Denmark's [Greenland] Sirius Sled Patrol

[Naphtali]

The Sirius Sled Patrol has always equipped itself with Model 1917 Enfield rifles, refusing to consider changing to anything newer or different. I accept that their rifle selection has been use tested for more than 70 years, and I anticipate the rifle has passed testing process satisfactorily.

They have recently chosen Glock Model 20 10 mm semiautomatic pistol as sidearm. How did Denmark, or any other country, test this handgun for use in the harsh conditions in which the Sirius Sled Patrol members spend several continuous months at a time? There are but half-a-dozen patrol members functioning at any one time. No other organization functions in conditions even close to that of the patrol. The larger Canadian counterpart organization is vaguely in the same neighborhood but uses no handgun.

What military or exploration team or anyone else has tested or used for several years a repeating handgun in somewhat similar circumstances? If such testing or use has occurred, what was the choice?

 

[DWalt]

Exactly what is that organization supposed to be doing out on that ice and snow?

 

[Ματθιας]

Exactly what is that organization supposed to be doing out on that ice and snow?

They patrol and maintain Danish sovernity over Greenland.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I would be willing to bet that the members of that group are a proud and hardy bunch.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Not to digress but I"m reminded of the "Whiskey War" between Denmark and Canada. This is how civilized people conduct a "war".

 

[erikpolcrack]

IIRC their main concern is sudden polar bear confrontations. They've stuck with the US Enfield because of its robustness and ability to suffer through being regularly encased in ice and still remaining operable.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Probably the closest Unit we ever had were the Alaskan Scouts.

Castner's Cutthroats - Wikipedia

 

[DWalt]

They patrol and maintain Danish sovernity over Greenland.

Is that something that is in jeopardy? Is someone going to invade Greenland? And what could a few guys armed with M1917 Enfields do to stop them?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Norway and Sweden also have Patrols for the Polar Bear regions and also use the 200 grain SP 30-06 rifles and have gone to Glock 10mm handguns.

The American P-17 (1917 Enfield) rifle is so obsolete by military standards, that no one considers it a military rifle and therefore is not a threat along border areas.

Since the British designed it in 1914, in a monster 7 mm cartridge and later 303 British, it has proven more reliable in extreme conditions than either Mauser or SMLE type rifles. The heavy 30-06 round has killed every species of land animal on earth. Since the American version is relatively available, sounds like a match made in heaven. The Winchester models 54 and 70 are direct descendants of the 1917, and while very accurate and easier to manufacture, they don't seem to perform as well in the arctic.

Ivan

PS. The Alaska National Guard maintains some 20,000 M-1 Garands for their Eskimo Scouts in case we need them in a "Winter War" situation. They may not be first line, but those guns are still considered a viable military weapon.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

They patrol and maintain Danish sovernity over Greenland.

And shoot Polar Bears

 

[Yaworski]

Is that something that is in jeopardy? Is someone going to invade Greenland? And what could a few guys armed with M1917 Enfields do to stop them?

What could a bunch of cave dwellers initially armed with bolt action rifles do to the Soviets?

 

[LVSteve]

They patrol and maintain Danish sovernity over Greenland.

...and Spitzbergen. As for protecting Danish sovereignty with a few guys with 100 year-old rifles, sometimes it's just about showing the flag.

 

[Rotorhead1026]

What could a bunch of cave dwellers initially armed with bolt action rifles do to the Soviets?

Ask the Finns.

...and Spitzbergen. As for protecting Danish sovereignty with a few guys with 100 year-old rifles, sometimes it's just about showing the flag.

That's pretty much the reason.