Police Guns

T

TheRaskalKing

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Just curious: I started paying a little more attention to what local cops and state troopers are carrying and it seems like they all carry either a Glock or an M&P. Just wondering, what do most law enforcement carry? And why? Is it a personal choice or do most departments have contracts with different makers?
 
It all depends some have a manditory issue. You carry what they give you and that's that. Some issue one type of gun and have an approved list of a few guns. Then some just say "oh Hell" and as long as its above .38 or 9mm and a reputable mfg, you can carry it. For example Detroit PD issues a S&W M&P 40 cal and with rare exception that's what they will carry. Same as MI State police they carry a Sig 40 cal (I think 229 but don't quote me) and that's what they carry. Now I believe Wayne County Sheriff Dept allows for several Sigs or a S&W 357 mag to be issued. But now Highland Park PD (MI) used to have a free for all policy of as long as its from a reputable mfg you could carry it. Hell they had a reserve carrying a fn 5.7 but they don't issue pistols either, each officer must buy their own. They recently changed their policy to Glock or S&W only and must be a .40 cal.
 
My agency head came from a lager agency where the officers were issued Glocks. How they came up with them, I don't know. Our agency's policy is that we purchase our own weapons and they have to be a .40 cal Glocks put no Glock 27's on uniform duty unless carried as a concealed backup. I'm still grandfathered in with my H&K P2000 and Beretta 96D but I now carry a Glock 23. The Texas DPS carry Sig P226 in .357 Sig. I don't know the details but I heard that they all traded in their former Sig P220's in .45 ACP for a sweet deal on their current .357 Sig. Sig was trying to promote their new round and who better else that the Texas Highway Patrol.
 
Our PD used to let officers carry their own until recently. Now they issue either a Glock 19 or Glock 17 to recruits. Those carrying other sidearms before are "grandfathered" to still carry what they was. The Highway Patrol around here carry a Sig 226. Seen one of the Sheriff Deputies that carrys a Ruger P345.
 
Most agencies are issuing firearms these days and those that don't issue generally have a prescribed list of acceptable handguns. My agency issues SW M&P 45 pistols, but some of the corrections guys are still carrying revolvers. In my 30+ years behind the badge, I've been issued SW66, SW60, 1911, Beretta 92, and now I'm issued an M&P45. I also carried a SW28 for a while. I'm probably one of the few cops in the US who has never fired a Glock, but I'm told that over 60% of all police officers in the US use Glock pistols.
 
In Wyoming I have personally seen Glock 22 .40 S&W the most (most municipal departments including Laramie and Gillette). Rock Springs carries Sig 226, unknown caliber. Wyoming Highway Patrol carries Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W as of late last year, previously Glock 22. There's a wide variety in sheriffs' offices. I've seen a few Colt 1911s - one particularly gorgeous stainless one next to 4 mags, and a few scattered HKs and a Beretta.

Most prevalent, same as nationally, is the Glock 22.
 
Local PD, and SO carry issued Glock 22 in .40 S&W. Texas Highway Patrol carries Sig 226 in .357 Sig. Some of the troopers with smaller hands are allowed to substitute with I believe the 229 in .357 Sig.

One of the smaller departments thier officers carry S&W M&P 45. They had to purchase them thier selves. (One of the LG's sold them to the officers for a highly discounted price.) They were reimbursed for the purchase if they stayed with the department for 18 months.
 
While I was working for my local sheriff's department we had to carry the S&W 4006. No exceptions.

The local department here is a free for all, but if you like, they will issue you a new S&W M&P9, .40, or .45.
 
Had cops come out to my business. Place next door broken into, and wanted to know if he could look at our cameras. He was carrying a full size 1911 with nice grips. I told him he was the first officer I have seen carrying a 1911, and that it looked like a nice gun. He said thanks, and that he was glad not to be forced to carry a gun he hated.
 
MPs and the security force on military installations carry Berretta 92s still. I laugh at them every time I see them. CID and others have moved on however. See them carrying Sigs depending upon where they are.
 
