Bang around duty gun for armored car work.

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kd7nqb

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Currently I work as an unarmed security officer in Portland. I have been looking at moving companies, a buddy of mine works for a local armored car company and could put in a good word for me.

Long story short they will issue me a duty gun (a .357 revolver if I am correct) but encourage the use of my own duty weapon. Currently my primary handgun is my M&P .40, I love this gun but I have heard from several armored car guys that your duty gun gets banged around a bunch. Ranging from getting in and out of the truck to the much dreaded door frame. This makes me think that I dont want to subject my glorious M&P to this.

So the options start to mount, one option that I considered is an LEO trade in Glock or a CPO Sig. I wish I could find a used M&P but those seem to be very rare right now.

Somebody then suggested getting a cheaper gun like a Kel-tec P-11. I prefer the .40 or .45acp but dont really want to start a caliber war here so I will say for the purpose of discussion 9mm or larger will work.

Of course I want something reliable and suited for duty use, I am not sure that the Kel-tec is large enough for what I want.

Also I hate to say it but the chances of pulling my duty weapon is very low so while accuracy is important I dont need to be able to shoot MOA with my handgun.

Of course if any of you would like to donate your Kimber or Springfield 1911 to a poor college student your more than welcome to PM me.

So any suggestions.

One option that I thought of while typing this is to keep my M&P and just make sure to get a holster that covers it more than a standard duty holster.

Finally does anybody have experience, how much "banging around" should really be expected in this line of work?
 
Honestly, just stick to what you know. If you are familiar with the M&P40 then use the M&P40. If you don't want your gun to show use, then use another M&P40.

It will point naturally for you and you know the manual of arms. You will be comfortable and confident with it. The are not encouraging you to use your own gun without reason; while unlikely it is entirely possible that you will actually have to use your firearm. Thats why you get paid the big bucks. Stick with what you know.
 
Take the M&P. It's a damn fine gun and honestly, it's plastic. Not like it's a beauty queen like a deeply blued hi-power with cocobolo grips. If it gets a little dinged up, who cares so long as it doesn't effect function.
I LOVE my M&P and I'd pick it for that duty.

Another option i'd consider is getting an old S&W 5906. or the .40cal version. also great guns.

But if they'll give you a .357mag and let you beat up THEIR gun rather than yours, why the hell bring your own gun?
 
I think you should drag your M&P around behind your car until its nice and ugly. Then you will still have a good tool that you won't feel bad about banging around.
 
some state laws/ company policy require the weapon to be a revoler, if that is the case I'd get real friendly with one.
 
some state laws/ company policy require the weapon to be a revolver, if that is the case I'd get real friendly with one.
Click to expand...

Nope, in this case they have a list of approved weapons with the last line reading something to the effect of "or any gun approved by management" and it ends up being any gun thats in major power factor (to use the IPSC term) or 9mm. No .380's and the like. Apparently their is one guy who carries a chrome Desert Eagle but he is the rarity.
 
Just do what a lot of the cops do: buy another guy in the same make and model. They let the duty gun get bashed to death, and keep the 2nd gun for house duty and range work.

Personally, my g26 (which gets carried daily) shows a fair amount of slide wear in the 3 years I've been carrying it, but it still goes bang, so thats all i ask of it.
 
I used to do armored work and the reason for a revolver is in case you have to shoot out of a port in the truck. An auto casing will jam the slide, if you fire inside one of the ports. I would look at an 8 shot thunderranch .45 ACP revolver. Those scandium frames are nice.
 
i would get a s&w model 65 4" to use for that sort of duty... a rubber pachmier (sp) grip and a load of 158 gr jsps and you're ready to rock an roll ...as they say........................
 
Don't woory about getting your weapon "broken in".

A guy with one wornout, holster worn, and scratched up weapon is pretty scary. He might have actually shot the damn thing enough to be good with it!

22lr
 
It's just a gun. Unless you M&P has some kind of sentimental value just use that. Get the best vest you can afford also.
 
