I need a new duty gun, but which one?

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mlk18

mlk18

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So it's time to put a new gun in the duty holster, I have a plethora of handguns available, but want something new. I am trying to decide between the Beretta 96G Elite II .40 w/ Night Sights or the Sig P226 .40 two-tone w/ the Sig Custom Shop "action enhancement package" & Siglite NS (possibly a DAK). I am all glocked out and am not a huge fan of Walther or H&K. But I have also considered buying a S&W 4506-1 / 4566 and sending it in to Novak for a duty action trigger job and bevel package. No matter which way I go, I would also buy a similar gun for off-duty carry to keep things as close to the same as possible (i.e. Sig P226 & a Sig P239). Just looking for some input from you good people, which way would you go? Thanks.

mlk18
 
Double action?

I assume you're limited to D.A., possibly DAO. For my money, the Sig's are really good. I don't shoot one, but my wife does and loves it. Accurate and well made. Hers is a small one, P232, but I don't imagine the quality will be any less with the larger frame/caliber handguns.
 
I'd lean toward the 4566 you mentioned over the other two (and I'm not sure it would necessarily need a trip to Novak--the TSWs are pretty good out of the box). Since you're looking at .40 S&Ws, why not the 4006? To me, it would be preferable to the two you named.
 
If it were me...
I'm not a big fan of the S&W semi auto's because the grips just don't fit me well. I am only so-so w/ SIG's because of a bad experience I had w/ one I owned a few years ago...
Now for the Beretta 96G Elite II that you mentioned...The Beretta is the nicest 40 cal I've fired. I learned to shoot using the 92fs so the 96 just feels very natural to me
Good luck w/ your selection
 
"I am trying to decide between the Beretta 96G Elite II .40 w/ Night Sights or "

I pretty much stopped reading after that. If you have the option of the Beretta Elite, why are you even considering anything else? Go with the Beretta as it is the best duty gun you can buy.
 
I'd get either a Para Ordnance Tac-Four,or,and I know everyone will laugh when they read this,give the Taurus 24/7 in 45acp a good look.I prefer it over my Tac-Four,and my HK USPf 45.Tac holds 13+1,HK 12+1.The 24/7 also holds 12+ ,shoots really nice,fits my smaller hands well,and it's NRA handgun of the year 2005,which isn't ALL bad... :D


I honestly can't figure how they fit 12+1 of 45acp in such a narrow grip,but it works... :confused:
 
I shoot a Beretta 96 regularly. Has never malfunctioned. Never. Accuracy is also very good. I have ten magazines, keep two loaded, rotate them biweekly. Feeds hollowpoints like candy.

rk
 
"...a new duty gun..." What duty? If you're a cop or a security type, you'll lug a pistol around more than you'll shoot it at work. Weight and your ability to shoot it is the only consideration. What are you using now and why do you think it needs replacing?
 
I just retired everything else I have to the safe in favor of Springfields XD9 series. I have two, a Tactical(5") and a Service(4"). By far the best imo. CZ contour grips, polymer frame weight, more accurate than anything else I have.
 
I am an LEO and senior firearms instructor. The department issues Glock 22's, but we can now carry anything that we purchase ourselves and can qualify on. I will attest to Glock's unyielding durability and reliability, but IMO it has the ergonomics of a 2x4. I also own several Glock 19's and a 35. The idea of a grip reduction has run through my mind several times, but I haven't made the leap. I am still researching and thank you all for your suggestions.
 
I personally would pick any GLOCK as my first choice for a duty gun but since you are Glocked out I would suggest going with either the SIG 226 or Beretta. Consider the SIG 229 which is big enough for a good duty gun but can also be concealed very well for off duty. I have shot several 229 in .40S&W and .357SIG and liked the .40 version very much. If grip size is an issue, consider the SIG 220 .45ACP if that is an option. The grip is a bit slimmer than the 226. If had to carry a .45, that would probably be the weapon I'd choose.

I remember going from using the department issued S&W .38 Special with no other choice to being told I could pick whatever I wanted as long as it was a semi-auto in 9mm, .40S&W or .45ACP. I nearly went crazy trying to figure out the best choice but ended up with a GLOCK 22 which I would pick again if I had the choice. I later went to a 9mm only department and used a GLOCK 19 which I liked a lot too since I could carry it off duty as well.

Good luck.
 
You eliminated my first two picks for a duty weapon (Glock and HK), but if you decide to with the best of the rest, a Beretta(Vertec 96 for me) would not be a bad choice. Personally I would probably go with one of the TSW series Smith's before a Sig, but I have just never gotten all that excited over Sigs so I am biased. Then again a LDA Para-Ord would probably get a serious look as well. Especially the double-stack .45 with the light rail.


W
 
were issued glock 22-.40 cal. im not a fan of any of the lightweight guns. i prefer a heavier frame. i would go with sig or hk. you dont like hk and have sigs. i know several departments here in ga that carried the beretta .40's. they had major problems with them. i think the elite corrected those problems, i believe they were firing pin and spring guide problems. check into the beretta .40 before you buy. like i said, ive heard alot of problems with them. a beretta rep i know said they fixed it but i cant remember which model he was referring to.
 
The S&W 4506 is a great gun, but heavy. I carried one for a few years. My nickname for it was "the boat anchor."
 
I think the Beretta 96 Elite is a super duty gun. My experiences have been its truly reliable and mine was extremely accurate. Of course, it too is heavy.
 
Beretta 96. I love mine. I like the balance it has and its size. Very reliable and since you don't need to conceal it...? I like the ambidextrous safety as I shoot relieably with either hand. The decocker is also handy.
 
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