforcement agency to (unofficially) adopt the Colt 1911 semiautomatic pistol as soon as it came out, and it remains hugely popular among the Rangers even today.
Even before that, they were buying semiautomatic rifles as soon as they were 
introduced, the Winchester 1907 and the Remington Model 8 which dates back to 1906. While today’s Rangers are issued .357 SIGs and 5.56mm autoloading rifles, they still follow the tradition of carrying privately-owned, department approved handguns, and the 1911 remains a trademark of the Rangers.
More than perhaps any other agency, the culture of the Rangers encouraged fancy, personalized weapons. Perhaps it was an extension of their historical emphasis on individuality as a means of encouraging superior performance.
Mas
Thanks for the great report.
The Texas Rangers I know would not respond to the term ” LEO”, but rather point to their commission as ” Peace Officer”.
Most Rangers do indeed still carry the 1911, although Glock and the SIG are seen as well. AR platform rifles have supplanted the Winchester 1895. Mostly.
Ranger SGT Stewart Dowell carried 2 1911’s and had an M1928 Thompson in his pickup truck. He let me help him expend some “stale” state-issued ammunition in his Tommy gun one time.
As for the Bonnie and Clyde thing – Ranger Captain Frank Hamer was renowned as a manhunter. He has just retired from the Rangers and was hired as a contract investigator by the head of the Texas Dept of Corrections who had had one prison officer killed by the gang during several escapes – the instruction to Hamer was ” dead or alive”. Bonnie and Clyde had fought their way out of several law enforcement ambushes and traps, usually killing one or more of the cops lying in wait. Hamer decided to take no chances – borrowing a pair of Browning Auto-Rifles from a Texas National Guard Armory. The rest is history.
regards
GKT
Regards
GKT
Mas
Thanks for the great report.
The Texas Rangers I know would not respond to the term ” LEO”, but rather point to their commission as ” Peace Officer”.
Most Rangers do indeed still carry the 1911, although Glock and the SIG are seen as well. AR platform rifles have supplanted the Winchester 1895. Mostly.
Ranger SGT Stewart Dowell carried 2 1911’s and had an M1928 Thompson in his pickup truck. He let me help him expend some “stale” state-issued ammunition in his Tommy gun one time.
As for the Bonnie and Clyde thing – Ranger Captain Frank Hamer was renowned as a manhunter. He has just retired from the Rangers and was hired as a contract investigator by the head of the Texas Dept of Corrections who had had one prison officer killed by the gang during several escapes – the instruction to Hamer was ” dead or alive”. Bonnie and Clyde had fought their way out of several law enforcement ambushes and traps, usually killing one or more of the cops lying in wait. Hamer decided to take no chances – borrowing a pair of Browning Auto-Rifles from a Texas National Guard Armory. The rest is history.
regards
GKT
Regards
GKT
Tony, what you wrote was FABULOUS! Especially the last sentence, about tearing down the museum because it offends someone. LOL!
Tony, what you wrote was FABULOUS! Especially the last sentence, about tearing down the museum because it offends someone. LOL!
Tony, what you wrote was FABULOUS! Especially the last sentence, about tearing down the museum because it offends someone. LOL!
Mas, DPS troopers went to Smith M&Ps earlier in 9mm earlier this year!
TXCOMT
Mas, DPS troopers went to Smith M&Ps earlier in 9mm earlier this year!
TXCOMT
Mas, DPS troopers went to Smith M&Ps earlier in 9mm earlier this year!
TXCOMT
Err…scratch the first “earlier.”
TXCOMT
Err…scratch the first “earlier.”
TXCOMT
Err…scratch the first “earlier.”
TXCOMT
While in Waco, I hope you visited this, too:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11910
If Rangers had been in charge, there wouldn’t have been any injuries, let alone deaths.
Then again, if it had been Rangers instead of ATF, there probably wouldn’t have even been an investigation past, “Hey, you making machine-guns?” “Nope.” “Okay. Nice guns you do have there, though. See y’all later!”
While in Waco, I hope you visited this, too:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11910
If Rangers had been in charge, there wouldn’t have been any injuries, let alone deaths.
