The Long Arm of the Law

Police Weapons in GURPS

by Hans-Christian Vortisch

The player characters will come into contact with enforcers of the law in many adventures set in
the 20th-century. Any action-thriller or detective story requires them.

It may also be that the characters are in fact members of the law enforcement community
themselves. FBI agents instantly come to mind, prominent in the public eye through such shows as
Twin Peaks or The X-Files. The Call of Cthulhu supplement Delta Green has shown that there is a
wealth of agencies, both American and foreign, to be used as parent agencies for PCs and NPCs.

Officers of the law are usually armed. It will be interesting to know which weapons are in service,
regardless if these are for issue to the PCs or used against them by NPC coppers.

The FBI's Inventory

"Brand new issue. More accurate and efficient. Smith & Wesson 10mm Model 1076, all stainless
steel. It's a beautiful weapon Coop, and it's all yours."
-- FBI Deputy Director Gordon Cole, 1990 (from Twin Peaks, Episode 25: "On the Wings of
Love")

To illustrate the changes that advancing technology and differing environments had on law
enforcement armaments in the USA, the issue weapons of the FBI are examined here in some
detail. Similar developments occurred with other federal agencies, local police forces and, to a
lesser extent, law enforcement agencies abroad.

When the Bureau of Investigation was founded in 1908, its agents were unarmed. They were not
allowed to make armed arrests, but could carry privately owned weapons "for self-defense".
During the gangster era in the late 1920s, early 1930s, these did include handguns, sawn-off
shotguns and Auto-Ordnance Model 1921 Tommy guns.

After the Kansas City Massacre in 1934, the year before the agency was renamed the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, it was decided to arm its agents. The original issue weapon was the .32 LC
Colt Police Positive revolver (use Colt Official Police in .32-20 WCF), a small, easily concealed
weapon with mediocre performance. In 1937, it was superseded by the .38 Special Colt Official
Police, which remained standard issue until 1984. In the same year, the .357 Magnum S&W
Magnum revolver (p. HT110) was adopted for agents working violent crime. The .38 Special S&W
Model 13 Military & Police revolver (p. HT110) was adopted in 1982 and used until the
widespread adoption of semi-automatic pistols in the early 1990s. The first self-loading pistol was
the .38 Super Colt Super Auto (a variant of the Colt Government, p. HT108, with Shots 9+1),
originally obtained in small numbers in 1938 to counter the "bullet-proof" vests of contemporary
gangsters. It remained in service until 1958.

In 1981, the SWAT units received the 9x19mm FN-Browning HP-35 pistol (p. HT108), and this
was also the sidearm of the Hostage Rescue Team when founded in 1983. After the Miami
Massacre of 1987, which had shown the limits of .38 Special revolvers, the first larger batches of
9x19mm semi-automatic pistols were purchased in 1988: the 9x19mm SIG-Sauer P226 and
9x19mm S&W Model 5946. Most went to the HRT and the regional SWAT agents. In 1989, the
new 10x25mm S&W Model 1076 pistol was adopted, designed to the FBI's specifications and
intended to replace all other handguns then in service. It turned out to be a total failure, the entire
order of some 12,000 guns was returned in the early 1990s. The FBI first purchased more SIG-
Sauer P226 pistols and then, in 1992, adopted its slightly more compact cousin, the 9x19mm SIG-
Sauer P228. Female agents with small hands could choose the slim-line 9x19mm SIG-Sauer P225
with single-stack magazine (use P228 with Shots 8+1).

Undercover agents had a choice of small revolvers (all adopted during the 1970s), among them
the .38 Special S&W Model 10 Military & Police with 2" barrel (p. HT110), .38 Special S&W
Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight (p. SO100) and .38 Special S&W Model 60 Chief's Special
Stainless. From January 1998, the FBI started to issue the .40 S&W Glock 22 pistol (p. HT109),
with the slightly smaller .40 S&W Glock 23 (use Glock 22 with Shots 13+1) for those who
preferred it. The ultra-compact .40 S&W Glock 27 was authorized as concealed backup. Since
early 2000, selected other .40 S&W pistols have been authorized for carry, such as the H&K USP
Compact (a smaller variant of the USP, p. HT109, with Shots 12+1) and SIG-Sauer P229 (p.
HT109). The HRT had adopted the .45 ACP Les Baer SRP Bureau pistol in 1995, a heavily
customized Colt Government-copy (p. HT108 with Acc 3, Wt 3.0, Shots 14+1). Members of the
regional SWAT teams received the .45 ACP Springfield Bureau Model since 1998, another Colt
Government-copy (p. HT108 with Acc 3, Shots 8+1).

Heavier Weapons

"The firing of a machine gun is a sobering experience."

-- Dale Cooper, at the FBI Academy in Quantico, 1977 (from The Autobiography of FBI Special
Agent Dale Cooper)

Long arms of the early days included the .45 ACP Auto-Ordnance Model 1921 Thompson
submachine gun (pp. HT115-116), the .30 Remington Model 81A semi-automatic rifle, various
models of the .30-06 Colt BAR and 12-gauge pump-action shotguns (use Winchester Model 1897,
p. HT124). Many of these weapons continued to stay in service until the 1980s. In 1989, the
9x19mm H&K MP5SFA2 and MP5SFA3 semi-automatic carbines (otherwise as MP5A2 and
MP5A3, pp. HT116, SO105-106) were adopted for standard issue to field agents. In addition, the
12-gauge SGT Tactical Response Model 90102 FBI shotgun was introduced.

