By Dean Weingarten
Arizona – -(Ammoland.com)-
I would give long odds that it was a Smith and Wesson 5946 in 9mm. Â They come with 15 round magazines. Â I doubt that the RCMP used the politically correct 10 rounders.
The 3953, above, is also issued, but it is more likely he had the 5946.
The picture is from a discussion of the RCMP pistols on defensivecarry.com.
Another source confirms that the Smith is the choice of the RCMP. From Silvercore Firerams Training, BC(pdf):
Smith & Wesson 5946 – The Side Arm of the RCMP
Manufactured 1990 – 1999 A double-action-only (DAO) variant of the 5906, this can be visually distinguished from other models by the complete lack of decocker levers.Note that the hole is still there, and is just plugged, so it is hard to tell on a right side shot. The slide is also slightly longer at the back, almost concealing the rounded-off hammer, and the frame matches this contour. Issued at one time to numerous law enforcement agencies, notably the NYPD (not exclusively) and the RCMP.
If you look at the screen shot below, you can see the characteristic outline with the ejection port and the tell tale stainless finish.
Here is a link to the video of Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers shortly after the shooting. He is the larger gentleman with a pistol in his right hand, white hair, and an ID around his neck, in a suit, as shown above. Below is a screen shot that captures the pistol from the rear.
You can make out the black grips, another confirmation of the 5946 Smith.
Sergeant at Arms, Kevin Vickers.
c2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included. Link to Gun Watch
About Dean Weingarten;
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
It is not difficult to get a firearms licence in Canada, provided you don’t have a criminal record. Yes you have to go through a course to get it but you will learn how to be safe with firearms. Yes you have to take a hunters safety course but you will learn the does and don’t of hunting. Handguns are considered “restricted” but they are not illegal to own if you have the licensing. The good thing about the laws in Canada are that you only have to get a background check once, they weed out a lot of idiots… Read more »
I’m not taking anything away from Sgt. at Arms Vickers here, and I consider him to be the Hero of the Hour in every respect. But I’m really curious to know whether he was legally allowed to have his pistol in his office at the Parliament. It seems like it would be out of character for the somewhat gun shy Canadian govt to allow this. If he IS legally allowed to have it (perhaps in his role as Sgt. at Arms) wouldn’t it have been better if he routinely wore it as a part of his uniform? Or at least… Read more »
As Sergeant-at-Arms, he was the chief of security for Parliament. We can assume the pistol was issued to him for that reason.
From now on, I calling all 5900 series guns Vickers!
Maybe we should pick a different name. There was a machine gun called the Vickers which the British used from just before World War I until the 1960s. I know of it mainly as being used as an air-cooled machine gun for aircraft in the Great War.
USMC 1970-1974
Any word on what the attacker used? I have heard plenty about Sgt. Vickers, but can’t find anything about what the muslim terrorist used, except that it was a rifle. Anyone know what he was armed with?
Parliament Hill shooter Michael Zehaf Bibeau used a Winchester .30-30 calibre rifle.
My congratulations and condolences to you, Sergeant at Arms Vickers. The courage you have shown is an example for all to follow. I pray that the taking of a life will not weigh heavily on you, as you did what had to be done. Stay strong in Prayer.
The “taking of a life” will not weigh heavily upon him, as the saving of NUMEROUS lives will be a great counter-balance.
Whatever kind it was, the average Canadian is probably prohibited from owning one?
The average Canadian can only see pistols on police when they are getting coffee’s at Tim Horton’s. Most of the people in Canada find ownership of firearms not worth the hassle . The only people with pistols are the native gangs and biker gangs that the police are to afraid to do anything about.
I lived in Ontario for about 20 years. Owning long guns was difficult, buying ammo impossible, and getting a FAC, (Firearms Acquisition Certificate) expensive and time consuming. Pistols are not allowed, BIG sign at the border crossings. Hunting was very difficult, had to pass a test which included identifying each breed and sex of ducks, and all I wanted to hunt was rabbits! You have to spend at least $200 and half a day just to get a FAC.
It would be nice to know exactly what gun & ammo he used instead of conjecture. He is a hero & us technical folks would like some real info on what he used