Then again, if it had been Rangers instead of ATF, there probably wouldn’t have even been an investigation past, “Hey, you making machine-guns?” “Nope.” “Okay. Nice guns you do have there, though. See y’all later!”
While in Waco, I hope you visited this, too:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11910
If Rangers had been in charge, there wouldn’t have been any injuries, let alone deaths.
Then again, if it had been Rangers instead of ATF, there probably wouldn’t have even been an investigation past, “Hey, you making machine-guns?” “Nope.” “Okay. Nice guns you do have there, though. See y’all later!”
While in Waco, I hope you visited this, too:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11910
If Rangers had been in charge, there wouldn’t have been any injuries, let alone deaths.
Then again, if it had been Rangers instead of ATF, there probably wouldn’t have even been an investigation past, “Hey, you making machine-guns?” “Nope.” “Okay. Nice guns you do have there, though. See y’all later!”
While in Waco, I hope you visited this, too:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11910
If Rangers had been in charge, there wouldn’t have been any injuries, let alone deaths.
Then again, if it had been Rangers instead of ATF, there probably wouldn’t have even been an investigation past, “Hey, you making machine-guns?” “Nope.” “Okay. Nice guns you do have there, though. See y’all later!”
Mas – I have read several times how devastating the .357 SIG round is – especially in LEO and its rep for “one shot stops.” I especially will never forget your writing about a ME who called the police to ask them about their ammo after performing an autopsy on a .357 victim. I have become educated enough to realize there is no magic bullet and don’t doubt what you are saying is true, but I am questioning why all of use aren’t using the .357 SIG as our carry load. I carried a 1911 in the Army – and carry a Glock 30 S today, chambered, of course – in .45 ACP. I admit my ignorance of ammo dynamics – I just want to know how the ballistics of the .357 SIG make it so devastating and continue my Mas Ayoob education. Thanks so much for your time.
Mas – I have read several times how devastating the .357 SIG round is – especially in LEO and its rep for “one shot stops.” I especially will never forget your writing about a ME who called the police to ask them about their ammo after performing an autopsy on a .357 victim. I have become educated enough to realize there is no magic bullet and don’t doubt what you are saying is true, but I am questioning why all of use aren’t using the .357 SIG as our carry load. I carried a 1911 in the Army – and carry a Glock 30 S today, chambered, of course – in .45 ACP. I admit my ignorance of ammo dynamics – I just want to know how the ballistics of the .357 SIG make it so devastating and continue my Mas Ayoob education. Thanks so much for your time.
Mas – I have read several times how devastating the .357 SIG round is – especially in LEO and its rep for “one shot stops.” I especially will never forget your writing about a ME who called the police to ask them about their ammo after performing an autopsy on a .357 victim. I have become educated enough to realize there is no magic bullet and don’t doubt what you are saying is true, but I am questioning why all of use aren’t using the .357 SIG as our carry load. I carried a 1911 in the Army – and carry a Glock 30 S today, chambered, of course – in .45 ACP. I admit my ignorance of ammo dynamics – I just want to know how the ballistics of the .357 SIG make it so devastating and continue my Mas Ayoob education. Thanks so much for your time.
Mas – I have read several times how devastating the .357 SIG round is – especially in LEO and its rep for “one shot stops.” I especially will never forget your writing about a ME who called the police to ask them about their ammo after performing an autopsy on a .357 victim. I have become educated enough to realize there is no magic bullet and don’t doubt what you are saying is true, but I am questioning why all of use aren’t using the .357 SIG as our carry load. I carried a 1911 in the Army – and carry a Glock 30 S today, chambered, of course – in .45 ACP. I admit my ignorance of ammo dynamics – I just want to know how the ballistics of the .357 SIG make it so devastating and continue my Mas Ayoob education. Thanks so much for your time.
