We t&e’d a Remington during the same time period, I don’t remember the model name as I never personally saw it. Ultimately price was the main factor and we went with m&p’s. Like I said above we had a lot of issues starting out with them. We still run them and after the teething issues they run fine. It sounds like they run well for a other agencies given the above posts. I will try and get my hands on a newer build and see if things have changed.
I still wouldn’t recommend them over the other brands I mentioned if given the choice.
We've been pleased with our YHM patrol rifles, and the YHM folks have been great. I have a personally owned Daniel Defense and a personally owned Colt as well as an issued Colt, and my personally owned YHM is my preferred AR.
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As for teaching patrol rifle, does VA POST require an actual patrol rifle instructor certification to teach rifle? If not, sending your instructors through some really good rifle schools to actually learn how to run the gun would be more beneficial than simply picking up an instructor certification.
I had an ER nurse in a class. I noticed she kept taking all head shots. Her response when asked why, "'I've seen too many people who have been shot in the chest putting up a fight in the ER." Point taken.
We issued 16 inch M&P-15s before we bought 14.5" Colts. The M&Ps aren`t bad (24 rifles issued over 10+years) but armorer support is vital. I had to restake almost all the carrier keys out of the box. 2 minute job. I started restaking them prophylacticly when two early guns started short stroking an had shot their carrier keys loose. They were available on the state contract quite cheaply. I didn't buy them nor recommend the purchase, but I kept them running well for years. A couple of them seemed to eat gas rings, but they weren't too bad. Several of those guns are still on the road. Many got turned in because people wanted the sexy 14.5 colts with AAC cans.
I would recommend each instructor go to an armorer's course, and make an armorer's inspection part of the regular qualification schedule. Two of my guys jacked up Colts, one when he wanted a single point sling, so he loosened the castle nut and turned the receiver extension just enough with the receiver halves together and bolt carrier in to lock up the gun, and the other couldn't properly install the can and had at least two obvious end cap strikes and who knows how many baffles were hit. The first was handled with about five minutes of head scratching and "how the hell did you manage that?" The shooter was a retired combat arms type E8 and 25 year police officer. The gun survived, albeit with some cosmetic damage.
pat
Same in VA regarding instructor progression. First, general instructor school, then the specialties such as firearms, DT, driving, etc. Virginia DCJS minimum standards for LE do not address long guns at all anymore. Just semi-auto pistols and revolvers. Long guns are agency/regional academy specific. The private security DCJS regs are quite detailed for handguns and patrol rifles.
There is a FBI field office just a mile from the courthouse here. I will reach out to them.
I thought the NRA rifle course required the students to be pre-certified as a patrol rifle user before attending. Will investigate this further.
I'm glad that the M&P series seems to be working for folks now since there is a S&W LE distributor in town that would be able to assist with any questions or issues.
Range availability could be an issue regarding scheduling an outside program to come in. We "share" the range with the county PD, which they operate, and they are planning to certify the rest of their 650 sworn staff with rifles in the near future which will cut what range time is available to us.
We will have to reach out to the neighbors to get range facilities to use.
This sounds like a reasonable and cost effective approach. DCJS minimum standards do not address long guns for LE, just private security. The individual agencies/academies have their own rules regarding shoulder firearms. We have an in house Sheriff's Academy accredited by DCJS and we teach shotgun and semi-auto handgun to the staff in the Basic Jailor's School.
Last edited by deputyG23; 01-22-2020 at 08:42 AM.
Speaking of cans, that is one concern I voiced to my Captain is nearly certain hearing damage if one of these rifles are discharged inside a building, such as the courthouse or public area of the Jail. Are there any cases of documented disabling hearing damage from using these firearms in an enclosed area such as a small room or vehicle? There would be some sort of liability attached to hearing damage from a work tool, I would think.
Any dB exposure of 140 or greater results in permanent damage. I believe these rifles put out more than that.