So I know a few years ago the Department of Public Safety in Texas who oversees the Texas Rangers, switched to the Sig P320. I was curious, does anyone know if they are still carrying that, or do Rangers carry something else? Also, if they are carrying the P320 - what caliber are they carrying? .45 ACP, .357 Sig?

I read awhile back that they were being issued the Staccato. Someone else can verify.

Now I know the Texas Dept of Public Safety transitioned from the Sig 229 or 229 in .357 to the Sig P320 in 9mm.

According to Sofprep
The Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) has adopted the SIG SAUER P320 as its official service firearm. The Texas Department of Public Safety will acquire 4,000 SIG SAUER P320 pistols for official service use throughout the TXDPS Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations Divisions (CID), Aircraft Division, Executive Protection Bureau, Intelligence and Counterterrorism, Texas Rangers, SWAT, and Special Operations Group. TXDPS is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the country.



Even though they are issued P320, Texas Rangers are given the latitude of carrying privately owned pistols. I know for a long time many carried Colt, Wilson Combat, etc..

After I eat dinner I am going to look for special Edition Wild West magazine that focuses on the history of the Texas Rangers. I think they have an article discussing what they are issued and can carry.


EDIT.....
From Police1.com
Title:

Meet Staccato's first entry into the law enforcement duty gun market
June 21, 2021


Staccato handguns are currently issued, authorized or carried by almost 300 departments nationwide to include the Los Angeles Police Department and the Texas Rangers. Both agencies have a time-tested history with the 1911. Allowing the 2011 for duty carry only seems like the next logical step. Officers or departments looking for more info can email heroes@staccato.com

The building I worked at in the 90's housed the offices of a federal agency. On several occasions a Texas Ranger would visit their offices and I'll tell you knew he was a Ranger when you saw him. Khaki pants, white shirt, boots, tooled western belt/holsters and what appeared to be ivory grip 1911s. That's right...he carried dual pistols. Just what I imagined a Texas Ranger would look like. I would think that a P320 is one of their options but it's more likely they still carry a variant of 1911. Just fits the image better.

Did he wear a black mask?

Did he have a native american assistant?

The giveaway is a white horse.

They’re issued the P320 9mm, just like the rest of DPS. In Company B’s case they were given the choice of a fullsize or Carry model. The slide is laser engraved with the Ranger badge and “Texas Rangers”.

Personal pistols are still allowed and 1911s from a variety of manufacturers are common. Personal preference plays a huge part. Some opt for a 1911 in dress clothes but the issued SIG if they’re working in 5.11s.

They carry 1911's. How do I know??? I just watched "Hell or High Water" last night.

I live in Austin and I meet them pretty regularly, I've seen none with just a SIG P320, honestly its all Staccato's/1911's from the guys I see.

1911s are firmly cemented as part of the Texas Rangers' tradition/mystique. So it's not at all surprising that many/most of them would be going with personal 1911s/2011s over the issued P320.

Staccatos aren't issued, but STI has done at least one big (100+) group buy of personal Staccatos for the Texas Rangers, with custom Texas Ranger markings and TX serials. So there's likely a good number of Rangers carrying those around on duty.

STI offered them their choice of:
Commander or Government length
Hard Chrome or Black DLC
9mm or .45 ACP
Fixed or adjustable rear sight
Night sights or Fiber Optic
Iron sighted or Duo cut for RMR.

WOWZA!! Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
1911s are firmly cemented as part of the Texas Rangers' tradition/mystique. So it's not at all surprising that many/most of them would be going with personal 1911s/2011s over the issued P320.

Staccatos aren't issued, but STI has done at least one big (100+) group buy of personal Staccatos for the Texas Rangers, with custom Texas Ranger markings and TX serials. So there's likely a good number of Rangers carrying those around on duty.

STI offered them their choice of:
Commander or Government length
Hard Chrome or Black DLC
9mm or .45 ACP
Fixed or adjustable rear sight
Night sights or Fiber Optic
Iron sighted or Duo cut for RMR.

In 2000, Gary Graham, career killer and all around career criminal, was executed in Huntsville. The usual left wing movie stars, along with Jesse and Al said they knew he was bad, but innocent of this crime. Black Panther types walked down the street in Huntsville carrying AR-15s. It was a tense time before he was executed.

Standing off to the side were 5 or 6 Rangers in the typical tan pants and white shirts. Each was wearing a 1911, and I don't recall seeing any extra magazines. They didn't seem to think they were outgunned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaka_Sankofa

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:
So I know a few years ago the Department of Public Safety in Texas who oversees the Texas Rangers, switched to the Sig P320. I was curious, does anyone know if they are still carrying that, or do Rangers carry something else? Also, if they are carrying the P320 - what caliber are they carrying? .45 ACP, .357 Sig?

TX DPS is divided into 3 divisions: the TX Highway Patrol (THP), Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and Special Operations Division (SOD) which includes SWAT, aviation, the TX Rangers and other specialist units like the Ranger Recon teams.

Basic issue firearms for all of DPS are the SIG P320 in 9mm, Daniel Defense V7 AR-15 rifles in 5.56 and Mossberg 590s which are replacing Remington 870s.

THP is generally restricted to issued guns on duty. CID has more latitude. For example I know CID agents who are still carrying older P226/229/239s in .357 - But all of those guys also are issued and required to qualify with the issued 9 mm P320.

SOD in general, and the Rangers in particular, have broad latitude in selecting and carrying their own firearms and some have specialized firearms issued to them but basic issue remains the same as the rest of DPS.

Some units within SOD were issued specialized firearms such as SIG GSR 1911 in .45 and 14.5 inch Larue .308 AR-10s.

Being in central Texas, Most of the Rangers and aviation personnel I’ve worked with carried personally owned 1911’s or 2011s by choice. One of the Rangers I worked with normally carried a 9 mm 2011 with a tan grip frame which was part of a special run/group buy for the Rangers, but it’s a personally owned weapon. It was an STI /pre Stacatto gun with the original / Gen 1 STI grip. Not part of the run pictured up thread.

Officer presence is a real thing in law-enforcement. Good officer presence and the reputation of the Rangers can be very useful tools in gaining the cooperation of both witnesses and suspects. For the Rangers, 1911/2011 pistols are part of the “branding” of the Rangers just like floral carved leather gear, hats etc. It’s part of their “Officer presence”

That said I’ve seen at least one Ranger carrying a SIG 226 357s and a SIG P220 .45, which was the issue gun between revolvers and the P226s.
.

quote:

For example I know CID agents who are still carrying older P226/229/239s in .357

From a logistical standpoint I find it interesting that some still carry the .357. (or the .45's for that matter). That would be another caliber that would need to be stocked for training and qualification.

Female TX Ranger carrying SIG P226 or P2/9.

https://m.facebook.com/TexasRa...13/?type=3&source=48

Years ago I bought a 2 tone nickel 220 from CDNN that had been a DPS weapon. It did not appear to have ever been issued.