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. TX_Ranger_01

            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.

TX_Ranger_02The 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 TX_Ranger_03introduced, 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.

            TX_Ranger_04More 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.TX_Ranger_05

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118 COMMENTS

  6. Thank you for the article. I too spent some time there as I pasted though Waco 4 years ago. I could have easily spent two days there reading, studying and enjoying everything. I thank God for our countries proud heritage! Thanks again for the great article.
    Freedom,
    Dr. Rick Savage

  7. Thank you for the article. I too spent some time there as I pasted though Waco 4 years ago. I could have easily spent two days there reading, studying and enjoying everything. I thank God for our countries proud heritage! Thanks again for the great article.
    Freedom,
    Dr. Rick Savage

  8. What a great museum dedicated to an amazing group of LEO’s.

    My husband and I were fortunate enough to go through that museum in 2013. It
    was FANTASTIC!

    There are only two things I would add to your review.

    First I was surprised to see the holsters that exposed the triggers of the 1911.

    Second, in the history of the Texas Rangers they told the whole story, warts and all.
    For me that was very impressive and is typical of the Ranger commitment to
    integrity.

  9. What a great museum dedicated to an amazing group of LEO’s.

    My husband and I were fortunate enough to go through that museum in 2013. It
    was FANTASTIC!

    There are only two things I would add to your review.

    First I was surprised to see the holsters that exposed the triggers of the 1911.

    Second, in the history of the Texas Rangers they told the whole story, warts and all.
    For me that was very impressive and is typical of the Ranger commitment to
    integrity.

  10. What a great museum dedicated to an amazing group of LEO’s.

    My husband and I were fortunate enough to go through that museum in 2013. It
    was FANTASTIC!

    There are only two things I would add to your review.

    First I was surprised to see the holsters that exposed the triggers of the 1911.

    Second, in the history of the Texas Rangers they told the whole story, warts and all.
    For me that was very impressive and is typical of the Ranger commitment to
    integrity.

  11. I’ve been to this museum several times. It’s like a walk through history, especially for a native born Texan.

    I once read that when Sam Walker was talking Sam Colt into developing a heavier, more powerful revolver for the Rangers, he said in effect
    ” you make a fine weapon, but when it runs dry it’s a poor excuse for a club and comes apart when you hit an Indian in the head with it”. The heavy, over-sized Walker Colt was the result and it made a heck of a club.

  12. I’ve been to this museum several times. It’s like a walk through history, especially for a native born Texan.

    I once read that when Sam Walker was talking Sam Colt into developing a heavier, more powerful revolver for the Rangers, he said in effect
    ” you make a fine weapon, but when it runs dry it’s a poor excuse for a club and comes apart when you hit an Indian in the head with it”. The heavy, over-sized Walker Colt was the result and it made a heck of a club.

  13. I’ve been to this museum several times. It’s like a walk through history, especially for a native born Texan.

    I once read that when Sam Walker was talking Sam Colt into developing a heavier, more powerful revolver for the Rangers, he said in effect
    ” you make a fine weapon, but when it runs dry it’s a poor excuse for a club and comes apart when you hit an Indian in the head with it”. The heavy, over-sized Walker Colt was the result and it made a heck of a club.

  17. Texas! What a great state…. One of the few places people are still proud to call home…

    For a good book about the Rangers, check out James B. Gillett’s ‘Six Years with the Texas Rangers, 1875-1881’. True tales of real-life heroism:

    http://www.amazon.com/Years-Texas-Rangers-1875-1881/dp/123034845X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1413031994&sr=8-1

    Perhaps my favorite incident Gillett recounts was the time he received an urgent message about a group of buffalo hunters who were trapped by Indians out on the plains. When he gathered a troop of men to go rescue them, Gillett took along his 14-year-old son… now *that’s* fathering with a flair…

    Nowadays, of course, he would have been arrested for child abuse on their return…

  18. Texas! What a great state…. One of the few places people are still proud to call home…

    For a good book about the Rangers, check out James B. Gillett’s ‘Six Years with the Texas Rangers, 1875-1881’. True tales of real-life heroism:

    http://www.amazon.com/Years-Texas-Rangers-1875-1881/dp/123034845X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1413031994&sr=8-1

    Perhaps my favorite incident Gillett recounts was the time he received an urgent message about a group of buffalo hunters who were trapped by Indians out on the plains. When he gathered a troop of men to go rescue them, Gillett took along his 14-year-old son… now *that’s* fathering with a flair…

    Nowadays, of course, he would have been arrested for child abuse on their return…

  21. I can’t say that I ever visited the Ranger museum, sounds great. I can’t remember his name, but wasn’t that a Ranger that took down Bonnie and Clyde and used a Remington M8?

