The Secret Service needs 10,000 rifles? I had no idea they had gotten so large.
I'm not sure what the full-auto feature is for, but if they think they might have to do a lot of full auto firing fast, that is where it starts making sense to go with a piston rather than DI.
why? based on what information?Originally Posted by Jeep
And call it some sort of snazzy name, like, uh, "M4A1" or something.......You would think that these various agencies would be able to get together and come up with a standard rifle/carbine spec...
Contract may be for "up to" 10k rifles.
There are also administrative, logistical and TTP reasons you might need more than 1 rifle per agent/Officer.
Last edited by HCM; 03-18-2016 at 08:25 PM.
Didn't you see "White House Down?" Full auto is needed to cover the POTUS while he retrieves the AT-4 from the compartment in his seats.
Seriously though there are situations where it can come in handy. I doubt they could be described without compromising TTP's. And as always - better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Doesn't add any extra weight or bulk to the weapon.
I would have thought they could just issue a change order to one of the other Federal LE rifle contracts without going out for bid again.
You also get a better trigger in a Semi only or Full Auto than in a 3 burst.
A little background on the USSS:
The USSS has two missions - Law Enforcement, specifically the investigation of financial crimes, and Protection. Protection includes not the only current and former presidents and vice presidents, but the white house and their other residences as well as foreign embassies and missions in the Washington DC area.
The USSS has two basic branches: The plainclothes division and the Uniformed Division. The Plainclothes Division includes Special Agents who perform both LE and protection and Special Officers who are usually technical specialists who only perform protection duties.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...Secret_Service
There are several special operations teams within USSS. One of the best known is CAT - The Counter Assault Team.The Department of Homeland Security has made numerous attempts to bring the Secret Service's weapons procurement in line with the rest of the department. The agency has resisted these inroads and currently maintains an independent acquisition process.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...dest-bad-boys/
Q. Stressful ? A. Bongino: “If the PPD gets into trouble, the CAT guys rescue us. But nobody ever rescues CAT.”
The trend seems to be 11.5" M-4 type carbines with Aimpoint Micros but if anyone has a need for something different is it the USSS protection guys.
Prior DHS ICE and DHS/ USBP guns were 14.5" M-4's off the DOD contract, down to the KAC M4 RAS. ICE is rebuilding existing lowers and going with new uppers. Not sure if the FBI is doing the same or getting all new guns.
I guess I am not thinking of the specialized case where it would be useful. I am only a cake eating civilian with no mil background, not even video games.
It would seem to increase and complicate training and raise the potential for some agent to go full douchebag. I can see it for special assignments or teams, etc. but 12,000 rifles seems like everyone gets full auto.
I could just be jealous as full auto is out of my ammo budget.
No government contract will ever list this super secret reason that full auto is mandated: IT'S JUST PLAIN FUN!!!
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