The following weaponry is highly recommended, most are in use with the most elite Special Operations Forces around the world :
The SIG Arms range of weaponry, and in particular their range of handguns are undeniably the most reliable - second to none. With the original advent of the SIG Sauer P-220 (originally marketed as a Browning) .9mm and .45ACP, SIG Arms has extended it's line to an impressive array of compact to full-size service handguns, ranging in the following calibers : .380 ACP; .9mm Parabellum; .38 Super; .357 SIG, .40 S&W .45 ACP and others. The most popular models being the SIG Sauer P-226 and P-228 among Military, Law-Enforcement and Civilians alike. The SIG Sauer P-226 (in .9mm, .40 S&W and now .357SIG) is probably the most issued double-action handgun across the United States for Law-Enforcement. SIG Arms has also just released it's first polymer series of handguns labelled as the SIG Pro series of compact polymer framed firearms, that will accept the attachment of tactical flashlights and lasers, how successful the new design will prove to be remains to be seen, despite it's adoption by the US DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
No other weapon manufacturer has come up with another handgun close to the reliabilty of the SIG's - I have no second thoughts about depending my life on any of SIG Arms' products. Many professional's world-wide also depend on the outstanding reliability of the SIG Arms' range, hence the adoption of many of their weapons by : US Navy (SEAL Teams); US Army; Federal Bureau of Investigations; US Secret Service; British SAS (Special Air Service) etc.
Contact SIG Arms at the following :
SIG Arms International AG
Industrieplatz
CH-8212 Neuhausen a. Rhf.
Switzerland
Phone : +41-52-674-6565
Fax : +41-52-674-6550
URL : www.sigarms.ch (Switzerland)
URL : www.sigarms.com (USA)
Heckler & Koch is yet another remarkable firm with an incredible array of weaponry to it's credit. The most popular by far being it's submaching gun, the HK MP-5 - no submachine gun in the world can rival or even come close to it. The HK MP-5 - and it's many variants - are indeed the hallmark of the Heckler & Koch trade name. Heckler & Koch was also one of the first companies to incorporate polymer into it's handguns, beginning with the now defunct P9 handgun (which were once used by the US Navy SEAL's) and polymer on it's rifles, from the frame all the way to it's entire body. The Heckler & Koch USP series of handguns is also finding favour locally and abroad. The HK USP-9 has been adopted by the South African Police Sevice's Special Task Force ("Taak Mag") Units, along with the HK MP-5. Heckler & Koch has an agreement locally with ARMSCOR and the SAPS Special Task Force, and DO NOT support individual Law-Enforcement Officer's, and will not sell to individual Officer's (other than through a local dealer).
One of the best handguns to come along in quite some time is the new Walther P-99, available in three calibers (.9mm, 9x21 and .40S&W). Walther has taken what was an outdated company, and literally propelled itself into the 21st Century. Walther is one company that is now ahead of the times. The Walther P-99 is a conventional double-action handgun, but is striker-fired, with the striker doubling as the hammer. There is also the option (for highly trained individuals in high-risk scenarios) to carry the firearm in single-action mode, but with the trigger in the double-action (trigger forward) position - giving the trigger a long, light, 14mm trigger pull for the first shot. The Walther P-99 is in a field of it's own when it comes to concealed carry, with it's light polymer construction, excellent quality, superb ergonomics and a 16-round capacity in both .9mm and 9x21. This is one highly recommended handgun for personal defence, Personal / VIP Protection and makes one hell of a compact duty-weapon for Law-Enforcement, and a fine Military handgun.
GLOCK is another fine example of well made firearms, although GLOCK at this time only specialises in handguns. When the GLOCK series was first released, the anti-gun establishment went on a rampage claimining that GLOCKs could get through metal detectors at airports etc. Labelling the GLOCK as a "terrorist handgun" which has all been proven to be nothing more than a hoax. GLOCKS are what most would consider as the first really succesful polymer frame handgun - without question they are. The product range runs from ultra-compact (thanks to "It's a crime, Bill") right up to their full-size service handguns. Calibers range from .380 all the way up to .45 ACP. The latest versions of GLOCK's featuring the new frame with rails for mounting white-tactical-lights etc. has really grown on me, and the GLOCK 17 and 22 are now firm favourites. It's little wonder why they are so successful among Law-Enforcement in the US (now the most issued handgun across the country for Law-Enforcement at approximately 65% of all Law-Enforcement Agencies) and abroad - and with it's quality and outstanding reliability - well worth the money. Adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investifation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms etc.
Smith & Wesson :
I have never really been fond of Smith & Wesson firearms, except for the outstanding 4006 (.40S&W) handgun, and the similar sized .45ACP variant - especially if they have been through the S&W Performance Center. S&W was just beginning ot fall off the charts until a deal was struck between Smith & Wesson and Carl Walther to produce the SW99 handgun - an up-dated version of the outstanding Walther P-99. The SW99 is primarily manufactured by Walther, with the stainless-steel slide and barrel being manufactured by Smith & Wesson. The SW99 is a mean-looking machine, with some changes to the fame, and the new slide with cocking-serrations for "press-checking" the firearm. I think this will prove to be another favourite, for the first time in I'd seriously consider owning a Smith & Wesson (SW99), and this would surely be it.
Beretta were in luck - with good reason - when their 92-F models were adopted as the US Army's new M-9 service handgun. Though a very reliable and fine weapon, apparently the decision was politically-motivated to adopt the Beretta 92-F rather than the SIG Sauer P-226 (of which the US Navy SEAL's eventually adopted). The Beretta 92-F has now been in US Military service for over 10-years (after it replaced the Colt 1911A1 .45 ACP). Beretta's range of hanguns are generally very good quality, however there have been slide lock back problems with the new Beretta Cougar series locking open during firing, while rounds are still in the magazine. The Ohio State Highway Patrol after extensive weapons tests has now replaced all of it's Beretta Cougar 8040's (.40S&W) with the SIG Sauer P-226 in the same caliber.
Colt firearms have a long history in the US Armed Forces, especially since the Vietnam War when US Troops carried the well known M-16 and the "venerable 1911A1" single action service handgun. Colt's products have improved over the years somewhat, and their higher quality weapons such as the .223/5.56mm M-4 (CAR-15 variant) is currently being used by the US Navy SEAL Teams. Colt's CAR-15 rifles are very well renowned among US SWAT Teams and Law-Enforcement in general. The fallback of Colt is that they have not kept up with service handguns for Military and Law-Enforcement, and this is generally a field that Colt can no longer compete in among the likes of SIG, Heckler & Koch, Glock and Beretta. The good news is that Colt is however, staying in the handgun market, we hope to see a handgun that is really worthwhile from them in the future, as the company is currently occupied with R&D, especially in regards to hanguns for Law-Enforcement.
