LE Weapons of choice

Grazhoppa

I am interested in a career in law enforcement. I have been coming to this site for a long time, learning as much as possible about firearms. I would like some opinions on what is the best sidearm for LE personel. If anyone could give me some advice i would be very greatful. Thanks

Laredo Lefty

Welcome to the forum, hoppa.....
There are numerous firearms used in LE these days. Back when I started in LE we carried revolvers for the most part. Then there was a mass exodus to autos in the early 80's

The most common guns in LE these days are Glock, Beretta, Sig Sauer, H&K. I teach firearms at a local academy, and those are what we are seeing coming through.

I would suggest going to a range that rents handguns and trying out some of the models I mentioned. See what feels good in your hand, you shoot well, and can operate with relative ease.

Once you settle on a model you like, you should practice a lot.
I use a Glock 21 .45 auto for on duty, and the model 19 9mm off duty.

"Never let school interfere with your education"

Contender Man

Hi and Welcome!

Many departments stipulate certain pistols for duty and off-duty, others just the duty pistol. Smaller departments are generally more open with some still permitting revolvers. And most departments will permit select small frame revolvers for off-duty.

If your submitting applications to larger departments with their own training academy they will address the firearm choices. If your considering private training academies, put the question to the schools that you are looking at as you will probably have to purchase your sidearm and your better off to go w/ one that is recommended by the school.

As for gaining familiarity with different handguns, as suggested there are many ranges that have rentals, so you can starting building a knowledge base of what is available.



If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!

Jim Rau

I spent 26 years 'on the street' in a 'blue and white'. The first 17 I was armed with a S&W Model 19, 4". In 88 we went to a S&W 5906.
I now am a reserve officer here in AK and am required to carry a Glock 22. As stated above most are semi-autos now, the Glock, because it is so cheap and the marketing so intence, is probaply the most prevelent, but NOT THE BEST. Another 'myth' is that a 45 is best, it is not. With the 'best' ammo in any of the top cals (9m/m, 357 Sig, or 45ACP or GAP) when hit properly they all stop the fight about the same. If you have the opertunity to pick your own weapon find the one you have the most confidence in that fits into the agency policy you are emploied by and use the 'best' ammo avaliable.

Self defence is an ablsolute and natural right. Keep your powder dry! J. Rau, Alaska

gap1916

Here in New Mexico most are using Glocks in .40 S&W or 357sig. Some are using the 10mm. We are a rural state. My 2 cents [8D]

Greg
Former Marine
A N G L I C O

Mooseyard

Grazhoppa, try this website. www.officer.com go to the forums section, they have an entire area about firearms. It is mostly officers or like me officers in training that are on the board.

nmyers

Within the last few years the majority of departments buying new guns have picked .40 S&W over other calibers by at least 3 to 1.

But, I wouldn't worry about it for now. The majority of departments train new officers as if they had never held a gun before (sometimes that IS the case). They will make the selection of gun & caliber; all you have to do is be willing & able to learn.

Neal

scrum

A lot of CA departments are requiring double action automatics (Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Huntington Beach all to my knowledge), and from what I have heard this is the preference in more and more departments in Orange County, CA. I would check your prospective department/agency's requirements as they are generally available from the recruitment contact for legitimate inquiries. That way you can begin practicing with the appropriate weapon before entering the academy.

mkirkland

I say get a glock and a sig sauer even if you don't end up in LE you will have two fun excellent firearms.

mkirkland

I say get a glock and a sig sauer even if you don't end up in LE you will have two fun excellent firearms.

CFPython

The department makes me carry a Glock .40. My weapon of choice would still be my Colt Python .357 backed up with a small frame revolver in .38 or .357 in an ankle rig and my dept. issued Mini-14 for serious problems.

The only thing worse than lawbreakers, are lawmakers.