When the regional SWAT teams were formed beginning in 1973, the 5.56x45mm Colt M16A1
assault rifle (p. HT115) was introduced. In the 1980s, the main weapons of the HRT and SWAT
agents were various models of the 9x19mm H&K MP5 submachine gun, including the MP5A3 and
the sound-suppressed MP5SD3. In the 1990s, they used the 10x25mm H&K MP5/10A3
submachine gun, full-auto variants of both the 5.56x45mm Colt M16A2 assault rifle and Colt M4
assault carbine (p. SO101), plus 7.62x51mm H&K G3A3 assault rifles (p. HT115). Sniper rifles
included variations on the 7.62x51mm Remington Model 700 (p. SO101) and the .50 BMG Barrett
Model 82A1 (p. HT115).

Selected Police Inventories in the 20th-century

A number of agencies from all over the world with their inventories at specific times. Two popular
eras were selected: the 1920s and the 1990s, the latter being mostly valid for today as well.

Police Officer, Metropolitan Police, London, England, 1920s

Although the bobbies of the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) were unarmed except for a
truncheon, the detectives, Royal body guards, and mounted police officers received a .32 ACP
Webley & Scott Police Model pocket pistol. In emergencies, 14-gauge Greener-Martini Police Gun
Mk III single-shot shotguns could be issued (use Martini-Henry rifle, p. HT124, with Dam 4d-2,
Acc 5, 1/2D 25, Max 150).

Police Officer, Preussische Schutzpolizei, Berlin, Germany, 1920s

All officers of the Prussian police were issued the SG98/05 (use shortsword), a small sword which
could be fixed as a bayonet on the issue rifle. In addition, a telescoping steel baton (use ASP) and a
rubber nightstick (use small club) were available. Mounted police had a cavalry saber. The
standard handgun was the 9x19mm DWM-Luger P08 pistol (p. HT108), but Kriminalpolizei
detectives usually carried a smaller weapon such as the .32 ACP Sauer M13 (use Walther PP with
Shots 7+1). Heavy weapons included the 9x19mm Bergmann MP18/I submachine gun (issued to
one in twenty officers, p. HT115), 7.92x57mm Mauser Kar98a bolt-action rifle (use Gew98, p.
HT114, sometimes with 4x scope) and 7.92x57mm DWM-Maxim MG08 water-cooled machine
gun (two issued as part of armored car armament, pp. HT117-118). The rural police (Landjäger)
was similar armed, except for the automatic weapons. Similar arms were used in all German states.

Police Officer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada, 1920s

The Mounties used the .455 SAA Colt New Service revolver between 1905-1954 (use Webley No
1 Mk VI, p. HT124), and after WWI replaced the unreliable .303 SAA Ross Mk I bolt-action rifle
with the .303 SAA Lee-Enfield Mk I bolt-action rifle (see SMLE No 1 Mk III, p. HT114).
Some .45 ACP Auto-Ordnance Model 1921 submachine guns (pp. HT115-116) were also in
service.

Texas Ranger, Texas State Police, Texas, 1920s

Each Ranger was issued a .45 ACP Colt Government pistol (p. HT108) and a .30-30 Winchester
Model 1894 lever-action carbine (p. HT114). Other popular weapons, often purchased privately,
were the 7.65x21mm DWM-Luger American Eagle pistol (commercial Parabellum, p. HT108), .38
Super Auto Colt Government pistol (p. HT108 with Shots 9+1), .45 Long Colt M1873 SAA
revolver (p. HT110), .45 ACP Auto-Ordnance Model 1921 Thompson submachine gun (pp.
HT115-116), .35 Remington Model 8A semi-automatic carbine, .30-06 Colt BAR automatic rifle
and 12-gauge Winchester Model 1897 pump-action shotgun (pp. HT111-112).

Special Agent, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, USA, 1990s

Between 1992-1998, the issue sidearm was the 9x19mm SIG-Sauer P228 pistol. In late 1998,
the .40 S&W Glock 22 pistol (p. HT109) was adopted as new standard handgun. However, since
2000, agents could replace the Glock with one of a number of .40 S&W caliber guns, including the
H&K USP Compact (use USP, p. HT109, with Shots 12+1), SIG-Sauer P226, or SIG-Sauer P229
(p. HT109), if they wanted. Other guns available included the 9x19mm Colt CAR-15 Model 635
submachine gun (replaced by the .40 S&W H&K UMP from 2001), 5.56x45mm H&K HK53A5N
assault carbine and 12-gauge Remington Model 870P pump-action shotgun (p. HT112).

The DEA agents of the drug war in South America fielded 5.56x45mm Colt CAR-15A2 Model
723 assault carbines, 7.62x51mm Saco M60 machine guns (p. HT119) and 40x46mmSR Colt M79
grenade launchers (p. HT121).

