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Help us pick a pistol, for LEO.
- Thread starter Mike38
- Start date
You aren't going to find many LE agencies that will allow a CZ. And for good reason.
There are very few that won't allow a Glock 9mm. I know training officers that work for 3 different LE departments and every single one said that new recruits shoot them better than anything else. Some of the older officers who started with something else had problems transitioning to them because they are different from what they had been using. But after using them for a while none would go back.
9mm vs 40 vs 45.
Despite the rhetoric 9mm and 45 ACP are statistically identical as far as effectiveness. Going 45 just increases cost, gun size, reduces mag capacity, and increases ammo costs with no added benefits. Except possibly between the ears. If you believe something is better it might give a bit more confidence.
The 40 S&W has become the predominate LE choice. It does offer a very slight advantage over either 9mm or 45, but the advantage is very small. Many agencies are going back to 9mm because it is so close and is generally more accurate with less recoil, cost and of course the most ammo capacity in comparable size guns.
It is hard to go wrong with a G17 or 19 with a smaller G26 as backup. That is the way I'd go if spending my money. If the dept. is buying, I can learn to use most any of the common guns and would be content with most anything from Beretta, Sig, Glock, or S&W.
There are very few that won't allow a Glock 9mm. I know training officers that work for 3 different LE departments and every single one said that new recruits shoot them better than anything else. Some of the older officers who started with something else had problems transitioning to them because they are different from what they had been using. But after using them for a while none would go back.
9mm vs 40 vs 45.
Despite the rhetoric 9mm and 45 ACP are statistically identical as far as effectiveness. Going 45 just increases cost, gun size, reduces mag capacity, and increases ammo costs with no added benefits. Except possibly between the ears. If you believe something is better it might give a bit more confidence.
The 40 S&W has become the predominate LE choice. It does offer a very slight advantage over either 9mm or 45, but the advantage is very small. Many agencies are going back to 9mm because it is so close and is generally more accurate with less recoil, cost and of course the most ammo capacity in comparable size guns.
It is hard to go wrong with a G17 or 19 with a smaller G26 as backup. That is the way I'd go if spending my money. If the dept. is buying, I can learn to use most any of the common guns and would be content with most anything from Beretta, Sig, Glock, or S&W.
You aren't going to find many LE agencies that will allow a CZ. And for good reason.
Care to explain this? I can understand the not many departments part, as CZ has not made a big push in the LE market in the US, and with Glock, Smith & Wesson, and Sig entrenched in that market it wouldn't make sense financially for them right now anyway. But I'm curious what the "good reason" is.
And don't get me wrong, Glocks and M&Ps are great sidearms, CZ is just my personal preference.
First, in this day and age are there departments that do not issue him a gun? Second, all is really moot until you get department list. Having carried a gun for a living for 25 years, my choice is Sig or Glock.
Have carried Sig 228 (9mm), 229 and Glock 22 (.40) for many years as primary duty weapon and love both manufactures. I had a choice of 229 or 226 and elected the 229 due to primarily being in "soft clothes".
What is especially nice with Glock is that mags for Glocks are interchangeable. We are issued a G27 as a backup to the G22 which is also a nice off duty weapon. My choice for a uniform duty gun Would be G 22/27 or similar combo in 9mm
Caliber choice would be whatever department gives for free between 9 or .40. My two cents to a new cop.
Have carried Sig 228 (9mm), 229 and Glock 22 (.40) for many years as primary duty weapon and love both manufactures. I had a choice of 229 or 226 and elected the 229 due to primarily being in "soft clothes".
What is especially nice with Glock is that mags for Glocks are interchangeable. We are issued a G27 as a backup to the G22 which is also a nice off duty weapon. My choice for a uniform duty gun Would be G 22/27 or similar combo in 9mm
Caliber choice would be whatever department gives for free between 9 or .40. My two cents to a new cop.
