Bang around duty gun for armored car work.

If you really are a poor college student, you should either use the .357 they issue or use the gun that you have, not go out and spend hundreds of $$$ to buy another gun. I say carry your .40 and do not worry about it.

As for the opinion that you are going to give them the money anyway...we had a situation in NH years ago where an armored car was robbed. The BG's started by shooting, not asking. There were fatalities on the armored car. All of the guards were killed, if I recall correctly. This was in a bank parking lot in broad daylight. You may have to shoot if you take this job.

In Cambridge MA a few years ago, a guard blew out the window of a get away car with a 9 mm. I believe that he fatally injured a BG, maybe two. You may have to shoot if you take this job.

I'd use the S%W you have, you are used to it and you just may have to use it to defend your life. Then I'd go the several sites with used weapons and buy another. On AR15.com there are at least 5 of them for sale or trade. In three or four months you can afford one. Go to American General Finance if you have to. Another idea is to go to the CDNN catalogue and get 2 S%W 910's and 3 high cap mags for them. Use them, they are extremly dependable handguns. I'm ordering one now.

CPO SIG-sauer DAK model or a Ruger DA only P series

I can relate to what you are saying. Last fall I worked briefly for a prisoner transfer/escort service and needed to be armed with a 9mmNATO sidearm. I considered buying a new Beretta or SIG-sauer DAK model but because of the same working environments as you wrote about, considered a simple DA only used pistol like a Ruger P-93 or Beretta 92D.

Whatever you pick, go with a DA only type design(hammer fired). Glocks are good and I also like the S&W military and police series but for duty use I'd still pick a well made DA only weapon; HK LEM type, SIG DAK, Beretta 96/92 D, etc.
If you hold someone at gunpoint it's safer than SA and a DA only design prevents false claims that you "fired by accident" or had an AD. Hammer fired designs allow you to hold the hammer down when you reholster, this is a safe way to holster. Many sworn LEOs/PDs use these types of pistols for the same reasons.

Rusty S

Either use your M&P or buy a used Glock. A used Glock is the exact definition of "bang around duty gun."

Personally, if it was me, I'd use the M&P and use the money I had to buy a good vest instead of a new gun. But, if you are going to buy a gun anyway, go with the Glock.

Use your MP FS and get some good leather for it to protect it.

I bought a G19 NIB specifly to use as a beater. I looked into others, such as CZs or Sigmas, but I settled on the glock because of magazine availabilty.

If I were you, I'd use the M&P. My carry gun is a 5" Kimber, and was the best looking pistol I bought. After a few years of carry, its almost worst looking pistol I own, second only to the glock that I stippled. Dont bother me a bit.

My personal opinion, but if you're really that concerned about the wear and tear on your sidearm, stick with what they issue you. Assuming it's reliable, of course.

I've carried my personal weapon as a LEO for many years now, because the issue Beretta malfunctions during quals each year. I really really really wish they would either get new guns or replace my own Beretta with something reliable. Think about it, it's the company's gun getting banged around, if something happens to it it's their money and not yours, and if you should ever have to use it for real, it will be taken away for evidence.

Anyway, JMHO. If you're dead set on carrying your own, I would carry what you've got. If you're looking for a reason to get another gun, think Glock or Sig 9mm. Currently the best value going, IMO, is the Sig P6 German police surplus guns.

use what you have. it is a tax write off also.

cdnninvestments.com has used police tradeins of Smith & Wesson 4014's. Alloy frame, definate "charicter". Big drawback is only 8 rounds of single stack, but so far mine's been an acceptable weapon. Might work well as a "beater" gun.

However, I mostly agree with what everone is saying. Cincinnati Ohio PD uses M&P as a duty weapon so I'm sure your's will do just fine as one. Stick with the one you are counting on to save your life. Get REALLY comfortable with using it and carying it daily.

IMHO guns are for shooting not for looking. Any gun you carry will get holster wear and scratches and dings.

