ICE Issue Firearms

[jnc36rcpd]

Any intel on ICE transitioning from the SIG 229R DAK to the HK P2000? It seems odd as they just adopted the SIG, but I've heard this from a couple of DHS officers. Thanks and be safe.

[kennethm3]

I doubt it. One, ICE just went to the SIG a couple of years ago, too soon to transition to anything else. The other factor is if you look at how the purchase contracts were handed out a few years ago under the DHS master plan CBP entities went with the H&K, ICE and others got the SIG with an about equal number of units, 20,000 each. I don't foresee only one firearm under DHS, to much politics at play to prevent that.

[Bombero16]

There are a few entitys within ICE who have H&Ks. I dated a SDDO with ICE- DRO up until 3 months ago and she had a ICE issued H&K .40 caliber. I think it may vary within ICE slightly as far as weapon agency issued weapons and politics.

[mizzou80]

Haven't heard anything like that. In fact, we've been getting the exact opposite - our office now has enough Sigs to go around, so everyone who's still on a Glock or H&K is expected to go through the transition training and trade in for a Sig.

[kennethm3]

Sure, I am one of those that carry the HK (legacy INS weapon), many in my office still carry the Glock (legacy Customs). There are many "legacy" weapons still hanging around in ICE, primarily because the last purchase was poorly thought out and saddled the DHS agencies with a "duty" sized hand gun that is difficult to conceal in a plain clothes environment. I am sure the next purchase program will be on us before these old legacy guns are phased out. As it is now, new agents get the DAK, wear out your old Roscoe and there isn't a like model to give you, then you are getting a DAK too.

I am not a fan of the SIG 229 DAK. Personally I think that they ruined a good platform. The addition of the rails and changing the shape of the trigger guard didn't make the pistol any smaller.

We'll see if the P250 makes it into a fed contract, unlikely if it can't be sold in half-dozen states. It looks like it has the potential to fill a lot of rolls but I am afraid that like many multi-roll items, one ends up with a tool that does it all but not very well.

[ICE_AGENT1]

ICE just transitioned from the HK to the SIG. However, many that prefer the HK still carry it. The contract DHS signed with SIG was the largest LE firearm contract ever signed with a company. In fact, SIG was the only sidearm to survive the DHS testing protocol. All the other major brands broke down during testing (glock, hk, and about 2-3 others). I believe the contract signed was for about 15,000 firearms over two years. So, two years are about up. We will have to see what happens.

I am a huge fan of the SIG. It is a highly reliable firearm, and I will gladly tote the extra weight knowing that it will perform if I need it to.

That being said, I am happily trading mine in this week for a DOJ Glock!

[kennethm3]

As I said, the contract was split. Glock was the Customs gun, HK, INS.

Department Of Homeland Security Awards Handgun Contracts


For Immediate Release
Press Office
Contact 202-282-8010
August 24, 2004



The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/) announced the award of two contracts today for handguns for all organizational elements within the department, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (http://www.ice.gov/graphics/index.htm), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/), the Transportation Security Administration (http://www.tsa.gov/public/), the U.S. Coast Guard (http://www.gocoastguard.com/) and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (http://www.fletc.gov/).


SIGARMS Incorporated (http://www.sigarms.com/) and Heckler & Koch, Incorporated (http://www.hkdefense.us/) each received a contract award with a maximum quantity of 65,000 pistols that may be purchased over the next five years. SIGARMS Incorporated (http://www.sigarms.com/), a small business located in Exeter, New Hampshire, received a $23.7 million contract for 9 x 19 mm and .40 caliber pistols. Heckler & Koch (http://www.hkdefense.us/), a large business located in Sterling, Virginia, received a $26.2 million contract for 9 x 19 mm, .40, and .357 caliber pistols.


The two contracts will enable DHS personnel to acquire handguns in three popular law enforcement calibers and a variety of sizes. These contracts represent the results of the department’s Strategic Sourcing Program that is designed to optimize cross-departmental acquisitions through collaboration of agency technical and acquisition experts. The Weapons and Ammunition Commodity Council, part of the strategic sourcing program, identifies and consolidates emerging firearms and ammunition requirements for all Homeland Security components. As part of this effort, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a Request for Proposals in February 2004 for the procurement of handguns. The ICE National Firearms and Tactical Training Unit led the ensuing evaluation.


“This type of multiple contract award will provide the government the flexibility it needs to enable the DHS entities to address their diverse operational missions, while still maximizing logistical efficiencies found through standardization,” said Thomas Trotto, Director of the ICE National Firearms and Tactical Training Unit.


The technical evaluation of the proposals included a comprehensive handgun test protocol involving a rigorous battery of environmental, reliability, durability, and other tests. Approximately three million rounds of ammunition were fired through 690 handguns of 46 different models during the testing, which took almost four months to complete. Aside from the actual live firing, additional testing was conducted through laboratory analysis and armory inspections. In all, each model was evaluated against more than 50 characteristics before arriving at a technical rating. This data was used in conjunction with past performance and pricing information to select the winning contractors.


The Homeland Security Weapons and Ammunition Commodity Council continues to analyze the department’s requirements for weapons, ammunition, and other officer safety products to identify additional strategic sourcing opportunities."


Click here (http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3949) to read the original/official press release (http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3949) (above) at the DHS website.


You can contact Sigarms, Inc. (http://www.sigarms.com/) by phone at 603-772-2302, or by fax at 603-772-9082.

[dforeigner]

ICE just transitioned from the HK to the SIG. However, many that prefer the HK still carry it. The contract DHS signed with SIG was the largest LE firearm contract ever signed with a company. In fact, SIG was the only sidearm to survive the DHS testing protocol. All the other major brands broke down during testing (glock, hk, and about 2-3 others). I believe the contract signed was for about 15,000 firearms over two years. So, two years are about up. We will have to see what happens.

I am a huge fan of the SIG. It is a highly reliable firearm, and I will gladly tote the extra weight knowing that it will perform if I need it to.

That being said, I am happily trading mine in this week for a DOJ Glock!

Although I am a huge Glock fan, the G-22 did not do too good in the testing. I cannot get into the details of what failed during the testing due to some FTC regulation. I am not sure why it failed under the DHS testing when so many other agencies have had success with that weapon.

On a side note, I am rather impressed with the P2000 and P2000SK.

[work2live]

I'm would prefer to keep my Glock until they make me transition. Yes, I know it will happen, but it is the government and we know how quickly things happen with the government. :D

As a side note, I would prefer if ICE authorized the 23 and 27, as I would much rather carry the .40cal. That being said, I choose to carry the 19 mainly because my back-up is the 26. I like the round/magazine compatability. Also, I like the round compatability with my perfered long gun.

Just my choice.