What ammo does Los Angeles County Sheriff use???

[metalmachine]

I posted this on auto loading and realized it should be here.
For home defense I want the same ammo my local Law Enforcement service uses. What does Los Angeles County sheriff dept use or approve for their officers in the below listed calibers?

9mm
.38
.357
.40 cal
.22

[MICHAEL T]

I belive I know the reason behind you question. But just because they use might not be good reason for you. Some dept untill couple years ago still used ball Would you cary ball in 9mm or 40 Just because local cops are forced to.. Go get any good name brand HP If you have a good shooting ammo brand ain't going to matter.

I know of no Dept useing 22 or 38 for duty
My self I have Corbon or Gold Dot in my carry pistols. Both work and many departments carry Gold Dot.

[10-Ring]

Last I heard, they were using Winchester Ranger ammo in their 9mm & 45's...don't know about their BUGs, off duty or long guns.

[Fun2Shoot]

All things being equal, I would trust the collective caliber knowledge of THR for help choosing before I would trust the caliber choice of any goverment agency.

Most if not all goverment decisions are politically driven, rather than pragmatically based, IMO.

[metalmachine]

For my HD ammo I have Federal premium low recoil, Rem golden saber all HP. The reason I ask is that I have read about HD shootings that go to trial and they attack the defendants choice of ammo. The dreaded hp and choosing a load that intended to KILL. One can say it was not my intent to kill but to stop the attack on my family and self. The ammo is what the local law enf. agency has been using etc.

So if your local LE agency is using a good ammo that you are comfortable with, it may be a good idea to have that in your mag or speed loader.

I made a mistake on the caliber I was asking about. Not .22 but .223.

[TexasRifleman]

The reason I ask is that I have read about HD shootings that go to trial and they attack the defendants choice of ammo.

I'd love to see an actual transcript from a trial where it made any difference at all.

This story is told all the time, but not once have I ever seen documentation where it made a difference.

I just don't buy it.

[metalmachine]

I cannot quote and don't desire to look up the articles. I do know Massad Ayoob has written about it. Juries are for the most part stupid at least in LA county. This is a subject that is raised in trials. You will never know if it makes a difference in a verdict. It is not a scientific experiment with controls. This is just a simple thing to do so that (hopefully never) if you are in the situation, you have done your homework and don't go to jail or lose all your assetts defending yourself. Being in California, we have a lot of stupid people that could be judging you on a jury. You prob. have some in your state too. Although I bet we have more out here.

I guess I'll just talk to the sheriff next time I see one at my nearby starbucks.

Maybe I should have posted in another section of THR

[universal]

I am pretty sure they carry a 147 grain Winchester load of some sort in the 9mm. I don't know about the .45ACP. I do not think they allow .40S&W. I think you would be able to find out for sure if you call and ask to speak to someone from the firearms training unit. I am sure they would be happy to share that information with you.

[Car Knocker]

I guess I'll just talk to the sheriff next time I see one at my nearby starbucks.
Better check periodically since agencies change ammo brands due to price and/or availability.

[hotpig]

They had been using the Ranger 147gr SXT for years. I do not know if they still use it.

[Double Naught Spy]

For home defense I want the same ammo my local Law Enforcement service uses.

And this would be because you have the same training, wear body armor, and can have deputies arrive as fast as possible when you radio in that you need assistance? Or is it because you want to nail down the same ammo contract and get a good deal on X hundred thousand rounds every X months?

LE agencies do not always purchase guns or ammo based on a standard of best performance. For example, many agencies who have a single pistol caliber standard will chose something like the 9mm or sometimes the .40 because it is a caliber they feel that can be handled well enough by everybody in the department, regardless of physical prowess. They may use a given type of ammo because that manufacturer cut them the best price over competing brands and models of ammo.

Consider buying ammo that offers the best function and terminal performance that you can handle that comes out of the platform you are carrying or have at home. The decision to buy ammo for law enforcement agencies is often based in the beaurocratic world and not absolute self defense. You don't have to be hobbled by the same beaurocratic garbage and really should consider buying the ammo that is best for your bodily defense given your capabilities and situation.

[Mandirigma]

And this would be because you have the same training, wear body armor, and can have deputies arrive as fast as possible when you radio in that you need assistance? Or is it because you want to nail down the same ammo contract and get a good deal on X hundred thousand rounds every X months?

I did the same asking in my area. I wanted to carry same as the local LEO because of legal reasons. I figured if I had the same as the LEO's then there wouldn't be any questions like "Why do you use hollowpoints" or etc.

Luckily the answer for my area is standard factory ammunition, no reloads.

[fattsgalore]

From general information alot of police departments nation wide use Speer GoldDot. Remember though the police don't use the best they use whats affordable.(not saying speer isn't good though) I personally use WinchesterRanger JHP in 155gr in my Glock23. Good stuff and cheap.
A box of fifty cost less then most twenty round box's of specialty stuff.

[Double Naught Spy]

I did the same asking in my area. I wanted to carry same as the local LEO because of legal reasons.

Right, well as TexasSigMan noted, nobody has shown that choosing the same ammo as the local LEOs has justified ammo choice in court as being appropriate. No doubt ammo choice will be questioned, as will gun choice (do you carry the same as the LEOs too?), frame of mind, etc. etc. etc. anything remotely dealing with the actors, actions, situation, etc. etc. etc.

If you do offer up in court that you chose your ammo because cops in your area use it, then would that not open you up for classification as being a vigilante cop-wannabe? Once again, there isn't information on this happening, but if you believe that justifying ammo choice based on a LEO standard is a form of defense for that choice, then you also have to believe that it opens you up for being portrayed in a negative light as a wannabe.

Also, how do you ascertain which department's choices is the right department for your ammo (or other gear) choices? Do you go with police, constable, sheriff, FBI, Border Patrol, Marshalls, dog catcher, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, National Park Service, Treasury Department, or Homeland Security?

What if you don't like the caliber, make, or model of ammo your local LEO uses...what do you do then? This was noted with the Speed Gold Dot example. While it may be pretty good ammo, there are better choices for some calibers, maybe across the board. Do you choose the LEO ammo that maybe won't do as good of negating the threat to your life (or lives of loved ones) because of a perceived fear of a query in court that may never come?

The wise choice is to choose the best ammo for your defensive application in a life or death fight and choose the best lawyer you can find to handle your possible court issues.