Carry Your Duty Weapon?

[Krzyshng]

I've not heard of any larger agencies that wouldn't allow you to carry your duty weapon on your own time. That being said most do have differing policies whether you're covered by the service or not should you actually use it. Unless the hypothetical agency has terrible policies regarding this issue I wouldn't bother buying the same gun you're already being issued, especially if you're not the biggest fan of it to begin with. Becoming proficient with it doesn't need to be said, but if you're more comfortable with something else why let the state make that decision for you when you're not on the clock and they're not footing the bill?

 

[duns]

I'm not a LEO. I shoot and carry various types of guns. I don't have a Glock but I do switch between DA/SA, 1911, and revolvers. I think with enough practice, you can be proficient with guns with different manuals of arms. If you regard the gun as just a tool, then it would make sense to standardize on one type (maybe have it in two frame sizes that share the same magazines). However, if you are a gun enthusiast, you will want to enjoy widely different weapons and the effort involved in mastering them all will be a pleasure not a chore.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Well said^^^I have a few different handguns. I'm proficient with any of them. I qualify annually with any of them that I carry and shoot one style or another at least weekly. In all honesty, the one I shoot the least is my duty weapon. I usually only shoot it twice a year at bi-annual qualifcations.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Forgive me if I duplicate some of the previous replies, as I have not had time to read them all...,

The situation varies by state and local jurisdiction. I carry my issued sidearm off-duty, so there is no need to buy a copy of it for off-duty. Carrying a sidearm gets you well practised at carrying, while shooting gives you practise for shooting. You'd be surprised at how many LEO's don't practise with their sidearm beyond the training arranged by their departments, so owning one of their own, or carrying the one issued, doesn't mean they would be any more proficient. In fact you'd be surprised at how many LEO's don't have more than their issued weapon, and never fired one before they joined their departments.

As for my location..., I carry mine as this is the sue-me-state, and if it was my private firearm, even if I was defended with taxpayer money, and everything came out OK..., my impounded handgun would rot in evidence holding until everything was concluded, if they didn't "accidentally" destroy it. So, I'd rather they mess with their handgun than one of mine.

LD

 

[ATBackPackin]

I am not in law enforcement, but there is a big difference in off duty carry (concealed carry) and on duty carry (open carry). For off duty I would be more concerned about finding a gun that fit's you and is comfortable to carry.

Then you can have the fun becoming proficient with it.

Good luck in the academy.
Shawn

 

[WC145]

I agree with those that have said it's not necessary to carry your duty gun but there is benefit to carrying a gun with the same manual of arms. Call it muscle memory, habit, whatever, but like it or not, when the SHTF we all default to our training, what we know best. As a LEO the majority of your training is going to be with your duty gun and gear, drawing gun and mags from the same places on your body over and over and over again. It makes sense to carry a smaller version of the same gun off duty, holster and mags in roughly the same places as on your duty belt. That's exactly the reason why there's big and little Glocks, M&Ps, XDs, etc. The guns feel and function the same as their larger counterparts, no fumbling with controls, different trigger pulls, and so on.

I carry 1911s on and off duty and compete with them as well. It just so happens that I had to qualify this morning. Shot the full size Springfield that I carry on duty first then switched gear and shot the Colt Officers Model that I carry off duty. I always carry OWB, right side, spare mags on the left. It's the KISS principle. When I reach for my gun (on or off duty) it is always the same - controls, trigger, sight picture, reloads, all of it - no surprises, nothing to trip me up, same same same.

 

[Snowbandit]

In over 30 years of law enforcement I've been issues quite a number of different guns. Some were fine to carry off duty, some were not. The best ones, a 3-inch model 65, 2 1/2-inch model 66, a 6906, were carried often. Worst were the Glocks, 2 of them and both model 22's, and if I ever have to carry another one I'll seriously consider quitting.

 

[duns]

Worst were the Glocks, 2 of them and both model 22's, and if I ever have to carry another one I'll seriously consider quitting.

You can't tantalize us by stopping there . Please elaborate.

