what do SWAT use?

[UWstudent]

hey everyone, a little bit new here but im in the market in buying another pistol after saving up some money, but i would really like some info on what SWAT, SEAL's or SF forces use? i know they use different calibers for different scenarios but im not sure what is which.. if there's somebody out there that trains for/with people in that profession, lemme know. Thanks!

[Puppy]

I am assuming you are looking for a "tactical" side arm.

In my opinion the best "bang for the budget buck" in tactical tupperware would be something like the Springfield XD.

If you are looking for highend (ie:expensive) SEAL, Special Ops stuff, something like the HK MK 23 SOCOM would be what you would be looking for.

[Ala Dan]

LAPD uses the .45 caliber Kimber TLE, and they are one of the largest
SWAT units in the U.S.A.:uhoh: :cool:

Most of my hometown hero's also carry this weapon in the stainless
steel configuration. My ex-agency carried the SIG-SAUER P226, and
I think some of the U.S. Navy Seal teams do as well.

[Double Naught Spy]

There is no consensus between departments or agencies on why SWAT-type groups carry. Ala Dan mention those he knows carrying stainless. I don't know of any of mine local ones that do.

My specific home town dept's team members carry any of an approved list of firearms in approved calibers with pistols tending to be Glocks and 1911, or what the individual officers chose to be carrying before becoming part of the team.

Keep in mind that copycat purchases do not always fit the gun owner since the gun owner may not have copycat needs, skills, resource bases, etc. In other words, you have to determine if a given make, model, configuration actually fits your needs. Just because a SWAT team carries a given gun doesn't mean it is or is not what you need. It just means that it fit their needs.

You probably don't have SWAT benefits or features such as...
free department armorer
large supply of practice ammo
large supply of work ammo
full body armor
team members to evac you from a location where you have been downed
carry the handgun primarily as a backup to a rifle or shotgun

etc.

[psyopspec]

Our local SWAT guys carry Glock 22's. Not as glamorous as one might think.

[OH25shooter]

SEALS carry SigSauer. Local SWAT carry H&K. One brand is not specific SWAT design.

[George Hill]

Which SWAT team are you talking about?

[copaup]

Our Uniform Patrol gets Sig 229Rs in .40 SW. Our TACT unit is issued the Sig 220 in .45 ACP. Of course their primary weapon on a call out is a long arm of some type either a MP5 (being phased out), a M4, or shotgun. FBI HRT gets Springfield 1911's which are quite nice indeed. There seems to be a resurgance of the 1911 in SWAT type units. Again, the sidearm is generally secondary in such units.

Special Forces gets the same M9 berretta as everyone else, with a few exceptions. Some units carry the 1911a1 and SEALs carry the Sig 226 (apparently soon to be replaced by HK Tactical in .45). The Mk 23 is a special issue item and apparently not popular due to its size and weight.

All of the above is remarkably unimportant. Select a pistol that suits your needs, fits your hands, and you have faith in. Caliber is not near as important as people make it out to be. Reliability, accuracy, and ability to make follow up shots rapidly and accurately are what matters. My preferance is 9mm or above by nearly any of the major makers. Given freedom to carry whatever I wanted on duty, I would be torn between keeping my 229 or switching to the 220.

[Correia]

Locally the most common SWAT gun around here is probably the G22. But I see some variation.

I work with Homeland Security personel as well, and the current ICE gun is the Sig 229 DAK.

Pretty much every agency is something different.

[Erik]

What ever they want, or rather, or barring that, what ever their boss wants.

Kinda like the regular officers when you think about it.

Most I know carry 1911s or Glocks (usually the 22).

YMMV

[Rob96]

PA State Police general issue is the Beretta 96, there "SWAT" and Narc guys get the G22.

[MDG1976]

I just saw news footage today of a St Louis MO SWAT member carrying a Beretta Cx4 Carbine.

[1 old 0311]

My brother in law is with SWAT. He uses a SIG and a MP5

Kevin

[CAnnoneer]

I will take the path less traveled here and say that what LEO's use is not necessarily the best in the absolute sense, and neither it is necessarily best suited for a private owner.

That being said, where I live I've seen LEO's with mostly Glocks and Beretta 92FS.

