FBI approved firearms list??

[The patriot]

A female friend of mine is in to college, and wants to try out for the FBI.

She has the smarts for college, but has very little experience with firearms.

I reccomended some good places for her to go (Blackwater etc) but she dont think she'll be able to pull it off $$$ wise.

General familiarization (basic firearms safety course to start)with something she may carry was what she thought might help since she had limited exposure to firearms.

I suggested Glock and Sig, but I'd like to know what models are approved... . specific models.

Does anyone have a list, or a link to a list? Something more specific?

TIA

Eric

 

[b.j.oneill]

I don't know what they aprove but I know there standard issue is a Springfield TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) 1911 they had an artical about it in the Oct. issue of Guns& Ammo

 

[The patriot]

I believe the HRT members only can carry that one. If youre not on the HRT, you cant carry it. One step at a time.

Just want what the "regular old" agents can carry.

Thanks.

Eric

 

[Bigsaint]

Eric, we get a annual report from a some Federal source (senior moment at this time) that lists various semi-auto handguns from most of the more popular manufactures. They perform several tests and rate each weapon, it must be on the web somewhere. I'll see if I can find the latest edition when I go to work tomorrow.



Anyhow, I do recall reading the stats and there were no real suprises. The S+W's 4 digit series and all the Glocks and Beretta's pass the tests with very few problems.



A friend of a friend just graduated from the FBI Academy, if need be, I'm sure I can contact him and get the straight scoop on FBI approved weapons for agents to carry.



The last time I worked with the FBI, going back a few years now, we were discussing firearms. At that time several of the agents were still carrying the wheelguns, while the newer agents were being issued the . 40 caliber ( S+W I believe). I'll see what I can dig up for ya.



Scott W.

 

[sdalton]

Tell her she has to graduate from college first. Then get 2 years experience in a regular job after college before she can join. The guns are the least of her concerns. They will teach her what she needs to know.

If she wants to pratice with like firearms then a glock . 40 cal or Sig . 40 should cover it. I dont think she should even try to start to learn on any . 45. Too much for a beginner and most women too.

 

[The patriot]

Thanks Scott. I really appreciate it. I thought you'd have more contact with them, this terrorist thing and all... .

I didnt want to steer her to a Beretta. Didnt think it would be a good size for her with all the others to choose from. Hard for a small framed person to hide too.

I've heard the S&W Sigma 40 was OK'ed but ehh... ... .

sdalton, she's an overachiever, cant tell her anything. Her mind is made up.

Eric

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by The patriot

cant tell her anything. Her mind is made up.

Eric

Ahhh, just the kind of person the Phoebes are looking for.

 

[sdalton]

The S&W sigma is nothing but a cheap knock-off of a glock. They jam a lot, have very poor triggers and are not very accurate. Thing again about the Sigma. Everyone I know that bought one, they did because of the name and price. After a year or less they wish they never had bought it. Go with say a Sig Saur 229 or 226 for small hands and quality. . I think those are the correct numbers. Dont quote me though.

 

[mimprevento]

FBI approved list

The approved firearms I believe are currently a Sig Sauer 229 in . 40 and the Glock in . 40- Special units use a . 45 made by Springfield and they may also have some of the ones made by Les Baer who had the original HRT contract. The FBI essentially invented the . 40 along with Smith and Wesson when they adopted the 10mm and that was shortened in response to recoil and reliability problems with Smith 10mm pistol. Familiarity with any . 40 auto or any auto for that matter will help develop the fundamentals necessary for qualification- trigger control, grip and hand strength.

 

[The Sequel]

For the $$$ a Glock in . 40 or . 45 is tough to beat. Our department issues them and they are tough as nails. I've tried to jam mine and can't seem to do it. I've got several thousand rounds thru it and it still works like a charm.

 

[LSMITH]

Tell her to just be patient and let them train her. The FBI has very specific ways that they shoot. If she is trained by any but a current FBI (or FBI certified) instructor she may end up doing damage as she will have to re-learn how to shoot. It is harder to re-learn than to learn the process they want to start with.

 

[mimprevento]

Fundamentals

Although there are certain methods they teach they cannot be mastered until certain fundamentals are worked on- when I was a deputy sheriff 50% of the women on the firing line did not have the hand strength to pull a double action trigger weak hand and some could not strong hand- also trigger control and recoil control are basics that will not interfere with techniques- Stances and tactics can come later.

