Ar15s replacing shotguns in police cruisers?

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
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more and more on the news i see cops in standard police cruisers on the scene wielding ar's instead of shotguns.

is the ar now the standard secondary weapon for patrol cops in cruisers?
 
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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,641
10,159
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It's part of the militarization of the police force. They're slowly becoming a branch of the armed forces which can act where the real military can't.
 

OverVolt

Lifer
Aug 31, 2002
14,278
89
91
The police force is actually pretty honest, and the AR-15's are because of all the civilian body armor. Like the LA shootings. Bullets were bouncing off those guys. Shotguns are nothing to sneer at, it just doesn't have penetration.
 

irishScott

Lifer
Oct 10, 2006
21,562
3
0
The police force is actually pretty honest, and the AR-15's are because of all the civilian body armor. Like the LA shootings. Bullets were bouncing off those guys. Shotguns are nothing to sneer at, it just doesn't have penetration.

Yep. LA shootings started the trend and its been moving slowly ever since. Hell my freaking University PD has some very nice semi-auto Bushmasters rolling around.

Honestly it's not a decision I have an issue with. Police encountered a situation where shotguns weren't good enough, so they got something better. Same reasoning behind the switch to automatic pistols from revolvers and every other upgrade they've gone through.
 

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
7,228
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We carry both. Issued 11-87's and can carry an AR if you provide your own. It has nothing to do with militarization and all about getting on equal footing with the criminals. AK's in particular are extremely common with the gang bangers these days.

Active shooter, I'll take the rifle. Clearing a house and I'll take the shotgun. Both have their rolls but if I could only have one it would be the rifle.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
70,319
13,662
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www.anyf.ca
In a way I think it's probably a good idea that cops get ARs considering most of the bad guys have em too. It's too bad there are so many asshole cops that abuse their powers though, and those cops too now have even more fire power.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,114
776
126
We carry both. Issued 11-87's and can carry an AR if you provide your own. It has nothing to do with militarization and all about getting on equal footing with the criminals. AK's in particular are extremely common with the gang bangers these days.

Active shooter, I'll take the rifle. Clearing a house and I'll take the shotgun. Both have their rolls but if I could only have one it would be the rifle.
I am curious. Those AKs you are seeing, full auto or semi?

Every single movie show only autos. Thus every single newscaster thinks every rifle is auto.

Seen lots of police that carry the shotgun in the cab and the AR in the trunk.
 

j&j

Senior member
Oct 10, 2011
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Because they aren't military.

M-16's haven't been full auto in a long, long time. They are selective 3 round burst or semi auto only. If you drop down to the M-4 Carbine, then you'll go full auto.

Also, many SWAT forces use M-4 and variants that are full auto, it's not like you have to be military.
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
The police force is actually pretty honest, and the AR-15's are because of all the civilian body armor. Like the LA shootings. Bullets were bouncing off those guys. Shotguns are nothing to sneer at, it just doesn't have penetration.

And just how does a AR penetrate a Lvl4 body armor like those guys in LA had?

i would think a shotgun slug would do more dmg vs a lvl4?
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,738
126
M-16's haven't been full auto in a long, long time. They are selective 3 round burst or semi auto only. If you drop down to the M-4 Carbine, then you'll go full auto.

Also, many SWAT forces use M-4 and variants that are full auto, it's not like you have to be military.

grrr.. why cant civilians easily (and leagally) get 3round bursts in their ARs?
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
We carry both. Issued 11-87's and can carry an AR if you provide your own. It has nothing to do with militarization and all about getting on equal footing with the criminals. AK's in particular are extremely common with the gang bangers these days.

Active shooter, I'll take the rifle. Clearing a house and I'll take the shotgun. Both have their rolls but if I could only have one it would be the rifle.

I could see SWAT using shotguns but I never understood patrol cops using them.

I'm a shotgun/handgun guy myself. But in the situations that you guys find yourself in...I agree with you 100%.

Stay safe buddy.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,114
776
126
I could see SWAT using shotguns but I never understood patrol cops using them.

I'm a shotgun/handgun guy myself. But in the situations that you guys find yourself in...I agree with you 100%.

Stay safe buddy.
At home, a handgun is what you use to fight your way to your shotgun.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
At home, a handgun is what you use to fight your way to your shotgun.

/shrug

I just can't see having both your hands tied up like you need for a shotgun. Give me a 9mm so I can call 911/hold a flashlight/stab the fucker in the eyeball with my other hand.
 

Smoblikat

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2011
5,184
107
106
M-16's haven't been full auto in a long, long time. They are selective 3 round burst or semi auto only. If you drop down to the M-4 Carbine, then you'll go full auto.

Also, many SWAT forces use M-4 and variants that are full auto, it's not like you have to be military.

M-16A3.................technically
 

Jeeebus

Diamond Member
Aug 29, 2006
9,181
901
126
We carry both. Issued 11-87's and can carry an AR if you provide your own. It has nothing to do with militarization and all about getting on equal footing with the criminals. AK's in particular are extremely common with the gang bangers these days.

Active shooter, I'll take the rifle. Clearing a house and I'll take the shotgun. Both have their rolls but if I could only have one it would be the rifle.

11-87p sits next to our M&P9mm in the bedroom. Wife isnt a fan of the shotgun, but it would be my go to weapon of ever needed.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Why not give the cops full autos (M16s) rather than AR-15s if they are facing AK-47s?

because the ak-47s aren't full auto either.

very few crimes are committed with full auto weapons.

again, real life does not equal movies.
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,660
737
126
The motorcycle cops in the city where I work have short barreled AR's strapped to the side of their cruisers. I'm tempted to stop and talk to them sometimes on my way in.
 

Cattlegod

Diamond Member
May 22, 2001
8,687
1
0
I can't see full auto being any good for a criminal or police, will eat through too much ammo.