The first of many lasts - my final qual.

[sigp220.45]

I reach my FBI expiration date at the end of the month and will become a used-to-be agent. Today I shot my last qualification course.

As always, I used my faithful Sig Sauer P220 pistol. It is personally owned, so it will go with me to the pasture. I got it while still in the academy, on my Dad's FFL. When I got to my first office I shot a qualification course with it and gave them back the issued 226.

Over the years, the list of personally owned, Bureau approved weapons has dwindled down to nearly nothing. I suspect soon the whole POW program will go away. Its a shame - I'd hate to carry a gun for 20 plus years and then have to turn it in to the smelter. Through it all, my Sig kept getting grandfathered in until it became a conversation piece amongst the new guys.

So today I gathered up the pile of mags it takes to get through our 60 round course and we did our thing for the last time in 25 years. Its not the best target I've ever shot, but I went out on a 100 percent score. I'd make an excuse for the outliers that I was choked up by the emotions of my last qual, but the fact is I could never shoot worth a damn with my weak hand.

It turns out I'm getting the boot at an opportune time - no more .45s will be authorized for carry as of October. Bye Bye to the few remaining 220s, as well as all the Springfields for SWAT and the currently approved Glock 21.

And while I have no inside knowledge, the rumor in the Bureau is that the Sig 320 will be the new issued handgun. What goes around..........

 

[4011]

Good for you! Enjoy the rest of your life. Thanks for the time served!

 

[Usmc5811]

My hat is off to you sir. Thank you for your service in helping to keep this country safe. I wish you the best in your retirement.

 

[Ozark Marine]

Sure, qual one last time on hard working law abiding taxpayer supplied ammo, eh?
Thanks for your service and enjoy your life. You earned it.

 

[chud333]

Enjoy the retirement there sir.
Thank You for your service.

I've owned a few P220's and it is one of only a few
(maybe three guns), that i would trust my life to on
a day to day basis. Never had that first FTF or FTE
on a 220.


Chuck

 

[grcoffman104]

Welcome to the retired world. Any plans?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[Watchdog]

Congratulations and Best Wishes on your upcoming retirement!

And Bravo for the old pistol that's served you so well and will go with you into the best part of your life!

I'm sure you were, and will remain, a formidable pair.
Here's to the both of you, sir.

 

[Ranger514]

Congratulations! Thank you for your service to our country. I hope you enjoy your retirement. You earned it.

 

[Marvin Gardens]

My last day at work was on a scheduled training day.

I shot my qualification score, went around getting documents signed off, and went home.

The department transitioned to the Glock 22 a couple of months after I retired. They wouldn't sell our old issue guns in this state. I had gotten a call from our host, Lee Jarrett a few months earlier. He said that he had something that I needed. It was one our department marked handguns that my department had traded back to S&W, this one still NIB. S&W had taken a bunch of department guns in trade and then turned around and wholesaled them. The one Lee had was a Model 10. They were issued to us when I first started out. Lee was right, I needed it.

Enjoy your retirement. I've been out to pasture for two years now. The only comment that I can make is that within a few months, you'll wonder how you ever had time to go to work.

Best regards.

Bob Horton

 

[BUFF]

Last days of a career are bittersweet.

 

[Marvin Gardens]

Last days of a career are bittersweet.

You do miss some of the people.

Regards.

Bob

 

[Texas Star]

Good luck in what I hope will be a bright future.

Remember, you don't have to retire from this board just because you left the Bureau. We don't have an expiration date, and for some here, that 's a good thing!

 

[akviper]

Unfortunately I retired as chief of my department ten years ago. A couple of times each year when I start thinking I miss the job I visit the new chief and discuss what he has going on. I walk out with a big smile on my face. The personnel problems and the politics never go away and I have to feel for the guy.

I highly recommend retirement. My 28 years went by pretty fast. People ask me what I do all day and I tell them I can do whatever I want.

May you enjoy many years of hunting, shooting, and enjoying the outdoors in your retirement.

 

[Milpolice]

Welcome to the "Wuz Fuzz"; enjoy your retirement.

 

[fordson]

Enjoy your retirement. If you're like me and a lot of folks I know, you'll be so busy now you'll wonder how you had time for work.

 

[Targets Guy]

Thanks for keeping us safe. Enjoy the golden years.

 

[jimmyj]

Reference Sig-Sauer P-220 .45acp:
The first one I fired was during department qualifications 1991 era.
A new deputy had one which was an old used one with the magazine catch on the butt.
I normally qualified with several weapons / calibers, but this time I didn't have a .45 semi-auto.
The "Newbie" offered me his old Sig which I accepted. This was a "TACK DRIVER". 100% score !
Years later I purchased a new Sig P-220 .45acp. Never got around to shooting it and once Medical Treatments became unmanageable financially the Sig and many other firearms had to be sold to pay Doctors.

 

[dagamore]

Congrats on making it to retirement, thats a hard thing for a lot of people to do.

Please tell me you were loudly saying, "I am too old for this ****." for the past month, on everything, like getting coffee and what not.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Congrats.......... I glad to say I still have my Dad's carry guns from the late 30s through the 70s as family heirlooms...............


My old W. German Sig 220 is a great gun..... don't shoot or carry it much anymore ..... if I want a .45 in the winter I'll carry a 245.......

....... in the 90s a couple of bullseye shooters asked to try it........ they both had cloverleafs at 50 ft.......me.... LOL I'm more of a "fist size" guy.... but that Sig will be one of the last guns to ever go!!!!!

 

[Dave_n]

When I was at the NCI in Frederick, MD, my office was alongside the FBI office there. The AIC was a strapping chap from either Utah or Idaho (over 6' 6") and he carried a Glock 21 in a fanny pack. He did his 20 and became the Chief of the "Idaho Park Rangers" (or equivalent). As he said, being paid to hunt was not work!! Enjoy the retirement. Dave_n