What .357sig ammo does Texas DPS Troopers Carry?
I was having a debate with a friend.
I was wondering if anyone knew what exact ammo/pistol combination Texas DPS Troopers standard issue was. I know its a Sig, but is it a P226 or P229 and does it have a rail. And someone told me they carry a 125gr +P load, but what brand, make, model?
I was wondering if anyone knew what exact ammo/pistol combination Texas DPS Troopers standard issue was. I know its a Sig, but is it a P226 or P229 and does it have a rail. And someone told me they carry a 125gr +P load, but what brand, make, model?
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Most carry a P226 and I believe that they carry a Gold Dot round, I am not for certain of the weight or plus p or not. 0 -
If they carry Gold Dot, I think it is 125 gr GDHP. I don't think they load 357 Sig in a +P. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 5mmgunguy
If they carry Gold Dot, I think it is 125 gr GDHP.Correct - Speer Gold Dot 125 gr.
They issue both 226's and 229's. Most have no rails, but this is only due to their age. SIG no longer makes 226's and 229's without them.
It doesn't make much difference anyway. Their Troopers aren't allowed to have a light mounted on their pistol.0 -
Mounting a light on your pistol is a bad idea for all!! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by partisan
Mounting a light on your pistol is a bad idea for all!!
I don't have a light on my pistol. My Sig Sauer P239 in 357 sig caliber is so old, it does not have rails. Why would it be a bad idea to mount a light? (just curious)0 -
I always thought mounting a light is a good idea. Especially since you only have two hands, and one is probably going to be holding the phone to 911. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by leeblackman
I always thought mounting a light is a good idea. Especially since you only have two hands, and one is probably going to be holding the phone to 911.
I will have to rethink this.
My current home defense is a tactical 10 gauge pump.0 -
To answer the question, I have no idea what round the TX troopers carry, but so far as I know there is no such thing as a +P 357 SIG round.
357 SIG uses a 9mm bullet and is loaded to a max SAAMI pressure of 40,000 PSI (compared to 35,000 for .357 magnum and .40SW and 38,500 for 9mm+P luger).
That means that ordinary 357 SIG ammo is already loaded to "+P+" specs; that's the whole point of the round to begin with!
In terms of a flashlight on your gun, if your dept won't let you put one on your gun, then you can't put one on your gun. Hopefully, if you're a cop you're not going to have to call 911!
There are four "good" things about having a light on your gun:
a. If you have the gun, you'll have a light.
b. Having the light attached to the gun can free up one hand,
c. Extra weight at front of gun from light can slighly decrease muzzle flip when shooting, and
d. At close range, the center of the light can act as a poor-man's laser sight; that is, if the light is set up right, the bullet may strike where the light is pointing.
There are three "bad" things about having a light on your gun:
a. Gun probably won't fit a standard holster with the light attached.
b. Light draws attention to gun hand. Maybe not so good.
c. Because you are (necessarily) looking at the light, and the gun is (necessarily) pointing at the light, if you are looking at something, you are probably pointing your gun at it!
If rule #1 of gun safety is not to point your gun at anything you aren't willing to kill or destroy, then having a light on your gun is potentially problematic.
You're scared. . .you hear a sound. . .you point your light at it. . .now you are pointing a loaded gun at YOUR WIFE (. . .the neighbor's ten year old kid. . .the dog. . .your daughter's boyfriend. . .you get the point).
One way around this is to point your gun-mounted light at the GROUND using the light "bounce" to illuminate the area, but lots of people don't have the training/discipline to actually do it. Instinctively, you're going to want to point the center of the light at your area of interest, and that's where your gun is going to be pointing. Mixing darkness with stress and a flashlight pointing where your gun is pointing seems like a recipe for a disaster to me.
So personally speaking, I'm not fond of having a light on my gun. One of the main reasons I am using a pistol (rather than a shotgun) for home defense is that it frees up one hand (for flashlight, cell phone, keys, whatever). This way I can have the gun pointed DOWN (or even holstered) yet still illuminate whatever I like with the flashlight. If I WANT to point the gun and light in the same direction, of course I can do that too.
Now in terms of using a cell phone, again personally speaking, I have no problem holding both a cell phone and a small flashlight in one hand. You just hold the phone against the flashlight. In fact, by holding the phone on top of the flashlight, its not even that hard to dial the phone at the same time.
Also, most cell phones nowadays are voice activated; you can hit one button and say "Call 9-1-1" and the phone will do it.
If you think you don't have enough hands, you can always get a head mounted flashlight. These are relatively inexpensive, and I've seen ones that fit in a ball cap at Home Depot:
Or if you want to appear more "tacticool" you can just use a right-angle military style flashlight clipped to your belt or collar. They were designed this way for basically this reason:0 -
I can think of one good reason not to have a light on your firearm. If someone is shooting at you what will they be looking at? A big bright target that you are holding in front of your chest. It doesn't matter if they use sights or point shoot, the bullets will be heading for the light and you will be the backstop. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by redneckandy
I can think of one good reason not to have a light on your firearm. If someone is shooting at you what will they be looking at? A big bright target that you are holding in front of your chest. It doesn't matter if they use sights or point shoot, the bullets will be heading for the light and you will be the backstop.
Thanks for this. It makes sense. So now what do I mount on my gun if anything?
I have a short barreled 10 gauge tactical pump (primary for home) and an FNH FNP-357
As you an guess, I do not live in the big city.0 -
quote:Originally posted by frankgon4
Thanks for this. It makes sense. So now what do I mount on my gun if anything?
What's wrong with a simple sling and maybe some extra shells? A plain-jane shotgun is a pretty effective weapon all by itself.
I always wonder why people feel the need to "tacticalize" their shotguns with lights, laser beams, rails, pistol grips, rifle sights, folding stocks, etc. Maybe if you're going to be raiding a crack house or going out into military type combat that sort of thing makes sense, but for inside your house?
IMO, less is more.
Also, FYI, there was (maybe still is) a standard police technique where you hold the light out away from your body while searching in the dark (with your pistol in your dominant hand), in case a suspect sees it and tries to take a shot or swing at the light. Hard to do this with a shotgun, though.0
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