Armed security: what are you issued?

My answer is hardly current since it has been 16 years since I worked security, but at that time I was issued a S&W Model 15, .38 spec, 4". The training protocol followed by Pinkerton at that time probably dated back to the days they they chased Butch and Sundance. All qualification was one handed; and the manual called for an empty chamber under the hammer, though, of course, no one did that.

gary

I am told by a friend in the Chicago area that armored couriers are packing DAO S&W, Sig , M&P , and Glocks. Brinks has been seen with S&W 5946 DAO replacing the DAO model 64 revolvers. I spoke with a guard in Arizona working a strip mall/ fast food place, he was packing a Glock G30. Lots of semi-autos working in the private sector.

I shoot with a guy in IDPA who "operates an armored truck" (not sure if he is the owner, or driver, or what). But he shoots with a police-like duty rig including the G22.

I used to work for both Burns and Pinkerton's security. From time to time the assignments called for sidearms. Burns issued me a Colt Official Police, 38 Special, (with MOP grips I might add) and a Sam Brown belt, and Jordan Border Patrol style holster, with six rounds of RNL ammo. This was so long ago that my "training" consisted of a little book "You and Your Revolver" or something like that, and the instructions, "Don't shoot yourself or anyone else if you don't have to."

Pinkerton's issued pretty much the same gear, but then it was a Smith & Wesson Model 10 with Pachmeyer grips. By then I did have to take a state approved training course, for certification as an armed guard, but I've forgotten the details now.

In both cases, I put the RNL ammo up and purchased 158 gr LSWC ammo. Maybe not a lot better, but at least somewhat.

I now work for a small private security firm. They say the first of the year they're going to get us trained and qualified as armed guards (we're currently unarmed). As I said, we're a small company, so I don't expect them to issue handguns, I suspect we'll have to supply our own if we want them (several of my co-workers aren't interested in carrying a gun at all). If that's the case, I don't see any reason to change. I'd take a 38 revolver as my first choice. For ammo I suppose I'd go with some kind of HP, probably a LSWCHP. If it has to be a 9mm semi, I've got those too.

I know FL. Brinks Gaurds carry What ever they qualify with in 9mm, Seen one packin a P-89 & another with a 3rd Gen S&W 5609 I reckon, So if it's quality & you qualify you BUY ; )
Y/D

Florida law only allows for 9mm or .38spl semis/revolvers. As posted above, Ive seen Brinks guys with lots of different 9mm semi autos, but most of the time its a Model 64 with bobbed hammer that looks like its never come out of its holster.

Old experience, but FWIW...

When I first started out working security, and started working for Pinkerton's, (1985) the regular Security Officer's were not issued anything. The only individuals I ever saw carrying were Lieutenants and above, and only on inspections. That was in Phoenix, AZ. In 1986, I was back in Indianapolis and working for Burns. Working as an armed guard, I had to buy my own firearm. It was pretty much limited to .38 Special Revolvers, preferably with 4" barrels. That was pretty sad, considering back then a Walther P38/P1 could be had for LNIB for $199.00.

Fast forward to 1993, and I was back in Phoenix, and working for Wells Fargo ATM services, as an ATM Technician. When on duty and in uniform during the weekday, we carried 4" S&W or Taurus Revolvers. When going out on calls on the weekend, since there was no CCW, we could carry what we wanted (generally servicing ATMs required opening the vault door, so the money trays were accessible. Usually, for open carry, I carried a Beretta 92FS, or when I was felling more of the hairs on the back of my neck rising, my Desert Eagle in .44 Magnum. Yes, it was heavy, but I liked the secure feeling it gave me.

In addition, our armoured units had Mossberg 500s, Remington 870s, and Winchester 1300s, and once in a while, an Ithaca (sorry, make unknown) pump shotgun in the armoured compartment.

Around town here in Juneau, I see a sprinkling of firearms on security officers. Glocks, S&W, one Beretta for sure, and one older guy (probably late 50s) wearing a 6" revolver of some type.

Most of them also wear a variety of duty gear. Some of it is furnished, and some of the staff (my daughter knows one kid who works for one of the firms) buy their own...With the caveat that it has to be black, and either leather or something like the Uncle Mike's gear.

My gear when I was allowed to carry consisted of leather (in the early days) that matched the duty firearm, and later the Uncle Mike's universal holsters when it was issued. When I carried my own firearms, the gear was Galco (especially when one could go into the Galco shop and store in Phoenix and walk out with newly purchased goods.)

Hope this answers your questions a little.

I am not an armed security guard but I do happen to know that here in Colorado armed security are by law limited to .38/.357mag revolvers. No other calibers. No Autos.

