Are patrol carbines semi-automatic or fully automatic?

[Ogame]

I know that most of the rifles/carbines/submachine guns used by SWAT teams have a fully automatic mode.

But I see some patrol cops have AR-15 type cabines in thier police cars these days. Are they semi-automatic only just like civilian ones or are they fully automatic just like those ones used by SWAT teams?

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Very few places allow patrol cops to have anything but semi-auto.

[txinvestigator1]

I know that most of the rifles/carbines/submachine guns used by SWAT teams have a fully automatic mode.

No, you don't.


And a submachine gun, by definition, is select fire.

[Switchback]

There is no hard, fast answer to your question.

FWIW, most real shooters will tell you that auto-fire is overated (except in sub-gun calibers.. and don't get me started on teh futility of subguns).

[MyOwnNemesis]

I know that most of the rifles/carbines/submachine guns used by SWAT teams have a fully automatic mode.

But I see some patrol cops have AR-15 type cabines in thier police cars these days. Are they semi-automatic only just like civilian ones or are they fully automatic just like those ones used by SWAT teams?

For the most part - fully automatic fire is a waste of ammo and very dangerous to the local citizens. In a combat environment it is necessary, at times, to use automatic fire. In a civilian environment one is more aware/concerned with precision shooting and MUCH more aware of where a "stray" round might go....You would be surprised how fast a professional can cycle a semi-auto - with complete control and accuracy.

[MyOwnNemesis]

There is no hard, fast answer to your question.

FWIW, most real shooters will tell you that auto-fire is overated (except in sub-gun calibers.. and don't get me started on teh futility of subguns).

Cheers - you said it first and better.

[Buffboy]

There is no hard, fast answer to your question.

FWIW, most real shooters will tell you that auto-fire is overated (except in sub-gun calibers.. and don't get me started on teh futility of subguns).

Yup, if I'm gonna have a NFA firearm for entry give me a short shotgun. Full auto is a lot of fun on range days if someone else is buying ammo but the utility of full auto in a civilian law enforcement environment is not really there.

In my neck of the prairie I've seen about everything from MP5s to M14s riding in patrol vehicles. Though most often you see a version of the AR-15.

[Switchback]

Yup, if I'm gonna have a NFA firearm for entry give me a short shotgun. Full auto is a lot of fun on range days if someone else is buying ammo but the utility of full auto in a civilian law enforcement environment is not really there.

In my neck of the prairie I've seen about everything from MP5s to M14s riding in patrol vehicles. Though most often you see a version of the AR-15.

Eh... Outside of breaching a door (with a ceramic round), there is nothing that a shotgun can do that my AR can't. However, the contrary cannot be said. With 30 rounds and a 6.5" barrel, it is the ultimate CQB weapon, while still being very accurate and having good ballistics at 100 yards.

[Ogame]

Eh... Outside of breaching a door (with a ceramic round), there is nothing that a shotgun can do that my AR can't.

There is. Your AR can't penetrate LEVEL 3 or 4 bullet proof vest and the suspect will laugh and you are dead but with a shotgun loaded with 12 guage slug shot, the suspect will die from a visceral cleft.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Are you serious with that crap? This is a cop board, not Soldier of Fortune. We do not routinely run into people with NIJ Level III and IV vest here. Surely if we did, and the AR wasn't punching through, we'd do failure drills into other exposed body parts.

Also, the rifled slug isn't the LE round of choice for a 12 gauge. Penetrating a vehicle on high-risk stops? Abso-effing-lutely! But generally we'll throw buckshot.

[Ogame]

Surely if we did, and the AR wasn't punching through, we'd do failure drills into other exposed body parts.

But it would be too late if you just realized that your gun is not penetrating his vest and the suspect is also shooting at you.. Even 0.2 seconds can take your life away in a gun battle and it is hard to realize if he is wearing a vest under his hooded sweater. So I prefer a semi-auto shot gun over an AR. If slug is not allowed, I would carry an AA-12 loaded with buckshot. Low recoil, very accurate and deadly as hell

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Crikey, now the vest is under a hooded sweater??? Don't start "what if'ing" everything. I (and most other cops here) also don't need lessons on "gun battles" from some random yoohoo on the internet.

Got all your tactics and knowledge from Call of Duty 4, did ya?

[Ogame]

Crikey, now the vest is under a hooded sweater??? Don't start "what if'ing" everything. I (and most other cops here) also don't need lessons on "gun battles" from some random yoohoo on the internet.

Got all your tactics and knowledge from Call of Duty 4, did ya?

my comp is too slow to run it

[mobrien316]

But it would be too late if you just realized that your gun is not penetrating his vest and the suspect is also shooting at you.. Even 0.2 seconds can take your life away in a gun battle and it is hard to realize if he is wearing a vest under his hooded sweater. So I prefer a semi-auto shot gun over an AR. If slug is not allowed, I would carry an AA-12 loaded with buckshot. Low recoil, very accurate and deadly as hell

Every police agency I know includes in their firearms training something along the lines of: You shoot for center mass and reassess. If it looks like there is no effect you assume the adversary is wearing body armor and you shift your point of aim to the groin or the head.

If you are carrying a rifled slug in your shotgun you will have some serious overpenetration issues to deal with. If you are carrying buckshot you will not be able to use the shotgun effectively at ranges over twelve yards. If you opt for a 5.56 rifle you have an effective weapon that creates excellent wound channels and is effective from handshake range all the way out to 300 yards for a skilled shooter.

[MyOwnNemesis]

There is. Your AR can't penetrate LEVEL 3 or 4 bullet proof vest and the suspect will laugh and you are dead but with a shotgun loaded with 12 guage slug shot, the suspect will die from a visceral cleft.

Hence the fact that we ALWAYS practice FAILURE DRILLS. When going through doors as a team - the dildoe with your Rambo vest on would have about a dozen holes in his pumpkin. Mr. 12 at three feet in the chest...I don't care how many trauma plates you have on..you will be out of the fight. And if all else fails I'd scratch your eyes out.:D