Why semi-automatics are used in law enforcement

"Combat Handguns" Magazine | October 1990 | Massad Ayoob

[2nd_Ammendment_Defender]

I know this article is really old, but it is interesting. Most police are turning to bigger calibers than the 9 millimeter now.

[eastforker]

SA's are alot of fun to shoot but when it comes down to reliability nothing beats a revolver.

[mad_as_he$$]

1. Most cops today are lousy shots and only shoot to qualify.

2. If you want to make it safer for cops take guns away from cops. Friendly fire in police shootouts is #1 cause of police death.

3. Only the US ARMY (Viet Nam Era)had a poorer body count/number of rounds expended than most police departments.

Reference the Lott/Mustard gun control study.

[wysiwyg]

Bang!

[FOMTY]

Interesting. Thanks for posting this.

[Grut]

2. If you want to make it safer for cops take guns away from cops.

If you do this, you really ought to equip each squad car with a Liberal who can plead with armed criminals to surrender before anyone gets hurt.

[Psalm 73]

"when it comes down to reliability nothing beats a revolver."

I hear 'ya, brother. Fewer moving parts, less chance of a mechanical malfunction.
I carry a .357 wheel gun for personal protection - just point and click.

[mbynack]

Very true. In the event of a misfire (Extremely rare) you just have to squeeze the trigger again and the problem is fixed, vice a semi auto where you have to clear the round manually.

[hopespringseternal]

Only the US ARMY (Viet Nam Era)had a poorer body count/number of rounds expended than most police departments.

I have seen footage of soldiers hunkered down behind cover firing their M-16s into the air at a 20-30 degree angle.

[glc1173@aol.com]

Anyone buying a handgun for CCW or police use needs to remember that you can fire 12 rounds a lot faster with even a small-capacity .380 semi than with any revolver - simply because semis are so fast to reload!

God help you if you face multiple enemies with a five-round revolver - or even a six-round one. This isn't about whether gangbangers carry TEC-9s; it's about what happens if your store is being held up by three guys - both armed.

GUN REVIEWS free from ad-money pressure - read before you shop!

[packrat01]

Notice how many "backup" guns were/are revolvers...

Not much has changed.

[knighthawk]

SWAT members are trained to with shoot MP-5's or pistols like this: first two shots in the body, then one in the head (directly fired after each other). Although 9 or 10 mm (and sometimes even .45) won't kill or even penetrate bodyarmor, this method will put most men down quickly.

[mbynack]

Good advice if you have a reliable semi-auto (Glock). I don't and I've had enough misfires with my 9 mm to not feel confident that it would fire every time I needed it.

[IronJack]

I've got both autos and wheelguns, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. My .357 Mag Dan Wesson is a riot to shoot -- accurate, smooth, and hand-filling. But it's slow to reload and only gets off six shots per cycle. My Baretta 92, Centurion, and Colt Commander fire anywhere from 9 to 16 shots (the Centurion double-action only), but are quicker to jam. Jams clear easily, but do affect consistent patterning when on the range. I can't imagine what a stovepiped round would do during a combat situation.

I have been shooting the Wesson a lot lately because I've been doing a lot of target work. But if I were in the field, I don't know which one I'd carry. If I were going to go concealed, I'd probably use the Centurion. A safer pistol hasn't been invented, and if 10 shots from a 9mm don't do the trick, I'm probably a dead man anyway.

Just my two cents ...

[2nd_Ammendment_Defender]

I have a .45 semi-automatic that has never jammed with the factory magazines with the estimated 1000 rounds I have used with the handgun. I would much rather take a reliable semi-automatic any day over a revolver. Just in case I miss I'll have about 7 more rounds to hit some guy with. Most revolvers won't give me more than 5 more rounds if I miss on the first shot. I have always been one to ask what if I need more ammunition? Revolvers take so long to reload too. I can just slam in another 7 round magazine to reload in about 1 second. Wheel guns have their advantages, but I would much rather take a reliable semi-automatic.

[Shooter 2.5]

"I have a .45 semi-automatic that has never jammed with the factory magazines"

I bought the cheapest magazines for my 1911 that you can imagine. They're terrible. I can't go through 14 rounds without a jam. Those are the ones I use for practice.

I use Wilson's in my carry gun.

[Lessismore]

Why don't US police carry those nice little machine pistols or short carbines favored by European police? More fire power, longer sighting plane, stocks for stability?

[2nd_Ammendment_Defender]

I have recently become involved in a petition and I have been gathering signatures to petition John Ashcroft to nationally enforce the 2nd Amendment with Constitution burner states like California. Go to this internet site and look at the petition:

http://AshcroftPetition@KeepAndBearArms.com

Here's is your chance to do something besides complain about our system. Download this, print it out, and get anyone over 18, who is a U.S.A. citizen, to sign and mail it off to the listed address. Exercise your 1st Amendment rights to support the 2nd Amendment.

[newgeezer]

To: all

The single most popular model is the Glock 17 which carries 18 rounds in out-of-the box configuration

Ah, yes, we harken back to the pre-ban days. Nowadays, John Q. Public is, by definition, a "bad guy" simply because he doesn't carry a badge. Good Guys get 18, Bad Guys get 10.