Settle a bet re. SEAL team and 686s....

R

Running Gunfight

New member
I seem to remember seeing a photo in Marcinko's Rogue Warrior book of a team carrying 686s (may have been 66s). I gave that book away years ago, though.

A friend of mine (glock fan) and I had a discussion re. the 686 I recently was given. I stated that ST6 used them back in the day while he seemed to think it has always been autos with SPECOPS. I also sem to remember that the German CT teams used revolvers. I told him there must be something to wheelguns if ST6 was using them in the age of Brownings, Sigs and 1911s.

Obviously, ST6 and other CT units train with everything, but was I dreaming re. that photo? If anyone has a copy around, could they take a look?
 
The picture is in Marcinko's book but they were using Model 66's at the time. Navy SEALs currently use Model 686's during operations when they know they'll encounter a lot of silt. Apparently not even these uber Automatics still cannot compete with wheelguns in this regard.

Go to www.tacticalforums.com in the Navy SEALs forum. Frogman, an active duty SEAL is a moderator there. Don't ask the same questions about the SIG P226, H&K SOCOM, or MP5 or M4. Do a search and you'll have many questions answered.
 
Ian has it right. The early SEAL Teams used the Model 66 and and still use the Model 686 when the conditions (usually silty/sandy/muddy) water which will stop the automatics pretty. Automatics have also been used but exclusively--then or now. French and German elite anti-terror units have both used the .357 Magnum (and I believe in the early day of the GSG9 that actually used a Model 36 .38 Special).
 
What load?

OK if the Seals use a rev. in .357, what load do they use? I have seen the military use a 130 gr. RNFMJ load in security revs, but what could they use in combat?
 
They probably won't say, but the ammo likely varies with the mission.
I doubt they'd issue subsonic ammo for sentry killing, as it's hard to silence revolvers.

It is certainly possible that they have especially lethal rounds not available to the public, or some selected to penetrate body armor.

French and Austrian counter-terror teams have used the Manhurin MR-73 and various S&W ..357 and even .44 Magnum revolvers. I've seen some data on this in European books not read by most in the USA, and they go into some detail on this.

Currently, Spanish units are phasing out Star and Astra autos for S&W .357's and H-K USP's. They also use some SIG's.

SAS in the UK seem to prefer SIG P226 and P-228's.

The universal item seems to be the H-K 9mm SMG, popular in all Western countries.

Lone Star
 
Yup.
For what it is worth, in the book Marcinkos men also carried J frame snubbies sometimes stuffed down the front of the pants - Im assuming a "string" holster was used for that.
He mentions one incident where the Team Six shot the pants off Delta Force with their 66s vs DFs custom .45 autos too.
I am guessing that the Beretta 9 mms they used then were for operations where you knew you would not be going under the water.
For what it is worth some groups on both sides of the law in Europe still use revolvers. I have read that .357s are very popular with IRA types as a long barrelled wheelgun can be used tactically for the same purposes a rifle might be put to, but it is a lot more portable and concealable.
Some counterterrism units used to use Colt .357 for the entry man, who might have to shoot a bad guy holding a victim hostage also, from what I have read.
Just call me the Chairborn Ranger, LOL.....

>>>Ian has it right. The early SEAL Teams used the Model 66 and and still use the Model 686 when the conditions (usually silty/sandy/muddy) water which will stop the automatics pretty. Automatics have also been used but exclusively--then or now. French and German elite anti-terror units have both used the .357 Magnum (and I believe in the early day of the GSG9 <<<
 
In the early 90's, about the time of Desert Storm, a nationally-known gunsmith friend of mine was working on a revolver for an active SEAL team member. Basically, they are issued certain weapons, but I don't think they are restricted to using only what they are given. This one was his personally owned handgun, a 2.5" M625 .45acp. Done up VERY nice, too. Bead blasted matte SS finish, bobbed hamer, rounded trigger, chamfered chambers and a nice, slick action job.

I'm pretty sure they have a weapons roster that is official, but they can use just about anything they want. I don't know that for a fact, though. Unfortunately, I never got to meet the guy when he dropped it off or picked it up.
 
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