Carry Your Duty Weapon?

[Bobson]

A quick bit of background, so this thread makes sense:

I'm studying Criminal Justice in school, and plan to be an LEO upon finishing my degree. I've just completed the final step of the hiring process with AZ's Dept. of Corrections - just waiting for an academy date on that. Like I said though, the C.O. thing is my foot-in-the-door; the goal is law enforcement.

I was reading a magazine pub that caters toward LE (for LEOs, by LEOs, etc) a while back. There was an article advising LEOs who carry a weapon off-duty ["and that should include every LEO"] to go out and personally buy the exact same weapon each officer is issued by his department. IE, if you're an LEO and your department issues you a Glock 22, go buy your own Glock 22, and carry it when you're off-duty, too.

The point was that you'll become that much more familiar/proficient with your weapon, which is to your advantage, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need it.

So here's the thing. I want to buy my second handgun. My first was an XD40 Service, which I wasn't crazy about, and ended up selling. I know the department I plan to get hired on with (as an LEO) issues the Glock 22. I don't mind adjusting my wardrobe to accommodate concealed-carry of a duty-size weapon, I'm just not crazy about the Glock 22 (or .40 S&W). I've had my eyes on Sig's P226 and/or P220 for years, but never took the plunge due to cost; but now I find myself willing to spring for the quality. Except the whole "carry your duty weapon" thing makes a lot of sense to me.

In addition, I don't see the point of owning more than one weapon of the same style. I mean, I could see owning a Glock 22 (or Sig p226/220) for duty/EDC, and a Ruger Alaskan for a hunting sidearm, but not a Glock and a Sig. It just doesn't make sense to me. So I find myself kinda stuck.

Should I get the Glock 22 and learn to like it, or should I ignore the "carry your duty weapon" thing and just get the Sig P226/220 (haven't decided yet)? I'd really like some advice from people who work in LE, but any advice is welcome. Thanks a lot.

Edit:

FWIW, I don't dislike Glocks, and I don't hate the Glock 22. Just kinda prefer a SA/DA.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I, along with every other LEO I know, can carry my issued sidearm off-duty, which incidentally is a G22. Do I carry it off-duty? Nope never have one single minute. I generally carry something much smaller.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Carry a Glock 27 off duty, then you can have a BUG if you want that takes the same mags as your duty gun.

 

[Telekinesis]

I'm not a LEO, but I can see wanting a carry gun that was of the same manual of arms as your duty weapon, though I might go for a G23 instead of a G22 for a little bit smaller package. That said, I see no reason to buy a gun you don't like, especially when you have you eyes on another one. I think as long as you train enough to become proficient with both, you won't have a problem if you need to use it.

 

[Devonai]

I carried the M9 on duty for four years, and never much had an inclination to carry my personal 92FS while off duty except during those rare occasions when I could open carry. It is possible to conceal a 92FS but it is hardly the most comfortable choice.

I would argue that it is a simple matter of a little bit of extra practice to become as proficient, if not more so, with your carry weapon as your duty weapon. There is no reason to carry a Glock 22 off duty when a 23 or 27 will serve you just as well, and there's not enough of a difference between basic competency with a Glock versus an XD or Sig P-series to warrant a concern. Just make sure you practice.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Get a Glock 23 instead. Same pistol, slightly smaller frame, same exact manual of arms. Less PITA to CCW

My primary CCW is a Glock 19. I carried it for years when I lived in the Seattle area. When I moved to Florida I found it clunky to CCW when wearing light-weight hot weather clothing and I began research for a smaller, lighter pistol for CCW on hot days. I chose the Kahr PM-9 due to it's incredible similarity to my Glock 19. That was important to me because it allowed all my manipulation skills to carry directly over from the Glock 19 to the PM-9.

Good luck!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Eh, I've got a G23, too. Never carried it, either. Heck, I've not even shot it....Off duty, I am perfectly comfortable with a snub revolver.

 

[W.E.G.]

I don't like reading OP's very much, but I do carry a G22 regularly.

The G22 is just not that big in the first place.

Its way smaller even than a 4" revolver, which I carried for years, and nobody noticed.
Well, except the guy who I jammed the muzzle into his nose when he tried to rob me.

 

[W.E.G.]

I'll admit too, to carrying sometimes various unconventional pieces - just for the fun of it.

Everybody should carry a large .44 magnum, or a nickel-plated thumbuster at least now and then.

 

[Bobson]

One thing I will say, if I end up getting a Glock in .40, it'll either be the 22 or 23. A hanging pinky (as with the 27) is too uncomfortable IMO.