Duty Weapon
I know you don't care for Glock but I would still suggest that he think about it. When I started out on "the job" it was nothing but revolvers. They were good too. But in the early 90's when we got the ok I switched over to a semi like most of the guys(always kept my Smith J frame for off duty or plain clothes work). Some went with Smith or Sig but the majority went with a Glock Model 19. All were in 9mm. Once we changed over from full metal jacket to Speer Gold Dot's they found it was a good combination. He should go handle a few different pistols and if it's possible try them out at a range. The Glock 19 is very good. There are thousands of them in use on my old job. I'm sure the Smith's are also very good weapons. With good ammo the 9mm is also not a bad choice. Good luck to your son in-law and may he always be safe.
I know you don't care for Glock but I would still suggest that he think about it. When I started out on "the job" it was nothing but revolvers. They were good too. But in the early 90's when we got the ok I switched over to a semi like most of the guys(always kept my Smith J frame for off duty or plain clothes work). Some went with Smith or Sig but the majority went with a Glock Model 19. All were in 9mm. Once we changed over from full metal jacket to Speer Gold Dot's they found it was a good combination. He should go handle a few different pistols and if it's possible try them out at a range. The Glock 19 is very good. There are thousands of them in use on my old job. I'm sure the Smith's are also very good weapons. With good ammo the 9mm is also not a bad choice. Good luck to your son in-law and may he always be safe.
dakota.potts
New member
I have never liked much about Glocks. They just never felt right to me and I never liked shooting them.
That said, they are about the most ubiquitous tools out there and are proven to be reliable. I really doubt there is any agency that is going to look down on a Glock as they might with other guns. I had a nice conversation once with an officer who carried an H&K, and he told me our county's department allowed him to carry any semi automatic of at least 9mm that he could qualify with. However, other departments require to pick from a pre-approved list. Some even have a very specific gun and caliber. For instance, I have heard (can't confirm) that the Florida Highway Patrol use only Glocks chambered in .45 GAP.
I would second the advice to wait until he knows where he will be going and what they allow. In the meantime, maybe get a used early generation Glock or some other police trade-in gun in 9mm. It will be cheap to shoot with and will hold some of its resale value if he decides to go with something else. You may consider going with a striker-fired gun like Glock, S&W M&P, or the new Sig P320
That said, they are about the most ubiquitous tools out there and are proven to be reliable. I really doubt there is any agency that is going to look down on a Glock as they might with other guns. I had a nice conversation once with an officer who carried an H&K, and he told me our county's department allowed him to carry any semi automatic of at least 9mm that he could qualify with. However, other departments require to pick from a pre-approved list. Some even have a very specific gun and caliber. For instance, I have heard (can't confirm) that the Florida Highway Patrol use only Glocks chambered in .45 GAP.
I would second the advice to wait until he knows where he will be going and what they allow. In the meantime, maybe get a used early generation Glock or some other police trade-in gun in 9mm. It will be cheap to shoot with and will hold some of its resale value if he decides to go with something else. You may consider going with a striker-fired gun like Glock, S&W M&P, or the new Sig P320
Will Beararms
New member
M&P40
Ride Madone
New member
H&K VP9. Best striker fired handgun on the planet.
OK that's just my opinion, but man I love that gun.
OK that's just my opinion, but man I love that gun.
You've already received a good bit of information. He really should get out to a range, and run through the usual suspects when talking striker fired pistols (Glock, S&W, Springfield). There are other models available (Sig, Walther, HK, etc.), but those three seem to be the most popular. Personally I would go with the Glock, as I shoot them better than any other handgun that I own. Also, I wouldn't focus on caliber until after he finds a model that he likes.
It's 100% about how it feels in his hand and how he feels it shoots for HIM. I prefer CZs. I just like they way they fit in the hand. Glocks shoot well but its simply not my taste. That being said a glock may be the best option for him, just happens to not be mine. Personal preference and using what you're comfortable with is key.
Tucker 1371
New member
I'm going to say it again, ask him to find out if a majority of the officers with his agency carry the same gun and tell him to get that so that he can swap magazines with them. For example, if the agency has 100 officers and 50 of them carry Glock 22s, 30 of them carry M&P 40s, and the other 20 carry a mixture of other brands/designs, it would be beneficial to him to carry either a Glock 22/23, or an M&P 40.
