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A Question for Law Officers.

futureswinefutureswine Member Posts: 12
edited August 2002 in General Discussion
This is my first post here.My friend say's he comes here from time to time to read your posts and if I have a question on Firearms this is the place.I am about to start the Police Academy here and I have to carry my own Firearm.I dont want to carry the one I own now because it is just a six shooter,I want a semi-automatic.I dont really know much about firearms and want to make a good selection.I want a .45 caliber and I am looking at a Springfield Armory Military-Spec right now but am concerned with carrying a single action on duty.Does anyone have any suggestions for me on what is optimum to carry?I also need suggestions on a back-up weapon.Should I be worried with the single action or is this ideal.Sorry for the ignorance on firearms but the only guns I have ever owned is a Shotgun and a Revolver.Thank You.

William Mcghee

Edited by - futureswine on 08/18/2002 02:00:40
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Comments

  • futureswinefutureswine Member Posts: 12
    edited November -1
    Also my price range is between $500.00-$600.00

    William Mcghee
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  • AlpineAlpine Member Posts: 15,092 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Sheriffs Department I retired from went to Glocks. I think you will find a varied opinion on this board on this subject, but I would recommend Glock. Not purty, but relible, and rugged.

    "If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."
    ?The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.?
    Margaret Thatcher

    "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
    Mark Twain
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Welcome the more you visit the more you will learn about guns.If its a .45 you want I have a Ruger P-97 that has been good to me so far and well under your price range.I think the most carried LEO gun is the Glock so you wouldnt be crazy to choose one but I think you can get a better easier shooting .45.You could maybe find a Beretta Cougar in that price range.The Glock 21 is the .45 model and the Glock 30 could be the back up because they shoot the same magazines.Good luck on your choice.

    Eric S. Williams
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  • E.WilliamsE.Williams Member Posts: 1,101 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another cheaper good quality .45 is the Ruger P-90.They are built like tanks.And is the big brother to the P-97.

    Eric S. Williams
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  • pickenuppickenup Member Posts: 22,844 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My suggestion, Sig or H&K.But find out what fits you. What feels right in your hand. Is it a natural pointer? Your life may depend on it. If you have to, go ahead and spend the extra $$$.

    If I knew then, what I know now.
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  • Wild BillWild Bill Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have you already been hired by an agency or do you know what agency you want to work for? If so, it would be a good idea to check with that particular agency and see what they will ALLOW you to carry. Very few, if any, departments will let you carry whatever you want.

    Once you get the list of firearms that the agency will allow, choose one off the list. You will probably do more firearms training in the academy than at any time after you graduate. Now is the time to practice with the firearm that you will actually be carrying on duty.

    "Gun control is not about guns; it's about control." "If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson."
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  • marinebadgermarinebadger Member Posts: 115 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am surprised I get to suggest this, I know all before me would
    have if it crossed their mind...
    If you don't have experience with the .45s then it is a really
    good idea to find a shooting range that rents guns out and shoot
    a few of the ones you may want to buy. You gotta buy one that feels
    good to you and that you can manage.
    Plus, it is fun to shoot other people's guns, it gives you a chance
    to see what you are missing.
    Best of luck to you, also browse through the other threads here and
    on "ask the experts" there are volumes of info to be had

    "a Freudian slip is when you say one thing and mean amother"
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  • njretcopnjretcop Member Posts: 7,975
    edited November -1
    Did anybody mention a



    GLOCK

    Charlie

    "It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com
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  • Matt45Matt45 Member Posts: 3,185
    edited November -1
    To the best of my limited knowledge, the Glock 21 is one of the most accepted pistols as far as L.E. Agencies are concerned, but-Follow Bill's advice, get ahold of the authorized carry list first. I also second Marinebadger's recommendation of going to a rental type range- no better way to find out than to shoot 'em next to one another.

    Good Luck!

    Matt

    Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I second the Glock 21 notion, and of course you must select a gun that is permitted by the department you will work for. Unless you have "compact" hands, in which case the G21 may be a little too big for you to grip properly. All it takes is holding one in your hand to find out.

