Armed guard "unbuttoned"

[jemrey81]

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this, I just figured you guys would know the answer.

The other day I stopped off for some gas and while I was pumping, an armed guard hops out of his armored truck, walks over to the center isle automated cash register thing and gets the cash out and walks back to his truck and leaves. Not an unusual occurrence, but this guy had his holster unbuttoned... that's the first time I have seen that. Is that common practice for that situation? I thought it was weird, but what do I know!?

[NOTARPilot]

I've seen that a lot. I think, they think, they will be able to draw faster. All it does though is make it easier for him to get his gun taken away. Those guys are such targets and ill prepared I'm surprised more of them don't get robbed.

[Kerplow]

I've seen that a lot. I think, they think, they will be able to draw faster. All it does though is make it easier for him to get his gun taken away. Those guys are such targets and ill prepared I'm surprised more of them don't get robbed.

Could you elaborate on what makes them ill prepared, aside from the unbuttoned holster? I see they typically have guns drawn whenever they're making a pick up or delivery, which seems prudent to me.

[BMWguy206]

Could you elaborate on what makes them ill prepared, aside from the unbuttoned holster? I see they typically have guns drawn whenever they're making a pick up or delivery, which seems prudent to me.

I went to a Baja Fresh, in North Hollywood, and an armed guard went inside the store with his gun already drawn out. Picked up the money bag, walked out of the store, gun still drawn on the other hand, and entered the armored truck.

[Kerplow]

I went to a Baja Fresh, in North Hollywood, and an armed guard went inside the store with his gun already drawn out. Picked up the money bag, walked out of the store, gun still drawn on the other hand, and entered the armored truck.

Right, which would seem like the prudent thing to do during the more vulnerable parts of the job.

I can see how just walking around unbuttoned might be a liability, considering someone could sneak up from behind and pull your gun out in one swift motion.

[Bobula]

The unbuttoned URLs typically when they run of crew of 3 people, the driver doesn't bother to carry a gun, since there's rare instances he can leave the cab.

Also you see it less and less but when doing a cash pick up or drop off armored couriers can be unholstered.

[slikna99]

All movies suggest to never try robbing an armored car... I wonder if that holds true in real life.

[Tacobandit]

There are certain areas where i have seen them actually walk up to the atm w gun drawn and at their side

[jemrey81]

Thanks for the info guys! I just got into guns and started paying attention to those things so I didn't know how common it was.

[dskell]

I have seen such unusual set ups on armored truck guys.

One that I see regularly at my work has got a P95 on the hip and a Sigma just stuck into a pouch on his vest with seemingly no retention.

On the same note of having the holster unbuttoned, I have seen LEOs with a Safariland 6280/6360 type holster with the hood in the down position. With the 6360 I guess you've still got some retention but, whats the point of the hood if you're not going to use it?

[Tacobandit]

I have seen such unusual set ups on armored truck guys.

One that I see regularly at my work has got a P95 on the hip and a Sigma just stuck into a pouch on his vest with seemingly no retention.

On the same note of having the holster unbuttoned, I have seen LEOs with a Safariland 6280/6360 type holster with the hood in the down position. With the 6360 I guess you've still got some retention but, whats the point of the hood if you're not going to use it?

Because there is times when you need it and times you dont, if you are in a pursuit or responding to an active shooter call you dont want the hood on because it can slow your draw speed vs if you are going into a situation that could go hands on you want the hood on so it is added retention for those situations when you have to use force but need to have gun retention.

[Notorious]

Sometimes the LEO just forgot to rotate the hood back on his SLS/ALS from his last call. It happens.

As for the armored car guards, I have seen them come out to do a pick up with gun in hand and walk all the way back with gun in hand and money bag in other hand, or have one guy with gun out while other guy wheels the money back in a dollie.

Is that legal though? For them to have a loaded weapon out when there is no visible threat?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I don't have any issue with them being unsnapped or even drawn if otherwise safe gun handling / discipline is being exercised. It would probably be better to have a 2nd guard posting 360o security on the first guard while he does his pickup / drop off, but likely doesn't happen due to cost, etc.

I'd guess the guard is less concerned about a straight robbery and more concerned about someone simply walking up and dumping him without warning, then taking the money. Similar to LE, those guys have to have their head on swivels and stay frosty when they are carrying $$. Whateever they get paid, it isn't enough.

[Notorious]

Armored car guards make around $13/hr. last time I checked and they get to buy regular capacity magazines, but that's small comfort knowing that most of the time, they aren't going to be in a prolonged shootout with their sidearms.

Cops may deal with scum more frequently, but when someone attacks an armored car, they have a pretty serious plan. The level of danger is way higher than the day in day out stuff for most patrol level LE.

Couldn't pay me enough to do it, that's for sure.

[A-J]

Normal. It's also normal to see them with their weapons already drawn IME. Those guys are paranoid as heck, and who could blame them?