In most cases, as I understand it, once one I hired onto a LEA they are either issued a sidearm, or are directed to purchase a specific firearm. In some instances they might be allowed to choose from a list of approved weapons. My local PD uses Sig 9mms. So him getting a firearm right now and having it end up being hi service arm may not happen.
However in addition to Glock, Ruger and Smith & Wesson make models that meet his requirements.
However in addition to Glock, Ruger and Smith & Wesson make models that meet his requirements.
OP, I think you are a bit premature in making a recommendation to your SIL. The PD he is applying to may have guidelines or even regulations on the service gun he is authorized to carry. I think he should hold off in making a selection until he gets the job, and sees what the rest of the dept. is carrying!
OP, I think you are a bit premature in making a recommendation to your SIL. The PD he is applying to may have guidelines or even regulations on the service gun he is authorized to carry. I think he should hold off in making a selection until he gets the job, and sees what the rest of the dept. is carrying!
Yea, you're probably right. He's at the interview as I type this. Might know more later tonight. Thanks to all for the replies. If he does pick his own pistol, I'll revive this thread. Thanks again.
As a law enforcement officer let me chime in.
He isn't hired yet. I wish him luck but it's a long road.
As for choice of pistol most cops don't have a choice, and if they do it's a limited choice. My choice was a Glock 23 in .40 or Glock 21 in .45.
I would wait and see what develops before buying him a gun for that purpose.
BTW cops are flashlight junkies. Just a hint.
He isn't hired yet. I wish him luck but it's a long road.
As for choice of pistol most cops don't have a choice, and if they do it's a limited choice. My choice was a Glock 23 in .40 or Glock 21 in .45.
I would wait and see what develops before buying him a gun for that purpose.
BTW cops are flashlight junkies. Just a hint.
More thoughts.
If he just wants to have his own gun, fine. Many of us own several guns and it's good to have experience with various types, brands, models of firearms.
Some departments may actually require an officer to purchase his/her own pistol for work and for the academy; most don't, but this agency could be one of those.
It's not just the pistol, however, it'd be the holster, mag carrier, and typically 3 mags.
Some departments even regulate what an officer (once sworn) can carry off-duty. They generally won't regulate what an officer owns privately, however, but might have him list what he owns on a background questionnaire during the application process.
I think the following have already been suggested to summarize:
-find out what the prospective employing agencies use/can use.
-don't rule-out an agency as an employer solely based on what firearms they're using. Those things will change from initial hiring until he retires (if he even stays at the same agency).
-do consider Glock, however, as they have most of the LE market, but what model/caliber? Again, ask the prospective employers.
-some agencies restrict what an officer does, even off-duty, with his issued gun. It then could make sense to buy the same model/caliber to practice on his own time.
-backup guns. An agency may not provide a BUG but may approve personally-owned BUGs. Again, find out. It may make additional sense to then buy a gun which can be used as a BUG/off-duty gun, instead or in addition.
If he just wants to have his own gun, fine. Many of us own several guns and it's good to have experience with various types, brands, models of firearms.
Some departments may actually require an officer to purchase his/her own pistol for work and for the academy; most don't, but this agency could be one of those.
It's not just the pistol, however, it'd be the holster, mag carrier, and typically 3 mags.
Some departments even regulate what an officer (once sworn) can carry off-duty. They generally won't regulate what an officer owns privately, however, but might have him list what he owns on a background questionnaire during the application process.
I think the following have already been suggested to summarize:
-find out what the prospective employing agencies use/can use.
-don't rule-out an agency as an employer solely based on what firearms they're using. Those things will change from initial hiring until he retires (if he even stays at the same agency).
-do consider Glock, however, as they have most of the LE market, but what model/caliber? Again, ask the prospective employers.
-some agencies restrict what an officer does, even off-duty, with his issued gun. It then could make sense to buy the same model/caliber to practice on his own time.
-backup guns. An agency may not provide a BUG but may approve personally-owned BUGs. Again, find out. It may make additional sense to then buy a gun which can be used as a BUG/off-duty gun, instead or in addition.