Duty Weapons

[Newcop]

With any luck I'll be starting the Academy in 2 1-2 weeks. I've been told that I will have to purchase my own weapon before the academy starts. Here's my problem: I don't know anything about weapons. I never even fired a pistol before. I do not have any cop friends or any friends who are huge gun "nuts." One thing that I think that I'm going to do is call the cheif (it's a small department) and see if he can set me up with another officer who knows and owns several weapons. That way I can fire a few and get some advice before I drop several hundred bucks on a pistol. I was told the department allows pretty much anything, the officer I spoke with mentioned .38 .45 and 9mm's. Another possible challenge is that I'm left handed. Are weapons for south paws more expensive than others? Does anyone have any suggestions on what weapons to consider? If you're left handed what do you carry and what are the good and poor points about it? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[Kahuna5150]

Newcop,

First of all congratulations! Glad you're getting on with a department. As for choosing a gun. Everyone here will tell you to go out and test fire a few at a local range and see what gun feels best in your hands. Trying out a few guns will also let you find the features you like and those you dislike, (external safety, grips, sights, etc).

My personal opinion on the .38 is not to carry this as your primary duty weapon. I know at one time most cops would not want an automatic, (semi-auto handgun). They weren't very reliable, the stopping power wasn't the greatest. Most would take the trusty revolver over the, "new" semi-auto handguns. Those days are long gone now. Semi-autos are the standard now and have proven to be very reliable.

I would suggest looking at a 9mm or .40 caliber to start with, (if they are authorized). See what other guys at the department are carrying... Some feel having the same gun is useful in case of a shootout and the need to swap ammo and magazines. If everyone carries something different then go for what you like. .45 is a good caliber, but I would look at 9mm and .40 as well.

Check out the main ones...

Glock
Sig
HK
Smith & Wesson
Beretta, (the INS and border patrol guys will kill me for putting that in)

Some would say check out Taurus and Ruger as well, but I'm not big fans of them, but check them out if you like them go for it.

Good luck and congrats!

Kahuna

PS Most are well suited for the left or right handed shooter, I wouldn't worry too much about that. What I would suggest is you put as much time or *MORE* into selecting a good holster and practicing with it until it is second nature to you. I personally am a fan of the Safariland SSIII level 3 retention holsters.

Again check out what you like best!

[gibby11]

H & K .45 (Big but smooth!)

[Birky]

Well I have carried a Glcok, Smith & wWesson, and a Berretta. I would go with a Glock .40 caliber. They are pretty much ambidexterious and they are easy to care for.

[sigy]

Kahuna summed it up well. Find out what everybody else is carrying. Go to a range and try some out. Try going with a .40 cal if you can or 9mm if you must. Everybody listed great firearms. Glocks and Sigs are real nice. Take it from a left hander's point of view. You'll do fine with either of those, especially the Glock.




Sigy:destroy:

[Bill M]

I'm not a police officer (yet), but I personally like my Glock 22 (.40 cal). I've shot a few others and that one felt the best to me. That is also the weapon that the local police departments around me use. Nice and reliable...give one a try.

[tpcop007]

go with the glock in .40
light weight, great gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i own three

[dmclark]

Glock 22 in .40 for duty....Glock 27 in .40 as backup and off-duty. A lifetime partnership of two fine pistols! Good luck!

[Newcop]

Thanks everyone. It seems that there are alot of Glock fans out there. Looks like I'll be able to shoot with members of the PD I'll be joining. I'll let you know.:cool:

[Bow-n-Arrow]

I own 4 Glocks, one is a 9mm, two are .40's and one is .45, cant go wrong with a Glock. Of all the other fine guns mentioned, I would say that the Glock is the most user friendly for a southpaw.

[Streetheat7681]

Duty Sig 40. P229, ultra smooth gun

Can't go wrong with the Glock 27 for off Duty, great concealable weapon........

[termite110]

I like the para ordnance p14-45.

[Signal_9_CPD]

I carry a 22 on duty and a 27 for back up and in a Fobus holster off duty. Great guns, easy to use and the mags for the 22 fit the 27.

My 22 saved my ass last year and I would not give it up for anything!

[Switchback]

I am with the general concsensus... I LOVE my Glocks. I usually carry a 31 with the 33 as a backup/off duty. However, I would not necessarily reccomend the .357sig as your first caliber unless you have fired it some.

I think the .40s are great, but don't feel undergunned if you get a 9. Just try to put a few rounds downrange to see what gun/caliber you like. With most duty calibers, you'll be undergunned only if you cannot reliably hit the target.

Regards.

[THEWARBABY]

Personally. I would take a Sig any day of the week. However, as pointed out before, you should consider what others in the department carry. One good thing about glock is the ability to mix up mags. For example, the glock 22 mag will fit the G23 and the G23 fits the G27. So if needed you could use another officers weapon with your mags or your weapon with his mags. If you run out of rounds for a weapon other than the norm (for that dept) then where are you but screwed at a very bad time. My preference is Sig, Glock, HK and pretty much in that order. Oh, also try and rent or borrow anyone you are considering. It is possible that there may be physical or personal limitations. Don't want to waste your money on a weapon you don't feel comfortable with.