Maybe I'll just end up renting the 22 or 23 a couple more times, or have my brother lend me his 23. Might be that I just need to spend more time with it.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Everybody should carry a large .44 magnum, or a nickel-plated thumbuster at least now and then

I do each every now and then just to break up the monotony.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Bobson,

Do the agencies you are looking at not permit you to carry your duty weapon when off-duty?

 

[Bobson]

Do the agencies you are looking at not permit you to carry your duty weapon when off-duty?

I don't know, to be perfectly honest. I don't know any officers working for them on a personal level, and I didn't want to ask much about the firearm policies during rides-along because I didn't want to come across as one of those types who wants to be a cop just to "play with guns."

Maybe that wouldn't even come to mind if I asked, I just didn't want to be someone who stood out in a negative way. I figured I'll learn their firearm policies upon being hired anyway.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I'm not in LE, but I do know that swapping between a consistent trigger pull and a DA/SA trigger can cause some problems. While I wouldn't carry a G22 off duty (if it was my duty weapon), I also wouldn't carry a DA/SA. I would opt to carry another weapon that has roughly the same trigger and manual of arms as my duty gun. In your case, either a G23 or G27.

 

[dprice3844444]

also get your ccw permit.if you get suspended,you lose your right to carry.get the smaller version like the 27.same characteristics,can use the 22's mags.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd worry more about doing my best not getting suspended than what I might need to carry if I did...LOL. I've never been suspended in about 2 decades. Heck, I never even considered what I would do for CCW if I were.

 

[Bobson]

No kidding. Suspension isn't at the top of my list of things to experience. But I live in AZ anyway, so unless there's some strange law restricting carry specifically for suspended LEOs, it wouldn't matter. We have Constitutional Carry here.

 

[KeeFus]

I carry my duty weapon off-duty occassionally. For whatever reason our policy states that if we carry off-duty we need to qualify with the weapon. That's why I got my CCW permit just to avoid all that. I carry what I want, situation dependent.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Carrying your duty weapon doesn't make you better with it, shooting it does. Train with your duty weapon and carry what you want off duty. (and train with it too considering it's probably your BUG too)

 

[Mr Woody]

I started in LE in the 70s and retired a few years ago so I have some experience with carrying. The first thing I noticed in your explanation was a lack of experience with firearms (which is fine, you have to start somewhere). Your interest level in shooting and firearms is up to you and will guide how much practice you do.

With the exception of a 1911, I have never carried my duty gun as an off duty weapon simply because carrying a gun is a PITA and a smaller pain is better.

My first recommendation would be not to buy the gun you're going to be issued. Let your employer supply it. They will probably even supply ammo to practice with.

I would buy a smaller version of that gun so the handling and feel are the same. If they issue a Glock I would look at the 26 or 27.

.40 is far from my favorite cartridge but there is nothing wrong with it; It works.

The key to shooting is familiarity and practice. Your interest level will decide how good of a shooter you become.

W

 

[1911 guy]

I'd focus more on having a pistol with the same ignition system and anual of arms than an identical weapon.

For example, if the agency issues a G22, don't go out and get a 1911.

The exception to that would be if you shoot enough to be proficient with both and not let one throw off your shootng with the other.

 

[zulu6]

I'm a LEO and am issued the G22. I also carry a gun while off duty almost without fail. After having tried it years ago, I never carry the 22. The reasons that I don't are the Glock's dimensions. I own a 27 and find the dimensions, specifically the width, to be just as objectionable. The S&W J frame is for me, far and away, a better off duty choice. There is no reason that a police officer cant become proficient with both weapons. Aside from that, my advice to you is dont join the Corrections side if what you really want is to be a police officer. Its not the "foot in the door" that some folks project it to be. Complete your education, believe you have what it takes, and join the ranks of the police.

 

[Chris Rhines]

In addition, I don't see the point of owning more than one weapon of the same style.

Rethink this. What is going to happen if your duty pistol gets downchecked for a broken part, or has to be returned to the factory under a recall? What if your pistol gets lost or stolen, or has to be turned in for forensics work after an officer-involved shooting?

A serious shooter needs to have a minimum of two identical carry guns, different only in serial number. Three or four is better.

-C

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Rethink this. What is going to happen if your duty pistol gets downchecked for a broken part, or has to be returned to the factory under a recall? What if your pistol gets lost or stolen, or has to be turned in for forensics work after an officer-involved shooting?

Pretty simple....My department just issues me another one.

 

[Tallinar]

A serious shooter needs to have a minimum of two identical carry guns, different only in serial number. Three or four is better.

I didn't know I needed to shell out that much money in order to be serious about carrying a pistol in the event that I needed one to defend myself.