LEO asked to pick the gun he wants to use: what should he pick?

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vito

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My son is in a unique position. He is an investigator for a State government, and just recently had his position certified as a sworn LEO positon rather than just a civilian investigator. As a former LEO he qualified. His superiors have given him the option of selecting the handgun that they will buy for him to carry concealed while working for this government agency. He asked me for recommendations, and I suggested the Glock 36 or the Sig 229, or possibly the Colt Defender. But I don't claim to be an expert on picking the best all around gun, regardless of price (within reason) for use as a legally concealed handgun for an LEO. Any suggestions?
 
He can't go wrong with a Sig 229. Preferably in 40S&W.

Might be better off with a Sig 239 if he's going to be carrying concealed as it's smaller and less bulky.
 
There restrictions on caliber? Only 9mm, only .357 SIG? Sig, HK USP, Walther P99, Beretta of some kind.

If they pay for ammo, I'd personally go for a Five-Seven.
 
He should choose a platform that he can get a max number of rounds on target at max distance using a viable caliber. I'm sure the usual suspects will apply - HK, SIG, Glock, Beretta, S&W - which ever one works best in his hands is the one he should go with
If it were me, I'd go w/ a HK USP or USPc 45 ;)
 
The FN Five-Seven. Holds 20 rounds, polymer framed, has a rail. The rounds are supposed to tumble on hitting flesh, and stop inside the perp, not over-penetatrating. High velocity, small-caliber bullets. If the government buys the ammo, he might get some AP stuff.
Supposed to have no more kick than a .22.
 
Vito, best bet is for him to handle everyhting he can at a store and see what fits, better yet since they're buying the gun spend a few bucks and rent the top 3 to 5 from handling at a range and see what shoots best. Are there any restrictions on caliber, or action - i.e. no SA to carry cocked and locked like a 1911, etc. He needs to see what fits, plus look to how he's going to dress. I'm guessing that as an investigator he'll be in a business suit a big honkin duty gun won't be ideal. Fit the gun to his hand and his dress code.
 
From some of the gels i've seen, .357 SIG beats .40 so far as size of the cavity. I wouldn't take my word for it, though. If the gov't was footing my bill, a SIG in .357 SIG would probably do it for me.

Or a five-seven. Heard that the "right" bullets work wonders with those things.
 
"As a former LEO he qualified"

"As a former LEO he qualified"....What did he carry before? Did he like it? Was he confident in its reliability and "power"? If he didn’t like it then what do the state police use for a side arm in the state he resides in? If he is working for the DA's office you could find out what the Sheriff’s carry in that county. God forbid he has to use the handgun in the line of duty (or off duty) its better to say you picked a Glock model 23 in .40 S&W because the state choose it for the troopers and you thought there must have been a good reason for it. Good luck in your search, now lets see how many people advocate a Desert Eagle .44 or X frame Smith & Wesson.
 
My vote is whatever works for him.

As JMACDONALD said earlier, what did he use before, and did he like it? Plainclothes, he's gonna have to wear nice stuff, on his budget I'm guessing, too - no uniform allowance?


Frankly, I'd try to find something slim, like a single sack auto, or a decent revolver. Those Colt Detective Specials really filled a great niche for this kind of role.
 
If he can get the Feds to buy one for him, plus ammo, I would say the Five-SeveN as well.
 
Three Fifty Seven Sig in a Sig Sauer Platform.



226's and 229's can beeasily hidden under sport coats and 239s can be hidden under tee shirts.


I've been testing the To hell and back motto of SiG and so far my poor sigs are keeping up their end of the bargain.
 
Will your son have to qualify with the weapon several times a year, like most LEOs. Who will supply the ammunition. What caliber is the supplied ammunition? With that being said, I would recommedn the Sig P229 DAK in 40 S & W with a 357 Sig auxilary barrel.
 
He should carry whatever fits his hand and he shoots well. There are far too many choices to list here, but as long as he stays with one of the major manufacturers and calibers he should be fine. I would recommend he only consider .357 mag, .357 Sig, .40S&W, 10mm, 9mm, 45ACP. I'd avoid oddball calibers like the 5.7. No matter how people try to sell that round, it doesn't perform in real world shootings. It's about the same as shotting someone with a 22 mag. That cartridge was designed to do one thing - penetrate soft body armor. Even shootings with the P90s (i.e. longer barrel) have been dismal.
 
Were I in that position I would choose the HK P2000. Very reliable, very accurate, concealable, and a choice of caliber. Maybe even the SK because concealment is needed.
 
He should consider what he used to carry, and if he was comfortable with that. If I was choosing for me today, I'd go with a Glock 30 (which I carry daily). It's a great compromise of size v. firepower. Easy to conceal, controlable recoil, accurate, consistant trigger, reliable and fires a proven round. I'd carry at least one spare mag. If I was active LE again, I'd also carry a BUG (probably my P3AT).
 
From your two

Definitely the 229. I own one and she runs great. It has only failed once, and that was due to a bad primer in some crappy ammo. The 229 is heavier that the Glock, but IMHO, would be much easier to conceal. Plus the added weight makes it a better shooter. Once again, that is my opinion (Glock fans don’t flame me). I respect the Glocks, they are great guns, but I think that there are guns that are just as good that I prefer and can shoot better.
Also, if you are SIG fan, I would never feel under-gunned with the 220. I also am a huge fan of H&K, although the USP’s are not as easy to hide on ones person.
 
I dunno about the Five-SeveN. Shot one last week, and was not impressed. The trigger was disappointing, the grip felt very odd, and I didn't care for the sights. The cartridge might be great if you're shooting at people wearing body armor, but the odds of that happening are extremely slim, and what's the *real* value of the round against an unprotected target? I'd rather have a decent cartridge, .45 ACP or 10mm perhaps. But that's just me. And since everyone is different, the best choice is always going to be whatever he himself can shoot best.
 
My liking of the 5.7 is the round used ('cause it's a variant on the old 7.63 Mauser broomhandle a hundred years ago) the low recoil and the very high capacity. It's no magic bullet - but it ought to give you pretty rapid follow-up shots.
Besides, it has to be good if the Brady's don't like it.
 
Geronimo45, True

I think you have a fine point the last one that is.:)

Now my preference is this. 357 SIG if that is what you want, High Penetration and good power packaged in the the Model 32 Glock for civilian carry.
My other would be the 40 cal in a mdl 23 Glock, oops there is that word again. :uhoh:

More Law enforcement are carring that one at the moment, I believe in the Mdl 22 though.;)

HQ
 
I'm not a fan of the .357 SIG. There was a LEO at the range firing a glock in 357 SIG that turned me off of them. It seemed a lot louder than other pistol calibers.

Anyway, he should carry whatever he's most comfortable with.
 
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