FBI firearms article in latest issue of American Rifleman

I love the 10MM and 38Super. I will eventually own a Delta Elite and Some Colt 38 Super. Dillinger 100% preffered the 38 Super because everyone, BG's and FBI were wearing the low level protection vests. In fact Baby Face Nelson's Car was put out of commission by an FBI agent with a 38 Super through the radiator. This resulted in the final shootout where Nelson killed FBI agents with a .351 winchester with a welded extended mag. He was also shot a number of times I believe it was 9. 00 Buck to his legs knocked him down a second but he got back up :eek:. Witnesses said he went beserk with the .351 and some thought it was a Tommy gun he was firing so fast. Unfortunatley, he got the 2 agents; But they did him in. Sorry for Rambling I love that time period it is my favorite.
 
Michael Mann's Public Enemies...

Film maker & creative force behind NBC's hit crime drama Miami Vice; Michael Mann did a so-so job on the film based well researched book Public Enemies.
www.imfdb.org

It was a interesting yet violent era in the FBI's early history.
CF
 
I don't know what the numbers are, but a lot of agent don't carry at all. I used to date an agent and she didn't carry. May have had one in the 'company' car...but I wasn't allowed in it. ;)
My uncle was also an agent...he did carry but I can't remember which one.
 
I've met many FBI agents throughout the years based on working for NRA and for several gunshops, and ever one of them has carried.
 
I've met many FBI agents throughout the years based on working for NRA and for several gunshops, and ever one of them has carried.
Click to expand...


Hello Mike
I know at one time the F.B.I. Had restrictions on their carry weapons and could not cross State Lines when in pursuit. This all changed under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover, it was he that went to Washington and got the rules and law's changed. I feel Col. Douglas Wesson was a True Hunter and Marksman, as well as he was a Business Man and when he Invented the .357 Magnum his Gift of one to J. Edgar Hoover was not in Vain. Many Bureau agents carried the early Registered and Later made Non-Registered Magnums while on duty and many used them as Special agent Walsh who by the way ordered Not one But Two Registered Magnums for his personal use.:)




One Gun Test shown by S&W to promote their new then .357 Magnum was a Bullet proof glass test that showed clean through holes from the new then .357 Magnum cartridge. This test Paved the way for the new cartridge and made a believer out of those that carried less Potent caliber's prior to the unveiling of the .357 Magnum cartridge. Winchester Arms was the First Manufacturer of the cartridge and they made a Conical Bullet taper design that was Metal Piercing for Law enforcement use....;)
 
1. "Public Enemies" is a good movie - the book is even better.
2. As to agents carrying guns - much of it is both place and assignment related. White Collar Crime guys sometimes did not carry, as they spent day after day in the office, working the paper. They were more accountants than 'crime fighters'. Others in other assignments, even WCC guys in different assignments, carried all the time.
3. There is also a 'Generational' factor - many of the old time "Hoover Era" agents did not carry all the time, particularly off duty. Today's agents (at least in the border areas) all carry all the time. Of course, back in the 30's, if you shot at a "Fed", you were unlikely to survive to be taken in. Plus, your entire organization would become the focus of attention.
These days, it's not that way.
 
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Back in the mid-50s, when I had a paper route, Dick Tracys 'Crime stoppers column' recommended 357 magnum--would shoot thru an engine block when shot from helicopter directly over the vehicle!!
 
One pistol left off the list. ;) Anyone here remember the FBIRA picnics at Quantico? Part of the show was a demonstration of the most powerful handgun in the world. IIRC, it was a bolt action pistol, maybe a Remmington. The agent, I think his name was George Zeiss, would shoot at a target placed on a tree along the top of the range berm. The tree would then explode, cut in two by the powerful bullet, (with a little help from some C4). :D The crowd loved it no matter how many times we saw it. Great times, great memories.
 
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