What ammo do most Law Enforcement agencies use?
- Thread starter fallhunter
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My agency in New Hampshire issues Winchester 45ACP 230 GR JHP for duty and American Eagle 45ACP 230 GR FMJ for Qual and practice. We carry the Ruger SR45 for duty and I carry the Taurus PT745 off duty.
Let's not kid ourselves or the OP...... the answer is........
Whatever the "low bidder" is selling......that meets the specs.
LOL
Whatever the "low bidder" is selling......that meets the specs.
LOL
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I just ordered ammo for my city P.D. Their duty ammo is Federal .40 S&W 180 gr. HST. Actually Bam-Bam, that's not right, in our city. I order what they want, off of state contracts. They are particular about duty ammo and sniper ammo. Practice ammo, not so much, as long as the bullet weight and velocity are comparable. At state prices, it's all way cheaper than what we individuals would pay off the shelf, or online. We could choose from Remington, Winchester, Federal, or CCI/Speer. Our dept. is rather old school when it comes to shotgun ammo, it's either buckshot or slugs.
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Very often that's the reality - been there and done that, but it's always quality, mainstream, hollow point ammo used by law enforcement agencies.
ironhead7544
Member
It varies by agency. Could be anything, but generally a JHP. The current FBI choice influences selection greatly. I heard they are switching back to 9mm.
BAM-BAM is spot on. As one responsible for ordering our ammo, I was allowed to select from a short list within a state bid approved list. Of course, we could buy anything on the market but bid prices cannot be beat.
I was making a joke.. .. don't want to start an argument.....and I'm not implying that they get cheap/bad ammo....... but;
"state contracts" are the low bidders... for ammo which, as I said, meets the specs.
Would the City buy ammo at retail if that's what "they wanted"? I imagine they have a list to chose from............I know guys in the "Police Supply" business.... and they are always trying to sell Departments on the line or lines they carry vs. what the "other guy" carries.....
My Dad use to reload the practice and the pistol team's ammo for his Dept.
Ofc.JL
Member
Being the Firearms Training Officer, I spec'd the Federal 165 Gr. Hydra shok in .40 cal for our Officers. It carries well due to the nickel plated case, gives good velocity, penetration, and rated stopping power. A little snappy in recoil, but not as bad as the 180 Gr. .40. We work around lots of the public, and the last thing I want is over penetration. Of course most modern pistol ammunition tends to over penetrate. The light 135 gr. .40 hollow points tend to "blow up" on anything hard, such as windshields, so we didn't go with that loading.
MikeChandler
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I am not a LEO, however I buy ammo from somebody here in Phoenix that is, he buys cases of the stuff through the dept., and it's Speer GDHP 180gr or Federal HST 180gr and the practice ammo is the Speer lawman 180gr.
I think police here have to buy their own practice ammo - I've sold it to local police a number of times.
I think police here have to buy their own practice ammo - I've sold it to local police a number of times.
9mm Wins the Caliber Wars - The Truth About Guns
FBI going back to 9mm ammunition
LE agencies use a variety of different brand of service duty ammo.
Quite popular are HST, Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber.
FBI going back to 9mm ammunition
LE agencies use a variety of different brand of service duty ammo.
Quite popular are HST, Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber.
bigsteve113
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We use Federal 165 gr HST's in our .40 Glocks down here.
Motorcopm4
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Our dept used 180gr Rangers in our G22 and G35's for the longest time and had success with shootings. Last year we switched to Gold Dot. As one of our instructors I asked training why and was told they were just easier to get and abundant.
Works for me, I don't think you can go wrong with either
Works for me, I don't think you can go wrong with either
scootle
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While it doesn't say which agencies use which ammo, I highly recommend reading DocGKR's insight on the topic of carry/duty ammo and what is effective...
Also the FBI memo that was recently linked regarding switching back to 9mm is a very well-written article on the topic.
Most of the agencies local to me in CA run some variety of Federal or Winchester JHP as issue ammo.
Also the FBI memo that was recently linked regarding switching back to 9mm is a very well-written article on the topic.
Most of the agencies local to me in CA run some variety of Federal or Winchester JHP as issue ammo.
Originally Posted by BAM-BAM View Post
Let's not kid ourselves or the OP...... the answer is........
Whatever the "low bidder" is selling......that meets the specs.
For my agency (mid west and very large) the business goes to the one that the city doesn't owe money to, or will float credit net 365+
They issue Winchester bonded, but we can carry what we want as long as it is JHP and within certain bullet weight parameters. The new solid copper bullets are unauthorized. Generally we fire just under 50 rounds a year to keep qualified (primary duty weapon, scary truth). Every bullet comes with a lawyer attached to it that can fix a bad guy faster than a Doctor
Let's not kid ourselves or the OP...... the answer is........
Whatever the "low bidder" is selling......that meets the specs.
For my agency (mid west and very large) the business goes to the one that the city doesn't owe money to, or will float credit net 365+
They issue Winchester bonded, but we can carry what we want as long as it is JHP and within certain bullet weight parameters. The new solid copper bullets are unauthorized. Generally we fire just under 50 rounds a year to keep qualified (primary duty weapon, scary truth). Every bullet comes with a lawyer attached to it that can fix a bad guy faster than a Doctor
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papersniper
Member
When I was on the police force, we used Black Talon (aka Ranger SXT) 147 gr 9mm and 180 gr 40 S&W. However, unless you are a police officer, our needs in a defensive round are different than what a police officer requires....or what they think they require.
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papersniper
Member
Also carry ammo, at least in my experience.
Milwaukee PD uses Speer Gold Dots in their M&P40s. Since they just 2nd issued new M&Ps it looks like they'll be using .40 cal for at least a few more years. I was able to purchase one of the original M&Ps on a buy back deal. I've never had a problem with the Gold Dots in either the full size or my new M&P 40C.
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