PA State Police Handguns

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ArchAngelCD

ArchAngelCD

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I might be wrong but I'm under the impression you have to carry an approved handgun when on-duty in most large Police Agencies.

Is this true for the PA State Police?

If so, does anyone know which handguns (and caliber) are approved for service?

(I looked all over the PSP web site and did several Google searches without any luck!)
 
All the staties I've ever seen have some variant of Glock. Don't know the caliber offhand, probably 9 or .40.
 
Don't know about the state police in particular, but PA seems to be a 9mm state. I know that state parole officers are given Glock 17s with 124 gr Gold Dots, and the Philadelphia police use G17s with whatever 115 gr +P they can get cheapest.
 
Last year one of the retired SP guys contacted all 49 state police/highway patrol agencies and compiled a list.
He reported the PA SP were carrying Beretta 96D Brigider in DAO.

21 state agencies carried Glocks.
18 carried SIG.
4 carried S&W
4 carried Beretta
2 carried H&K

Calibers issued (2 agencies issued more than 1 caliber):
9mm = 4
357 = 10
40 = 29
45 = 8
 
Archangel,

The PA State Police currently carry a .40 S&W full-size Beretta Model 92 in double action only. They are either plated with some type of silver coating, or are stainless steel. The PSP detectives I have seen also carry this gun. I do not know if they are authorized to carry a smaller weapon than the issue gun.

Prior to the Beretta's the PSP carried a series of Ruger revolvers, well after most agencies in (at least the southeastern part) of PA had switched to automatics. I heard somewhere a little while ago that PSP may be looking at switching to a .45 caliber Glock, but that may just be rumor.

In at least the southeastern part of PA, most police agencies issue a .40 S&W. The 9MM was much more popular prior to the .40's release. My department currently issues the .40 S&W Sig P229 in traditional double/single action, with a magazine safety disconnect. I would say that Glocks are the most popular issue gun in the region, though.

Hope this helps!
 
.40 S&W full-size Beretta Model 92 in double action only.
Click to expand...
A Beretta in .40 is the Model 96. The Model 92 is 9mm.

Can you tell me where to find the break down on the list you provided?
Click to expand...
It was compiled by a retired KY SP captain who contacted each agency. Since it's his work I would not feel comfortable releasing it. Check with Captain38, he might be able to help you.
 
Actually I've seen quite a few Berettas (But mostly Glocks) in holsters here in WA , I live about 14 miles from the State Patrol Academy
 
shoulder fired weaponry for troopers

Not a handgun, but I spoke with a young "state trooper" who was involved in anti terrorism, and his weapon was the M14 rifle.

I don't know who made the selection, him or the government, but they made a good choice there.
 
Last year one of the retired SP guys contacted all 49 state police/highway patrol agencies and compiled a list.
He reported the PA SP were carrying Beretta 96D Brigider in DAO.
Click to expand...

this is correct and incorrect at the same time...let me explain

I shop regularly at the Gander Mountain in Harrisburg, PA; I usually do most of my business with 1 guy who has been there a few years; according to him (he knows an armorer that works at PSP HQ in HArrisburg) the PSP just contracted with Glock (the new platform) to purchase Glocks in .45 GAP (yuck, but what can we do?); until the entire system is changed over, there will be Beretta 96 DAO in .40 S&W

now my opinion: I can understand the change in platform brand since the Beretta 96 is out of production; I cannot understand why they went with the .45 GAP...the .40 S&W Winchester Rangers they have (or soon to be 'had') work (or soon to be 'worked') just fine

I suspect a major discount from Glock so they can say in the press who is issuing the .45 GAP...first the NYSP and now the PSP in the northeast...
 
I can understand the change in platform brand since the Beretta 96 is out of production; I cannot understand why they went with the .45 GAP...the .40 S&W Winchester Rangers they have (or soon to be 'had') work (or soon to be 'worked') just fine
I suspect a major discount from Glock so they can say in the press who is issuing the .45 GAP...first the NYSP and now the PSP in the northeast...
Click to expand...

Note the list was compiled a year ago so things do change during that time. NYSP and PASP are both going to GAP. Not real big secrets. NYSP had the release on their webpage. PASP also put out a press notice a couple of months ago they were in the process.
As far as your speculation why GAP, you are most likely correct. I haven't seen the contract with NYSP and PASP but companies do some pretty remarkable deals when they want to get a product out to the masses. Not long after the 357 SIG came out it was just laying there, not unlike the GAP. No agency was picking it up, not much interest other than a few individuals. SIG cut some great deals with some agencies. I know 1 agency of about 300 officers where SIG took all the agency's S&W 6906 and in return gave that agency all new SIGs in 357, all new leather, and 2 yrs of ammo to cover transition training, training, and duty. In addition SIG agreed that if the 357 rd didn't pick up within 2 yrs that SIG would replace the barrels with .40 at no cost plus provide ammo.
 
I think it's kinda foolish to go with the .45 GAP when .45 ACP ammo is so much more available. (except for the probable deep discount offered by Glock)

I think going to (or going back to) the .45 Cal is a great idea. The 9mm never did have the same effect as the .45 when hitting a body. It is much more effective at stopping a BG. (please no flames, I take no pleasure in the thought of anyone getting shot but sometimes it's unavoidable) I don't know much about the .40 S&W so I can't comment on it compared to the .45 GAP or .45 ACP.

The Military should have never went over to the 9mm either, NATO or no NATO.
 
As far as Pa State Police go, one of my closest friends retired from the force just 2 years ago. His uniformed sidearm was a .40 DAO Beretta. I'm not sure what the regulations are, but I know there were times he carried a Browning HP off duty.

They did carry Ruger revolvers years ago. I don't know if they ever carried the GP100, I do know he carried a Speed Six. Interestingly, I can distinctly remember him telling me about the Speed Six revolvers getting very hot during qualification & that the ejector rods would warp & tie up the gun.

Before that, they carried Colt Trooper revolvers. I know he bought his issue Trooper when the agency was upgrading. He was fortunate; the revolver he bought was issued to him only a few months before they were switching over & it is barely used. A really nice piece & bought for a song. ;)
 
When I was fingerprinted for my FL CCW, the guy who did it was dressed in plainclothes, and his sidearm was a Beretta 9000S. Caliber was not readily apparent.
 
The issued pistol is the Beretta 96D Brigadier which must be carried in uniform. If working in plain clothes you can carry a personal handgun after qualifying with it and receiving approval to carry it.

PSP will be transitioning to the Glock 37 in 45 GAP in May.
 
In the Lehigh Valley (PA), many departments are switching from Glock to Sig. (.40)
 
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