From Greg Walker’s “Eye of the Hurricane” (which is semi-autobiographical), page 91, re: Special Forces Advisors in El Salvador between 1980-1985.
Indeed, the threat level was so intense that many SF advisers made use of the embassy’s unique purchasing plan for civilian small arms. Using their own funds, operators ordered large-caliber revolvers such as the Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum or high-capacity 9mm automatics like the Sig Sauer P-226 for personal carry.