What to do for a new duty pistol?

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
21

If you absolutely positively must go out and buy your own gun to go through the academy (still find it hard to believe) I will make this recommendation to you…

Go buy either a Glock 17/19 or a S&W M&P 9mm new in the box. My own choice would be the 19 as I find it easier to conceal and I like carrying the same gun all the time if I can. Slap a set of nightsights on it (if it doesn’t come with them) and call it a day.

Why 9mm? Because it is generally easier and cheaper to shoot than 40 S&W and you loose very very little in terms of ballistic performance. Being cheaper means you can practice more which means you will ultimatley be more proficient (so long as you practice solid methods).

If you must have a 40 S&W then go with the M&P. I was an armorer at a Glock 22 agency and have owned three of them in the past (note I said “past”) myself. There are well documented issues with that particular Glock model. I’m currently issued a S&W M&P 40 and think it’s a great gun (just went through the armorers class with DocGKR in fact).

Ultimately you’re going to do what you want, but thought I’d throw in my 2 cents worth :wink:

22

I had to provide my own weapon for my academy.

23

That’s not uncommon.

24

…then take a look at what possible hiring agencies issue/allow and let us know what’s on the list. If potential hiring agencies will allow a 9mm Glock, that’s a simple answer. If they will allow 9mm Glocks but won’t pay for anything but .40 ammo, look at good .40’s like the M&P or the Sig P229, etc.

25

I’m sorry you guys had to pay for your own stuff. In my opinion that’s pretty sad that they make you do that. Generally the academies around here (Northern CA) get the local agencies’ old equipment to use (guns, belts, batons, vests, cars, etc). That stuff usually gets auctioned off, sold for little to nothing or thrown away. It just makes sense to equip the academies with it so that non-affiliated students don’t have to fork out their own money.

26

I just graduated the academy and landed my first job in a small borough (its a PA thing) and got another kick in the nuggets. I have to provide EVERYTHING. I was given a badge and some uniform patches. Thats it. Everything else is on my dime.

Back to the original topic. I used a Glock 17 for my academy and also on duty. I shot it very well and could not be happier with its performance. I got my balls busted for using a 9mm but I also got top shooter in the class. Get something you can shoot well and get accurate hits fast.

27

<Hijack>
When I started, I got a single hand-me down uniform shirt from a senior officer, and waited three months for two more. I provided everything else. I made about eight bucks an hour. My patrol car ran. Most of the time. Still, I was still happier than heck to be there, and I would’ve done it for less.

The new guys have a great wage and benefit package, and get everything issued except their underwear and wristwatch. They still find plenty to whine about.
</Hijack>

Back to the tread…

28

I started at $8.73 an hour in a refurbished Caprice Classic that was in worse condition than when it was sent out.

I graduated the police academy ¶ in 1998 and had to provide my own weapon and duty gear.

29
30

rugbymike,

Carefully contemplate what kaltblitz has wisely written above…

31

Roger that, noted.

32

Im pulling in $8.50/hr right now. I am so happy to have this job with the way the LE market is right now in PA.

33

Your Mom carries a 1911? :smiley:

34

Hahaha yup, she lovers her 1911. She was shooting it one day when my dad passed her an XDM 9, she said “The XDM flet so icky!! I felt like I was shooting a toy”

35

When discussing handguns for LEO usage, don’t get hung up on the caliber.

If your agency choses the caliber for you, then it’s a non-issue. But if you can choose, please remember this. Shot placement is of much more importance than 9mm vs. 40 vs. 45, when comparable ammunition is used in all three calibers.

With that said, you might find the 9mm better for your needs, as ammunition is cheaper and recoil management is a bit easier, in the same type of firearm.

I’d strongly suggest you look at a Glock 17 or a M&P 9. Either would serve your need well.

36

Quote:
“Finally I’d get a Springfield 1911, shot it in my free time to break it in and once reliable I’d retire my Glock and carry the 1911.”

This quote tells me you have some learning to do.

The biggest issue when switching from a Glock to a 1911 is not something as simple as breaking in the 1911, its becoming proficient with a 1911.

Whats that mean?? Let me give you my own story.

I’ve been shooting IDPA since it began in 1998. I’m decent, I made Expert with my Glock 34. Everything I’ve shot in the last 10 yrs has been some form of Double Action Only. (Glock 34, Kahr PM9, S&W 340 J frame)

I bought my second 1911 this summer. (the first was a terribly loose colt that I hated) It was a Les Baer and it is amazing. I love shooting that gun.

Would I carry it?? NO freaking way. Why? Because I AM THE WEAK LINK.

After 10+ years of DAO it is just beginning to become intuitive for me to sweep the safety off without thinking.

More importantly I am NOT consistently sweeping the safety back ON when I come off target. It all has to happen in the subconscious if you are going to carry a 1911 effectively. I am not yet ready.

Also, simply going to the range and blasting away will not get me ready either. Competition, stress, is the fastest way to burn this stuff into your mind.

The problem I’m having with IDPA or anything like it, is you never holster on the clock and you never holster a 1911 with the hammer back. So I am not getting practice sweeping the safety on.

As others have said, with any quality gun, you will be the weak link. Work on that.

37

There are some unanswered questions for anyone to even be able to make decent recommendations;

Do you need to provide your own pistol for this academy? (I assume so)

Do you have an agency in mind already, and if so, what do they carry?

Do you need to provide your own ammo for this academy class?

If you have to buy your own gun and ammo, and I assume holster, etc., then I’d strongly advise getting a Glock 17.

If you go to an agency where you can pick your own duty weapon then you are already set. If you go to an agency that only authorizes a Glock 22 but you have to buy your own gear, you can either keep the G17 as a training weapon and carry the G22, or just trade the G17 in for a G22 if you are short on money.

If agencies in your area have gone to the M&P, then the 9mm version of those would be indicated as a better choice perhaps.

All of the above would still apply if you bought a Glock 19, and you would also have a great off-duty gun out of the deal.

38

A Glock 17 is the best value. It is basically nuke-proof and is available for a reasonable cost. It is likely that your department will issue you some Glock variant anyway. And if they don’t, it will likely be one of its descendants. If they end up issuing you a .40 then you will have no problem transitioning, and you can always trade a Glock later.