Preffered pistol of operators...

[Bluedude7012]

I'm a Police Officer in a major city. I was wondering why it seems that the Beretta 9mm is the most common handgun of the armed forces. I have one as well but prefer to carry my Sig 45 cal as nothing beats the stopping power of the larger caliber. On the other hand, 16 rounds (9mm) vs 9 rounds (45cal) does offer more to work with. I practice weekly and do very well, under light stress situations obviously. Do the special forces use the larger caliber or is it personal preference and "carry what you like"?

[JMW85]

the Beretta 9mm is the most common handgun of the armed forces.

I'm no SEAL, but I believe its the standard defensive handgun with the military.

Sig 45 cal

Good choice, I'm more partial to a 1911 for that caliber.

On the other hand, 16 rounds (9mm) vs 9 rounds (45cal) does offer more to work with.

Thats true, with the new super stopping rounds out there, the 9mm makes a bigger bang. With this law that says US Forces cannot use expansive bullets in small arms, kinda stupid if you ask me.

[Bullrider]

I prefer my sig p226 just because we train with it all the damn time, I know that is just a 9mm, but we, unlike police officers, have our pistol as a secondary weapon. My rifle is my primary. I am considering buying a sig p229. It is smaller, but not much can match a sig 357 round. Our 45 caliber pistol is quite large, and with the suppresor, is over a foot long(not very useful for LE) Besides I am not a big fan of HK pistols. I would have to say for someone who carries a pistol as their primary weapon, you can't go wrong with the Sig 45. It all comes down to personal preference, but you have all the stopping power you need.

Mike
Active Duty SEAL

PS a modified version of the 1911 is carried by Delta Guys, but I am not patial to it.

[Bluedude7012]

Thanks for your input, Mike. I bought a Springfield Arms XD, which is like a poor mans Glock but still very well made. I chose the Sig 357 version and I absolutely agree on the stopping power, wow! We, like most law enforcement offices, are only allowed to carry DAO pistols which are much less accurate dute to the extra trigger pull. When you mentioned that the D-boys are using a modified 1911, I have to wonder how much modifying can be done to an already simple single action pistol? The other question, hidden in my previous is this, when going out, are you allowed to pretty much carry what you prefer as in your secondary?
Sean

[Bullrider]

We pretty much can choose to take what we want most of the time, however 90% of the time we will all take our sigs. We can grab eachothers ammo if we have to. This is really specific to my platoon and the type of training we do(more on the CQC side).

[JMW85]

I have to wonder how much modifying can be done to an already simple single action pistol?

Different sights, barrels, you can thread it(the barrel) to use a suppressor, stronger springs, magwell stuff. Just niceties to make speed loads easier, point a little more naturally and get a second shot off a little quicker. Take a lookie loo at the Wilson, Ed Brown, and Les Baer web sites, they have some nice pistols if you're looking to buy a new one. Wilson 1911 is going to be the first pistol I buy when I'm of legal age.

[fish78]

OK, I don't normally post on the ask a SEAL forum...but to set the record straight about 1911 modifications...It depends with what you start with...many are coming with the most essential modifications from the factory. Springfield and Kimber both have out of the box pistols that really need nothing else. The mods that most favor are lowered ejection port, beefed up and tuned extractor and ejecttor, sharp edges smoothed ot or melted, Commander or bobed hamer, flat mainspring housing, Beavertail , slightly extended mag release. the list goes on, but these are the ones that are made most frequently. Some people swear by a checkered front stap...I am not so crazy about it. The Wilsons, Les Baer's Ed Brown's are basicall production customs...info overlad probably. I like the AO express sights...my old eyes have gone bad.

It is my understanding that members of the afore mentioned unit are issued two Wilson CQB's one with an accessory rail and one without. Bu I really wouldn't know for sure.