Looking for a Handgun for Work

entropy said:
RUN, do not walk, away from these people. They know nothing about firearms, and they will be the first to hang you on their bureaucratic ignorance of them. And unless you're talking a six figure salary, why would you want to work an an area that makes the Green Zone look like a park?

Is this place in a state that looks like a catcher's mitt, perchance?
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Nope. Not a catcher’s mitt.
 
I will just comment on the guns.
I would seriously consider a Glock. If you have no magazine limit I would consider a Glock 17, 45 or 47. If you can have a red dot sight a G47 MOS perhaps. The standard size frames fit well if you have larger hands.
If limited to 15 rounds the Glock 19 would be my choice. Also if it fits your hands better it would be the obvious choice.

I love my revolvers and actually prefer shooting them, but if I had a job doing security and could possibly become a target because of my job I would carry a reliable semiauto with double or more ammunition available without having to reload. A 6 shot revolver and 2 speedloaders is 18 rounds available. A Glock 19 with 2 mags is 45 rounds.

Good luck in your new job.
 
monotonous_iterancy said:
I have some time before I have to get a weapon. They are sending me unarmed to feel out the job before they get me a weapons qualification.
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This is a good thing. Maybe you can get the guys to let you tag along on a range trip. Then you could touch and maybe shoot what they are carrying.
Don’t be afraid to buy beers after.
 
Personally, I would choose a Glock 19 if it is allowed. Boringly reliable and easy to operate. They are popular world wide, accessories like holsters and such are very available, and its pretty easy to install night sights- the only specialty tool required is a cheap socket type screwdriver and some red lock-tight. I have even seen broken Glocks continue to work as advertised, and I have never seen one malfunction due to limp wristing (the cam locking system in the Beratta 92/M9 and the clones is kind of famous for this), The G19 is a very capable pistol for both duty use (exposed) and can also be pressed into service for concealed carry, with the right selection of holster and wardrobe. I used the G19 extensively in the mil and later as a contractor- of the 1/2 dozen or so handguns I was issues over nearly 30 years combines between the mil and as a contractor, the G19 was absolutely the best one. The only other thing I would caveat is to get a gen 3 or later, so that a light can be mounted if desired. That means don't get a Gen 1 or Gen 2 police turn-in, as these older Glocks (though plenty reliable) just don't work as well when it comes to mounting lights.
 
The Night Rider said:
because the OP doesn't know for sure what he's allowed to carry.
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This was in the original post. Sure sounds like a Glock or M&P to me, but again, I may have missed something in later posts.

The regulations for my jurisdiction say that the revolver barrel must be between 4 and 5 inches. A semi-auto must be double action only.

A manager at my company also told me that the semi-auto cannot have an exposed hammer, and it must have a trigger safety - so 1911s are out of the question, for instance.
 
Ethan Verity said:
Simply the best! This is my main carry piece.
Personal opinion, but I know it's one that is shared by many, this has much better ergonomics than the Glock 19 (even though that's the one everyone recommends first). It also has better iron sights. The newer ones are cut for an optic too, if that's your cup of tea.
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I don't like the feel of Glocks at all. In fact, I hate them! 😆 I'm hooked on the M&P type!. I have an original Shield. I found it a bit thin at first but I put a Hogue grip sleeve on and now it feels like an extension of my hand. I also just picked up an Equalizer as part of a trade. What's your opinion on the Equalizer? Like a bare Shield, I find it just slightly thin. I'm hoping to find some kind of grip sleeve like the one on my shield that won't interfere with the grip safety!

Other guns that I thought had the best ergo fit for me were the Hi-Power, S&W 39, my Radom P83, and the Pachmayr grip I put on my old Charter Arms Bulldog which I recently sold. I also never owned a CZ, but the compact 75 and P01 feel great! Among the best Ive ever had in my hand.

IMG_20240316_230529305.jpg
 
FWIW this entire discussion is why I much prefer to have my employer just issue me their gun their holster their duty belt and all their ancillary equipment. Makes my life a lot easier and there's no question that what I'm carrying is within regs for my city

FB_IMG_1711037967806.jpg
Except this. This is the coolest thing any employer ever gave me and when I turned in all my stuff I kept this. I kept two or three of them. The funny thing is is I never use them anymore.
 
I’m old school. You are gonna be carrying that gun a lot more than using it.

Having carried full size duty guns. And extra magazines, for 36 years, it gets old.

Personally, I’d carry a 4” model 10. Or Model 64. Skinny barrel. Find a good used Bianchi or Don Hume thumbsnap duty holster on EBay. Maybe even an old school breakfront like the Judge. Or Model 27 if I were realistically concerned about a gun grab.

