Worth to buy personal firearm ahead of time?

[JohnnyLawZ28]

In an effort to better prepare myself in every aspect, I am considering purchasing a firearm even before attending the academy or knowing that I'll even be chosen as a police officer. I'm not even completely sure what the department issued firearm is (but I'd guess it's the Glock 17).


The only things I've ever fired are a 22 revolver and a 22 rifle that my father had when he was a child, heh. I'm looking at purchasing either a Glock 17 or 18. But would it even really be worth it? Do you think I'd be better off just waiting until I'm at the academy?

[DelC]

I would wait until you get hired. If what you purchase is not allowed, even for off-duty, by the dept that hires you, then you will be stuck with a 4-5 hundred dollar handgun you have no use for. In the meantime, I’m sure you could borrow one to practice with or rent one at a range. Handguns are a liability to own. You need a place to lock them up in your home to prevent kids and thieves from having access to them. Last thing you need is to have it turn up in the hands of a kid or a thief. For Gods sake, if you do get one, don’t ever place it under the seat in your vehicle!! That's the first place thieves look. If you can ding the target with the .22, you won't have any problem with a 9mm or .40 cal. and ammo for the .22 is a lot, lot cheaper.

[JohnnyLawZ28]

Thanks for the advice DelC!

[gbcop]

I agree with DelC 100%.

BUT :) Why not check around to some of your local departments you plan on applying to and see what they allow. When I went thru the academy I did my research, and EVERY department I applied to allowed you to carry your own gun. And if you feel pretty confident that you will be able to carry it, I say go ahead and buy it if you have the extra funds, that way you can go ahead and get familer with it.


P.S.

Glock's are good, Sig Sauer is Better!! :p ;) :D

[Lupey]

I have never heard of a 4-500 dollar gun that has no use. If you want it buy it! Down the road you can always trade it in and Glocks hold their resale value very well.

[dmclark]

I believe that the "of no use" context was if JohnnyLawZ28 wasn't hired by a PD. The purpose of the firearm purchase was to USE IT as an LEO.

Most of us by a firearm to use as a employment tool. No sense buying another tool if you have no real use for it, unless you're a "collector".

My recommendation would follow DelC's. Wait until you get hired, sworn and THEN think of a firearm.

My personal opinion is that there is too much emphasis on "getting a firearm". Let's get some law enforcement education first, see how much trouble that firearm can get you in and then consider a wise purchase. JMHO.

[dmclark]

Forgive me typos....brain runs faster than fingers!:)

[JohnnyLawZ28]

You guys have certainly given me a lot to think about.

I'd like to spend under $600 on a handgun. If I do end up getting one, I certainly will NOT put it under the seat in my car. I would honestly only have it in my vehicle when traveling to and from the firing range. Even then I'd like to keep it in a case in the trunk. I personally see no need at present to carry a gun for defense. I'd just like to get some early practice in on firing one. I'm not sure where I'd keep the gun at home though. I don't have any kids, but I don't have a "safe" place that I could lock it up at either.

I'm going on a ride-a-long this weekend and will bother that officer for his opinions as well. :) Thanks again!

[lil-punisher]

Is it true that if you have no training with shooting then it might be better to wait till you start training to shoot because you might form bad habits?

[dmclark]

Most firearms instructors will prefer a novice shooter to one that has already formed habits, good or bad.

Don't worry about not firing a gun until you hit the Academy. You'll do just fine. Thousands have gone before you and it all works out.

[krellum]

I agree - wait. I didn't buy an M-16 (if, theoretically, I could have) before I joined the Marine Corps., and I managed just fine :).

I also want to second dmclark's post and add that having/owning/using a firearm is a VERY small part of being a law enforcement officer, so I would be careful not to let the desire to use or own a firearm be the entire basis for one's desire to get into the LE field. We all know people in LE who DO have that "gun-clouded" mentality and they are not exactly a pleasure (or safe) to work with.

my opinion

k

[gbcop]

I'd also like to add that when I went thru the academy, we had 3 girls in my class, and when we went to the range to practice, this was their first time to ever pick up a gun. After a day's worth of practice and instruction, they all qualified scoring 200-220. It all just depends on what you want to do. I very much enjoy shooting, I find it very calming and relaxing. If you don't have any desire to go out and shoot for sport, then you might very well be "waisting" your money.

Best of luck,

David

[JSavage]

Originally posted by JohnnyLawZ28
I'm looking at purchasing either a Glock 17 or 18.

I'm not one to make assumptions but.. You really need to become familiar with what you're considering. I noticed you mentioned the Glock 18 in your possible choices. That's a fully automatic pistol and not legal for purchase in the U.S.

That having been said, you will learn about shooting and carry at the academy. Unless you want to enroll in a firearms course, I would hold off any purchase until you're better schooled in what firarms are most appropriate for your needs.

[JohnnyLawZ28]

JSavage, I've been reading more on these Glocks, and I just recently found out about the Glock 18. LOL. Whoops! Now that I've been reading about them I think that if I do end up getting one it will be a 22 or a 23.

However, the bigger part of me is just telling me to wait. So that's what I will probably do. :)

[gbcop]

Originally posted by JSavage


I'm not one to make assumptions but.. You really need to become familiar with what you're considering. I noticed you mentioned the Glock 18 in your possible choices. That's a fully automatic pistol and not legal for purchase in the U.S.


LAMO! I can't believe no one spotted that untill now :D But then again, I only deal with the best Pistol's ever made, Sig Sauer ;) :p

[Lupey]

Originally posted by gbcop


LAMO! I can't believe no one spotted that untill now :D But then again, I only deal with the best Pistol's ever made, Sig Sauer ;) :p

Sorry but THE greatest pistol over made was the Colt 1911 (HA! :D )

[Samurai004]

Hmmm, best pistol ever made...any well taken care of quality product in the hands of a proficient and well practiced individual.

As far as getting a pistol now, if you want to go and learn about shooting by going to some classes, go ahead and buy the pistol. If you don't plan on getting formal training I would advise you to wait. It will hold its value pretty well and if you go with the G22 there is a really good chance you won't need to trade it in since it is a very popular pistol for police depts.

[Samurai004]

However, if you are talking about the best pistol ever excluding the shooter's skills as a factor....

Glock, Sig Sauer, Browning Hi-Power, 1911, and USP are all great pistols...arguing about them is basically splitting hairs. The best way to make any of these pistols better than someone elses is through practice, practice, practice.

[DelC]

Originally posted by Lupey
I have never heard of a 4-500 dollar gun that has no use. Check this post from another member. (Click Here) (http://63.144.255.254/vB/showthread.php3?s=&postid=45368#post45368) No doubt you will take a bath on a trade in.

[Celtic Warrior]

I'll put my .02 in - I would most probably wait until you get hired, as that agency is going to have it's specific issued handgun and or an approved list. If you have no training you have no bad habits to overcome (I've spent about 15 years as a firearms instructor and bad habits can be hard to break). They (the P.D. or whoever does their training for them) will spend plenty of time with you teaching you what you need - after your in and know what they want and what they use, then get more training if you need it to pass (with a trained instructor preferably) and avail yourself of any other training opportunity you can throughout your career - think outside the box!!! I know here in Florida most firearms trainers are focused on the State's 48 round academy level course and use it to "qualify" their people - I personally hate that course and believe it trains people only in marksmanship, and even poorly at that. Therefore I (and I'm by no means alone here) develop other courses of fire - this makes it fun and different every time while still keeping it "job relevant". Take any good training you can!!!
Good luck!!!
:bounce:

[Lupey]

Glocks hold thier resale value extremely well. Don't think you would take a bath on buying one of them.