Gear Preferances

[Crystal]

I am starting my Police Reserve training and I would like any opinions on brand of Gear that you all like better over the others. I have also narrowed down my weapon of choice to either a Glock or a Sig .40 or a .45. I would like any information anyone would like to provide. Thanks!! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

[dkiefner]

Where have you been hiding, Crystal? http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Since your topic is gear, I'm gonna move this to the Duty Gear Forum, where everyone may post replies.

You will probably get some firearms replies as well, but you can check the Firearms Forum for everybody's opinion on the best iron. The important thing to remember is never skimp on ANY of your gear.

My duty gear is all Don Hume. River Belt, Security Master holster (Level 2), all in black basketweave, w/nickle snaps. Good leather at competitive prices, and they have a website.

My iron is SW99 in .40 S&W for duty belt carry. For coat and tie, which is what I am usually carrying these days, I have SIG P220 in .45 ACP. Both completely different, but also pretty nice sidearms.

Also remember to get the best armor you can afford, if your dept doesn't provide it. Good luck in your training.

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Dave Kiefner
[i]Die Wahrheit ist eine Perle. Werfen sie nicht vor die S

[Crystal]

Thanks for moving me. I have not been here in awhile and did not realize that they have this many topic areas now--Cool http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif I thank you for the info. I am so excited... http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[dkiefner]

You're welcome! Hope you will stick around and post some more, since you've been here in the new forum as long as most.

I made a couple assumptions (yeah, I know) in that you are free to choose whatever gear or sidearm you wish.

If you're not sure, check with your dept, since they may have guidelines for authorized brands, styles and finishes of gear. They almost certainly have a list of approved weapons, but Glock and SIG are no doubt on them. Try any weapons you are considering, and test fire if possible, then go with whatever fits you best.

[cajuncop]

Crystal,

For me, I didn't have a choice in my duty gear, including my service weapon.

My department issues all Safariland Duty Gear. It's black plain leather. For a holster, we have a choice for either level 2 or 3. Most detectives use the level 2, don't know why though. For me, I chose the Safariland level 3 holster. It takes a while to get used to, but have never had my weapon taken from me. I've been in a situation where a suspect tried to go for the weapon, but was unsuccessful. The suspect got the top snap undone, but was unable to undo the back snap.

Now for the service weapon. We use the Glock 22 and love it. I can't say enough about it. I've used other weapons, but feel that what makes the Glock so good is that it is simple.

Anyway, I would ask around your department and see what others use, then go for it.

Good luck.

[This message has been edited by cajuncop (edited 01-03-2001).]

[DARECOP]

Don Hume is the best for me! It's all REAL leather and if you take care of it, it will last a lifetime. There is a dealer in Missippi that offers a 25% discount on your enitre order. If you call Don Hume(Miami, OK) they will give it to you or I can find it and let you know.

Don Hume riverbelt, basket weave, with brass is very, very pretty.

As for my side arm I carry the Glock model 21 .45cal. The way I see it the bigger the hole the better. Shoots great and little kick. The .45 has been around along time and is very common.

[KenM]

Gear---Uncle Mike's Sidekick brand. That's what I carry because my agency issues it. I'm too cheap to get anything else. I really like SafariLand's stuff though.

Your choices of a pistol are great and you won't lose out on either the Glock 21 or the Sig 220. The only thing is the size of the grip. I assume by your handle that you are a woman. The G21 has a big grip and most women find the it too large. The Sig has a much smaller grip. If you go with a 40 cal G22 or G23 the grip won't be an issue.

My personal choice is the Glock. I have one and used to carry it until my dept threw away those S&W 5906's and started issuing G22's. Now my poor 21 sits in my safe and hasn't seen the light of day in months! http://www.officer.com/ubb/frown.gif

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"Trust me. I'm from the government, I'm here to help."

[This message has been edited by KenM (edited 01-03-2001).]

[Sparky]

You can catch my recent reasoning on sidearms in my recent "maybe I'll get a Glock" thread in Firearms. For uniform duty, I would REALLY like the magazine interchangability between the full size duty weapons and the sub-compact backup weapons. A VERY HANDY FEATURE!!

As to duty gear...I used to wear a Safariland under and over belt with a hodge podge of basketweave leather hanging off of it.

I prefer the open top cuff cases worn one over each kidney with hinged cuffs; a class III holster; snap open dual mag pouch worn horizontal on my strong side; Sure Fire 6P in open top holder; regular straight baton on weak side rear behind radio; chemical weapon on weak side front in front of radio; and leatherman tool in rear behind sidearm; and belt keepers with black snaps; in the rear between the cuffs is a leather glove pouch.

