What would you pick?

B

bobby_lori

New member
Your new police department lets you pick your duty weappon. What would you pick from the below list of duty weapons and why? Please take into consideration the size and weight issue. You will use this for duty and also off duty carry. I know everyone is going to say "get a Glock". However, the Glock is not up for consideration. I interested in seeing how law enforcement officers think.
1. Beretta 96 .40
2. S&W 4003TSW .40
3. Sig Sauer P-229 .40
4. H&K USP-40 .40 (Full Size)
5. H&K USP-40 .40 (Compact)
Thanks for helping in this survey.

This is aimed at LE Officers, but anyone please feel free to answer.
 
Sgt. 830,

All .40s, huh?

If you were just going to use it for duty, I'd say get the H&K USP .40 full size. Since off duty carry is an issue, I'll say go for the H&K compact. Why? 13 rounds, relatively light weight, reliable, accurate, durable, cocked and locked carry, and ambidextrous controls.

Of the firearms listed I shoot the H&Ks the best, so I am biased. Also, for the record, I am not LE.

Shake
 
I would pick the fullsize USP 40. You have the weight advantage of having a polymer frame along w/ the advantage of the LEO mags which I believe is 13+1. There is the accessory rail already built into the frame and if you are so inclined, the ability to carry cocked and locked. Let's see, what else...oh, +p+ capable. These puppies are over built like you wouldn't believe. :cool:
 
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I have been carrying Beretta DAO's for 10 years, first a 92D, now a 96D, on and off duty. I can carry almost anything I want, but I like the Beretta. The trigger is very smooth, smoother than the DA/SA version of the same gun. The 5 inch barrel delivers velocities in line with, or better than, published velocities for cartridges I have run through it.
 
Don't pick the HK's for off duty - the frame feels like sand paper against your skin. Even if you put a hogue slip on (or bike inner tube) some of the grip won't be covered. The Sig is fine if you put on Hogue grips however the Sig 229 is probably the thickest of the bunch especially where it rides on the waist (the Sig buldges out at the slide release). The Beretta will work but the frame mounted safety will take a little getting used to digging into your side and of course it is a big gun in general. Same with S&W regarding the safety. I couldn't carry the S&W - for some reason that gun on my hip, independent of holster, hurt my lower back. Go figure?
 
HK USP .40 Compact, especially if it had to be my off-duty piece as well. I have never seen any appreciable difference in shootability between compact and full-size versions of the newer designs. For example, if the Glock WAS on the list I'd choose the 23 over the 22.

All in all, I'd rather be allowed to carry a 1911 .45 Auto. :)
 
All other things being equal, I like the H&K grips. You never have to worry about it slipping at all, and the sandpaper-like texture doesn't bother me. Try holding one if you're concerned.
 
Hello Sgt.

From your approved list, the Sig-Sauer P229 .40.
From my approved list, a Sig-Sauer P220A .45ACP.

Personal note: The P220A has saved my bacon since
the late 80's; in over 20 years as a LEO. So, why
change now; right?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
Naturally, I'm going to say HK hands down... but then I am bias'ed too.

It's lighter and shorter than the Beretta's, lighter than the Sig's, and since I'm a big time leftie, I very much appreciate the extremely ambi-ness of the HK. Never had an issue with the grip being too painful for me to carry. But if it were, there's always AGrip.

As for full or compact, there's only 1/2" difference in length, another 1/2" of grip length, and a bit smaller grip circumference in the Compact, so that would not be a consideration.

What WOULD sway me between the two is this... Could you possibly talk your dept. into the new LEM trigger? The idea of making the HK trigger better is SOOO appealing to me, and they're currently only available in the compact version. Since you guys are LEO's, the "full-cap availability" is not an issue as it was for me.
 
Ya know, I've owned all those guns, and since sold them all. Not that they were all bad, it's just that Glock thing. That being said, my first choice would be the HK full size. I carry a Glock 20 now, and have no problems concealing it - I'm only 5'10" 155. So you can conceal that full size HK. If you need some tips, shoot me an e-mail. It ain't that hard - and I carry the Glock 20 with the 6"barrel, too.

Big reason HK, for me, is cocked and locked carry and reliability. they are top notch.

The Beretta is a nice gun too, and would be tied with the HK C for my second choice.

I hate the decocker on the Sigs, and maybe I just have bad luck with them, but my Sigs, 226 and 229 both had issues; they malfunctioned a lot, even with FMJ ammo. Only the P220 is a 100% reliable gun in MY experience.

SW? I just hated everything about that gun - it jammed, tough to get mags for it for some reason, front sight fell off, poor customer service, not really that accurate, etc.

Tom
 
First of all, I'm not a LEO.

That being said, I'd go with the Sig 229. I have one. It's a great gun. Second choice, USPc (got one too, but in 9mm).

Like DSK, I prefer the mid-sized guns (ie, Glock 19/23) over full sized guns (ie, Glock 17/22). You generally give up 2 rounds, but get a much more concealable package. Furthermore, I have small to medium hands, and the mid-sized guns just fit me better.

Both the 229 and the USPc in .40 give you 12+1 rounds with LEO mags (you can get non-LEO 12 rounders for the sig, but not the USPc). Both are built like tanks (though the Sig's finish will chip easily), both are accurate, while the HK's trigger is nice the Sig's is excellent, good sights, lots of available leather (probably more duty leather for the Sig), good grips on the HK and excellent grips on the Sig, etc.

I have a Beretta and love it, but it's big for concealed carry. I just don't like S&W autos (though I love the revolvers).
 
On and off duty I think my choice would be the Sig 229 (though to be fair I have zilch experience with the USP, never even held one).

Not sure how well the one gun for on duty and off duty carry goes over. I believe NYPD uses the G-19 which could fill both roles, but even so they approve some Kahr's and other smaller guns for offduty which I suspect (JMHO) that most officers take advantage of once the novelty wears off.
 
I'd suggest narrowing the field to the P229 and USP compact. You may want to rent both at a range and see which feels better to you. Both are great choices for on- and off-duty carry. My personal choice from your list would be the P229. It has a great law enforcement track record and feels better to me than the USP. And if I have to carry plastic, I prefer Glocks.
 
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