british special forces

CO19 (SO19) - WEAPONS

glock 17
The Glock 17 is CO19's standard sidearm.

Pistol - Glock 17

The 9mm Glock is a proven, reliable and accurate handgun. It has a 17-round magazine and incorporates a trigger safety mechanism that negates the need for an external safety selector.

Sub Machine Gun - MP5

The HK MP5 is ubiquitous amongst armed police units around the world. It is ergonomic, accurate and reliable. Unlike the versions used by the SAS/SBS, all MP5s used by British police are single fire / semi-automatic only. Low capacity (15 9mm rounds apposed to the usual 30) magazines are also often used. Hollow-point rounds are used to prevent over-penetration - rounds passing through a target or wall and hitting a bystander.
It is common for CO19 MP5s to be augmented with torches attached to the fore grip. Pictures of CO19 at the Stockwell shootings in July 2005, showed several officers brandishing MP5ks, a cut-down MP5 that can be carried concealed beneath clothing.

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Carbine - HK G36 SF

The 5.56x45 mm bullets fired by the G36 have more range and stopping power than the 9x19mm rounds in the Glock pistol or MP5 smg. They also stand a better chance of penetrating into a vehicle and so are often carried in ARVs for just such contingencies. As with their MP5s, CO19 G36s are fitted with single-fire trigger groups. C019 havve been pictured with both the G36K carbine and the even shorter G36C variants.

Assault Rifle - HK G3k

One more step up, in terms of firepower, from the G36, the 7.62x51mm HK G3k was a favourite weapon of the SAS and 14 Int in Northern Ireland. In the hands of CO19 officers it has the role of both assault and sniper rifle. When used by SFO marksmen, the telescopic stock is replaced by an ergonomic stock from a PSG1.

Shotgun - Benelli M3 Super 90

Loaded with 12-guage buck-shot or special breaching rounds, the Beneill is a versatile weapon. The Benelli performs a similar role for CO19 that the Remington 870 does for the SAS.

M26 Taser

When non-lethal force is required, the M26 taser fires 2 short probes, on the ends of wires, into the suspect's clothing or skin. High voltage electric impulses incapacitate the target by disrupting their central nervous system. The M26 has an effective range of 10 meters.

HK69 Baton Gun

Since late 2002, CO19 officers have been equipped with this 'less lethal' weapon. The HK is a 40mm riot gun that fires a plastic baton designed to stun and incapacitate a suspect, allowing for their arrest in cicumstances where more lethal weapons would otherwise have been required. The HK69 is aimed via red-dot sight and has an effective range of 25 meters.

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