Police Officer, Grenzschutzgruppe 9, Bundesgrenzschutz, Germany, 1990s

The standard sidearm of the GSG9 anti-terror unit of the German border guards was the 9x19mm
H&K P7 pistol (p. HT109) from 1980-1993, then replaced by the 9x19mm Glock P9 (German
designation for the Glock 17, p. HT109). Long arms included the 9x19mm H&K MP5A3,
MP5SD3 and MP5K submachine guns (pp. HT116, SO105-106), 5.56x45mm SIG G37 assault
carbine (German designation for the SIG SG551 SWAT), 7.62x51mm H&K G8 automatic rifle,
7.62x51mm H&K PSG1 sniper rifle (p. HT115), 7.62x51mm Mauser 66SP sniper rifle, 12-gauge
H&K HK502 shotgun (use Benelli M1 Super 90) and 40x46mmSR H&K MZP1 grenade launcher
(use "Granatpistole", p. HT121). The Mauser rifle was replaced from 1997 by the .300 Winchester
Magnum ERMA SR-100 (use Accuracy International AWM). For emergencies the 67mm MBB
Armbrust light antitank weapon was in the inventory (use M72 LAW, p. HT122).

Military Police Officer, Gruppo Interventio Speziale, Carabinieri, Italy, 1990s

GIS was a SpecOps unit with a law enforcement mission, including hostage rescue and operations
against the Mafia. Firearms included the 9x19mm Beretta M-92SB pistol (pp. HT108-109), .357
Magnum S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman revolver (p. HT110), 9x19mm Beretta M-93R
machine pistol (pp. HT108-109), 9x19mm Beretta PM-12S submachine gun, 9x19mm H&K
MP5A5 submachine gun and MP5SD3 suppressed submachine gun (pp. HT116, SO105-106),
5.56x45mm Beretta SC-70/90 assault rifle (use Colt M16A1, p. HT115), 7.62x51mm H&K PSG1
sniper rifle (p. HT115), 7.62x51mm Mauser 86SR sniper rifle (use Mauser 66SP with Shots 9+1),
.50 BMG Barrett Model 82A1 sniper rifle (p. HT115), 12-gauge Franchi SPAS-15 shotgun (use
SPAS-12, p. HT112, with 6-round box magazine) and 37x112mmRB Enfield ARWEN-37 grenade
launcher.

Police Officer, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles, USA, 1990s

The standard patrol weapons were the 9x19mm Beretta Model 92F pistol (pp. HT108-109) and the
12-gauge Remington Model 870P shotgun (p. HT112). Since 1997, sergeants and supervisors also
got a 5.56x45mm Colt M16A1 rifle (p. HT115 with RoF 3~) converted to semi-automatic fire
only.

The LAPD SWAT issued a customized .45 ACP Colt M1911A1 pistol (p. HT108 with Acc 3,
Shots 8+1), the 9x19mm H&K MP5A4N submachine gun (pp. HT116, SO105-106) fitted with
Sure-Fire light, 5.56x45mm Colt CAR-15A2 Model 723 assault carbine, 7.62x51mm H&K PSG1
sniper rifle (p. HT115), 7.62x51mm Remington Model 700 sniper rifle (p. SO100), .50 BMG
Barrett Model 82A1 sniper rifle (p. HT115) and 12-gauge Benelli M1 Super 90 shotgun.

Police Officer, OMON, Militsiya, Russia, 1990s

OMON were SWAT-type units under command of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (p.
SO39). Standard sidearms were the 9x18mm Izhmekh PM Makarov (p. SO98) and the 9x21mm
Tzniitochmash P-9 Gyurza. The 12.3x50mmR Tzniitochmash U-94 UDAR multi-purpose revolver
and a number of compact machine pistols were in the inventory, including the 5.45x18mm KBP
OTs-23 Drotik, and even a few obsolete 9x18mm Izhmekh APS Stechkin (Special Ops, 1st ed., p.
104). The primary weapon of tactical teams was the 5.45x39mm Izhmash AKS-74U assault
carbine (p. SO100), which was in the process of being replaced by the 9x39mm KBP OTs-14
Groza weapon system. Other long arms included the 9x39mm Tzniitochmash ASS Val suppressed
assault rifle, 9x39mm Tzniitochmash VSS Vintorez suppressed sniper rifle, 7.62x54mmR Izhmash
SVD Dragunov sniper rifle (p. SO100) and 7.62x54mmR KBP SVU sniper rifle, as well as the
85mm Kovrov RPG-7V rocket launcher (p. HT122).

Police Officer, Emergency Service Unit, New York Police Department, New York,
1990s

Each member of this SWAT-type unit was armed with a 9x19mm Glock 19 pistol (p. HT108). In a
five-men entry team, the "point-man" additionally carried a 12-gauge Ithaca Model 37DS pump-
action shotgun (use Remington Model 870, p. HT124) with five spare rounds strapped to the stock.
He was followed by the "body bunker" with a large ballistic shield and 9x19mm Beretta Model
92D pistol (p. HT108) with muzzle-mounted Sure-Fire flashlight. The team leader and the "omni-
man" had an 9x19mm H&K MP5A5N submachine gun (pp. HT116, SO105-106), fitted with Sure-
Fire light. The "rear security" carried a 5.56x45mm Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle.

A counter-sniper team consisted of two men, the marksman with a modified 7.62x51mm
Remington Model 700 rifle (p. SO101) and the observer/spotter with a Ruger Mini-14 rifle, both
also carrying a Glock 19.