I'm with the others. You already know the M&P. Use the M&P. If you don't want to use your current M&P, buy another M&P.


-T.
 
I've been working for Loomis, Loomis/Fargo for four years. I currently carry the Glock 21 SF. It does get knocked around some but so far has not shown any ill effects. Brinks currently issues the S&W MP in 40 and some of them I have talked to are happy with them. I agree with what others have said, buy another to carry at work and keep one for looking nice.
 
It's against Brinks company policy to shoot out of the "gun ports;" other companies may have similar policies. We called them "Marlboro ports." That's not to say you won't be well-served by a revolver, if you like them, but I wouldn't consider the ability to fire out of the gun ports a priority.

I'd second a Smith & Wesson third generation pistol like the 5906 or 4006. They'll hold up to the daily duties of that sort of work quite well, and with so many used examples out there for great prices, you won't be tempted to baby it.
 
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Shotgun is for gunports, but the chane exists. The best gunport weapon is the Bushmaster M17s with high rise red dot - there is no way to aim out a gun port. I've tried.
Use what you are comfortable with, get a good retention holster and PRACTICE accessing it wearing the vest, carrying the coal bag, etc. Start practicing shooting while dropping the bag, shooting one handed, etc.
 
The most important thing is to get GOOD with whatever it is that you are going to carry. I like that company's policy - "carry whatever darn thing you want, as long as it's reasonable, we'll back you up." Makes sense.

One of the best handgunners I ever met was a little lady who worked on an armored truck. She had one (1) stainless S&W .357 revolver, hammer spur removed. She could do ANYTHING with that gun. Draw, shoot, hit anything. Just phenomenally accurate, and fast.

She spent 2-3 hours every Saturday morning burning through as much ammo as she could.

Don't have a clue how old she was -- mid fifties was my guess, but I'm not dumb enough to ask a lady her exact age, let alone one who schooled me on the proper use of a double action revolver. If she took a job today, I'm sure that she'd just take that issue revolver, make sure it was clean and worked, and go to work.

I would do what that lady did -- whatever gun you decide to use, try to wear it out at the range. Much more important than what gun it actually is. Just a suggestion.
 
I have heard from several armored car guys that your duty gun gets banged around a bunch.
Click to expand...
Really? Duty guns see use?

If you aren't going to use your M&P, why is it your primary gun at all? You bought it, and probably had in mind "I may need to trust my life to this firearm" as a criteria. So, you're asking us which sub-par gun you don't own already, which one you should trust your life to?

Use the M&P. You have it, it's familiar, and you bought it to use it, so use it.
 
A working gun is a tool. Wear what you have confidence in, if it gets beat up (character), buy another to sit at home and keep pretty.

I have a personal gun that has come unholstered and skidded across a parking lot during a foot chase, had the rear sight broken off during an altercation, been immersed in water and covered in mud/sand. It is not pretty; the finish is nearly worn off and it has much character. It has been religiously maintained, eats everything, goes bang when I pull the trigger, and puts bullets where I intend for them to go. I'll take that over a pretty piece anytime.
 
I was going through the hiring process with Loomis. They were only paying $11/hr for me to be a target. I'm glad they didn't call me back, even after all the testing procedures.
 
If I were in your position, I'd carry a S&W Model 66 Combat Magnum with a 4" tube. As a backup/hideout piece, I'd use a Colt Detective Special.

They both use the same speedloaders. Load the Magnum with 125/158 gr JHP, and keep every speedloader full of the .38+P FBI load.

But, you should probably choose the sidearm you are most proficient with, and willing to bet your life on.
 
I'm gonna add my vote along with the other folks here who are suggesting that you just use your current M&P. I know you love it, but that's no reason to keep it pretty. Get some good use out of it, treat it like it deserves to be treated. You already know how to work it, and (I assume) are pretty comfortable with it - why ruin a good thing?

And besides, if you really, really feel the need to have a pristine pistol, you can use the fact that this one is all scuffed up to buy yourself another one to keep safe. :)
 
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