Duty weapon and holster questions

[TurboJeff]

I'm about to receive my Armed Security Guard license in TN. I will be working in uniform with a duty belt, etc.

In TN, you have the carry the caliber gun you qualify with. I'm partial to the .45ACP.

If you could carry any .45 duty weapon, what would you choose?

In .45, a have a Glock 30, Glock 21sf, Kimber Tactical Custom II, and a Para SSP 1911.

I'm tempted to carry one of the 1911's, but I'm not sure I want to put that much wear and tear on either of them. I worry about rust when carried in wet weather. In addition, I don't have a suitable OWB/Duty holster for the 1911s.

I don't want to carry the Glock 30 because I want more mag capacity for my purpose. I'm tempted to carry the 21sf, but it is one of my main HD guns that has a TLR-1 mounted. I would like to leave this gun home for my wife when I'm out of the house.

I'm thinking about another 21, an XDM .45, and a variety of others. Any suggestions from you LEO's or Security Guards who carry a full size .45 ?

Can anyone recommend a good duty holster to fit on a duty belt?

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

you can get 13 round mags for the G30. If your only reason for not wanting to carry a 7 or 8 round 1911 is wear and tear, then a 13 round mag on a G30 doubles the capacity and wear and tear away!

 

[Rockwell1]

Cz97b?

 

[oldFred]

I wouldnt carry the Para cause it's too nice.


I wouldnt carry the Kimber cause I dont trust them.


I would carry the Glocks because who cares if they get beat up!

 

[Captain38]

You MAY wish to consider one of the Springfield XD models in 45 ACP as well.

 

[zt77]

sig gsr, stainless steel wont rust in normal conditions and the factory trigger beats any I have felt including the team usa kimber 1911's.

as for trusting kimbers? there are plenty of people out there that do. much more than dont in my experience

 

[kd7nqb]

I am hugely partial to the Smith and Wesson M&P line thats most certainly available in the .45acp. I would encourage you on one thing though. If your going to use this gun day in and day out GET YOURSELF LASER GRIPS. Obviously knowing how to shoot is most important but lasers WILL be useful at some point.

As for a duty holster I like the serpa's if you can learn the trick of the sweet spot, but I know a lot of guys are not fans so its up to you but I have always preferred kydex to leather.

 

[Ken Rainey]

Use your G30...if 10 rds ain't enough, reload! It'll be more than sufficient if you are...

However, if you shoot the Kimber (or whatever) better or trust it more, then use it...yeah the Glock will stand the elements better but putting in a little more cleaning time for carrying what you run the best is well worth the effort...and honest wear looks just fine on a pistol...

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you want to stick with something you already have, the G30 would be the obvious choice as i'd have more faith in it than either the Para or Kimber. you can carry full sized mags for reloads.

my personal choice would be a Sig 220, but they're pricey (but tax deductable if for work) unless you get a used one. i have 1 bought new...and carried as a duty gun for years... and 2 used ones that look as good as new...that i use for teaching.

a less costly choice for me would be the Springfield XDm

 

[oldFred]

as for trusting kimbers? there are plenty of people out there that do. much more than dont in my experience

Opposite here, just recently I read some posts from several different forums about Kimbers jamming. In my last 2 visits to the 4 guns shops I visit. People were trading/selling/complaining about them. One dealer had them marked down to $600 to get rid of them. Apparently the NEW kimbers are garbage.

I'm sure there are good kimbers out there, I believe they are "hit or miss".

 

[mljdeckard]

I carry my Kimber Custom II for everything, and I trust it completely. I would carry it to war tomorrow if it were allowed.

I wasn't aware that there was a security company in the nation that would let you carry something besides a nickle-plated K-frame, much less a single-action only auto.

 

[zt77]

I have a s&w m&p 45 and had crimson trace lasergrips for it. dont like them though, i havent looked for awhile but i couldnt find any small sized ones and the mediums didnt fit me well.

and who would have thought that would happen to kimber? i have a 1911 made about '95 and it is the sweetest looking thing I've ever seen (as far as 1911''s go)

 

[franconialocal]

I carry a Sig P-220 for duty. My only gripe is the mag. capacity (It's only 8+1)

We have Safariland level II retention holsters. We use Safariland almost exclusively.

Check them out. It's a great configuration and I've been very happy with both items.

 

[Rockwell1]

wasn't aware that there was a security company in the nation that would let you carry something besides a nickle-plated K-frame, much less a single-action only auto.

In Colorado private security is allowed to carry up to .40S&W autoloader

 

[mljdeckard]

If you compare the number of actual guns sold between Kimber and other manufacturers, you will start to wonder if the actual rate of failure is any higher than with any other 1911.

 

[earlthegoat2]

You are carrying for your job so you should use the best handgun for the job that you have. I would go with the G21 or one of the 1911s. And would probably just go with the Glock.

 

[WC145]

G21SF, leave the G30 home for your wife.

 

[JWJacobVT]

I work for two differant Security companies. Company "A" issues a 38 revolver and 18 rounds. Company "B" allows roughly any handgun with at least a 3.5 inch barrel, and not single action only. Calibers between 9mm and 45 ACP, provided you can qualify with it. Most guys are carrying glock 22s, a couple Sig 220s, a couple company Smith 686s. I carry my Smith 1006. With your choices carry the G21sf. Oh my duty holster is a Safariland 6820 that I got off EBay for $15.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Check out Safariland, Don Hume and Bianchi for your gear.