Weapon Descriptions
Batons

ASP F21, USA, 1983 (Holdout 0)

Armament Systems and Procedures produced one of the most widely used batons in service with
American and foreign law enforcement, based on the Teleskopschlagstock developed in Germany
in the 1920s and known to martial artists as tokushu keibo (p. CII30). It was a three-section,
telescoping, spring-loaded baton that measured 21" when extended, but only 7.75" when collapsed.
The ASP baton could thus be carried relatively inconspicuously, but when being extended by a
sudden flick of the wrist, offered the power and reach of a full-size truncheon. The F21 was a
medium size, both longer and shorter models were available. The F21 Airweight weighed only 0.6
lbs. A small mirror ($10) could be clipped to the tip, to allow peering around corners etc.

Special Weapons

Bodyguard LE-10 Cop-Top, USA, 1980s (Holdout +1)

This was a pepper spray using Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), an inflammatory agent extracted from
red pepper. OC is far more effective than the various chemical agents, taking effect after 1-3
seconds as opposed to 3-10 seconds for CN or 8-20 seconds for CS tear gas. In addition, it is more
effective in cold weather and against animals and people on drugs or emotionally disturbed. A one-
second spray of OC to the face means the victim must roll under HT+2 (-2 each successive dose)
or immediately be rendered Blind (p. B27) and Stunned (p. B99) for 20-HT seconds. After this
time the target is still at -4 to Vision and DX rolls until the effects are shaken off (a HT roll every 5
minutes; recovery usually takes 30-60 minutes). The spray can be Blocked or Dodged, but not
Parried. PD from armor does not apply, but PD from shields does. Sealed armor or gas masks
protect from the effects entirely. The agent was available in spray cans of various sizes, the Cop-
Top being small enough to be worn on the belt. Such devices were used world-wide, including
with the FBI, the LAPD and NYPD.

The Bodyguard Rescue Spray contained a disinfecting anti-inflammatory agent, relieving from the
effects of pepper spray and tear gas (halve period of effectiveness); Wt 0.15 lbs, Cost $7, 10 doses.

Tasertron TE-86, USA, 1986 (Holdout -1)

Based on the original Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle (TASER) of 1970 (p. HT100), this device
fired two darts from a sealed plastic cartridge (the TE-86 held two cartridges). The darts did almost
no damage, but transmitted a high voltage, low ampere electric current via two trailing wires,
which would stun the target if he failed a Will-4 roll (tasers proved notoriously ineffective against
goal-oriented individuals like martial artists). He would remain incapacitated for as long as the
trigger button was pressed; the manufacturer suggested 5-10 seconds. The 7.2V Ni-Cad battery
would be drained after about 100 seconds. After the current was switched off, the victim would
recover in 1-30 minutes. The current would take effect through 2" of clothing or armor, and the
darts didn't need to penetrate. Tasers have no negative effect on pacemakers.

Tasers like this have been in widespread service with American police forces (including the LAPD
and NYPD) since the late 1970s and early 1980s, but are illegal for civilians in many U.S. states
and abroad.

Pistols

Webley & Scott Police Model, 7.65x17mmSR (.32 ACP), Great Britain, 1906 (Holdout +1)

A small pocket pistol, designed for concealed carry. It was widely used as a police weapon in the
British Empire after being adopted by the London Metropolitan Police in 1911, including in
Adelaide (Australia), Cairo (Egypt), Dublin (Ireland) and Manchester (England). Production
ceased in 1939.

Walther PP, 7.65x17mmSR (.32 ACP), Germany, 1929 (Holdout +1)

The Walther Polizeipistole was probably the most widespread police weapon in Europe between
the 1930s and 1980s (when more powerful weapons took over). This design was the first
successful double-action self-loading handgun, besides being compact and an overall neat weapon.
Most European police forces issued it as a holster weapon to uniformed officers, including in
Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany (designated the P22 from the late 1950s), Great
Britain and Sweden, and many non-European countries such as Iran, Peru and Turkey, as well as
most of Africa. After WWII it was used by the British SAS as a backup/undercover gun (called the
L47A1) and issued to the Royal bodyguards (1960-1974). Production ceased in 1999. It was
license-made in France, Hungary and Turkey, and copied by all and sundry.

While it was available in several other calibers such as .22 LR (Dam 1d+1-, Shots 10+1, 1929-
1994), .25 ACP (Dam 1d-, Shots 8+1, 1929-1933), .380 ACP (Dam 2d, Shots 7+1, 1929-1999) and
9x18mm Ultra (Dam 2d+1, Shots 7+1, 1973-1979), none of these were as popular.

The smaller Polizeipistole, Kriminal (PPK) introduced in 1931 is described on p. HT108.

SIG-Sauer P226, 9x19mm Parabellum, Germany/Switzerland, 1983 (Holdout -1)

Based on the earlier P220 and P225, and originally developed for the U.S. military's competition
for the M9 sidearm, this high-quality pistol became very popular with law enforcement agencies.
Although more expensive than its competitors (the main reason why it lost out to the Beretta
Model 92F with the U.S. military and to the Glock guns with many police forces), it featured
exceptional reliability and good accuracy. An optional 20-round magazine was available, this was
especially popular with the British SAS.

The P226 was adopted as the standard sidearm of the Arizona State Troopers, the U.S. Navy
SEALs, the New Zealand military and the FBI. It was also in service with the Irish Rangers, the
Israeli Sayeret Mat'kal and the British SAS (there known as the L105A1), and the SWAT teams of
Washington D.C. and other American municipal police departments, of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, the German Frankfurt/Main police department and the Argentine and Spanish
federal police. It can been seen in the hands of Special Agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files and bank
robber Neil McCauley in Heat.

