# What weapon is this Paris SWAT team guy holding? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308 "2015-01-08T14:16:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/21 "2015-01-09T03:24:21Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Gun enthusiasts: with the taped magazines, 6-way Picatinny rails, scope, collapsible stock, and bottom-slung flashlight, is that weapon what you’d consider well within the useful range, or is it approaching [tacticool](http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/mursterman/tacticool.jpg) territory? If the most combat you can realistically expect is playing Call of Duty, yes. If you’re that guy, no. > [@Loach](#): > > Other than the taped mags there is nothing too bad. I happen to think taped together mags are a horrible idea. What makes it so? Leo Bloom, You certainly don’t have to justify asking a question but I am wondering why you asked about this particular item. Was it idle curiosity that struck you or was there something else? ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/22 "2015-01-09T03:37:04Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Gun enthusiasts: with the taped magazines, 6-way Picatinny rails, scope, collapsible stock, and bottom-slung flashlight, is that weapon what you’d consider well within the useful range, or is it approaching [tacticool](http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/mursterman/tacticool.jpg) territory? That leads me to wonder… to what extent are police and/or soldiers allowed to customize their weapon? E.g. can Cpl. Jones trick out his service M4 rifle with a fancy aftermarket laser sight, scope, and memory-foam flexi-grip assuming that he pays for them himself and doesn’t seriously impact his ability to function? I would WAG that higher ranks probably have greater flexibility here and that General Bigwig can more or less pack whatever custom heat he wants and Private Nobody is strictly limited to what is listed on Page 34 of Handbook Q-45. ---
**Author:** ![Ionizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5daacb/32.png) [@Ionizer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ionizer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/23 "2015-01-09T03:40:47Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > … > > It certainly seems to be loaded for bear. More accurately, seems to be loaded for\*\* Bear\_Nenno\*\*! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/24 "2015-01-09T11:55:08Z")
I What is the little box at the very top of the optics in [Photo 1](http://i.imgur.com/DRTlFSs.jpg) & the different one (I think) in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)? II In fact, what all is going on with the optics in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)–a scope is affixed in front of another scope? III [Photo 3](http://i.imgur.com/VgJzcfQ.jpg) and [Photo 4](http://i.imgur.com/E5luipV.jpg): Isn’t it odd that members of the same unit ([2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg) they may be drawn from different sub-units) carry differing weapons, even though the officers are carrying out the same tactical role? > [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > …Leo Bloom, > You certainly don’t have to justify asking a question but I am wondering why you asked about this particular item. Was it idle curiosity that struck you or was there something else? You certainly have impressed me over the years as a poster, so I will restrain myself: what on earth prompted you to ask that? ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/25 "2015-01-09T12:04:17Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > … > > You certainly have impressed me over the years as a poster, so I will restrain myself: what on earth prompted you to ask that? I’d like to amend the “restrain myself” part. I am feeling a little snappish this morning. And above, in part III, the highlighted/cite “2” should be deleted; it snuck in somehow. ETA: plus I just now got the username Micky Mouse. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/26 "2015-01-09T13:19:16Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > a scope is affixed in front of another scope? Possibly night vision/IR unit? > [@](#): > > [Photo 3](http://i.imgur.com/VgJzcfQ.jpg) and [Photo 4](http://i.imgur.com/E5luipV.jpg): Isn’t it odd that members of the same unit ( they may be drawn from different sub-units) carry differing weapons, even though the officers are carrying out the same tactical role? Sometimes it is a matter of diferring specialties in case some specific need arises. In Photo 3 I cannot see too clearly if the man in the back has a SMG or a shortened assault rifle, but the man in the foreground with the full-length weapon may be more able to engage at longer distances and the one in the background better able to enter and engage in tight quarters if need be. ---
