What gun for a police cadet?

H&K or SIG.

H&K full sized or compact model in Variant#1.

Sig 226.

Both are premium weapons. I prefer the H&K.

Forget the Glock.

12-34hom.
 
Do you have any idea which department you will be working with once you finish your classes? If so, I'd find out if they have issued weapons and start from there. Won't do you much good to learn to use a Glock effectively if they stick a Beretta 92 on your hip once you report for work.

If it's a more enlightened department that allows you to supply your own weapon, then the number of options is staggering and can only really be addressed by you, some money out of your pocket, and some time at the range with rentals. For my money, any pistol that meets your criteria from Glock, Sig, H&K, Ruger, CZ, or Walther would do you just fine.
 
if you're a value conscious person like myself (read broke!), try a Ruger. Heck, even if you have a gob of money, get a Ruger! My P95 is an excellent gun that, while not having the prestige of being a Sig, HK, Beretta, etc, is more than capable of standing on its own with the "big boys" of the semi-auto world.
 
I'm also a Ruger owner and I agree its a good gun FOR THE MONEY. However, fit and finish is night and day between a Ruger P-Series and the higher end pistols (ie Sigs). For example, I've got lots of side to side slop in my P97 trigger, frame rattle, and visible tool marks. These flaws really make the gun feel cheap, although it does perform very well as far as accuracy goes. Compare that with my Sigs, and the Sigs have much better fit and finish. So, if you've got the money, I'd say its definitely worth it to buy a higher end pistol--especially if you are like me and appreciate the little things such as fit/finish (even if they don't affect functioning). If you don't have the money, the Ruger is a good starting out pistol and is a good value FOR THE MONEY. Don't expect them to be in the same league as HK's, Sigs, et cetera though. ;)
 
I own a CZ 85 Combat but I think I'd see what the department uses or stick to SIG or GLOCK, maybe Beretta. It would be helpful to have a departmental armorer that can work on the pistol, and while the CZ, for example, is very straightforward, it isn't as common as a US LEA service weapon.

A lot of manufacturers have LEA discounts, so be sure and check with Sigarms and or Glock before you buy. I know the Glock discounts are big, and I think they are as much as 30% for SIG.
 
I'd probably pich the Sig 226 if I where in your shoes.

But any of the options mentioned here should serve you well.
 
Well, $500 later I'm the proud owner of a lightly used H&K USP 9mm. The grips and natural point were the best of the pistols I tried out, and the price was a little lower than the used Sig P226 or the new Ruger P95 that were my other two favorites. I'm going to take it out for the first time tomorrow, and get used to firing it. Any ammo recommendations for practice? I don't want to put a bunch a crappy cartridges through it, but I don't want to spend thirty bucks for every box, either.
 
Paladin

How could that HK be less than a Ruger P95? What are they charging in NY? It should have been around $350 to $375, and that's still fairly expensive!

Chris
 
Good luck w/ the H&K. Had you not already purchased or for others in the same boat:

I say find out what the department issues, and get a copy of that.
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I too agree with David. If by chance they do not issue weapons find out what most of their officers carry and go with that.

It may very well be a Glock, if so your choice would be 19 or 17. In my case I would choose the 19. Its slightly smaller so may be more handy for off duty/non-uniformed wear. I would also avoid the C (compensated) model, it doesn't seem to help that much and may have an additional negative effect on night vision.

On the subject of night vision, get night sights on whatever weapon you end up getting.
 
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