Duty Weapon options

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dsjackso

Inactive
I am starting at a law enforcement department that allows you to choose a firearm other than the issued Glock 22. I am not very comfortable with the Glocks even though they are a great firearm. they just don't fit my hand how i need it too. so other than any Glock option what would you guys recommend for a duty option and some pros and cons that go along with the other firearms. so far i have considered these other options for a possible carry weapon.

Sig P226 in 9mm or 40 cal.

Beretta M9

HK P30

a couple different FNs

the Smith and Wesson M&P series

a decent 1911.

Help me out with this guys i want as much info as i can get before making any decision that with effect my career and possibly my life.
 
Of the ones you have listed my choice would be the Sig 226 in 9mm. I would choose 9mm for more rounds and is about as good as the 40 cal. Look at the XD or XDM pistols. You need to rent and shoot different pistols to see what one fits you the best. What fits other people well may not work for you. Good luck in your search.
 
I have enjoyed shooting the Sig and I prefer the feel and operation of a quality 1911 over any other pistol I've shot, so I guess in your position those would be my first thoughts. But I'm not a LEO.

One question I'd ask is what are the other officers in your department carrying, if not the Glock. Having the ability to share magazines if you run out during a really bad situation could be critical. I don't know if that would be more important on a daily basis than having one you're more comfortable with, though.
 
Though a 1911 is one of my favorite firearms they tend to be less reliable than the others you mentioned IMO. If you want to narrow down your list, scratch it but own one at some time in your life, they are just awesome.

I am not personally familiar enough with the FN's to make a call.

The Beretta is reliable and accurate and if you can handle it well it makes a great SD weapon but not so much for LE IMO. A duty weapon to me (but not all LE shoot a lot) must be practiced with beyond average familiarity and the number of rounds you can shoot in an M9 may be less than some of your other choices if all the FWIW owners reports and reviews hold true water. Only for that reason I would not run the risk of a failure because a duty gun has to be as absolutely as reliable as possible. Who cares if you had to use it 4 times and it worked flawless the first three times right? JMO.

If it were me I would be choosing between the H&K, the Sig 226 and the M&P.

Don't know that I can narrow that one down for you anymore unless cost was a factor in which case the M&P. OF those three I cannot tell you how many rounds you can shoot before wear may become an issue but I can tell you the more parts you have, the more likely things can go wrong. The M&P is a little simple by design. I know it can take a lot of rounds before wearing out, just how many I don't know. BTW those three choices are the most common used By LE outside of the GLock. More 226 and M&P than the H&K by a good percentage though

Good cleaning and lubing habits are just common sense to me. I might add a few 1000 miles past an oil change but I never go without a clean and lube after a shooting session. Good luck and hope this was helpful. Stay safe and make it home!
 
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I'd always go with the issued sidearm but if you can't make it work try the M&P. Next would be DAK Sig and last would be LEM H&K. So much easier to stick with one trigger pull instead of DA/SA. See what the other guys are carrying and try and talk with the firearms instructor and or armorer and get his opinion. There must be set standards, I can't imagine you can buy whatever you want. Also consider supporting gear such as holster. If you don't go with the issued Glock you'll probably have to buy your own gear.
 
if you have not tried a G23 try it first, it sits in your hand a good bit diffrent than a G22 and you only give up 2 rounds
 
Choices...

Are there any regulations or restrictions about calibers or brands? Some US law enforcement agencies allow private funded weapons but they must be from a approved list.
The Glock 22 .40S&W pistol is widely considered the most common US police sidearm now.
If budget(s) are not a issue you might consider a SIG Sauer P220R DAK .45acp or the newer P227R. The SIG Sauer P229R DAK(DA only format) in .40S&W may work well for you.
If you want a ambi-safety you might look at a M&P full size in .45acp or .40S&W. You can carry a compact version off-duty. S&W has a lifetime service plan too.
I'd suggest a new DA only(double action only) sidearm. It's safe & you can avoid false claims of making threats or cocking a hammer. Many US police officers carry or issue DA only pistols.
For LE specials see Bud's Police Supply or check with the LE/military sales rep.
Beretta, Glock, SIG Sauer & others offer LE discounts. You get 03 new pistol magazines too.
Night sights are a smart add-on. Get Trijicon HDs. They are bright & well made.

Clyde
 
I'm assuming that if you are looking into them, they are okay for you to carry. I'd probably be choosing between the Sig P226, HK P30, and the FNX all in 9mm. There is really nothing wrong with the other guns you mentioned though, and I would base your decision on the gun that points most naturally for you and fits best in your hand. I feel like price should be your last concern with a duty weapon, but still try to look for a good deal or even a LEO only deal with whatever it is you decide on.

Whenever you have it narrowed down to just a few, go to the range and shoot them before buying.
 
I have to provide my own duty weapon as well. I've carried a number of different guns on duty over the years, including 1911s. I switched to a FNP45 Tactical a couple of years ago and could not be happier. The FNX version is basically the same gun and if you don't want the threaded barrel, MRDS ready slide, and suppressor sights you can go with the regular FNX45. IMO, these are the perfect duty gun - DA/SA or cocked & locked carry, safety/decocker, ambi everything, second strike capable, 15+1 capacity, flat and curved backstraps, comes with three mags, etc,etc. My gun has been 100% reliable with all ammo and is very accurate. They carry well and are not very heavy, loaded with 16 230gr rounds it weighs less than a full size 1911 loaded with 9rds of the same ammo. It's a lot of gun for the money and easy to find <$650. I still carry a 1911 off duty but the FN is a better uniform gun.
 
Although more expensive then many above consider the Browning High Power if you are also looking at 1911's.

