They learned about firepower, but also primarily that the old LE standard of taking cover and returning fire against a highly offensive, military style, mobile opponent was a good way to get dead.
The FBI knew this but just got fat and lazy and forgot the lessons the mobile heavily armed gangsters of the 1920's & 1930's taught them through hard lessons. Experienced hard nosed lawmen with gunfighting experience were called in to combat the equally hard nosed gangsters. The Federal Agents were also heavily armed with the likes of Thompsons, BAR's, Gov't Model .45's and .38 Supers, S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty revolvers and at some point the new S&W .357 Magnum. Complacency will get you killed.
Yep.
Let's also note the "original" 38 FBI load was a flat point 200gr. loading, back in the day.
And yes, the point about sitting behind a car door taking rifle fire was true; also the agents did what they were trained to do and did the very best job they could, under the circumstances. I don't think they were a bunch of college pansies.
They were probably brave men. My wording was probably lacking.
In hindsight, lots of things were done wrong but the whole thing was basically off the charts anyway. How many times are you going to run into two perps with resumes like these two?
Do a search on the NORCO Bank Robbery.
These two dealings had more influence on present day LE training and armament than any other incidences. Today its pretty much folly going up against the police with a few dudes and a bag full of rifles, cause the cops outnumber you and have just as much firepower.
Yes, there is no doubt that a High School Freshman is not gonna kick Senior ass his first Friday night football game.
