Peerless Vs Smith & Wesson handcuffs.

[props2john]

I currently use 2 pairs of silver peerless 700c on duty I know some of the guys at my PD use S&W Lever lock cuffs I’d like to know what everyone is carrying out there or if there is something that can be recommended to a new officer? Should I carry black or silver cuffs and why? Thank you!

[BNWS]

I preferred smith as did most of my co workers. If you assisted or were assisted on a group arrest it was standard to hear the arresting officer being told "I put smith cuffs on this guy , I want smith back" A lot of guys would try to give back some other brand and hold on to the smith. F***ing cops.

[props2john]

Looks like smith and Wesson is the way to go then how often have they been stolen?

[BNWS]

Never stolen, just a little flim flam between family members, much like when you catch you sibling wearing your clothes and they plead ignorance.
Your issued hand cuff serial numbers are recorded on your force record card. At one point the department tried to do an audit of the serial numbers but so many switcheroo's took place that virtually no one had their original cuffs.
Sometime during my career the department switched from smith to hyatt. you really had to be on your toes then.
When I say issued I mean authorized equipment sold at the department equipment store. You bought all your equipment, even the guns originally.

[NolaT]

Be sure that the Blued, if you use them, don’t rub off on your hands,……messy.

I’m an old Smith fan, still using the same nickle pair I bough used from a friend in 1988.

[props2john]

What model? How have they been holding up?

[NolaT]

Not sure of the model, they’re the basic chain link, not even sure if hinged cuffs were a thing then,…..ha!!

[Joe2845]

I carried two pairs of S&W cuffs on my belt, both were traditional chain, and engraved with my unit number on them so I could find them later if need be. I also hung two pairs of Peerless on my spotlight handle, one of which was the hinged variety.

I thought that they were all fine. The hinge v. chain design both have advantages and disadvantages. If your trying to fight someone into cuffs, the hinge cuffs allow you to administer some pain compliance if you already have one wrist cuffed. If the offender can't feel pain, that advantage goes out the window.

The hinged type of cuff is sometimes more difficult to apply in that situation as you have to better align the free wrist. Geometry, I guess. You don't have that issue with a chain design.

I never had any reliability issues with either brand.

BTW, the S&W were both nickel plated and the Peerless were both blued. Never seemed to me to be important one way or the other.

A more important consideration may be how you choose to carry your cuffs. Some guys that carried two used a double pouch in the front. Icarried one on my left side and one on my right so that either hand could grab them easily.

Never carry them, or anything else in the middle of your back (except maybe a rubber glove pouch.) Your spine will thank you.

[Aidokea]

Pink cuffs. You'll always get your pink cuffs back.

[tanksoldier]

We have a guy who carries pink just for that reason…. or do he says.

[Aidokea]

We learned it from female officers.

[HI629]

I had a pink pair with Hello Kitty for years. My buddies would mess with me every chance they got.

[NolaT]

Or spot, and ID them immediately!

[BNWS]

Never carry them, or anything else in the middle of your back (except maybe a rubber glove pouch.) Your spine will thank you.

Correct!
In the revolver days we had low hanging holsters, the cuffs were always in the back (pre belt keeper days). We would just slide our equipment belt around until the gun sat on or in your lap when you got in the car. This would make sure your cuffs were off to the side when sitting.
Sometimes this would backfire when you had to jump out and run quickly, the flapping gun would bounce off your junk when running thereby slowing you down. LOL. The good old days!

[delzo70]

Deleted since my sense of humor was not understood.

[Aidokea]

Whisky,

Tango,

Foxtrot...

[Aidokea]

Maybe you didn't understand my post. In an environment where cuffs can easily get lost amongst everyone else's cuffs, like in a busy processing area, colored cuffs make it easier and faster to identify which cuffs are yours. And of the colors that are available, pink seems to work the best at that.

[NolaT]

Agreed, things change.

I started with a SW 357, then the sheriff bought us all 92Fs, back when semiautos first became popular. One magazine held as much as the full revolver and two speed loaders,…..!!

All belted gear was pushed towards the back, whereas now, I have nothing in the back, it’s all up front, easily within reach.

[Aidokea]

I never could tolerate carrying cuffs in the middle in the back, even when I was young. By the time I retired, I couldn't tolerate anything in the back at all, even a pair of single cuff cases behind my hips (one on each side). That meant that pretty much everything was on both sides and in the front.

[tanksoldier]

For what it’s worth, I carry black Smiths on my duty belt, but have some Peerless I picked up along the way. I keep them on the spotlight handles for those times I need more than two sets of cuffs.

I don’t see a quality difference, but the Peerless have the double lock slot on only one side. They are also shiny. Since my cuff pouches are open top I don’t like the shiny on my belt as much as black.

[Aidokea]

I was issued Peerless, but my favorite pair was a pair of personally-owned lightweight alloy Hiatts that I've had for probably 30 years.

[Winter_Patriot]

I trained with Peerless at the academy. I like the way they double lock. My agency issues Smith and Wesson to new LEOs though. I didn’t care quite enough to buy my own Peerless.

[Metro174]

My agency has issued both in the past. I was issued Peerless. One of mine cut stuck on a prisoner when the double lock wouldn't disengage. We had to have the fire department respond to cut them off. This happened to another officer as well. We no longer issue Peerless.