Firearm of choice for P.O.s

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CPD0209

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2004
Messages
1
Hi there,

Just wondering what are the most popular firearms amongst Police Officers out there. Make, model and caliber...and your dept.

I'm with Chicago and it seems Sig's and Smith's are pretty popular overall. Ruger's are least popular. Those with military background prefer Beretta's.

I have a Sig 226, two-tone, 9 mm myself.
 
Well until department issued guns, I carried a 1911, with an extra 4, 8 round mags. Glock, ( tactical tupperware ) now the norm around here.
Would rather have my 1911:(
 
glock 23

I'm not there yet..but as a soon-to-be LEO I already have my off-duty gun. Glock 23, slug-plug, ordering 24/7 sights, tungsten guide rod, trigger job, some slight grip mods to fit my hand, and one day will have a bar-sto barrel+NP3 treatment from robar.

I can only hope to be issued the glock 22. Although it looks like it will be a sig 226.
 
Duty Weapons.

Currently qualified with for duty.

#1. - D.W. "Razorback" 70 series 1911 chambered in 10mm. [primary].

#2. Para P-Ltd - Series 80 - Chambered in 45acp. [secondary].

12-34hom.
 
I started with a Colt Trooper MKIII in 357 Magnum. I have had a S&W 686. I finished with a Colt 45 ACP. I liked the 45 ACP better than anything else. I carried a Llama BUG and I could interchange 8 rd mags between the Llama and the Colt. I have a BHP for my CCW now. I did carry dual S&W J frames in 38 while an investigator.
 
Small Southern Illinois PD I'm with has issued S&W Model 65 and 66, S&W 5906 and currently the Glock 21. That's since July of 85 when I started.

Jeff
 
I'm not a LEO, but I work for a regional police supplier and distributor.

The overwhelming majority of SOs and PDs here in this stretch of the country carry the Glock 22, with the 23 and 27 close behind for plainclothes and backup use. THP uses the G31, with the G33 as backup/off-duty weapon.

On a side note...we got a boatload of the LEO trade-ins from THP when they upgraded to Glocks. Their prior duty sidearm was the S&W Sigma in .40...what a wretched piece of junk. Even with a 15-round pre-ban, they hardly move at $200-ish. The THP troopers were all pretty happy to ditch that turkey.
 
There are two definitely different questions contained in this query: 1) What is the most popular handgun with the cops? and 2) What are they required to use instead?

In the Navy I was issued a pair of boots called boondockers. They sucked. I chose my Danners on my own nickel because I could.
 
Federal....won't say for who here.:D

Uniform issue is a Sig 226 in .40.

Specialist issue is a Sig 229 in .40.

Various branches also vary between Glock and Beretta.

Mine is a 229 in .40.

My off duty choice is a toss up between a Sig Pro 2340 or a 229. Both in .40. I tend to carry the Pro because it's lighter and maintenance free.

Backup weapons of choice and plain clothes secondary vary between a Sig 232/230 or a Bersa. A couple of spurless J frames roll around now and again. Kel Tec may soon get a following. Bersa thunder .380 is the most popular right now. 232's keep cutting people.
 
Glocks have about 55% to 75% of the LEO market depending on which stats you use. The 22 seems to be the GLock that sells more than other model.
Pat
 
Read an article by Ayoob where he said the Glock 22 is the single most issued firearm in American Law Enforcement and and as you may know Glock is the biggest BRAND in the cop market as well, with SIG, Berreta and S&W probably following.
 
S&W 9mm or 45 are issued for uniform. Off-duty I carried a Walther PPK/S .380. Not sure but some of the small suburban departments carry Glock.
 
Local hereabouts - -

County types - -
Probably 45% Glocks, mostly .40, then 9 mm, and a .45 or two.
Then around 40% carry 1911 variants. Mostly Colts, but a lot of Kimbers. Mostly five-inch barrels, but several Commander size as well.

The other 15% include Browning High Powers, a few SiGs, a Beretta or two, and the occasional revolver - - The latter generally carried by some enthusiast, simply as a change of pace.

We all qualify with anything we carry on duty, uniform or plainclothes, primary or backup. Issue ammo, Speer Gold Dot JHP, is required carry, but it is fairly easy to obtain permission to carry other ammo if a reason can be articulated. (Example: My '40s vintage M&P shoots the Rem 158 LSWCHP far better than the GD 125. Here, Buck- - Take it out and try it.) :D

Best,
Johnny
 
My agency just went from a S&W 10mm to the Glock 35. Glock 27 for ankle gun. Really starting to love the 35. Liked the 10mm as well, bought mine rather than turn it in, but I think I already like the 35 better.
 
