What is this handgun?

While browsing magazines at the dentist's office, I came across the March 15th, 2004 issue of Time. The soldier on the cover has a handgun on the right front of his load-bearing gear. You can just make out the grip and backstrap in the photo, and I didn't recognize the weapon. Anyone have any idea what it is?
Time Magazine cover - Mar. 15th, 2004
It is really hard to see in the online cover, sorry.
[edit] I was thinking it is an H&K USP but it just doesn't look right. Maybe an S&W SW99 or a Ruger P model?

[Edited on 17-3-2004 by Spectre]

I assume that this is a special operator, as he would be authorized to carry personally owned weapons in theater, but I can't tell what it was. I'm looking for who was given credit for the cover to see if I can find a better image.

DC

Originally posted by DeltaChaos
I assume that this is a special operator, as he would be authorized to carry personally owned weapons in theater, but I can't tell what it was. I'm looking for who was given credit for the cover to see if I can find a better image.

DC

Can't be SF, he is in uniform and he is carrying a stock M-16. When was the last time you saw anyone in SF doing either of those things?

Looks like the Mk-23. I say that because of the trigger guard, and the wide use of it.

Originally posted by COOL HAND
Can't be SF, he is in uniform and he is carrying a stock M-16. When was the last time you saw anyone in SF doing either of those things?

Curse my lack of short term memory, but I don't recall the details of the cover credit. The soldier was listed as "Specialist Hodges," maybe? And, I can't remember the photographer at all. Grrr...
His carrying a plain Jane M-16 plus a non-standard handgun threw me, too.

Originally posted by COOL HAND
Can't be SF, he is in uniform and he is carrying a stock M-16. When was the last time you saw anyone in SF doing either of those things?

The last time I saw SF soldiers in standard BDUs carrying standard M16s was in Macedonia. Every single one of them was in uniform with M16s. And the last time before that was in the Sainai, when I was there in '94.

Sometimes they are required to be in uniform. Especially when they are performing their PR functions.

But this brings up something else. He's carrying an M16. There isn't a regular Army unit left that doesn't have the M4 carbine.

Either this guy is with a reserve SF unit, or he is with a regular guard or reserve unit, and he's just getting away with carrying a personal weapon. If so, he is an officer.

DC

But this brings up something else. He's carrying an M16. There isn't a regular Army unit left that doesn't have the M4 carbine.

I was in the Army for six years. I got out in December, after returning from Iraq. Every unit I seen, and I've seen a lot, has only a handfull of M4's, and then only the senior NCO's get them because they can use their rank to get a lighter, smaller, weapon! So the M4 hasn't quite become standard yet. And a SPC with a pistol? Gotta be an MP. And the body armor? The new ones that have the plates you can slide in and out? Mainly Mp's and Infantry got those, everybody else still had to wear the old-fashioned flak vests. I'm not a military expert by any means, I'm just saying what I saw during my time. Just my two cents.

[Edited on 17-3-2004 by curme]

[Edited on 17-3-2004 by curme]

I tend to agree with the H&K assessment. Comparing the online photos of the USP/Mk23 it seems to match up. Really, I am just glad to see that it isn't a Beretta; I never have liked those. The USP I shot was very nice and I have always been a fan of .45 cartridge.

Y'know, it is possible that they just handed the guy a rifle for the photo, "Here, hold this. It'll look GREAT!"

I should not have spoken for non-infantry units regarding the M16/M4 changeover. I have no way of knowing when they got their M4s or if they even have yet.

I don't know if that guy's a SPC or not. I can't see any rank on him anywhere. And he could very well be an MP, too. There could be all kinds of people getting away with carrying their own sidearms, too, seeing as soldiers are getting popped in the head while buying sodas at the machine.

Hell, I don't think I would be to strict with that rule if it were my squad out there. I'd probably be more of the 'save your ass' school of thought right now.

DC

Did you guys ever think that this guy works for time and they supplied what he is wearing?

Originally posted by cudailikeman
Did you guys ever think that this guy works for time and they supplied what he is wearing?

Well, I would like to think that Time is not in the habit of faking cover photos of soldiers, especially since the "Person of the Year" was "The U.S. Soldier." The cover credit did name the specific serviceman along with the photog; I just can't recall their names. And yes, I did consider (in jest) in an earlier post that it was staged which still does not alter my original question regarding what model that handgun is.

Do you have any thoughts on the matter?

Finally, I have a copy of the magazine in question. The cover photo is credited to "Specialist Cody Hoefer in Tikrit, Iraq, on Feb. 23, 2004. Photograph for Time by Brian Bennett."

That was driving me nuts.

The soldier looks like a standard soldier so I assume he is carrying a standard side-arm. I belive he is carrying a Baretta 92.

But the Butt of the gun appears to be straight so I would also say a Glock or an H&K.

Or he could merely be an actor hired by Time to pose for their cover.

Need some pics of guns?
Go to:

www.securityarms.com


[Edited on 30-3-2004 by acejk25]

After consultation with Jane's Guns Recognition Guide I have concluded that it looks most like a Browning High Power 1935 , the standard pistol carried by British Forces.
In Europe the Browning High Power is Manufactured By Fabrique National at Herstal, Belgium, and fires the 9x19mm parabellum cartridge. The High Power has been in constant production since 1935.
Browning High Power Pic:


It also looks slightly like a Colt 2000, another 9mm parabellum pistol, this time produced by Colt in The USA, but i think it looks more like the Browning.

[Edited on 31-3-2004 by minimi]

The butt angle is all wrong for a Browning. It's an H+K of some flavor. The bottom line is this: it's not an M-9, the guys not a snake eater, and so the photo is a staged prop.

I think it is the Sig Sauer with Infrared Laser used by Special Ops. My nephew carries one He is First Calv Army Intelligence at Baghdag airport.

I think its either a m9 or colt 45

Thanks for the feedback everyone. On a hunch I Google'd "Specialist Cody Hoefer" and the top hit was a story on the 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry web page about one of their guys being selected for the cover of Time magazine.

Link

"...was there when Saddam Hussein emerged from his "spider hole" on Dec. 13 and has been serving as the personal guard and driver for Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry"

That might explain why he gets a sidearm. It is not an M9 or a P-35 (Hi Power). I own examples of both and whatever he is carrying is way different. I showed the cover photo to my gunsmith and his money is on the H&K although the grip looked funny to him. I am going to email the contacts listed on the site and ask them. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Hope you get a response. I'm curious.

I got a very prompt and courteous response to my email inquiry. Unfortunately, the people I asked did not know what kind of pistol he was carrying in the photo, but have forwarded my question to the his unit. There will not likely be a prompt reply because the Battalion is presently in the stages of re-deployment. They will be very busy for the next month or so. Soldiers are being reunited with their families and loved ones, after being separated for a year.

Maybe one day I will hear from them again. Until then I wish them the very best of times with their families. Many thanks also to the Webmaster, 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry, for his time and attention.