 

[The patriot]

Re: Fundamentals

Originally posted by mimprevento

I was a deputy sheriff 50% of the women on the firing line did not have the hand strength

Yes, any Ive heard this is about the only way you might get a Glock to malfunction. Limp wristed shooting, especially the compact models.

Eric

 

[GFoley]

If she still needs to learn to shoot and doesn't own a handgun yet, my advice is to purchase one that fits your hand. THEN look into what calibers it is offered in.

If it isn't comfortable in the hand it doens't matter what caliber it is. Learn to shoot first then move into a service weapon caliber pistol.

 

[sdalton]

I have not ever been able to get my Glock to jam. It's a Model 17 9mm . When I first got it I tried everything possible to get it to jam. I even held it between my forfinger and thumb, pulling the triggwith my forfinger. Upside down, You name it, it still cycled. I love My Colts, and Para-Ordinance but if I didnt have these, It would be a glock hands down.

 

[Bigsaint]

Eric, just got the straight scoop tonight from a FBI recruit who is two weeks short of graduation. They are now issuing the Glock 23 to the entry level agents. A good source for a purchase might be Lawman Supply, down your way in Egg Harbor, I believe. I'm not sure if they sell to individuals, but their 'Officer purchased' prices are unbeatable. If you or your friend have any Glock questions, fire away as I am a Glock armorer for our PD.



Scott W.

 

[BK]

just to chime in . .

if she needs to start getting familiar with shooting, there are plenty of nice and inexpensive 22lr semiautos she can buy and learn the basics with.

My favoriate is the bull barral 22/45 ruger. Same rake and balance as many service auto's. Except for my pacmyer grips that I have on my 1911 . 45, it balances the same,,, reach is the same. Real easy to shoot. real convidence builder. No reason to start with the center fire stuff right off the bat. 22's are cheap and easy to do a lot of learning on while building the muscle memory and technic needed without the added distraction of the center fire power.



I just scrolled down and see that GFoley had the same idea. .

I agree with him...

 

[Bigsaint]

BK, that's great advice, as are the posts above in regards to basic marksmanship skills. To take it one step further, I believe someone was marketing a glock . 22LR conversion. It's been awhile since I saw it, have to do a search but that would be the best of both worlds if it's still available.



Can't beat those Ruger MK 1 and 2's. That was the firearm that Bill Ruger founded his Company on. I have two of the Govt. models and love 'em. The great idea behind Rugers firearms is ease of disassembly, most every model Ruger can be taken down quite easily for inspection/cleaning/repair.



We are slowly adding the Ruger PC4, . 40 cal. carbines to our cars, as a supplement to the existing shotguns (which we are also replacing with the Benelli Nova SG's).



I recently had the chance to field strip the Ruger PC4, after some use at the range. The weapon in question had over 1500 rounds fired through same during a 1 week instructors course, plus another 1000 rounds during our own T+E. Was never cleaned and had zero malfunctions. Complete take down was a piece 'O cake . Never a surprise with a Ruger firearm.



Scott W.

 

[BK]

Scott,

the mkI and mkII are great rim fire pistols. a bunch can be found on the used market at great prices. but from what I remember they had more rake in their grip than most auto center fire pistols. Thats whats nice about the 22/45. just what I've found.



The pc4 is nice, never fired one. But I've got years on my mini14. . really nice. I kick myself for not buying the 44 mag auto that was out back than, the big brother to the 10/22 auto rim fire rifle.

Does the pc4 use any common ammo mags to any of the service pistols? I love ruger. .

I've had my issues with S&W.



After a "problem" I sent in my two smiths and two ruger speed sixes.



Smith said - tough break. . here's the cost to fix each... . lots of bucks, no breaks from Smiths... one was only a year old.



Ruger said. . ohh bad news. . sorry... they suggested scrapping the revolvers and gave me notes of credit for each so I buy two new revolvers of my choice at cost right from the factory to my specs out of the catalog choices.



While I still think S&W makes fine firearms. . I'm not charmed by their customer service. Ruger bowled me over with their kindness.

 

[The patriot]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I will pass this info along.

Eric