Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Texas DPS chooses SIG P320....

What did they carry previous to the P320?

So, what caliber is TDPS going with?

Sigs.

As stated by someone else I think they did try the M&P’s for a bit.

I was thinking the same thought, but was not sure. I can recall troopers having 1911s at some point....at least one of the local ones did I swear. Of course if I was old enough maybe they carried SAAs too.

I think they carried a S&W M27 longer than anything.

I always thought that was a waste of a good N Frame. Shoulda filled it up with at least a .41

TX DPS carried Sig 226s in .357 for a long time. Before that, 220s in .45 for just about as long.

Rangers, who are a division of Tx DPS, have been authorized 1911s for just about forever, along with just about anything else.

Yeah, Texas Rangers pretty much carry what they want to carry. The unspoken rule is a 1911... Many are engraved and ivory or stag gripped.

I don't remember the Highway Patrol division ever carrying a 1911 though.

Gentlemen,

When I began my service with the Texas Highway Patrol in '68, we were issued the Model 28, Highway Patrol S7W's. The Rangers could carry anything if they coulkd qualify with it. The majority carried Colt Model 1911,usually in .45ACP.
Hope this helps some.

Jim

Unfortunately the one I seem to think carried a 1911 was not a ranger, and was killed in a vehicle wreck some years ago or I'd go ask him.

OTOH I don't get paranoia... those that are scared of the glock type stuff these days want manual safety. Fine a 1911 has that plus a grip safety.... but seemed when 1911 was king, most folks were scared to death of it, especially cocked and locked, the only way Carolyn or I carry a 1911.

Fairly simple generally speaking, don't point at or put your finger on the trigger unless you are committed to killing and you generally won't get an surprise.

A 12 lb spring is the equivalent of having an L tattooed on your forehead. Knowledge replaces fear when joined by practice.


mike r

I know they switched FROM the 357 Sig cartridge several years ago and then went back to it. My hunting buddy, Peggy’s BIL is retired from DPS and he bought the SIG he was carrying rather than turn it in. I know they went back to it later from a conversation with a Trooper some years after that.

One thing that has been noted here, and is impossible to cover in a department situation, the better a gun fits you the better you will generally shoot that gun...

I can't say that the wife and I don't prefer the 1911... better trigger, feels better. Shoots fine. But we take the trade off of ammo towards the double stack at times for certain things.

I had to learn to shoot the Beretta 92 for pistol matches, I didn't really like that gun that much but it sure worked for what I needed it too.

Jeff,

Speaking of old DPS troopers is A F Hall still alive down there in La Grange???

The State of Texas is not going to change vendors unless forced. That's just how it works. Nothing against Sig, but DPS buying something is not an endorsement.

I used to think the same thing about the West Virginia State Police and their nearly one-hundred year love affair with Smith & Wesson, but that changed recently as they ended up signing a contract with Glock. I was shocked to be honest.

The only Texas State Trooper I know is already carrying a .357 Sig but I don't know the brand of the pistol. You can easily convert a Glock 22 to .357 Sig is why I mentioned Glock.