In 1995, it became available in .357 SIG (Dam 3d-2, Shots 13+1) and in 1998 in .40 S&W (Dam
2d+, Shots 13+1). The .357 SIG version was adopted by the Texas Rangers, the .40 S&W model
was authorized for carry by the DEA and FBI in 2000.

In 1989, the P228 appeared, a slightly smaller version with shorter barrel and grip; Dam 2d+1, Wt
2.1, AWt 0.5, Shots 13+1, Holdout 0. It had a reduced magazine capacity, but could use the larger
magazines of the P226.
The P228 was adopted in 1992 as the M11 by the U.S. Army for military police, flight crews, etc.
Many U.S. law enforcement agencies followed suit in the early 1990s, including the DEA, FBI,
Secret Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Diplomatic Security Service, the
Federal Sky Marshals, and the Internal Revenue Service, as well as some police departments. The
French GIGN acquired some, the British SAS adopted it as the L107A1, and it was used by police
units in Germany and Switzerland.

Manufacture of the P228 ceased in 1997 in favor for the almost identical P229 (p. HT109). Some
agencies replaced their P228s around that time with the P229 in .40 S&W or .357 SIG caliber, e.g.
the Secret Service took it in .357 SIG.

Smith & Wesson Model 5906, 9x19mm Parabellum, USA, 1989 (Holdout -1)

A member of the third-generation of S&W pistols (based, ultimately, on the Model 59 of 1971), the
stainless steel Model 5906 catered for those departments requiring a medium-priced high-capacity
9x19mm gun. The Model 5946 was double-action only, but otherwise identical.

It was not very successful outside North America, but the U.S. Capitol Police, the Georgia State
Police, the departments of Atlanta and Honolulu, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police did
adopt it, among others. It has also been used by agents of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The 10x25mm S&W Model 1076 (1989) belonged to the same series; Malf 16, Dam 3d-2+, 1/2D
200, Max 2,200, Wt 2.8, AWt 0.5, Shots 9+1, ST 10, Rcl -2. It was only adopted by the FBI, which
issued it with four 9-round, two 11-round (AWt 0.55) and one 15-round (AWt 0.7) magazine per
agent. It was removed from service because of its unreliability. Production ceased in 1993.

Revolvers

Colt Official Police, 9x29mmR (.38 Special), USA, 1927 (Holdout -1)

A no-thrills double-action service weapon, available in a number of calibers, including .22 LR

(Dam 1d+1-, 1930-1946), .32-20 WCF (Dam 1d+2-, 1927-1942) and .41 LC (Dam 1d+2+, 1927-
1930). It was the official service handgun of the FBI for many years, and also issued by many other
police agencies. Production ceased in 1969.

Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special, 9x29mmR (.38 Special), USA, 1950
(Holdout +1)

A double-action pocket revolver built on the smallest frame available from S&W, this gun was
intended for detectives and supervisors, as well as other people carrying their gun concealed. It had
a "snubnose" 2" barrel. Manufacture ceased in 1999.

The weapon was widely adopted by police forces in the Western world, including in Canada, Japan
and Europe. It was the first issue sidearm of the German GSG9, until replaced in the late 1970s by
more powerful weapons. The Model 36 was issued by the U.S. Air Force Office of Special
Investigations (OSI).

A number of variants were created, such as the Model 37 Chief's Special Airweight (1952, Wt 1.0),
Model 60 Chief's Special Stainless (1965-1996), and Model 60 Chief's Special Stainless Magnum
(1996). The latter was chambered for the .357 Magnum round; Dam 3d-2, 1/2D 150, Max 2,000,
Wt 1.4, AWt 0.18, ST 11, Rcl -3, Cost $500.

Tzniitochmash U-94 UDAR, 12.3x50mmR (32-gauge), Russia, 1994 (Holdout 0)

UDAR is a Russian acronym used for any self-defense device discharging an irritant aerosol. This
weapon, however, was much more flexible. It was a compact double-action revolver, specifically
developed for law enforcement. A range of ammunition types was available, including solid ball,
an APDS armor-piercing round (Dam 1d+2(2)), a buckshot shell (Dam 1d+2, +1 to hit), a plastic
baton (Dam 1d+2(0.5)+, 1/2D 15), a paintball round (Dam 1d-3(0.5), 1/2D 15) and an irritant
round, which sprayed a liquid chemical agent from the muzzle (effects as tear gas, p. B132, Max 5,
+1 to hit). The weapon was adopted by the Russian Ministry of the Interior (MVD).

(As an aside, the aerosol cartridges were of very simple construction, and could easily be hand-
loaded (Armoury/TL7) with other liquids -- DMSO, holy water, or magical elixirs being some of
the possibilities.)

Shotguns

Ithaca Auto & Burglar, 15.6x63mmR (20-gauge), USA, 1922 (Holdout -2)

Essentially a factory-made sawn-off shotgun, this double-barreled weapon had short barrels, no
shoulder stock and a pistol grip. It was aimed at the police market, but also offered commercially.
A vintage advertisement stated: "Detective Harry Loose first introduced the banks in and around
Chicago to use it, then its use spread to sheriffs, police departments, paymasters, watchmen,
express messengers, and it’s a wonderful home protector." Of course, the weapon was also
employed by those on the other side of the law, e.g. by the infamous John Dillinger. Production
ceased in 1934.

