Choosing a police duty gun....

[Dbl0Kevin]

Ok so if things work out like they should and I end up getting this job in New Mexico I'll have the option to carry a personal duty gun if I choose. This has caused me to be like a little kid in a candy shop and I've been having a hard time coming up with what I'd carry. So today I decided I would take some time and make a chart of all the desirable options and check off which of my choices had which. Here's what I came up with:

(I'm not even going to get into caliber yet....that's another issue )

Guns: Glock, HK USP, Sig 229/226, Para Ord, Single Stack 1911

Reliablity: All ok, but Para's are questionable

Capacity: 1911 comes up short here

Manual Safety: USP, Para, and 1911

Flashlight Rail: Glock, and USP

Weight: Glock and USP

Trigger: Para and 1911.....not sure on USP or Sig

Laser Grips/LaserMax: All guns

Compatibility w/ backup gun: Glock

Bulk: Glock

Accuracy: Sig and 1911

Price: Glock


Ok so here's the rundown so far:

Glock: 8 points
HK USP: 6 points
Sig 229/226: 4 points
Para Ord: 4 Points
1911: 5 Points

Is there anything I'm missing or do any of you disagree with the advantages I've given to each of the guns? I have question marks on the trigger pulls of both the HK and the Sig because it's been a while since I've handled either and don't really remember how heavy the DA pull is on the first shot. I'm really not a big fan of heavy DA triggers at all which is why I really like 1911's. But I don't want to sacrifice the capacity of the other guns and the Para's reputation for reliability is sketchy at best.

Also another big thing the Glock has in its favor is the baby glock's as a backup system. I love the fact that they are so concealable plus hold 9/10 rounds of .40 cal or .45 cal AND they can use the full size mags of their big brothers. That's really a hard feature to beat.

So what say the rest of you? I still can't decide!! :banghead:

Edit: ok the chart really got screwed up and didn't come out the way I wanted so I had to just write it out.

 

[Jim March]

My top choice:

http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=294735&item=831437&sw_activeTab=3

Eight-shot 357 with moon-clip reloads.

Yes, it's a revolver.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

ewwwwwww a revolver!?!

 

[Desert Shooter]

Look again at the Sigs. The newest models have rails.

 

[Josey]

I would use the Sig 226 from your list. HK USP or SOCOM second.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

Look again at the Sigs. The newest models have rails.

Ya know I just noticed that tonight.....but man they make them look damn ugly. lol

 

[CRridermike]

i dont know cause i dont have any of those but my favorite are H&K's and 1911's. looks at kimber 1911's. the Sig's with rails are Sig Pro's, i think they are ugly, if you want a plastic gun get a H&K or Glock.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

Here's the new sig with the rails on it. Not a sig-pro, but i just can't get used to the looks of it.

 

[Plinkerton]

I like it. That's the next gun on my friends buy list. Except in stainless. I would be sure you wouldn't regret that one...

 

[strambo]

Sig 1911 with rail

http://www.sigarms.com/products/gsr.asp

 

[Black Majik]

Trigger: Para and 1911.....

LOL... I like how Para's aren't considered 1911's.

My pick would be something in .45 ACP. Preferably a 1911, but take a good look into the Sig P220ST. It also has a lightrail.

If you wanna be simple, and lightweight with a lightrail, take a good look at the Glock 23.

 

[denfoote]

Will not your new department have an approved list???
I know that here in AZ, departments who make their officers buy their own duty weapons, have such a list. Specifically, the Maracopa County Sheriff's office has such a policy. Officers can either accept the department issue or choose from the approved list. You might want to find out first!! You don't want to be stuck with an expensive new gun that you cannot use, a brand new job, and having to go out and buy another one!! (not that owning two guns is a bad thing. But it might make the difference between eating steak and top Raman for those first two weeks!!!)

Liability concerns are a really big headache for the top brass.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

You should find out what they carry there too. If you need mag/ammo from someone else in a emergency, your partner would be the closest source hopefully.

 

[jc2]

If you have no approved list, or if it is on your approved list, you really ought to check out the Springfield Armory XD. It combines the best features of all your candidates. It would just about ace you list.

 

[Nick_90]

Without hesitation, if choosing a gun for carry on which I must depend, I would chose the Sig. I own many guns and all have their advantages but Sigs have one wich surpasses the others: 100 % realibility!

 

[Checkman]

Can't go wrong with Sig. That's what I carry (P220/245). Good luck.

