Service weapon and backup selection

[redleg]

I was recently hired for my first LE position and thinking ahead about my weapon purchase. I'm sure to get a lot of guidance from the department but I want to be educated before then. I have almost no experience with handguns outside of the military. What should I be looking for in a weapon and what are the advantages/disadvantages of different calibers and ammunition types? Any help will be appreciated.

[JKT]

If you have to or are given a choice on providing your own weapon, first of all check with your department to see what they allow and/or recommend. Then, within those guidlines, see what fits YOU; size, weight, "feel" and price. If you can, try to find a range where you can rent weapons to try out.

The only way to tell if a weapon "fits" you is to try it.

Hope this helps, some. http://www.officer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
Optimistic pessimist: Hope for the best, but expect the worst.

Jack

[Glockarmorer]

Gotta agree with JKT.

You definitely need to find out what models and calibers are approved by your department. You also need to find out if back up weapons are approved (since you referred to them).

Then you need to shoot every different type of pistol you can get your hands on. Find out which best "fits" you.

Remember, caliber and brand are secondary. Getting multiple hits quickly in the "K-5" zone is the key.

The general rule of thumb "Carry the biggest damn handgun that you can reliably hit the target with."

Good luck,
G.A.

P.S. Don't forget to sample the Glocks, they're delicious! http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
No cops, know anarchy.

[Bonk]

If you plan on carrying a backup gun, make sure it has the exact same operating system as your duty gun. The safeties, sights, trigger, and even grip angle should be as close as possible. If your duty gun goes dead, you're going to be stressed enough pulling the backup without having to fumble with a different system.

Obviously the baby Glocks are excellent backups to the bigger ones. Hard to beat a G22/G27 combo. The smaller S&W auto's (3900 series) are also good for the bigger S&W and Beretta automatics.

[Sgt. DG644]

I agree with the other posts on this. You will need to find a quality handgun that you like but more importantly can operate and shoot accuratly. I could care less what my duty gun looks like as long as I can shoot the thing and hit what I am shooting at. It does no good to carry a large calibar handgun and then not be able to hit anything. I would rather carry a 9mm that I could consistently hit what I am shooting at then to carry a 44 mag and not hit the target!! OK a little extream but I wanted to make a point. I would have to guess that you can ask 10 differant officers what is best and get 10 differant answers. Personally I carry a Glock 22C for my duty weapon and a Glock 27 for back-up and off duty. I carried my Glocks for as long as I can remember and never had a problem one!.

[This message has been edited by Sgt. DG644 (edited 12-22-2000).]

[MNnarc]

In Glock We Trust...


21 Duty
30 Backup/offduty


http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

As stated earlier....it all comes down to preference. Look around and definitely shoot a few to see what you like.

[John from Maryland]

I'll have to disagree with my distinguished colleagues on this one. You may not be able to find an acceptable back-up weapon with the same characteristics as your primary. The back-up weapon does have to be light enough and small enough to be carried concealed and still be accessible.

You might consider a "simpler" weapon than your primary pistol. The best role of the .38 Chief Special or equivalent is as a back-up gun. The subcompact Glocks (26/27) are certainly a great back-up even if you're packing a different pistol as your primary. (I would suggest that you have the New York trigger installed in your Glock if you're using it to back-up a SIG, HK, or whatever. That will get the trigger pull closer to what you're used to.)

I speak here only of back-up guns. Unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise, your off-duty weapon should operate the same as your primary (e.g.: SIG 239 to 226, S&W 3913 to 5906, Glock 26 to 17). Good luck and be safe.