    Check out the Browning museum at the Rock Island Arsenal. Careful though, all persons and vehicles are subject to search!

  22. I can’t say that I ever visited the Ranger museum, sounds great. I can’t remember his name, but wasn’t that a Ranger that took down Bonnie and Clyde and used a Remington M8?

    Check out the Browning museum at the Rock Island Arsenal. Careful though, all persons and vehicles are subject to search!

  23. I can’t say that I ever visited the Ranger museum, sounds great. I can’t remember his name, but wasn’t that a Ranger that took down Bonnie and Clyde and used a Remington M8?

    Check out the Browning museum at the Rock Island Arsenal. Careful though, all persons and vehicles are subject to search!

  24. Randy, that would be Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, who led the team that took down Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker in Bienville Parrish, Louisiana in 1934. The legend says that he fired the first shots with a Remington .35 caliber semiautomatic, either a Model 8 or a Model 81, with a special 20-round magazine.

  25. Randy, that would be Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, who led the team that took down Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker in Bienville Parrish, Louisiana in 1934. The legend says that he fired the first shots with a Remington .35 caliber semiautomatic, either a Model 8 or a Model 81, with a special 20-round magazine.

  26. Glad you enjoyed the Texas Rangers Museum. If you get the chance to drive through College Station, Texas A&M has the Metzger-Sanders Firearms collection. Also, remember the Alamo! My family and I have enjoyed all of these attractions on many occasions.

  27. Glad you enjoyed the Texas Rangers Museum. If you get the chance to drive through College Station, Texas A&M has the Metzger-Sanders Firearms collection. Also, remember the Alamo! My family and I have enjoyed all of these attractions on many occasions.

  28. What happen to the days when evil was dealt with swiftly and the men who dealt with this evil did not have to worry about law suits when doing the right thing. Everyone yells Tolerance if you look up the definition one is the amount a body can tolerate before it causes death. That’s where our nation stands today but the people are so blind they just continue to drink the Kool-Aid and never question what is this doing to me. Obummer says no boots on the ground to fight ISIS but he is wanting to send 4000 troops to fight Ebola in Africa. And a poll taken at Harvard the students there said America is more of a problem with world piece than ISIS. I think we need nation wide Rangers who aren’t afraid of doing what needs to be done and say piss on the politically correct way of doings things. But a group of me like this would be thrown under the first bus that came along. I have never been to the Texas Ranger museum but would love to get there one of these days before someone says it need to be torn down because it offends someone.

  29. What happen to the days when evil was dealt with swiftly and the men who dealt with this evil did not have to worry about law suits when doing the right thing. Everyone yells Tolerance if you look up the definition one is the amount a body can tolerate before it causes death. That’s where our nation stands today but the people are so blind they just continue to drink the Kool-Aid and never question what is this doing to me. Obummer says no boots on the ground to fight ISIS but he is wanting to send 4000 troops to fight Ebola in Africa. And a poll taken at Harvard the students there said America is more of a problem with world piece than ISIS. I think we need nation wide Rangers who aren’t afraid of doing what needs to be done and say piss on the politically correct way of doings things. But a group of me like this would be thrown under the first bus that came along. I have never been to the Texas Ranger museum but would love to get there one of these days before someone says it need to be torn down because it offends someone.

  34. As I understand it, the impetus for the revolver was definitely a force multiplier as you mentioned Mas.

    The early rangers were mainly an Indian fighting group – mostly Comanches. When the rangers chased the Comanches and they fired their muzzle loading pistols, the Indians would then turn and charge the Rangers knowing that their pistols were empty. I’m sure that some of those rangers carried two pistols, but you get the idea.

    Imagine the surprised look on those Comanche faces when they turned and charged the first Rangers to chase them with six shot revolvers. I imagine those Comanches uttered the Comanche language equivalent of “Holy Crap”!

  35. As I understand it, the impetus for the revolver was definitely a force multiplier as you mentioned Mas.

    The early rangers were mainly an Indian fighting group – mostly Comanches. When the rangers chased the Comanches and they fired their muzzle loading pistols, the Indians would then turn and charge the Rangers knowing that their pistols were empty. I’m sure that some of those rangers carried two pistols, but you get the idea.

    Imagine the surprised look on those Comanche faces when they turned and charged the first Rangers to chase them with six shot revolvers. I imagine those Comanches uttered the Comanche language equivalent of “Holy Crap”!

  40. Thanks Mas, for the info. I woke up about 3:30 last night and it suddenly popped into my brain as to the man’s name. I guess that’s is what you call a hang fire!