    The trigger pull out of the box on a Glock is only 5.5 pounds, which is about the same as any single action, and the Glock can be safer for a new shooter to carry, but you must learn the drill carefully about keeping the trigger free, especially reholstering with a round in the chamber. Glocks are also very reliable. I think they make great "first" duty guns. Isn't there also a single stack 6+1 .45 model now that is more compact in the grip? And they are well within your price range (around $519 retail), which the Sig might not be, unless you have a local dealer who gives LEO's a discount.

    Also, it is legal for you to buy double-stack magazines once you become an LEO. If you select the Glock, you can choose higher capacity magazines than some of the single stack models being discussed. I have even seen distributors offering "LEO's only" high capacity magazines at the old pre-ban prices, and Glock mags are only $25 apiece when not inflated by the market.

    Last I heard, about 60% of U.S. law enforcement officers carry Glocks. If you change departments, it's likely to be able to go with you.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you already have a job lined up find out what that agency issues its Officers and buy and train with that Sidearm.If you dont already have a job lined up.I recommend a Glock 22 .40 auto.


    Best!!

    Rugster


    Toujours Pret
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    rugster is a little more right than I am, in the sense that more departments have approved the .40 S&W for duty carry, probably, than the .45. A G22 in .40 would likely serve well no matter where you work, but you did ask about a .45.

    - Life NRA Member
    "If cowardly & dishonorable men shoot unarmed men with army guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary...and not by general deprivation of constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
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  • futureswinefutureswine Member Posts: 12
    edited November -1
    I didnt think to put that in my original post but I have fired .45 pistols from time to time at the range and love the way they shoot.I have fired only one Smith and Wesson .40caliber pistol and didnt like the feel of the round.I have been able to shoot the .45's as well as my .357 Revolver.I looked through some of these auctions and have seen a couple I like.Would that Ruger P-90 be sufficient to carry or is it not a reliable enough weapon?I went this morning to a Sporting Goods store and held a few different firearms some I liked some I didnt.I liked the P-90 and I really liked a Glock 20 that is in 10mm they had but they did not have a Glock 21 so I dont know the feel of one just yet.They also had a Sig Pro in a round called .357Sig and the guy said is the same as the .357magnum.Is this true?If so I think thats what I will go with .357magnum is what I own now and have shot many rounds from.Thanks for input,any more suggestions?

    William Mcghee

    Edited by - futureswine on 08/18/2002 14:59:46
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  • doomsknight62doomsknight62 Member Posts: 239 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    USP Compact, .45 caliber. It is compact, easy to conceal, and still fits big hands like mine. Try one out, if you haven't already- you'll be impressed.

    " God is in His Heaven, All is Right in the World. "
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The .357sig is not the same as a .357 Mag.And yes the Ruger P90 is a very Good Handgun.One Agency in my area carries it as their sidearm.But I dont think any Departments issue the Revolver much any more other than back up weapons.Most Depts.Issue the weapon you will be carring not all but over 90% do.You would be lucky to carry the Firearm of your choice.Were issued the Sig P229 .357sig,and allowed to carry the back up weapon we qualify with.We carried the Glock22 for years,but I have became fond of the Sig.

    Rugster


    Toujours Pret
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  • joeaf1911a1joeaf1911a1 Member Posts: 2,962 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 1911A1 in .45 would be my choice. (Mod 70 type) . Nothing
    simpler, and more dependable than its forign counterparts. Even
    many Special Forces are going back to it. Proven for almost 100
    years of combat service. Glocks, H&K, and all the rest come and go,
    but the 1911a1 is still the best. Time tested and proven.
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  • snarlgardsnarlgard Member Posts: 1,310 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I also like the 1911a1 but a lot of the dept. here will not allow them too scary having a cocked and locked weapon avable.
    and the only way to carry a 1911a1 for imediate use is cocked and locked
    so most deptments will not allow a single action

    but the best bet is to check with where you are planing to go to work and see just what they will allow

    SMILE...MAKE EM WONDER WHAT YOUR UP TO
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