 

[Universal]

GLOCK

In my opinion a GLOCK would be your best choice. That is what I carried and I went through basic, FI school and many other firearms schools with. I also served as a partime instructor at the state police academy and saw a lot of students going through basic. The only thing I ever saw go wrong with a GLOCK was the front sight falling off. If you chose to go with the GLOCK, do yourself a favor and get some sort of steel sights. I used to be a big supporter of both H&Ks and Sigs but I saw too many problems with both after long range sessions. I can recall at least three H&Ks not locking back the slide back after the last round and my partner during FI school had so many problems with his Sig 229 that he went out and got a GLOCK as soon as we got back. I am not trying to bash Sigs and H&Ks but I have not been very impressed with either. I know many officers who shoot both and love them and have never had problems. As you mentioned, GLOCK does also win with regards to price. As a Law Enforcement officer you can buy a GLOCK for around $400 and get the night sights for $50-70 extra.

Good luck.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

Will not your new department have an approved list???

Nope already asked that. As long as it meets the caliber requirements of being above a .380 and you can qualify with it you are good to go. I noticed one of the guys carrying a 1911 when I was out there and was like "ummmm that's not issued is it???". Then the officers I was with told me you could carry whatever you wanted as long as you qualify and it's above a certain caliber.


As for what they issue it's a full size Glock .357 or a Glock 9mm if you would rather have that. They will also give you the weapon light if you choose to use it. Not really a bad deal at all, but I was looking to see if anything would be better.

I really don't mind buying more guns, as I plan on buying most of them anyway being a gun guy.

As for reliability most people around here carry Glocks, and I qualified with a Glock 23 which never jammed once on me, though I"m not a big fan of the trigger pull on them. I suppose I could get used to it. I have no problem in combat shooting, but I'll sometimes push one off at 25 yards cause of all the slack in the trigger.

I have always loved Sigs and have always said they would be my carry gun if I had a choice. BUT a Sgt. who is a good friend of mine came from a Dept that used Sigs and he said if you didn't keep them meticulously clean they would have problems, unlike the Glocks which you could let dirty up for 6 months and they'd still fire. So that's why I sat down and made the chart.....the Glock definately has a lot of good features. I REALLY like the baby glock as a backup that can take the full size mags. Only thing that I really don't like about it is the trigger and no manual safety.

 

[jc2]

Only thing that I really don't like about it is the trigger and no manual safety.

You really owe to yourself then to check out the Springfield XD and the baby XD.

 

[4v50 Gary]

There are advantages to department issue. If you're involved in a shooting, the gun will be confiscated as evidence. Better a department gun than your own. If it needs servicing, the Dept. Armorer can service it and if it's your own, (s)he may not have the parts or training and you must drop it off at the gunsmith & pay for it yourself (and wait).

BTW, if the dept. doesn't issue a vest, save your ducats for a vest first.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

I was thinking along those same lines Gary. Kinda hard to turn down a gun that's right up there as one of your top choices when those facts are presented.

 

[bradvanhorn]

BUT a Sgt. who is a good friend of mine came from a Dept that used Sigs and he said if you didn't keep them meticulously clean they would have problems, unlike the Glocks which you could let dirty up for 6 months and they'd still fire.

I don't think you have to keep Sigs "meticulously" clean, but that's never been a problem with me anyway, because I take care of my guns (which means cleaning them in my opinion).

I saw a Glock the other day that had about 10,000 rounds through it (over about five years time) without a major cleaning. However, I was seeing it because the gun would no longer function, and the gunsmith I was visiting had it fully disassembled and was detailing every single component of the gun. Of course the gun functioned like new once he finished cleaning it.

So, if you'd rather have a gun that will function without any routine maintenance, then get the Glock. Otherwise the Sig will be fine.

 

[WT]

If they issue Glocks in 9mm, why not just stay with the Glock 17 or Glock 19? Many agencies seem to have a lot of success with those pistols.

 

[Dbl0Kevin]

If they issue Glocks in 9mm, why not just stay with the Glock 17 or Glock 19? Many agencies seem to have a lot of success with those pistols.

I'm not really a big 9mm fan. If I want capacity I'll go with .40 cal or maybe the .357 sig which has been gaining my interest lately. Otherwise the .45 has always been a favorite for me.

 

[Black Snowman]

I wouldn't hesitate to use their Glock, let it get torn up and abused with their light, and take the money I save to buy more collection guns or the baby-Glock backup. It's not my first choice in a sidearm, but it's certainly not my last. I'd trust the Glock in those circumstances and you can't beat the price.