    How about an article on holster types and levels of retention? FYI When heated with a blow dryer or heat gun, kydex will become pliable and can be molded to custom fit it.

  41. Thanks Mas, for the info. I woke up about 3:30 last night and it suddenly popped into my brain as to the man’s name. I guess that’s is what you call a hang fire!

    How about an article on holster types and levels of retention? FYI When heated with a blow dryer or heat gun, kydex will become pliable and can be molded to custom fit it.

  42. I’ve met several Rangers while living here in Texas. They seem to stand out among other men. Could be pride, the fact that they are all over 6′ tall or training. I don’t know. I’ve found them to be friendly, observant, respectful and competent. I did not know that they carried .357 Sig. The ones I saw were carrying 1911 frames and Glocks (which I guess could be chambered for .357 Sig. Can you point to any combat data for the .357 Sig? I’m wondering how they are doing out in the field. You are a Great American Mr. Ayoob, keep up the good work.

  43. I’ve met several Rangers while living here in Texas. They seem to stand out among other men. Could be pride, the fact that they are all over 6′ tall or training. I don’t know. I’ve found them to be friendly, observant, respectful and competent. I did not know that they carried .357 Sig. The ones I saw were carrying 1911 frames and Glocks (which I guess could be chambered for .357 Sig. Can you point to any combat data for the .357 Sig? I’m wondering how they are doing out in the field. You are a Great American Mr. Ayoob, keep up the good work.

  44. I’ve met several Rangers while living here in Texas. They seem to stand out among other men. Could be pride, the fact that they are all over 6′ tall or training. I don’t know. I’ve found them to be friendly, observant, respectful and competent. I did not know that they carried .357 Sig. The ones I saw were carrying 1911 frames and Glocks (which I guess could be chambered for .357 Sig. Can you point to any combat data for the .357 Sig? I’m wondering how they are doing out in the field. You are a Great American Mr. Ayoob, keep up the good work.

  45. I’ve met several Rangers while living here in Texas. They seem to stand out among other men. Could be pride, the fact that they are all over 6′ tall or training. I don’t know. I’ve found them to be friendly, observant, respectful and competent. I did not know that they carried .357 Sig. The ones I saw were carrying 1911 frames and Glocks (which I guess could be chambered for .357 Sig. Can you point to any combat data for the .357 Sig? I’m wondering how they are doing out in the field. You are a Great American Mr. Ayoob, keep up the good work.

  46. Well, not to make excuses for a couple of outlaws, but Bonnie and Clyde had so embarrassed J. Edgar and the FBI that the “Take-down” was more of an ordered execution. Ever seen the car they were in? Even someone who knows nothing about forensics can learn a lot about what went on that day just by looking at how the bullets and buckshot entered the car. And, given that there were at least a couple of officers armed with Browning BARs there that day, there should have been many more holes. Something to ponder there as well. Probably adrenalin and an unfamiliarity with an automatic weapon that kicks like hell. Or…?

    I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the famous telegram sent by Texas Ranger who was sent to an area that was experiencing public unrest:

    “One riot, one Ranger. Situation under control.”

  47. Well, not to make excuses for a couple of outlaws, but Bonnie and Clyde had so embarrassed J. Edgar and the FBI that the “Take-down” was more of an ordered execution. Ever seen the car they were in? Even someone who knows nothing about forensics can learn a lot about what went on that day just by looking at how the bullets and buckshot entered the car. And, given that there were at least a couple of officers armed with Browning BARs there that day, there should have been many more holes. Something to ponder there as well. Probably adrenalin and an unfamiliarity with an automatic weapon that kicks like hell. Or…?

    I’m surprised nobody has mentioned the famous telegram sent by Texas Ranger who was sent to an area that was experiencing public unrest:

    “One riot, one Ranger. Situation under control.”

  48. Shane, the .357 SIG has earned an awesome reputation with departments who’ve used it extensively. Glock makes the full size 16-shot model 31, the 14-shot compact model 32, and the subcompact 10-shot model 33 in that caliber. I believe the issue gun for the Rangers in that caliber is the same as the one issued to state troopers by Texas Department of Public Safety, the SIG-Sauer P226.

  49. Shane, the .357 SIG has earned an awesome reputation with departments who’ve used it extensively. Glock makes the full size 16-shot model 31, the 14-shot compact model 32, and the subcompact 10-shot model 33 in that caliber. I believe the issue gun for the Rangers in that caliber is the same as the one issued to state troopers by Texas Department of Public Safety, the SIG-Sauer P226.

  50. 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

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