15 rd mags in a single action pistol in one of the most natural pointing guns I've ever shot. The trigger isn't as good as the 1911 but still acceptable. You can get them in both 9mm and .40 to match your agency's issue ammo
 
I don't care for the Glock myself but that's what we shoot at work, I would try the glock out for now and you can always get a different gun down the road. Plus if the glock is free that will save you money just starting out. If you buy your own gun that also means you have to buy the gear to fit it. Good duty holsters are not cheap, and you have to buy mag pouches also.
 
I know of no really big reason to go with any other. I've had the Glock 22, and if that's what's on the table, I'd run with it. I can't say that choosing another would make you a lot better off.
The G22 in 40S&W is pretty capable for your needs. Maybe if you were in Alaska a 10mm would be an option.
I'm pretty good at logic and would argue:
Alaska moose y/n?
If yes then Glock 10mm
If no then G22 40 S&W
 
You state that the Glock 22 is standard issue, so 40S&W is probably the cal that your dept allows, I presume. Look at an M&P VTAC. It's what I have on as I type this out. Lot's of folks with no hands on experience will tell you the sights are too busy, but as I say, no hands on experience. They have Tritium night sites under fibre optics. You will love the design after you shoot this. Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactical designed this sighting system, and it flat works.
Ralph
 
dsjackso
Duty Weapon options
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Personally, I'd stick with the G22. Odds are that your colleagues will be carrying the same and the ability to use the same ammo has its benefits.

On the other hand, you can't go wrong with the Sig 226 or the Beretta M9/92. You may want to look into the 3rd gen Smiths - 59XX, 40XX - they are no heavier (38 oz) than the Sig (34 oz) or Beretta (33 oz). All three have proven track records.

What ever you do, don't carry a 1911 for duty. There will be many folks that will disagree, but I stand firm on this. This debate is a whole other thread!
 
I am not very comfortable with the Glocks even though they are a great firearm. they just don't fit my hand how i need it too.
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The human hand will conform to whatever shape you put in it. This is really a lame excuse. It is like picking which car you'll purchase by walking around the lot sitting in the drivers seat and making your decision based on which is more comfortable without driving any of them.

There are legitimate reasons why some may not like a Glock, but this is not one of them.

If I wanted something my life depended on I'd learn to use the Glock. Anyone who has made an honest effort to do so has mastered the gun. If not the Glock, I like the Sigs or a quality 1911 better than the other choices for my personal use. Probably wouldn't recommend a 1911 for duty use though.

The Beretta is a good gun, and if I were issued one, I would use it with complete confidence. I've owned a couple in the past. While I respect the gun, I just don't like one enough to spend my money on another one.

The M&P doesn't offer any advantages over Glock, the grip angle is a non-issue, your hand and body will adapt to either. And they have had reliability issues. Our local PD wanted to adopt them, but they had all sorts of problems with the sample guns sent to them for evaluation. They finally gave up and went with Glocks even though the Chief said he would never allow them when the process started.

I really wanted to like the FN's. I like the features and for someone not comfortable with Glock seem like a good compromise. The ones I had disappointed though. Neither accuracy nor reliability were what I had hoped for. Maybe my sample is too small. Like I said, I really want to like this gun. Maybe I just shot a couple of lemons, or they have now worked the bugs out.
 
Answers ....

The forum members can post reply messages until the cows jump over the moon, but if the LE officer doesn't answer the post questions then it's a waste of time.
The "what should I get" topics always seem to be vague or the members seem fickle. :rolleyes:
If the cop can't or won't carry the Glock 22 .40 then he/she will need to get something "better".
I do agree that a SAO type 1911A1 .45acp is less than ideal for a new or entry level shooter.
I was issued a worn out Remington Rand 1911A1 duty pistol in USFK(South Korea). I had it for approx 12mo. If I were a rookie cop or security officer I wouldn't buy a 1911 service pistol. Maybe later on like 4/5 years down the road & even then Id be pressed to use it all the time. A well made P226R/P229R DAK, a M&P, a XDm, a PPQ, HK P2000 or P30 LEM makes much more sense in 2014.
 
I would look at an XDM40, XDM45 or Dan Wesson Specialist, if I were you. I think the DW would be my preference due to trigger and safety, but the XDM might be a better fighting gun due to it's higher capacity.

Maybe a double stack 40 S&W or 45Auto 1911 like SVI OR STI would be a good fit
 
Ruger SR9, SR9c, SR40, SR40C, SR45 series. Has a thinner grip than a Glock. Mine are very reliable. Trigger pull is a lot like a 1911 single action. Same trigger pull each shot.
 
I too carry a duty weapon every day (armed security) and we're allowed to carry pretty much anything that we're comfortable with. When I had to decide what to carry, I spent a lot of time on research and range time. I've been a revolver/1911 guy my whole life, and I still prefer one or the other of those for off duty (ccw) carry, but I did eventually decide on a Glock 17 for duty carry. EVEN THOUGH, in the past I have found Glocks to not fit my hand properly (like a 1911 does) and they tended to shot high for me.

Many people will tell you "carry the Glock" or whatever. BUT gun fit IS very important in a fight, as is confidence in what you're carrying.

The solution for me and many others (and maybe for you) was/is grip modification of the Glock by a reputable gunsmith, such as ROBAR. They can shave the backstrap "hump" on the Glock, and even stipple the grip, which makes it much more comfortable and proper fitting. In fact, a properly customized Glock by ROBAR feels amazingly like a 1911, as far as grip size and angle.

Bottom line, no matter what others may tell you, carry what is comfortable to YOU and what fits YOUR hand properly. Gun fit IS very important in a high stress situation. However, DON'T overlook the Glock. It is a great weapon system and can be suitably modified to fit your hand.

I'm not saying that a Glock is the best duty gun option for you, just offering some options based on my experience.

Papershotshells
 
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