My favorite is the venerable Colt gov't in .45acp. Can't carry it on duty, though. I'm issued an HK USP 40c.

---

I believe the G22 is currently the most popular duty pistol out there in US law enforcement. That's what I keep hearing, reading, and seeing, at least.
 
I'm not on yet... still must go through the next Academy class, but:

Brevard County Sheriff's Department, Florida

Glock 22
Glock 27
 
I think the truly enlightened agency is one that let's its officers carry what they want from reputable makers as long as they qualify with it.

I hate department mandated guns. The reasons for it are hogwash as well. Especially the mag interchangeability. I'm sorry, but the North Hollywood deal is a one-in-a-million thing and is pretty flimsy justification for why everyone should carry the same gun.

Also, department wide comfortability and ease of use with one handgun is a poor excuse. You should be proficient with the gun you carry, not everyone elses. If you are good with your gun, it's not going to matter if you can use somebody elses. If this really worries someone, they can carry a backup.

Chris
 
I hate department mandated guns. The reasons for it are hogwash as well.
END QUOTE

I don't like the one gun policy either but the reasons for it are very valid. Having lots of different guns makes it harder for the armorers and instructors on the department. Having one type saves time and training costs. It makes the logistics of having spare parts easier and ordeing ammo is also easier and less expensive.
Pat
 
Personally I don't really like department mandated weapons either... I'd much rather carry a customized high-capacity 1911 or something else that soothes my liking like an accurized/customized CZ.

However, I'm not too sure I can disagree with a department mandated caliber. It makes it A.) easier for the agency to order ammunition. B.) Easier for officers/agents to swap ammo in a SHTF situation. Those of you who are negating the possibility of another North Hollywood type situation, or other serious situation where ammunition supplies run low may be forgetting something. As a "civilian" carrying a firearm - you have the duty to retreat from situations like that. However law enforcement officers are sworn with the duty to protect others from such situations and must go into harms way... Every bad thing that you see on the news.... it is law enforcement that must respond to those situations. Therefore the chances of LEOs getting into situations where the interchangeability of ammunition (at the minimum) are significantly higher than for the average CCW holder.

We may not like it - but the policies were adopted for a reason... usually because it caused someone in the past to get killed or seriously injured. I'd rather carry an ugly, brick Tupperware pistol that I was confident in its ability to fire, than have a partner with a reliable weapon in something like .357Sig whereas I was carrying a .45 and I needed him to cover my rear when he was low on ammo....

Just me playing devil's advocate.:)
 
I can see the reasons for a department gun, but I think the supreme issue should be someones comfortability and performance with a gun, not what makes the most sense for the department.

The gun is the supreme, most prolific facet of an officers gun. No other piece of equipment is as important when the situation for it arises. I would want a gun that I felt most comfortable with if, heaven forbid, I should have to use it.

In a SHTF scenario, wouldn't a gun that you can direct aimed, well-placed fire with be a better option than a gun you're not so good with? Wouldn't more better placed rounds be a better option than just more rounds through compatability?

Remember, it shouldn't be an issue about what's best for the dept., it shoudl be about what's best for the officer. The dept. isn't using the gun, the officer is. That's why I think departments that have a policy allowing carry from an approved (but broad) list are more progressive than dept.'s that while providing reasons for it, only issue a mandated department weapon.

Chris
 
In a SHTF scenario, wouldn't a gun that you can direct aimed, well-placed fire with be a better option than a gun you're not so good with? Wouldn't more better placed rounds be a better option than just more rounds through compatability?
Click to expand...
No disagreement there... that's why my whole argument is based on cartridge, not the weapon... If you can't find a comfortable frame for a given cartridge - you aren't looking hard enough...
 
Most of the departments in our county issue the Glock 21. I'm sorry, but this gun is just too big in the grip for anyone with medium or smaller hands. My hands aren't tiny by any means and it doesn't fit my hand at all.

The only hi-cap .45 that fits my hand to any degree is the USP .45 full or compact, which I believe still has a 10rnd capacity.

But hey, I have an XD9 with 46 rounds of 9mm, so I'm not complaining. It fits my hand like a glove.

Chris
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Help me think about CCW choices.
Replies
14
Views
1K
mljdeckard
mljdeckard
R
  • Locked
picking brains on 9mm choices for law enforcement
Replies
15
Views
927
Akurat
A
M
  • Locked
The Army's new MHS and the fate of 9mm.
Replies
9
Views
1K
ugaarguy
ugaarguy
T
  • Locked
Replacing the USAF M9
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
Robert
Robert
David E
  • Locked
Practical "well rounded" handgun battery.
Replies
18
Views
1K
chris in va
C
Back
Top