I agree with using the M&P. You know it works. You are familiar with its quirks. It's a gun you bought to protect your life, not an investment grade double rifle. Use it! And please, if you spend any additional money, buy the best quality body armor that you can possibly afford. Guns can be refinished or replaced. Your life cannot.

Take the issue gun. No sense beating up one of your own guns. Other than that you can get good deals on LEO trade ins that are already beat up. That way you won't feel guilty about it.

Rule of Thumb

If you feel the value of your life is $100.00 then by all means trust your life to a $100.00 gun.

Gee...it's only your LIFE. You're thinking of getting a CHEAP and possibly unreliable handgun (Keltec) because you may mar the finish? Did it ever occur to you to: 1) move carefully into and out of the armored car, and 2) get a holster that covers most of the gun while providing instant access?

You really, really need to stay in the unarmed security guard job. Your mindset is not appropriate for the armed position.

Now that the issue has been decided, here's my 2¢. I agree W/ the folks that are telling you to use the gun you have now, after all that is why you bought it.

That said, if I were going to buy a gun specifically for this position, I'd go W/ a good used CZ75B in .40 S&W. Good shooter, absolutely reliable, & the finish will take a beating W/ out showing it all that much

rough use/handguns...

Spidey here makes a great point; any handgun you pick will get a few nicks, dings, wear, etc. .

It's sad but true. As a large-framed American(and left handed, ), I can tell you my weapons have banged up a lot of car doors, seats, office chairs, etc. It's part of the job.

Rain/snow/bad weather can be a MFer too!

Rusty S

After spending 25 years on the patrol car circuit I retired and went to Brink's as a Driver Trainer. After 3 years with brinks I NEVER was unconscious of my self enough to have any risk of dinging my weapons. In 25 years getting in and out of a cop car I never dinged a weapon. My respectful suggestion is that if a person finds themselves in a place and time where they damage a weapon they should stop carrying a weapon immediately and never pick up another one. I have been retired for 12 years now and carry daily and STILL never ding a weapon. The thought sends chills up and down the support column.

order

a sig 225/p6. About $259 and its allready beaten up. But still a good gun.

After spending 25 years on the patrol car circuit I retired and went to Brink's as a Driver Trainer. After 3 years with brinks I NEVER was unconscious of my self enough to have any risk of dinging my weapons. In 25 years getting in and out of a cop car I never dinged a weapon. My respectful suggestion is that if a person finds themselves in a place and time where they damage a weapon they should stop carrying a weapon immediately and never pick up another one. I have been retired for 12 years now and carry daily and STILL never ding a weapon. The thought sends chills up and down the support column.

Click to expand...

You are an exception, not the rule.


-T.

Damn straight!

I've worked in many armed/uniformed positions. When I say "dings" I mean minor nicks, marks, scratches, etc. The sidearms I had still worked but they got banged up.
To tell members here "not to pick up another weapon" is a little harsh.

Yes, you can protect your weapon(s) with quality duty gear but you are not going to stop every little bit. My Hogue grip on my Ruger GP-100 looked good when I bought it but now has sun damage/wear/minor scratches from cars/office chairs.

RS

you need to carry what you are most familiar with and the most comfortable with and the most proficient

I recently saw a Loomis-Fargo detail carrying Springfield Armory XD .45 ACP's~!

i would stick w/ what your familiar with -- so, stick w/ your M&P

Rusty; I plead guilty to being harsh. There's just something about weapons which screams, "Take care of me", and my blood runs cold when I think of neglected weapons being asked to protect us from BGs. I need to work on that elitist attitude, but I hope nobody takes my pet peeves personally. When they were out I would only buy Safariland holsters lined with that beautiful green Elk suede so I could pamper my weapons. Same-same with regularly firing and cleaning my weapons. If I do my part caring for them I can depend on them to be there when needed. Regards; Al