British SAS Sidearms

H

hemlock0013

New member
Does anyone know what pistol the British Special Air Service carries now? For many, many years they carried Hi-Powers exclusively. Since they are helping the US hunt down Bin Laden in Afghanistan, I couldn't help but wonder what they're packing.

By the way, I think that the BHPs are great guns, but for crawling around in the harsh terrain of Afghanistan, I think I'd go with a Glock.

Thanks,
Hemlock0013
 
The hi power has been sucessfully crawling around in combat since 1935.. nothing at all wrong with it, except you can't put a silencer on it.
 
Resource for info

I tried to research this for a definitive answer, but both the "fact based" books I have about CT groups show the SAS CT units with Hi-Powers. They are kind of old books, though. I read Bravo Two Zero and the other non-fiction book by Andy McNabb, the SAS man who was captured in Iraq. Seems that he mentioned having the P226 in the later one, but I'm not sure and I gave the books away.
 
Per a current Aussie SAS member (not me!) "I know the Poms (British) have been having heaps of problems with their Sigs", so I assume that at least some of the British SAS are still issued with Sig 226s. I am told that current issue for Australian SAS is either Brown Hi-Power mark 3, or H&K USP9f, but there is plenty of leeway for personal preference; at least one carries a H&K tactical 9 as his issued weapon. The Australian commando reserves get a mix of Sigs and old Brownings; I am currently holding a USP 9 for one member while he gets his civilian firearms licence.
Regards, Ken in OZ
 
Well lets see.. the barrel of an HP has to move for the action to cycle, with a threaded extended barrel the wieght of the supressor will keep the action from cycling, just like a barrel busing mounnted supressor on a 1911. It can be done, but it makes the weapon a single shot, manually operated pistol.

I'm just pointing out there are newer designs, MADE to use a supressor, (ala USP) designed for rapid multiple shots. However the Browning has a proven combat record, and unless you need a supressor, its fine just the way it is.
 
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