[agtman]

" What do SWAT use?"

You mean as in deodorant, or pistols? :scrutiny:

Okay, actually, the totally tactical operator types (the ones in black p.j.s and velcro) are issued "special" secret-squirrel weapons which no one who isn't already looking at the business end is allowed to see.

But, ... it has been said that they range from Sigs to HKs to highly customized 1911s. Standard gear includes rail-mounted SF X200 lights and integral lasers.

Caliber? Shhhhh! That's super secret squirrel stuff, too.

But rumor has it that they're all chambered in some real man-stopping caliber - like 10mm AUTO or .45acp. :evil:

[chopinbloc]

well, that and any REAL operator only uses gear with the letter "x" and the words "tactical" and "engagement" in it's name. of course, it has to be black like their hearts, but REAL operators don't need pistols, they just bust out their chuck norris/ninja/matrix moves and tear their enemies apart with their bare hands.

what do swat teams carry? M-4s, body bunker shields, radios, body armor, helmets, spare mags, pistol, spare mags, oc spray, asp, flash bangs, cuffs, zip ties, flash lights, field dressings, quick clot.........

why? you planning on performing a dynamic entry on your neighbor's apartment if he doesn't turn that damn radio down? is there a reason you need to have what the swat/seals/delta/insertspecopsninjaflavorofthemonthhere use? you'll be spending alot of money because they all use slightly different equipment depending on mission, budget and personal preference. wanna use what the u.s. army special forces use for their sidearm? it's ubercool and tactical enough to make you think unchaste thoughts. guess what: it's a plain jane, issued beretta m9 with plain ol' fmj jacket rounds that come in plain whit or brown cardboard boxes with no flashy colors or operators or the words "extreme" or "tactical" emblazoned on the box. ooh, ooh, maybe the fbi's super-nifty hrt has what you want. give you a hint: it's black, it involves polymer and you can't find the letter "x" on it anywhere. yup, plain old, everybody's got one, glock.

'course if you're dead set on having the ninja gear you can buy the hk mk23 mentioned above. never mind that the usp is nearly identical except for features that you'll never need like a threaded barrel. be sure you load it up with x-treme shock ammo 'cause that's what all the ninjas use. might not hurt to keep an nef handi-rifle in .300 winmag broken down in your ballistic pannel lined briefcase. oh, and make sure you duct tape a level IV plate to your back in case of snipers.

it is interesting to know what the high speed, low drag types use but their needs will not match up with yours. if you want a new gun, whether range toy or carry pistol, read a little and rent a few and when you've finally decided what fits your needs, then buy.

[Universal]

I know the original questions has been answered a few times already but here goes:

SF uses the M9 like most other Army units.
SEALs use the SIG Sauer 226 9mm last I knew.
SWAT/ERU/SRT etc. use whatever that particular department decides. Some larger units seem to like the 1911 platform like LAPD (Kimber) and FBI HRT (Springfield Armory). The "local" FBI tactical units use the standard GLOCK 22 or 23 (the agents have a choice) as far as I know. Most tactical units I have been around have used whatever was also used on patrol in that department and the GLOCK 22 is by far the most issued sidearm in the midwest at the moment.

With regard to picking a handgun, I would agree with the statement made here a few times that just because a major department or military unit use something, does not always make it the best choice. For example, I can see the value in using a 1911 if all I did was entry type work but I would not carry one for regular duty use. I think of 1911s as a good choice for an offensive handgun i.e. there is a good chance there might be shooting and I am coming in with the weapon in my hand. If I walk into an unknown situation where I might have to draw and fire in self-defense I would much rather have a GLOCK or a double action revolver. I could go on and on about what gun fits what situation. Most of us here will probably have different answers to that as well.

With regard to caliber choice etc. I was told many time by firearms instructors I respected that the caliber is secondary as long as you can hit what you are shooting at. It does seem that the .45ACP is a popular round for some tactical teams in the U.S. but in the rest of the world the 9mm is number one with such units.

Again, depending on your needs there could be several good choices out there. I personally like GLOCKs for most things and that was my duty weapon of choice for all assignments. I also really like the Smith & Wesson K frames.

Good luck finding your new gun and welcome to the High Road.