The public tends to focus on the status of an organization and the sorting process that prevents the average guy from finding a job there. The result is that they appear to be a highly disciplined hard working bunch who face danger daily and survive. In general they can do that, but in reality "face danger daily and survive" is largely about eating an unhealthy breakfast and the morning commute.
Reality aside, the overblown public image then concentrates on the tools and selection process, especially among those who think the tools and selection of them amounts to being as good as a FBI agent. Hence, the rise of the internet commando, who has to own all the cool gear, but buys his clothing only from vendors who cater to those who couldn't even pass the physical.
Added to that a number of media churners who do exactly the same but at least hold the waistline and get out to shoot. All this makes the protocol look as if it's relevant for the daily CCW carrier - who isn't an LEO in duty uniform, won't likely be using a 5" barreled double stack double action, and by reason of sanity avoids running to the sound of gunfire.
Because of that many carry large duty autos because "the FBI does," but when the chips hit the fan, we hear of a Pennsylvania doctor using a .32 Seecamp at near contact distances stopping a distraught patient gone berserk.
It's no different than the continuing conversation held over in knife forums - "What's the best knife to carry?" and the answer most don't want to hear, "The one you have." That is because the question when asked in forums is "What icon of masculinity is the top rated because I'm trying to enhance my image?" Not, "What is the better tool to use?"
As long as men attempt to possess icons that they think will elevate their social status, they will keep trying to one-up each other, and the game plays on. Do FBI agents get in gunfights on a daily basis? No, as said, they do a lot of background and forensics. Not combat. Same for local LEO's and detectives, but there are those who carry two 1911's in shoulder holsters on a daily basis. When you can go Miami Vice on the job, some do, and it just ratchets up the showmanship another level.
In comparison, their European counterparts tended to use .32's, .380s, and 9mm's for decades, and some of those guns are small enough that our government considers them too evil and won't let them be imported. Obviously they aren't compelled to compensate as much in their social structure.
PS the normal rule is to practice with full power ammo. First, the contract price is pretty good on hundreds of thousands of rounds, second, you train the way you fight - not at a lower impact level that won't condition you to the reality. There's also the possibility of getting a full mag of training ammo in your pistol and then needing to use it on the street - with less than full results. So, just say no to training ammo, it's really a concept that civilians use to cut their costs pulling the trigger and poking holes in piles of dirt.
The Army pretty much gave up on .22 adapters for target practice, they are still too lethal for training. When your class room is a 360 degree two way range and you move while you shoot, then "training ammo" amounts to simunitions or lasers. Not puffball ammo shooting paper targets.