Benelli M1 Super 90, 18.5x76mmR (12-gauge), Italy, 1984 (Holdout -6)

A recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun, famous for reliability and fast handling. It featured a
full stock with pistol grip. The Benelli would chamber both normal 2.75" shells and the longer 3"
Magnum loads (Dam 4d+2, Shots 6+1). Most were sold with Ghost Ring open sights (SS 11, Acc
6, +$75). It was widely adopted by police units, including SWAT units of the LAPD, Detroit PD
and Pennsylvania State Police. Other users were the Ya'ma'm anti-terror unit of the Israeli border
guards and the British SAS.

The M1 Super 90 Entry (1992) had a short 14" barrel; SS 11, Acc 4, 1/2D 20, Wt 7.5, AWt 0.85,
Shots 5+1, Holdout -5, Cost $800/$920.

In 1989, the M3 Super 90 was added to the line. It could optionally be fired in the pump-action
mode (RoF 2~), for example if low-powered specialty munition was used; Wt 8.5, Cost
$900/1,075. It was adopted by the Australian Federal Police, the French Marines, the Honolulu PD
and the SWAT team in Munich, Germany.

The M3T (1990) had a folding stock; Wt 8.8, Holdout -5, Cost $1,000/1,200.

SGT Tactical Response Model 90102, 18.5x76mmR (12-gauge), USA, 1991 (Holdout -6)

Scattergun Technologies produce a range of customized shotguns by modifying off-the-shelf

Remington weapons. This model adopted by the FBI was based on the Model 870 pump-action
shotgun (p. HT112) with 18" barrel, and could fire both normal 2.75" shells and the longer 3"
Magnum loads (Dam 4d+2). It was fitted with a Sure-Fire flashlight under the muzzle, a Ghost
Ring open sight and a spare rounds holder on the left side of the receiver for six shells.
Discontinued in 1999.

The U.S. Border Patrol adopted the Model 90121, which had a shorter 14" barrel, larger magazine
and no lamp; SS 11, 1/2D 20, Wt 9.0, AWt 1.0, Shots 6+1, Cost $605/$695, Holdout -5.

Submachine Guns
Haenel MP28/II, 9x19mm Parabellum, Germany, 1928 (Holdout -5)

By 1928 Hugo Schmeisser had redesigned his MP18/I (p. HT118). The main difference was the
provision of a selector, allowing single shots and full automatic fire. Only box magazines were
used, taking 20 (AWt 1.0), 32 or 50 (AWt 2.3) rounds. It was offered in a number of calibers,
including 7.63x25mm Mauser (Dam 3d-1-, AWt 1.4, RoF 10*), 7.65x21mm Parabellum (Dam 3d-
1-, AWt 1.4, RoF 9*) and .45 ACP (2d+1+, AWt 1.8, Shots 25, RoF 8*). Haenel produced only
about 400, main production taking place in Belgium, were it was licensed to Pieper-Bayard.
Production ceased in 1938.

In 1929 it was adopted in 7.65x21mm Parabellum by the Portuguese police and in 1934 in
9x19mm Parabellum by the Belgian Army. It was exported to China and a number of South
American countries, notably Bolivia. The MP28/II was adopted by the German police and in the
late 1930s also by the military police of the Waffen-SS. It was extensively used during the Spanish
Civil War and copied in small numbers in Spain in 9x23mm Largo (same stats).

George Lanchester of Sterling Armaments (England) made some cosmetic changes, and this
version was adopted in 1941 by the Royal Navy as the Lanchester Mk I (Wt 11.9, AWt 2.3, Shots
50, RoF 10*). The Mk I* was capable of burst fire only. The Lanchester Mk I* was also made in
India.

Colt CAR-15 Model 635, 9x19mm Parabellum, USA, 1988 (Holdout -5)

In the 1980s, Colt brought out a submachine gun aimed at the law enforcement market. Essentially,
it was a 9x19mm version of their CAR-15 series of assault carbines (p. HT115), with a telescoping
stock being standard. The similarity with the M16-family means that only a -1 penalty applies if
unfamiliar with this particular model. Intended to compete against the H&K MP5-series, it was
never able to replace the German design.

Nevertheless, it was adopted by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Marshals Service, the
U.S. Department of Energy Special Reaction Teams, the USMC Fleet Antiterrorist Security Team
(FAST) companies, the state police of Connecticut and Michigan, and SWAT units of the Atlanta,
Miami and Washington D.C. police departments.

Heckler & Koch MP5/10A3, 10x25mm Auto, Germany, 1992 (Holdout -4)

A variant of the popular MP5-series (pp. HT116, SO105-106), chambered for the powerful
10x25mm Auto cartridge. It used straight, clear plastic magazines and featured either a fixed
plastic stock (A2) or a retractable stock (A3). The MP5/10 was offered with several trigger
configurations, the standard gun fired single shots, full-automatic and 2-round limited bursts. Some
1,400 of these guns were adopted in 1994 by the FBI for SWAT and HRT units (both types of
stocks). Those for field agents were incapable of full-automatic fire. One accessory offered was the
KAC sound suppressor, which could be attached without modification; stats when fitted were Wt
9.0, Holdout -5, Hearing -5.

The more common MP5/40A3 (1992) was identical, but chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge;
Dam 2d+1+, 1/2D 160, Max 1,900, Wt 7.6, AWt 1.3, ST 10, Rcl -1. It was adopted by SWAT
teams of the Arizona State Troopers, the Tucson PD and the Capitol Police, among others.