I have seen the Bianchi Accumold stuff and was very impressed. If I ever have the opportunity to wear nylon, I would probably go with that.

In the end, you will probably try a bunch of stuff and keep what you like. You can usually sell off the stuff you don't to other officers or your local gun store / pawn shop.

The Safariland belts are a little stiff compared to some good broken in leather. Alot of guys prefer it and there is really nothing really wrong with it...but I saw a guy with a class III holster after someone tried to snatch his gun. The holster held firm...the weak point was where the holster atached to the belt...the guy found the strength to grab the gun in it's holster and pull hard enough that the leather overbelt ripped in two pieces and the holster came off. Good thing he couldn't figure out how to get the gun out of it! That and the officer was wearing him out and other officers arrived to lend a hand!

The next day, he went out and bought a Safarland "Safarilaminate" Underbelt and overbelt...as did most of us.

Just thought I'd pass the war story along.

Good luck!!

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-Sparky

[Don]

Hey Crystal,
For your leather gear try these folks. If they don't have it they will custom make it for you!

Tex Shoemaker Sons
800 345-9959
714 W Cienega Ave
San Dimas CA 91773 http://www.texshoemaker.com

You won't find better quality/prices anywhere that I am aware of!

(As much as I'm posting this I SHOULD get a commission!)

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"Toilet stolen from police station. Cops have
nothing to go on." . . .George Carlin

6P1 (retired)

[This message has been edited by Don (edited 01-03-2001).]

[John from Maryland]

Shoemaker, Don Hume, and Safariland are all excellent producers of leather gear. I would add DeSantis to the list (www.desantisholster.com). DeSantis offers duty gear in leather, synthetic leather, and nylon.

My own preference would be for the Classic SIG 226 in .40 as a duty weapon. As manyof us would suggest, you owe it to yourself to try out several pistols to see what feels right for you. Some private ranges will rent weapons for use on their range.

Many of us don't have a brand we prefer above all others. As I travel around my too-large duty belt, I find magazine carriers by DeSantis, glove case by Shoemaker, flashlight holder by Surefire, handcuff cases by DeSantis, batonholder by ASP, holster by Safariland, OC holster by Reliapon, flashlight ring by DeSantis, all secured to a Bianchi belt by G&G keepers. There's a lot of quality equipment available to you. Have fun in selecting it. Askif you have more questions. Most importantly, be safe.

[Crystal]

I thank you all for the info. Yes I am a female, but I have big hands http://www.officer.com/ubb/wink.gif I can hold a Sig very well, but have yet to shoot one yet. One of my instructers is a Glock man but most of the other officers are Sig guys. I know they allow nylon, so I might try that because it is lighter. So what about cuffs? Peerless good? Let me know. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

[John from Maryland]

Peerless makes excellent handcuffs. I prefer the chain style for flexibility, but others prefer hinged handcuffs. You should really have two sets of handcuffs on your person when working patrol. Be safe.

[Badcopnodoughnut]

Crystal, make sure you try your rig together with your weapon before you buy.

My dept. just transitioned from S&W 6906 with a Don Hume holster to a Glock with the Safarilaminate holster. The holsters are mid-ride top draw holsters. My problem is that I have a problem drawing my weapon straight up (to short I guess) and it binds in the holster. I have just recieved permission to purchase and wear my own holster. What it will be I don't know yet. Safrilaminate is nice, but leather is more forgiving (so our range officer tells me).

[This message has been edited by Badcopnodoughnut (edited 01-05-2001).]

[Crystal]

Is that a level I or II Don Hume?

[unhappycop]

Leather or nylon is a matter of preference, although nylon is a little lighter. My dept (NSW Police, Australia) issue leather. As far as handcuffs go, we went away from peerless and use a brand called SAFLOK mark 4. They are a HELL of a lot harder to pick than most usual brands because they use a totally different locking system. The only drawback is that you may not find a colleague with a matching key if you lose yours. That tends to upset the perps... http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

Look up www.safecity.com.au/saflok.htm (http://www.safecity.com.au/saflok.htm)

then browse to find a local distributor. This type of cuff seems to be a lot more reliable and harder to get out of. Also easier to "double-lock", with a simple rotating lock barrel, instead of having to push the button with your cuff-key. This prevents the perp from shiming them undone with a paper-clip or similar and is VERY important. The SAFLOK cuffs are next to impossible to pick.

They are a linked cuff but use a VERY solid linkinkg chain and not just a poxy chain link. VERY SOLID.

regards. unhappycop.

[This message has been edited by unhappycop (edited 01-14-2001).]