 

[Bobson]

You can't tantalize us by stopping there . Please elaborate.

Agreed.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd like to hear what is so bad about a Glock as a duty weapon also....I don't get all excited about them, but will admit that I find them to be excellent duty weapons.

 

[Strykervet]

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.

Either you don't get it or the post wasn't written for you. You can carry what you want and be comfortable with whatever skill level you are at.

For those that use these as tools and wear them out and use and abuse them daily, having a couple isn't a bad idea. There aren't many people that do this, and most cops don't either. Before the industry started attracting and hiring hotheads, idiots, and wannabe commandos, most cops would carry a pistol and only draw it to qualify or use it. Lots of pistols with holster wear and brand new inside for sale back in the 90's...

On the other hand, I've worn out more than a few M4 rifles, various parts, etc. When I break one, it feels good to reach and grab a similar weapon until my favorite is back in service. Also, as a civvie now, I may break a part and have to wait until I find a new one... Nice to know I can just grab the next best rifle and use that.

For carry, I only carry Glocks. I find it doesn't matter much what kind you carry, the controls and all are identical. Just practice a lot with whatever you get. The G27 would be my recommendation, I have one and I use a G22 mag for reloads. The little +1 for the grips work well too, give you the pinkie spot. I like that, so does my wife, that is her pet peeve. Then the G27 becomes a fine BUG AND a fine carry piece.

You'd be hard pressed to make a bad decision in that respect. Get a G27, try it out, if you don't like it, either keep it as a BUG only or sell/trade for what you do want. You'll get LEO prices and be able to do this and break even, if not come out on top, if you decide you don't want it and want to sell it.

I agree, you should carry the same kind of pistol daily. That is very good advice. I just don't agree they have to be identical models. That goes a little too far. The G27 is great for CCW, the G23 if you just don't want the subcompact.

But you could even get a different calibre and still be okay as far as reciprocation of training goes... A 9mm would be okay. But you would lose the magazine compatibility unless you stick with the same calibre.

 

[Bobson]

I'll get some range-time with a G27 over Thanksgiving weekend, so we'll see how that goes. Never been crazy about the hanging pinky, but like you said, there is the option of the extended grip.

 

[Bobson]

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.

Like I said in the first post, I'm a full-time student. What I didn't say is that I also work full-time as a security guard. Problem is, my pay is meager, and I don't receive any medical or dental benefits. That wouldn't be an enormous problem if I wasn't married and supporting my 10 month old daughter, and my wife (who stays home with our daughter); but I am.

So even if corrections isn't the "foot in the door" I've heard it to be, I still can't afford to turn down a healthy pay increase, plus the medical benefits that come with it. That being said, I'll be honest - I'm less than thrilled about the prospect of being an unarmed guard in one of Arizona's state prisons. Unfortunately, for now, that's the best job I can get, and at least its in the same general career field.

As for my education, it won't be put on hold. I plan to resume full-time college enrollment upon completion of the DoC academy.

 

[pioneer461]

With a reasonable amount of training, and the proper mental attitude, it is very possible to master different platforms simultaneously. Be careful of some of the books and magazine articles you see. With some you are just getting some other guy's opinion, or the opinion of an advertiser.

 

[David E]

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

That you haven't shot?

I want immediate access to my own gun that I have 1000's of rounds thru.

 

[KenW.]

I do not carry an issued weapon; I provide my personaly-owned sidearms., and stay qualified on a couple of Springfield XDs.

I carry one of them off-duty whenever I'm sober.

 

[PabloJ]

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.

Oh Yeh, I will get me large steel-framed SIX shot revolver to carry right after I start walking with a crutch when I do not have to.

 

[David E]

OP, the smart thing to do is to buy a G-22. It's not that big and it's not difficult to conceal in a proper holster supported by a proper belt.

The G-23 and 27 do NOT feel the same as the longer 22. Similar, yes, but not identical.

