French LE weapon choices

[Coyotesfan97]

Those things look like they add at least another couple of pounds to the 3-4lbs helmet.

We had a few when I first started SWAT. They were heavy and strained your neck. The ones we had also distorted your view. Nobody liked them.


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[S Jenks]

The guy in front is going to need some serious ear pro if the guy behind him pops a cap like that.


Okie John

It looks like the guy in front has something opaque in his ear but it's hard to tell.

[Jeep]

And I swear any dude that showed up with a Mini-14 would be kicked off the team.

-Rob

Probably a good idea in any case.

[TxShooter]

Two years ago I rescued a PM12S from our armory that needed cleaning. So far they haven't asked for it back. It's somewhat chunky but pretty accurate and very controllable. The biggest drawback would have to be the sights; the rear aperture is tiny and hard to see in low light.

[Mr. Goodtimes]

Pretty sweet HK porn up in here. Anyone notice that one picture of the dude with the aimpoint on the G36? Holy co witness batman.

Edit: I'd like to know what their logic is behind carrying two handguns.


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[TGS]

Am I the only one who thinks of blow up dolls when dudes run around with 3-hole face masks?

Right is important to distinguish the different groups shown in these images (and those from January).

RAID - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resear...on,_Deterrence
GIGN - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation...rvention_Group
GIPN - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation...vention_Groups
National Gendarmerie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gendarmerie
National Police - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation...e_%28France%29

There are two (up to three) hierarchical structures at play here:

National Police (Police Nationale) - Which contains RAID - Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence a national counter-terrorism group (FBI HRT) and contains GIPN which are regional Police Intervention Groups (think FBI Regional SWAT Teams).

The GIGN is part of the National Gendarmerie. As pointed out by Le Francias earlier and in the Paris-attack thread, the Gendarmerie is a military unit, it is officially part of the French Armed Forces. The original purpose of the National Gendarmerie was primarily rural police services (think Sheriff's department). However, they have expanded to include Maritime (Coast Guard), Airport (something like our TSA, but actually better at their jobs), they also provide Military Police duties, police duties on airbases, and police and protection duties for the French equivalent of DARPA. In addition they have two more (even more) specialized units the GIGN and an armored unit. Officially, GIGN is part of the Armed Forces and has been deployed with French Army on the ground in Afghanistan and other deployments. And is, no doubt as we speak, on the ground in Syria, going to whack some ISIS badguys.

GIPN and RAID are National units and only deployed within France or French Protectorates. GIGN is a military unit deployed globally. Apparently, they have considerable cross-over in training and often in mission goals as well. Which makes sense in many cases. The FBI HRT often trains with USSOCOM units for instance here.

Regarding firearms: Standard issue handguns for National Police and National Gendarmerie is the Sig Pro 2022 in 9mm. The Gendarmerie also have access to military long guns (FAMAS, HK416s, HK G3s, HK MP5s, etc.). The National Police are more limited in long-guns to pump shotguns and Mini-14s. GIPN, RAID, and GIGN all have essentially free weapons selection. Most individuals have gone with the Sig P226 or Glock in various flavors, but you will find that individuals from each group carry the MR73 from time to time. The MR73 was the previous standard issue handgun for the Gendarmerie and was optional in RAID and GIPN.

Anyways - This is all enough detail, to make an obsessive compulsive like me get a bad itch. I don't think I could be the quartermaster/armorer for these units. Especially the more specialized ones. Trying to maintain about 15 different weapons systems of various makes, models, and ages, would drive me f'ing insane. Personally, if I were running a GIGN unit, for instance. It would be Glock or MR73, HK416s for everyone, except the shotgun guy (Benelli M4), and the sniper teams would get whatever it is they are running these days (mostly AIs in .300 Win Mag). None of this - six guys with AR-variants, three guys with HK variants, and some dude with a Mossberg 500 pump...And I swear any dude that showed up with a Mini-14 would be kicked off the team.

-Rob

Rob,

Any idea which of these mentioned teams are full-time tactical teams, part time, ect? Just curious. I don't know much about them.

[Lon]

Edit: I'd like to know what their logic is behind carrying two handguns

Attachment 4536

'Nuff said.

[YVK]

I'd like to know what their logic is behind carrying two handguns.

Especially when both are barely, if at all, accessible by the other strong hand.

[Lon]

For a serious answer about the placement of their second pistol - the pistols are placed in a good position if the they want to be able to draw them while seated in a car or if they are standing in the turret of an armored vehicle.

[Wondering Beard]

Rob,

Any idea which of these mentioned teams are full-time tactical teams, part time, ect? Just curious. I don't know much about them.

GIGN and RAID are full time, not sure about GIPN and I think BRI is part time.