The United States government employs thousands of American men and women across multiple law enforcement and espionage agencies. While the specific duties of these federal employees vary, both across and within agencies, at the most fundamental level, their job is to protect American citizens.
Federal law enforcement jobs, such as those with the Treasury Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Marshals Service – as well as those in the CIA and other intelligence organizations – are often high-risk occupations. As a result, many federal agents are required to be armed at all times.
Using a range of government documents, as well as media coverage and private sector press releases, 24/7 Wall St. identified the firearms used by federal agents. Because information surrounding the work of federal agencies is limited, this list is not exhaustive and only includes firearms verified to be in use, currently or recently, by certain federal agencies. Listed base prices are estimates only and can vary widely – and several of these weapons are not for sale to the general public.
The majority of guns on this list are semi-automatic handguns, typically chambered for 9mm ammunition. In much of the country, these firearms are standard issue sidearms for law enforcement of all jurisdictions, from the federal level to the local. The most commonly-issued pistols on this list are made by major manufacturers, including Glock and Sig Sauer. (Here is a look at America’s largest gunmakers.)
This list also includes more specialized weapons suited to specific purposes and circumstances. These include shotguns, long-range rifles, assault rifles, and submachine guns. Some of these types of weapons are reserved for special units within an agency, such as FBI SWAT teams and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tactical Units. (Here is a look at America’s 17 most elite special forces.)
Click here to see 22 guns used by US federal agents.
AX AICS Remington 700
> Firearm type(s): Bolt-action rifle
> Chambered in: Multiple
> Est. base price: $2,000
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
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Source: Courtesy of GLOCK
Glock 23
> Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .40 S&W
> Est. base price: $540
> Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of Sig Sauer
Sig Sauer P229
> Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $1,400
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Source: Courtesy of STACCATO
STI 2011
> Firearm type(s): Full-size and compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $2,000
> Users include: U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group
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Sig Sauer P320
> Firearm type(s): Full-size and compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP
> Est. base price: $735
> Users include: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Source: Slantsixx / iStock via Getty Images
Glock 22
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .40 S&W
> Est. base price: $540
> Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
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Source: Courtesy of SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
Springfield M1911A1
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .45 ACP
> Est. base price: $725
> Users include: FBI SWAT
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Malachy120 / iStock via Getty Images
Glock 17
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $540
> Users include: FBI
Source: Ben185 / Getty Images
Knight’s Armament Company SR-16 CQB
> Firearm type(s): Selective-fire rifle
> Chambered in: 5.56×45mm NATO
> Est. base price: N/A
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Knight’s Armament Company (KAC) SR-25/MK11 Mod 0
> Firearm type(s): Semi-automatic rifle
> Chambered in: 7.62x51mm NATO
> Est. base price: N/A
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
Source: Courtesy of GLOCK
Glock 30
> Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .45 ACP
> Est. base price: $550
> Users include: CIA
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Source: Courtesy of Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson M&P 9
> Firearm type(s): Subcompact, compact, and full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $500
> Users include: CIA
Glock 27
> Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: .40 S&W
> Est. base price: $560
> Users include: FBI (secondary weapon)
Source: Courtesy of FN America, LLC
FN P90
> Firearm type(s): Submachine gun
> Chambered in: 5.7Ã28mm
> Est. base price: $2,000
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service
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Source: Courtesy of GLOCK
Glock 47
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $620
> Users include: U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Source: timothytsuihin / Flickr
Sig Sauer P226
> Firearm type(s): Full-size semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $1,200
> Users include: CIA, FBI SWAT
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Source: Courtesy of Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC
Colt M4 Carbine
> Firearm type(s): Assault rifle
> Chambered in: 5.56Ã45mm NATO
> Est. base price: $1,100
> Users include: FBI SWAT, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tactical Units
Source: Courtesy of ROCK RIVER ARMS
Rock River Arms LAR-15
> Firearm type(s): Select-fire assault rifle
> Chambered in: 5.56×45mm NATO
> Est. base price: $1,000
> Users include: FBI SWAT, DEA, U.S. Marshals
Glock 26
> Firearm type(s): Subcompact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $540
> Users include: DEA, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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Source: Courtesy of HK-usa.com
H&K MP5
> Firearm type(s): Submachine gun
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $3,000
> Users include: FBI SWAT, U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group, U.S. Secret Service
Source: sand86 / iStock via Getty Images
Glock 19
> Firearm type(s): Compact semi-automatic pistol
> Chambered in: 9mm
> Est. base price: $510
> Users include: FBI, CIA, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service
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Remington 870
> Firearm type(s): Pump-action shotgun
> Chambered in: 12 ga
> Est. base price: $500
> Users include: FBI SWAT, DEA, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Secret Service, DHS
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