At Loomis Armored (Formerly Wells Fargo/ Loomis Fargo) we are allowed to have anything as long as as it's not SA only. Must be DA/SA with decocker, Glock type trigger, or LDA trigger. Ammo can be 45acp, 40S&W, 9mm, or 38 special if using a revolver (some old timers still do). Weight of bullet and powder charge are wide open. We must carry a commercially available factory loaded hollowpoint round but +p+ is ok. The local Brinks guys have S&W M&P's in 40S&W. Their guns are issued through the company where our guns are purchased by us and remain ours after employment. The company gives an interest free loan to purchase our weapons. I prefer to have the ability to own what fits me. It's really Loomis' way of getting away from liability. If you go home and leave your gun out where something bad happens the company has no responsibility for your mishandling. We had Remington 870s and Mossberg 500's until recently but the new regime didn't like shotguns. They used to turn a blind eye to "other" weapons that made their way onto the trucks but the days of AR's , AK's, Uzi's, rotary drummed Street Sweepers, and an occasional class III piece are over as well. My current weapon is a Glock 35 with Mepros, 3.5 connector, Tungston guide rod, brass plug, Hogue handall, Gen III, with a Insight laser/ light combo. Currently stoked with Winchester Ranger 155gr. I'm drawing from a Black hawk Serpa as is most of the branch. I have Fobus open top mag pouches on the other side and that's it for Batman's utility belt. Mandated retention level is a minimum of a thumb break although most have a level two. Unlike Police, most people bring their own weapons to fight us so rapid draw is essential and retention is not as must of an issue as when involved in domestics. We have no force continuum/ ladder of force. If a guard feels their life is in danger by presentation of a weapon, it's on. We may not shoot to defend property, only our lives or the lives of others. The Majority of the branch has Glocks, Sigs, and HK products. There are a few XDs, M&Ps and Rugers. Glocks are hard to beat from a price perspective since we get the "Police discount" on models 17, 19, 22 and 23s for $439 out the door background and taxes with 3 mags.

I think NC law still limits them to .38 or .32 revolver. I haven't checked in a while so things might have changed.

It has changed:

An armed security guard firearm registration permit grants authority to the armed security guard, while in the performance of his duties or traveling directly to and from work, to carry a standard .38 caliber or .32 caliber revolver or any other firearm approved by the Board and not otherwise prohibited by law. The use of any firearm not approved by the Board is prohibited.

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Zundfolge said:

I am not an armed security guard but I do happen to know that here in Colorado armed security are by law limited to .38/.357mag revolvers. No other calibers. No Autos.

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This is a little wrong.

Right after I came off active duty (2008) I worked for Wackenhut in Denver. The guys working the light rail trains wore 4 inch K frame S&W revolvers in 38 Special. They wore it in patent leather duty gear. There were some guys up from the Springs that were starting work as guards on a government contract. I chatted with one of them, and they were issued HK USPs in 40.

HSS works security at Childrens Hospital here, and the guards I saw there when my daughter had surgery (early 2009) had nylon duty gear and a Glock of the 17/22 variety. I recognized the frame, but did not ask the caliber. I was there for other reasons than to look at guns.

postalnut25 said:

Right after I came off active duty (2008) I worked for Wackenhut in Denver. The guys working the light rail trains wore 4 inch K frame S&W revolvers in 38 Special. They wore it in patent leather duty gear. There were some guys up from the Springs that were starting work as guards on a government contract. I chatted with one of them, and they were issued HK USPs in 40.

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Ah, excellent ... they must have changed the rules then (my info is from discussions with the security guard at Walter Drake when I worked there...this would have been '03 or '04).

I wonder if they changed the rules because of the New Life Church shooting?

^^^^

I don't know, but one could believe that. Truthfully, I never looked into the rules since they didn't affect me. Maybe I will when I get home from this #@&%hole they call Afghanistan.

I am not an armed security guard but I do happen to know that here in Colorado armed security are by law limited to .38/.357mag revolvers. No other calibers. No Autos.

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That law has been changed

Next time you're at the downtown bus depot take a look at the HSS guard he's carrying a 9mm GLOCK so are all their Supervisors.

I wonder if they changed the rules because of the New Life Church shooting?

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The "gaurd" at new life church was a private citizen w/ a CHP she was not a licensed guard so the law wouldn't have applied to her anyway

Out of habit, I automatically glance at what the security guards carry when I see them actually armed. One of the old guys at a bank downtown was carrying a nickle-plated Harrington & Richardson in .32 Long calibre. I asked, and he said the company had them supply their own guns, they just had to be able to shoot a qualification target to demonstrate they knew how to use it.

Sig P2022 in 9mm. Another contract Beretta 92.

I worked private security from Dec. 1978 through Oct. 1994 here in Virginia. The company that I worked for issued 38 Special of various makes only if required by contract or the officer did not have their own. The company policy was the revolver had to fire 38 Special ammo unless approved by the branch manager. Semi-auto pistols were allowed with approval from the company management. I started with my dad's old H&R top break in 38 S&W, then a 6" Colt Python, S&W model 28-2, S&W model 686-1, S&W model 59 (9mm), Beretta 92F (9mm), S&W model 10-8 (required by contract). Being one of the company Firearms Instructors I was given more leeway than others in the choice of weapons I carried. I was never able to talk the company president into letting me carry my Colt Gov't Model Series 70 MK IV 45 ACP. Also when I started an officer could work for 4-6 months without going through firearms training. That has changed from what I can gather now.

In TN most select their own guns but some large companies will issue them. The Brinks guys that come up to my work all seem to carry the M&P lately. I 'em t know if it's issued or they just all seem to like it. Until a few months ago, I saw them with a variety of guns but lately it's always the M&P pistol.

Wackenhut issued very few S&W model 10's a few years ago; but tons of old
Taurus model 82's, with 'bout a 25 lb. trigger pull~!

I am a Nuclear Security Officer in my full time job and we carry the following:

Colt Ar-15 AR6721 in .223cal with EO-Tech's
Beretta 92FS in 9mm

and some other stuff

The regulating authority for armed guards in Georgia allows revolver calibers up to .357 and up to .45 for semiautomatic pistols.

The issue with Florida is that the G-license that allows security guards to open carry only covers .38spl and now, more recently, 9mm as well. For a long time, .38spl was the only (or at least, the most powerful) caliber that armed guards were allowed to carry.

I know the guards where I used to work were issued S&W Mod 64's and switched to carrying Sig's, but I never asked which model.