Need a new semi-auto

9mm isnt very expensive, so unless you plan on shooting a LOT, I'd just buy the G17.

If you want it, get it
personally, a few hours with a expert instructor (or making friends with the Police rangemaster and armorer, might get you more.

Browning buckmark, Rugar MK 3, S&W 41X or 61X series are all great .22s

There is a .22 version of the glock, but learning the fundamentals, trigger time and training will get much more than equipment

Mindset, Skillset, Equipment, in that order.

Oh, and if you are considered LE, there is a police program, lets just say, you don't pay retail.

I'd look into a duplicate of your duty gun for training purposes. If cost of ammo is a concern, get a .22LR conversion kit for it also.

Interesting

Congratulations on becoming LE, I'm hoping to get there after college :banghead: I would say get a glock 17 because it will be similar to your duty gun other than caliber, but the feel should be the same which is important. I would also suggest that regardless of which gun you end up buying...keep practicing with your duty gun...even more than just with the department...as you'll be using it when it's important. Hopefully you never have to use it. I also was wondering if you knew why the department your with issued a 'compensated' model...unless I'm mistaken those are the ones with the two holes in the slide which causes for a large flame...I just wouldn't think it would be ideal for law enforcement and was wondering if there was a reason behind it. Stay safe, and Gods' speed!

you get to choose what you carry?

You can always get a 9mm conversion barrel for it. $100 bucks at Cheaper than Dirt.com. I have the .40 I will be using for LE/ practice. 9mm is way cheaper than .40 and it still gives you more recoil than a .22 which in turn will help you get used to your 45. Just a thought. As soon as I get done with school, Ill be doing the same thing.

+1 on the Glock 19.

First off good luck at the academy. I enjoyed the eight weeks,but was even happier at graduation for not having to go back. I would practice with the duty weapon first and keep it simple for right now. The 22s are cheap and fun to shoot but they can muddy up the water in high stress shooting (mag change, immediate action drills and point shooting. You most likley will expierence this at the academy. One benifit that I like about the glocks is that the full size mags will work in their baby series of same caliber. I am issued a glock22 and have a 27 for back up and off duty. Also your department may have a policy regarding what guns you can carry. The cost of ammo shouldnt matter in training if you train as I do. I spend more time on weapon presentation than actual firing and spend an equal amout on clearing induced failures with dummy rounds. MY advice would be to either spend the money on ammo for practice or professional instruction before buying a new weapon. If your department has a rangemaster you should talk to him.