Production of both lines ceased in 1999 in favor for the UMP.

Rifles

Remington Model 8A, 9x49mm (.35 Remington), USA, 1906 (Holdout -6)
This was one of the earliest self-loading rifles to see production, and another one of John
Browning's inventions. It was available in a number of calibers, including .25 Remington (Dam 4d-
1) and .30 Remington (Dam 5d). Its fixed internal box magazine was loaded from 5-round stripper
clips, and the Peace Officers Equipment Co. offered a number of "police only" magazine
extensions for 10, 15 or 20 rounds. It was a takedown weapon that could be broken down into two
halves for easy stowage (Holdout -4). The Model 8 was available in several grades (A, C-F), which
added various grades of expensive woodwork and engraving. Five thousand were made in Belgium
by Fabrique Nationale.

The weapon was popular with U.S. police in the 1920s and 1930s, and such weapons were used by
former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer and his posse to kill Bonnie & Clyde.

In 1936, it was replaced in production by the Model 81A Woodsmaster, which was basically
identical. Production of the line ceased in 1950.

Ruger Mini-14, 5.56x45mm NATO, USA, 1973 (Holdout -6)

A semi-automatic rifle based on the action of the 7.62x51mm Springfield M14 rifle (pp. AH25,
HT114). Magazines took 5 (AWt 0.25), 10 (AWt 0.47), 20 (standard until 1994, from then on for
police only), 30 (AWt 1.3) or 50 (AWt 2.2) rounds. Many aftermarket accessories were available,
such as a folding stock (+$125, Holdout -5). The Mini-14 was sold in large numbers both to
civilians and the police, including to the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland, the U.S.
Border Patrol, U.S. Customs, and many prison and police services, including the NYPD, Texas
Rangers and state police forces in Arizona, Georgia, Maine and New Jersey. Export customers
included the Jordanian police and UAE customs police. It was license-made in France as the
Humbert AMD for the Police Nationale. Stainless steel models (+$50, available since 1978) were a
standard weapon of The A-Team.

The AC-556 (1983) was a selective fire version offering single shots, full automatic and 3-round
limited bursts; RoF 12**. It was also made in carbine format: The AC-556K had a short barrel and
folding stock; Dam 4d, Wt 7.8, Holdout -4.

The Mini-Thirty (1987) was chambered for the Russian 7.62x39mm cartridge; Dam 5d+1, Wt 7.5,
AWt 1.1, ST 10, Rcl -2.

Mauser 66SP, 7.62x51mm NATO, Germany, 1976 (Holdout -7)

A purpose-made sniper rifle based on Mauser's commercial Model 66, featuring the earlier
weapon's short bolt-action. It had a select wooden stock with thumbhole grip and an integral
magazine. The standard sight was a Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6x telescope, but other brands and various
night sights could also be fitted. Production ceased in 1993.

The Mauser 66SP was the standard sniper rifle of the German police until first eclipsed by the
H&K PSG1 in the 1980s, and later phased out in favor of more modern bolt-action rifles. It was
popular with Israeli, Italian and Spanish police and military special ops units, and exported a dozen
other countries.

Machine Guns

Colt-Browning R75 BAR, 7.62x63mm (.30-06 Springfield), USA, 1924 (Holdout -7)

In the 1920s, Colt introduced a modified variant of the military M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
(pp. AH25, HT118). The R75 was made to a better finish and featured a bipod and quick-change
barrel, both lacking from the M1918. It was intended for commercial sales to police departments
and civilians. Sales were slow, however, since the market for these guns was small and the military
released many surplused M1918s for sale, which were available much cheaper. Both the Texas
Rangers and the U.S. Border Patrol acquired such weapons.

Colt made a second try with the R80 Monitor in 1933. This was better suited for police use, with a
shortened barrel, Cutts muzzle compensator and forward pistol grip like the Tommy gun; Dam 7d,
Wt 17.9, Holdout -6. Some were acquired by the FBI and a few police departments, but it faded
from the scene like its predecessor, only a few hundred having been made.

Criminals such as Clyde Barrow converted their BARs (usually stolen from National Guard
armories) to a similar configuration by shortening the barrel. Barrow carried it concealed under his
custom-tailored jacket, and even acquired some Fast-Draw skill with it!

Grenade Launchers

Enfield ARWEN-37, 37x112mmRB, Great Britain, 1984 (Holdout -6)

The Anti-Riot Weapon, ENfield, was a grenade launcher firing less-than-lethal munitions. It had a
5-round open cylinder revolving action, foregrip and adjustable stock. The weapon was loaded
from a loading gate, but the spent cases were automatically ejected. In addition to a plastic baton,
there were a tear gas munition (6-yard radius, effects as per p. B132), a smoke round (6-yard
radius) and a barricade penetrator, which could penetrate an auto windshield or 0.5" of plywood,
and then release a cloud of tear gas (Dam 1d++, 5-yard radius). For all rounds, a safety distance of
20 yards was advisable to minimize casualties, and hits to the head should be avoided. The gun was
adopted by the British military as the L76A1, and by SWAT units in England, Canada and the
USA, and even in the former East Germany!

Notes
Damage: Follows the rules in GURPS High-Tech, 3rd edition.