Mas – I have read several times how devastating the .357 SIG round is – especially in LEO and its rep for “one shot stops.” I especially will never forget your writing about a ME who called the police to ask them about their ammo after performing an autopsy on a .357 victim. I have become educated enough to realize there is no magic bullet and don’t doubt what you are saying is true, but I am questioning why all of use aren’t using the .357 SIG as our carry load. I carried a 1911 in the Army – and carry a Glock 30 S today, chambered, of course – in .45 ACP. I admit my ignorance of ammo dynamics – I just want to know how the ballistics of the .357 SIG make it so devastating and continue my Mas Ayoob education. Thanks so much for your time.
KB – I just checked out the link you posted and found it very informative – only problem is they list the Texas Ranger Museum thusly:
Nearby Offbeat Places
•Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco, TX – 8 mi.
•The Bear Pit, Waco, TX – 9 mi.
•Dr Pepper Museum #2, Waco, TX – 9 mi.
•In the region: World’s Largest Caterpillar, Italy, TX – 42 mi.
KB – I just checked out the link you posted and found it very informative – only problem is they list the Texas Ranger Museum thusly:
Nearby Offbeat Places
•Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco, TX – 8 mi.
•The Bear Pit, Waco, TX – 9 mi.
•Dr Pepper Museum #2, Waco, TX – 9 mi.
•In the region: World’s Largest Caterpillar, Italy, TX – 42 mi.
There is also a Texas Ranger Museum in San Antonio, Texas downtown on Houston Street. It is a few blocks from The Alamo so a perfect day is to visit both on the same day.
There is also a Texas Ranger Museum in San Antonio, Texas downtown on Houston Street. It is a few blocks from The Alamo so a perfect day is to visit both on the same day.
There is also a Texas Ranger Museum in San Antonio, Texas downtown on Houston Street. It is a few blocks from The Alamo so a perfect day is to visit both on the same day.
There is also a Texas Ranger Museum in San Antonio, Texas downtown on Houston Street. It is a few blocks from The Alamo so a perfect day is to visit both on the same day.
There is also a Texas Ranger Museum in San Antonio, Texas downtown on Houston Street. It is a few blocks from The Alamo so a perfect day is to visit both on the same day.
Don,
357sig seems to be a wonderful performer, but there are downsides as to why it’s not universally accepted:
*cost to manufacture
*stout recoil
True, recoil can be trained around, and the 357sig’s recoil isn’t that bad, but it IS stout, despite being very predictable and still bringing the gun right back down bang on target.
So, I bet getting officers to practice with it who aren’t already avowed gun enthusiasts who love shooting anything which spits lead out of a barrel, is difficult, add to the cost of ammo to those who control budgets and training allotments. Added to the fact that with modern HP ammo, while the 357sig is an excellent performer, there are other excellent performers out there as well in 9mm, .40S&W, and 45ACP.
Don,
357sig seems to be a wonderful performer, but there are downsides as to why it’s not universally accepted:
*cost to manufacture
*stout recoil
True, recoil can be trained around, and the 357sig’s recoil isn’t that bad, but it IS stout, despite being very predictable and still bringing the gun right back down bang on target.
So, I bet getting officers to practice with it who aren’t already avowed gun enthusiasts who love shooting anything which spits lead out of a barrel, is difficult, add to the cost of ammo to those who control budgets and training allotments. Added to the fact that with modern HP ammo, while the 357sig is an excellent performer, there are other excellent performers out there as well in 9mm, .40S&W, and 45ACP.
Re Tales of the Texas Rangers, I don’t know if the TV shows are available but 92 of the 95 episodes of the radio version of the show, also with Joel McCrae in the lead role, are available for free online listening or download to your device through the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/Tales_of_the_Texas_Rangers_normalized2
I’ve heard them all (I’m an old-time-radio junkie) and they make for good listening. Highly recommended.
Re Tales of the Texas Rangers, I don’t know if the TV shows are available but 92 of the 95 episodes of the radio version of the show, also with Joel McCrae in the lead role, are available for free online listening or download to your device through the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/Tales_of_the_Texas_Rangers_normalized2
I’ve heard them all (I’m an old-time-radio junkie) and they make for good listening. Highly recommended.
Re Tales of the Texas Rangers, I don’t know if the TV shows are available but 92 of the 95 episodes of the radio version of the show, also with Joel McCrae in the lead role, are available for free online listening or download to your device through the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/Tales_of_the_Texas_Rangers_normalized2
I’ve heard them all (I’m an old-time-radio junkie) and they make for good listening. Highly recommended.
