Sidearm Lanyards?

[idkfa]

Just a quick question that is probably really stupid, but what are those coiled cords that various units use to attach their sidearms to their person for?

Example: SOG "Omega"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/Samael77/08_omega.jpg

I see them mostly with German SEK units, but this was the picture I could get the quickest.

Do they supply power to the flashlight, or just so they do not lose their sidearms?

Thanks.

[parabellum666]

yeah, there just lanyards, so you dont lose your side arm in case it falls out of the holster

[ed316]

Yes it's a lanyard. Coils back intsead of the old straight ones which gets in the way or snag on something.

[WARPIG]

I made it mandatory for my support unit to use a lanyard as mostly officers carry the sidearm. It basically is a "dummy" chord to keep them from losing them in the field.

There is a tactical aspect to the lanyards too. When I was an MP we decided to have those coiled lanyards as a piece of kit but not to use them all of the time. Depending on what our mission was we would install them when we knew we would be in close proximity to the public or prisoners. This way if someone went after your sidearm.. they wouldn't get beyond your reach.

[Ordie]

We used them in the Navy.
We attched them to our .45's while on watch. Its a good idea to have them to prevent dropping it into the sea or flight deck.

[lt tahoe]

Not those specifically, but "dummy cords" are used on just about anything valuable in the field. Compasses, GPS, SOI, lights, etc. etc. When you're tired from being in the field for weeks, it's dark, and you're trying to get 4 things done at once, you don't want to accidentally drop your NVGs and leave them behind.

[WARPIG]

Ever seen them used on anything other then a sidearm?

I use what is called a "wolf sling" when I carry an M4. Not really a dummy chord but it attaches to my load bearing vest or IBA and I can use both of my hands when needed. I wouldn't suggest it for typical ground grunt use but if you are in and out of a vehicle often it is a good set up. The same applied if you are going to be in close proximity to people or prisoners.

[idkfa]

It seems to be a good idea.

Any pics of the original straight ones?

[retrobob]

Ever seen them used on anything other then a sidearm?
Yeah, strobelights.Checkout the helmet section of www.specwargear.com.There's a pic of a 'tricked out' Protec with strobe and attached coiled lanyard.

[Zamboni]

They connect the sidearm with its modem.

[Thunder]

There is a tactical aspect to the lanyards too. When I was an MP we decided to have those coiled lanyards as a piece of kit but not to use them all of the time. Depending on what our mission was we would install them when we knew we would be in close proximity to the public or prisoners. This way if someone went after your sidearm.. they wouldn't get beyond your reach.
I doubt it a lanyard makes it impossible for someone to nick your sidearm and shoot you and everybody around you with it.

[retrobob]

can you suggest a brand?
A company out at Oceanside CA,Special Operations Equipment(www.soegear.com) do a coiled pistol lanyard which I've used(to attach a distress marker beacon) and I've had no problems with it.I think I paid about $25 for it.The Portsmouth(UK) based 'USMC' used to carry French ex Gendarmerie kevlar filament coiled lanyards in their catalogue.I've used them also for the same purpose but wasn't all that pleased with them.
All the 'soldier of fashion' catalogues, US Cavalry, Ranger Joes,Brigade Quartermasters etc all carry some type of coiled 'tactical retention lanyard'
checkout Blackhawk also.

[rosscoliosis]

I doubt it a lanyard makes it impossible for someone to nick your sidearm and shoot you and everybody around you with it.

Yeah, but they can't just run off with your sidearm that way.

[WARPIG]

I doubt it a lanyard makes it impossible for someone to nick your sidearm and shoot you and everybody around you with it.

Lanyards aren't fool proof, just an additional option to help protect your sidearm. If someone gets my sidarm out of the holster the lanyard keeps them within my reach so I have a chance to fight for it. Without the lanyard, someone could get just out of my reach and I would have to chase them to get my sidarm back.

Not everyone likes using layards. I personally don't because they seem restrictive and if someone does try to take it, the fact that it is still attached to me pretty much guarantees a conflict. It still acts as a good deterant and is very useful when you need to be able to use your hands and interact.

An example of the differences in mission and the use of a lanyard is seen when you compare patrol cops to correctional officers. A corretional officer is likely going to be forced to use a lanyard by his organization because of the close proximity to people that they deal with daily. They have to be pretty hands on with that population. (Most dont' allow firearms within the floor level CO's however.)

[Hispeed1]

Gemtech makes great pistol lanyards. They come in different colors like black, tan, OD and foliage green. I've seen them used for other things like flashlights, digital cameras, etc. Google it and check it out.

[juju]

French Commando Marine from the GCMC uses lanyards on their issued HK USP.
When pistol is used to search ships, it is fully extended. If a suspect is close to the operator and there is no need to shoot at it, they simply throw the pistol above their weak shoulder and grab the suspect by hand. It's faster than re holstering the pistol.

[AFO]

Any one know what make is the lanyard that has a what I think to be a rubber bit that goes around the pistol grip. Just handy if your pistol doesnt have a loop of some sort to attach your lanyard to

[spale]

The best one around:
http://www.optactical.com/getarela.html

[Seraphim]

Yeah I've been looking at the Gemtech version...I currently have a Pistol Leash.

http://www.pistolleash.com/graphicinfo.htm

[Scrim]

The best one around:
http://www.optactical.com/getarela.html

Thanks for posting that. Ive been looking to update my para-cord "retention" system. The ones I was looking at were crap and expensive compared to that. Cheers!