Does carrying the exact same gun matter? Yes, it does. When your hand goes to the holster, it needs to know what it'll find there. Consistency is a good thing. People that swap out carry guns on a daily basis don't understand this basic premise. Ayoob has written of cases where the good guy was killed because he used the wrong manual of arms for the gun carried that day, changed holster location, etc.

When I was a cop, nothing was issued, we had to buy our own and qualify with it before it could be carried. I qualified with several guns from the same maker so I'd have an immediate replacement ready to go should the need arise.

I hope you give the matter the serious consideration it deserves.

 

[ChCx2744]

During my time as an LEO, my duty weapon was a Beretta 92. I sometimes carried it, but then I got tired of that huge thing. I went out and bought a G27 and carried that off duty. Before I resigned, I went out and bought a G23 and now that's what I carry. If you can comfortably carry your duty gun off duty, go ahead, but most duty guns are going to be quite large and a pain to carry comfortably concealed, unless you OC off duty.

 

[KenW.]

My agency issues Glock Fortays, but has AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL alternate weapon policy. I'm not forced to carry a Glock; I can choose between four personaly-owned XDs every morning.

I've qualified with the Glock, but prefer my own guns. Glocks are cop-proof, they always fire, simple to maintain and armor, easy to train on, and.. they are ALWAYS the lowest bidder.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

That you haven't shot?

I want immediate access to my own gun that I have 1000's of rounds thru.

If they are in our armory, they have been function tested by a factory certified armorer. I'm fine with that....Thousands of rounds thru a gun before you carry it? Not for me. I have been issued 3 new duty handguns in my career. All three of them got a about 25 rounds of "practice" and then 2 back to back 50 round qualifcation courses and were put into service. I have no problem with that. Out of those three guns, I can't recall any malfunctions with the two Glocks. The Smith had an issue with a mag one time, but was quickly diagnosed and corrected. Regardless, my training regularly includes malfunction drills for "just in case".

 

[FMF Doc]

It is not necessarily a bad idea, and certainly has its merits. I would say that you are almost as good carrying a smaller version of you duty weapon. If your duty is a G22 a G27 is the same platform, and very similar in grip, trigger, ergos, etc. But even if it isn't exactly the same, the same basic platform is helpful too. If you duty is a Sig226 even carying a Sig 239 is a good comprimise because the controls and ergos are pretty close. So no, you don't have to carry your duty, but it does't hurt. And remember, any gun is better than no gun when you need one.

 

[David E]

If they are in our armory, they have been function tested by a factory certified armorer. I'm fine with that....

Really?! That's astounding.

Thousands of rounds thru a gun before you carry it? Not for me. I have been issued 3 new duty handguns in my career. All three of them got a about 25 rounds of "practice" and then 2 back to back 50 round qualifcation courses and were put into service. I have no problem with that.

So, you had a grand total of 125 rds thru your duty guns? How many total?

The Smith had an issue with a mag one time, but was quickly diagnosed and corrected.

Good thing the problem revealed itself early.

Regardless, my training regularly includes malfunction drills for "just in case".

That's good!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

So, you had a grand total of 125 rds thru your duty guns? How many total?

I got a new Gen 4 issued this spring. Yes, I put 125 rounds thru it the day I got it and then went to carrying it. Thus far, I have have qualified 4 times with it and shot a few tactical courses. I'd guess the number of rounds thru that gun has been somewhere between 400 and 500.

My previous duty guns only got about 400-500 rounds put thru them a year on average. Maybe a few more when the budget allowed more issued ammo and maybe a few more the years I shot in some LEO competition...I honestly never counted, but doubt if any year was more than 1k rounds.....I carried the Smith for 7 years and the Gen 3 22 for 12.

 

[Powderman]

When I call in service, I have a Colt 1911 pistol in the duty rig.

When I go off duty, the Colt comes out of the duty belt, along with two of the magazines loaded with issued ammunition (Speer 230 grain Gold Dot). The mags go into a mag carrier, and the Colt goes into a Galco Combat Master holster, strong side carry, under a jacket or (in the summer months) a loose untucked shirt.

Round count through the gun? Right around 12K so far.