Re Tales of the Texas Rangers, I don’t know if the TV shows are available but 92 of the 95 episodes of the radio version of the show, also with Joel McCrae in the lead role, are available for free online listening or download to your device through the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/Tales_of_the_Texas_Rangers_normalized2
I’ve heard them all (I’m an old-time-radio junkie) and they make for good listening. Highly recommended.
Re Tales of the Texas Rangers, I don’t know if the TV shows are available but 92 of the 95 episodes of the radio version of the show, also with Joel McCrae in the lead role, are available for free online listening or download to your device through the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/Tales_of_the_Texas_Rangers_normalized2
I’ve heard them all (I’m an old-time-radio junkie) and they make for good listening. Highly recommended.
Re Tales of the Texas Rangers, I don’t know if the TV shows are available but 92 of the 95 episodes of the radio version of the show, also with Joel McCrae in the lead role, are available for free online listening or download to your device through the Internet Archive:
https://archive.org/details/Tales_of_the_Texas_Rangers_normalized2
I’ve heard them all (I’m an old-time-radio junkie) and they make for good listening. Highly recommended.
The Ranger museum is one of my favorite museums to visit. Their website is very good too. I have at least 4 Texas Rangers (that we know of) in my direct family lineage so that museum is a special place for my family.
The Ranger museum is one of my favorite museums to visit. Their website is very good too. I have at least 4 Texas Rangers (that we know of) in my direct family lineage so that museum is a special place for my family.
The Ranger museum is one of my favorite museums to visit. Their website is very good too. I have at least 4 Texas Rangers (that we know of) in my direct family lineage so that museum is a special place for my family.
The Ranger museum is one of my favorite museums to visit. Their website is very good too. I have at least 4 Texas Rangers (that we know of) in my direct family lineage so that museum is a special place for my family.
The Ranger museum is one of my favorite museums to visit. Their website is very good too. I have at least 4 Texas Rangers (that we know of) in my direct family lineage so that museum is a special place for my family.
Don-Pa.- I’m not an expert like Mas, but am a big proponent of the 357Sig. Started out with a Sig 229 double stack and downsized to a Sig 239 single stack in 357 Sig after retiring.
I think that new bullet designs, which we’ve discussed in earlier threads, that boosted the effectiveness of 9mm, really shined with the extra couple hundred feet per second velocity of the Sig, both in penetration and consistency in expansion.
I’ve still got my 1911’s in .45acp, but, at least to me, their is no comparison in felt recoil and follow up shots with the Sig.
Having said that, I don’t argue what’s the best defensive cartridge. If you like your Glock in 45 acp and are confident and comfortable with it, I wouldn’t advise you to change. You’re plenty well armed.
Don-Pa.- I’m not an expert like Mas, but am a big proponent of the 357Sig. Started out with a Sig 229 double stack and downsized to a Sig 239 single stack in 357 Sig after retiring.
I think that new bullet designs, which we’ve discussed in earlier threads, that boosted the effectiveness of 9mm, really shined with the extra couple hundred feet per second velocity of the Sig, both in penetration and consistency in expansion.
I’ve still got my 1911’s in .45acp, but, at least to me, their is no comparison in felt recoil and follow up shots with the Sig.
Having said that, I don’t argue what’s the best defensive cartridge. If you like your Glock in 45 acp and are confident and comfortable with it, I wouldn’t advise you to change. You’re plenty well armed.
Don-Pa.- This might help.
.http://www.best9mm.com/357sig.html
Don-Pa.- This might help.
.http://www.best9mm.com/357sig.html
Don-Pa.- This might help.
.http://www.best9mm.com/357sig.html
Don-Pa.- This might help.
.http://www.best9mm.com/357sig.html
Don-Pa.- This might help.
.http://www.best9mm.com/357sig.html
Dennis – thanks for the link, much appreciated. I am currently at work, so I’ll send it on home and check it out.
Dennis – thanks for the link, much appreciated. I am currently at work, so I’ll send it on home and check it out.
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