Does anybody know the official sidearms of some govt. agencies or military branches?

Question

I was wondering about what the FBI, CIA, Marines, whoever, uses as their primary sidearm(s). I figure that'd be a pretty good endorsement and I'm sort of shopping.

Okay, some good info so far, some unnecessary lecturing and hostility. But that's okay. Maybe I should have been a little more detailed, so I'll do that now.

I'm not a beginner, I'm not a gang banger wannabe. I'm shopping for what will be my 4th handgun and my 6th gun overall. I've been shooting since I was 4 and I'm a safe, educated, responsible, gun owner and an above average marksman.

So I'm not an idiot. I was just curious.

Also, for the record, I'd rather carry a big stick than a 9mm of any kind.

So, if anybody has some more valid info, bring it on. Thanks to those of you who have brought some good stuff to the table. Keep it coming.

Answer 1

The majority of the military uses the Beretta 9mm, not very accurate, but has the absolute most safety features I've ever seen on a gun
http://www.combatindex.com/hardware/detail/gun/m9.html

Glocks are pretty popular with Governement agencies, not for accuracy, but for reliability and safety features

FBI utilizes both the Glock 23 or the Glock 22 (decent gun, expensive ammo)
http://www.military.com/soldiertech/0,14632,Soldiertech_Glock37,,00.html

DEA utilizes some sort of Glock

USSOCOM utilizes H&K Mark 23 with .45 ACP cartridge

Certain SWAT utilize Heckler & Koch USP series

Secret Service utilizes the P229 (Reccomended for bank robbers)

You're buying strategy is flawed at best, most of the governement agencies and general military buy their weapons from the lowest bidder, which in turn means lower quality.

If you're a beginner, gun shoppping for safety, a 9mm will suit you fine, one of the most popular weapons world-wide is the Glock, it's used by militaries all over the world, both for reliability and price.

But for the descriminating gun ownership the civilian version of the M-15 would do nicely. Or if you can afford it, a SIG sauer P226 or P228 (M-11) is the have all end all of cool pistols. It looks cool, it's accurate, it's used by CID and Air Force OSI, I used to love firing the SIG.

IMHO, try out the P226, with 9mm ammo (9mm is vastly cheaper than .357 sig ammo), it's cheaper than the P228/P229, it's better than the Beretta, and safer than the Glock (though if your going with the Glock I suggest the Glock 22)

EDIT: My top three guns on accuracy and reliability are:
P228
Glock 22
P226/P229

I've also heard great things about H&K, but never really got around to firing them, more of a rifle man myself. do you have a gun store/firing range that lets you rent guns to test?

Answer 2

Well, just because the military or service unit utilizes a certain weapon, doesn't mean that it's the best. Well, you know, I'm pretty sure that you obviously don't know anything about firearms, so whatever I tell you, you're do what you want to do anyways, just because you think it's cool. Well, all generalized units use the Berretta 9mm (which is a shitty fire arm, but you're probably going to buy it anyways because you think that 9mm is cool....well, it's not...it sux). The SEALs utilize the Heckler & Koch .45 ACP USP (which is actually a pretty good fire arm, and I already have this. But you probably won't get this one, because again you probably think that 9mm is cool since you've grown up in the Hip Hop era and even if you do get it, you probably will never take the time to learn how to properly employ that weapon) Marine Special Operations Command(MarSOC) uses the Kimber MarSOC which is a .45 ACP automatic pistol that is set up like a 1911 and modified for MarSOC.

Semper Fidelis,
Mikey

Answer 3

Marines now use a Beretta 9mm. I'm not too sure about CIA or FBI, I do know that most law enforcement agancies use Glocks, if that helps. Also back in the day Marines used to use the Colt 1911 .45 as a side arm.

Answer 4

The standard sidearm of the military is the 9mm Beretta. Spec Ops carry an H&K .45 but a new contract is in the works.
Beretta, H&K, SigArms, S&W, Glock, etc. all make fine weapons, first discover which one fits your hand the best and what calibre you want.

Answer 5

A government issue weapon most likely will not meet your civilian needs. Especially the military Beretta 92. It is very large, has 100% fixed sights, a very heavy double action trigger pull, and several safety features that take practice to use effectively. A decent if underpowered weapon once you get practice. i suggest you figure out what weapon would meet your needs than go to a gun range and rent some different weapons and figure out what will fit you. I follow the basic of nothing smaller than a 380 auto for a defensive pistol.

Answer 6

The Army uses a 9mm Beretta and also a Colt 45

Answer 7

They use a 9mm of some sorts. I know I've seen different brands floating around. I'm sort of partial to the Springfield Armory, who have been making notable guns for decades. i.e. grease gun, tommy gun, M1 Carbine, M1 Garand, and their model 1911 is copied by many gun manufactures.

Baretta, S&W, and H.K. makes some real nice weapons as well. Happy shopping

Answer 8

It depends on the agency and your role within. But some major ones are made by Beretta, Sig Sauer, Glock, and H&K. All the guns from these manufactures are fine sidearms and it really depends on works best for you that you should shop for. It does not matter who else shoots it, if you are not proficient with it it really doesn't matter.

Answer 9

Primary Sidearm is the Berretta 9mm Pistol. They may also carry either the M16 or the M4.

Answer 10

The GOP/Conbaggers are only interested in following the Governement orders when it comes from a white man and ends up in their already bulging pockets!