Glocks are the most popular. They became that because (1) they are reliable (2) they are cheap for departments (3) they are hi-cap, and (4) they marketed themselves very well when there were few, if any, having a comparable product. The M&P was built directly to compete with the Glock but, for many people, they are more ergonomic. However, bureaucracy is king so it's often hard to get departments to switch.

Departments and agencies do use other guns -- Sigs are fairly common, for example. And as others have noted, some agencies allow officers to choose their own or to choose among several options.
 
Around here most agencies issue Glock, S&W M&P, or Sigs. I know many of the local agencies will allow personal owned firearms to be carried, but the usual stipulations of good quality, and caliber restrictions. I carry a Colt 1911 on duty and a Hi Power off duty.

Around here the generally decide by price and then what they feel is best (what they want). Glock is almost always cheapest, and now S&W is giving them a run as time goes on with the M&P. With an officer price of $399, and sometimes cheaper, and agency price way below that its all about the bucks. If I had to defend a purchase of 20 glock 22's vs 20 Sig 229 it would be difficult. The Officer price list for Sig is here if your curious:

http://www.sigsauer.com/upFiles/CmsContent/documents/2012 Letterhead program.pdf

Glock 22 at 20 x $399 = 7980

Sig 229 at 20 x $705 = 14100

So there is a $6120 difference. Yes, the agency price is a good bit lower depending on how many you order at once, but its hard for some smaller agencies to justify the higher cost of a different firearm when their city council can look back at them and say, "Well XYZ, and ABC agencies are using a Glock, if you can get what you want for the same price you can have it, otherwise get the Glock."
 
Go to Europe and, apart from Glocks (which are like bloody cockroaches - no offense), you'll see a lot of CZs. Unless you're from ol' Blighty (like me) in which case all you'll see is a baton (and - OMG - now even pepper spray)!
 
US military/national guard MPs, sidearms....

This subject is common on many gun/tactics message boards.
In my opine, the Glock 22 .40S&W is by far, the most issued or authorized semi auto duty pistol nationwide.
Sworn LE officers in my area issue the DA/SA P226R 9x19mm with Ranger T 127gr +P+ JHP. The sworn deputies have used Glock 21s & 30s(BUGs-detectives). The State Troopers had the 96G .40 sidearms but converted to the Glock .45GAP.
Many small PDs & LE agencies use the Glocks or the SIG P229R in .40.
Beretta M9s & PX4s are rare where I live.
The MPs & USAF security forces(what was titled SPs for ages) still issue the Beretta M9 9mmNATO or the compact SIG P228/M11.
The US Navy's NCIS now issues the P229R DAK in .40S&W.
In a recent NY trip I saw a few uniformed(ACU) MPs wearing the M9s & a Glock 17 9x19mm. A SGT/E-5 told me national guard MPs sometimes buy or get Glock 17 model sidearms. I also saw a media report where the few remaining LA National Guard MPs in NOLA(Katrina storm areas) used Glock 34s & 17 9x19mm pistols.
The US Army moved away from the 5 shot J frames for MPI(investigations) & the USACIDC(special agents) in the early 1990s.
CF
ps; Some of the missions CIDC agents are assigned include PSD(personal security/bodyguard) details for DoD officals & general officers. This may include the family members or other VIPs on installations.
 
My agency has a great alternate weapon policy. In 15 years I've passed up issued HKs and Glocks to stay with my 1911a and XDs. Any quality name brand pistol in 40SW or 45ACP once its inspected by the arnorer will be approved for uniformed duty. Plain clothes guys can carry 9mm.

The office will issue 40 and 45 duty ammo, the 9mm is on your own.
 
I'm fortunate enough to work for a department that allows us to carry whatever we want as long as it is from a reputable manufacturer and is .40 or .45. There is a huge range including 1911's, glock 22, 23, 21, HK's, Sig 220, 226, 239, Beretta 96, a few XD/XDms, and M&P. I would say of all those about 30-40% carry glocks, probably because we can get them for super cheap.

My old department allows us to carry whatever we wanted as long as it was the department issued Glock 22.
 
When i was doing my internship for my Criminal Justice degree I did it with Maryland State police. All of the officers that i road along with carried Beretta PX4 Storms.
 
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