RoF: Weapons marked with two asterixes (**) are capable of limited bursts. These consist of a
preset number of rounds (see descriptions). Up to three bursts can be fired per second. Add +3 to
the effective skill of the shooter when determining the number of hits in a burst. Note that in burst
mode the shooter cannot hose down his target.

Wt: Loaded weight of the gun, in pounds.

AWt: The weight of the standard ammunition container. Optional magazines are listed in the
descriptions.

Cost: Cost with one empty magazine, unloaded, including any sighting devices as per description.

Batons
Name TypeDamageReachWtCostSTTL
ASP F21, Shortsword or Short StaffCr swing 1 1.1 $65 7 7
Cr thrust 1
Special Weapons
Name MalfTypeDamage SSAccMaxWt RoFShotsCost TL
Bodyguard LE-10, Guns (Flamethrower)crit Spcl Spcl 9 1 4 0.151 10 $15/$20 7
Tasertron TE-86, Guns (Taser) crit Imp 1d-3 plus Spcl10 1 5 1.4 1 2 $200/$3507
Pistols
Name MalfTypeDamage SSAcc 1/2D Max Wt AWtRoF ShotsCost ST RclTL
W&S Police Model, 7.65x17mmSR, Guns (Ptl) crit Cr 2d-1- 10 2 100 1,3001.5 0.25 3~ 8+1 $10/- 8 -1 6
Walther PP, 7.65x17mmSR, Guns (Ptl) crit Cr 2d-1- 10 2 100 1,3001.8 0.25 3~ 8+1 $20/$1,000 8 -1 6
SIG-Sauer P226, 9x19mm, Guns (Ptl) ver Cr 2d+2 10 3 150 1,8002.250.6 3~ 15+1 $600/$830 9 -1 7
S&W Model 5906, 9x19mm, Guns (Ptl) crit Cr 2d+2 10 3 150 1,8002.9 0.6 3~ 15+1 $650/$860 9 -1 7
Revolvers
Colt Official Police, 9x29mmR, Guns (Ptl) crit Cr 2d-1 10 3 150 1,3502.6 0.2 3~ 6 $25/- 9 -1 6
S&W Model 36 Chief's, 9x29mmR, Guns (Ptl) crit Cr 1d+2 10 1 120 1,2502.4 0.17 3~ 5 $150/$400 9 -2 7
Tzniitochmash U-94, 12.3x50mmR, Guns (Ptl) crit Cr 1d+2+ 10 1 100 500 2.5 0.38 3~ 5 $250/$300 10 -2 7
Shotguns
Ithaca A&B, 15.6x63mmR, Guns (Shg) crit Cr 3d 10 3 15 100 1.4 0.2 2~ 2 $35/- 10 -2 6
Benelli M1 Super 90, 18.5x76mmR, Guns (Shg)ver Cr 4d 12 5 25 150 8.251.1 3~ 7+1 $750/$890 12 -3 7
SGT Model 90102, 18.5x76mmR, Guns (Shg) crit Cr 4d 11 6 25 150 9.3 0.84 2~ 5+1 $770/$895 12 -3 7
Submachine Guns
Haenel MP28/II, 9x19mm, Guns (LtAu) crit Cr 3d-1 10 6 160 1,90010.31.5 8* 32 $200/- 10 -1 6
Colt CAR-15 Model 635, 9x19mm, Guns(LtAu) crit Cr 3d-1 10 8 160 1,9007.0 1.3 15* 32+1 $550/$650 10 -1 7
H&K MP5/10A3, 10x25mm, Guns (LtAu) crit Cr 3d+2+ 10 8 200 2,2007.8 1.5 13**30+1 $1,500/- 11 -2 7
Rifles
Remington Model 8A, 9x49mm, Guns (Rfl) crit Cr 5d+2 12 8 450 3,0008.250.2 3~ 5 $55/- 10 -1 6
Ruger Mini-14, 5.56x45mm, Guns (Rfl) crit Cr 5d 12 10 500 3,0007.3 0.9 3~ 20+1 $450/$600 9 -1 7
Mauser 66SP, 7.62x51mm, Guns (Rfl) ver Cr 7d 15 12+21,2004,20013.60.17 1/2 3+1 $3,500/- 11 -2 7
Machine Guns
Colt-Browning R75, 7.62x63mm, Guns (LtAu) crit Cr 7d+1 15 10 1,0004,20022.01.6 9* 20 $175/- 11B-2 6
Grenade Launchers
Enfield ARWEN-37, 37x112mmRB, Guns (GL)crit Cr 1d-1(0.5)++14 5 50 110 8.4 1.6 3~ 5 $1,000/$1,20010 -2 7

Selected References
GURPS High-Tech and Special Ops are both mandatory. When looking for further details on
modern guns for game purposes, Kevin Dockery's Compendium of Modern Firearms (1991) still
proves to be the best deal for both the uninitiated and the dedicated on a budget. A number of
periodicals such as Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, SWAT Magazine, Jane's International
Police Review and Special Ops: Journal of the Elite Forces & SWAT Units are available and
sometimes useful. For further sources, consult the articles "Special Ops Weapons of Today" and
"Secret Weapons." Steve Kellams' notes on cops in GURPS campaigns should also prove useful.

***

The author thanks Matt Jones and Steve Kellams for helpful comments, as well as friendly souls on
GURPSnet and the Delta Green Mailing List.

Article publication date: August 31, 2001

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