**Author:** ![RunSilent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e0b2c6/32.png) [@RunSilent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RunSilent)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/27 "2015-01-09T14:05:26Z")
Actually, it may be a 1920s Style Death Ray… ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/28 "2015-01-09T15:04:12Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > I > What is the little box at the very top of the optics in [Photo 1](http://i.imgur.com/DRTlFSs.jpg) & the different one (I think) in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)? > > II > In fact, what all is going on with the optics in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)–a scope is affixed in front of another scope? I. It’s probably a laser. It could be used as a designator (the red dot thing), a range finder, or both. It could also be an IR designator, which leads to… II. It’s not a scope in front of another scope as much as a long image intensifying type night vision scope. With the correct filter and such, it could “see” a near IR laser dot that would be invisible to the naked eye. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/29 "2015-01-09T15:10:25Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > III > [Photo 3](http://i.imgur.com/VgJzcfQ.jpg) and [Photo 4](http://i.imgur.com/E5luipV.jpg): Isn’t it odd that members of the same unit ([2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg) they may be drawn from different sub-units) carry differing weapons, even though the officers are carrying out the same tactical role? Photo 3 is easy. You’ve got a sniper/over-watch man with the long rifle and an entry team member with the short SMG providing security for the sniper. You might have a point with Photo 4. They all seem clad and armed for entry team. It may just be that they had both kinds in their armory and one preferred the M-4 to the H&K or vice versa. Or one got to the gun rack late and had to take what was left. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/30 "2015-01-09T16:17:35Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Other than the taped mags there is nothing too bad. I happen to think taped together mags are a horrible idea. G36 magazines have built-in clips to join them up, so no tape is needed. Although that doesn’t have any bearing on whether or not giant mag bundles are a good idea - it seems to be one of those things that some people swear by and others swear at. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/31 "2015-01-09T16:33:22Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Search google pics for GIGN (French SWAT equivalent) They use all kinds of different weapons. Most awesomely, they use huge honkin’ 357 revolvers. [http://www.gign.org/groupe-intervention/?p=805](http://www.gign.org/groupe-intervention/?p=805) But yeah, that’s a HK G36 with a tac light up front, some sort of optic (red dot sight?) and some sort of dual-magazine rig (prob. the aforementioned joining clips). ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/32 "2015-01-09T16:46:25Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > I > What is the little box at the very top of the optics in [Photo 1](http://i.imgur.com/DRTlFSs.jpg) & the different one (I think) in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)? IR laser. Invisible to the naked eye, but like a neon show when seen through the right optics. Helps both aiming at a target and letting the rest of the team know precisely where you’re aiming at. They use the same gear on the show _Generation Kill_. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/33 "2015-01-09T21:42:36Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > I > What is the little box at the very top of the optics in [Photo 1](http://i.imgur.com/DRTlFSs.jpg) & the different one (I think) in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)? Photo 1 is a PEQ-15A Dual Beam Aiming Laser. This has an IR and visible red aiming laser. Photo 2 is a PEQ-2 Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light. This is an older generation aiming laser. It also has an IR flood light. > [@](#): > > II > In fact, what all is going on with the optics in [Photo 2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg)–a scope is affixed in front of another scope? This picture shows an ELCAN SpecterDR with ATN PS-22 night vision scope mounted in front of it. This allows him to see and shoot at night. > [@](#): > > III > [Photo 3](http://i.imgur.com/VgJzcfQ.jpg) and [Photo 4](http://i.imgur.com/E5luipV.jpg): Isn’t it odd that members of the same unit ([2](http://i.imgur.com/hWFCMMX.jpg) they may be drawn from different sub-units) carry differing weapons, even though the officers are carrying out the same tactical role? It’s not _that_ odd. And many of the officers probably have different roles within the team. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2015, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/34 "2015-01-10T00:14:46Z")
Note in Photo 4 one guy isn’t wearing knee-pads. He’s also the guy carting the M4. Different roles in the entry team. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/35 "2015-01-10T15:34:13Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Note in Photo 4 one guy isn’t wearing knee-pads. He’s also the guy carting the M4. Different roles in the entry team. Also when you are not talking about the military some police specialty units have the option to buy their own weapon. For instance the local ESU team that I know are all issued viet nam era M16s converted to semi-auto only. As you can imagine they are pretty beat up after a couple of decades of military use. Quite a few of the members have paid for their own M4 variant to use with the team. So it is possible for two members with the same role to have different weapons of the same type. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2015, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/36 "2015-01-10T20:53:49Z")
Extraordinary direct view of the rescue assault. Unedited (as in CNN and other outlets.) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308/37 "2015-01-11T04:54:49Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Extraordinary direct view of the rescue assault. Unedited (as in CNN and other outlets.) That looks rather confused, and not at all howI’d imagine that the GIGN, SAS, FBI HRT, et al… would handle things. Was it just a bunch of local yokel cops or something? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-weapon-is-this-paris-swat-team-guy-holding/709308.md?page=1)