A couple speedloaders. Done.
 
monotonous_iterancy said:
Your advice would be appreciated.
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Don't carry a gun, especially for a job, till you've got some good, professional training under your belt. Ideally, take a basic handgun class before you buy one. It'll give you a better idea what you should be looking for. Am I understanding correctly that this security company is employing people who will be armed on the job who have no training at all?
 
bearcreek said:
Don't carry a gun, especially for a job, till you've got some good, professional training under your belt. Ideally, take a basic handgun class before you buy one. It'll give you a better idea what you should be looking for. Am I understanding correctly that this security company is employing people who will be armed on the job who have no training at all?
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They have at least the training that the police department makes us get. It doesn’t seem terribly deep, from the little I’ve heard. A co-worker who carries a revolver told me that she learned how to use speed-loaders and spent time on a range shooting at stationary targets. So, it does not sound like it is as intense as the firearm training that police get.

But what does greatly disturb me is that my supervisor recommended that I carry a semi-auto without a round in the chamber because “these guns don’t have safeties, and you could shoot yourself. If you have to use it, you can rack the slide - but don’t let them know I told you to do that.” He said, “I grew up with guns.”

When I mentioned the decline in motor skills in a high stress situation, he didn’t seem to know what I was talking about. I said that I plan to carry a round chambered, and that I trust a good holster to cover the trigger, will keep my finger off the trigger until I’m ready to fire, and that the trigger pull is long and heavy, which should help prevent accidental discharge.

I find his advice ignorant and dangerous. Maybe I’m being too strident. But I do find it quite troubling.
 
Shodan said:
It's not too late to look elsewhere for
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Are there any security companies with a reputation for professionalism? Because I am not getting that vibe from mine today for multiple reasons. One guy sent to relieve me had his gun out of his holster and loose in a bag when he showed up.

I told him that was dangerous, since the trigger wasn’t covered. But I’m brand new and didn’t even know the guy’s name. On the upside, the other guy was a former police officer. He wore a ballistic vest and carried a S&W model 64, which he says he carried on the force. He seemed trustworthy.

I’m feeling like to get in with a better company, I would need to stay a few months at least and build a resume. Others may do what they do, but I know what I will do.
 
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monotonous_iterancy said:
I find his advice ignorant and dangerous. Maybe I’m being too strident. But I do find it quite troubling.
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Well. Two takeaways.

A: Many are carrying Glocks I’d bet.
B: This should give you an idea of the quality of your co workers. I’d probably tell the majority of them to carry with an empty chamber also.
 
When I worked for G4S I had a supervisor who used to go around to different sires and demand that the guards show him that they had a loaded chamber. A couple of them refused, unnecessary administrative handling leads to negligent discharges. He ended up getting fired for it.

I had a supervisor who ordered me to carry with an empty chamber. I didn't feel like arguing. So, I said yes and continued to carry with a loaded chamber.

I've said this before but if you're a security guard and your gun comes out of the holster you're going to lose your job.

Under those circumstances I don't think an unloaded chamber is unreasonable. Stupid? Yes Unreasonable? not so much.
 
chicharrones said:
A full mag in a poly frame ought to be similar to a dead blow hammer.
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Would you really want to be holding the "business end" of a loaded weapon while using it as a hammer???? o_O :eek:

ETA: At least when you "pistol-whip" someone with a 4 - 6" barreled revolver, you are holding the PROPER end and you are essentially hitting the perp with a "steel pipe".
 
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JTHunter said:
Would you really want to be holding the "business end" of a loaded weapon while using it as a hammer???? o_O :eek:

ETA: At least when you "pistol-whip" someone with a 4 - 6" barreled revolver, you are holding the PROPER end and you are essentially hitting the perp with a "steel pipe".
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I'm not advocating using the barrel as a grip. I'm only saying that if the gun is still held in a firing grip, a heavy enough loaded magazine could have some impact weight to it.
 
The Night Rider said:
When I worked for G4S I had a supervisor who used to go around to different sires and demand that the guards show him that they had a loaded chamber. A couple of them refused, unnecessary administrative handling leads to negligent discharges. He ended up getting fired for it.

I had a supervisor who ordered me to carry with an empty chamber. I didn't feel like arguing. So, I said yes and continued to carry with a loaded chamber.

I've said this before but if you're a security guard and your gun comes out of the holster you're going to lose your job.

Under those circumstances I don't think an unloaded chamber is unreasonable. Stupid? Yes Unreasonable? not so much.
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I'd quit first.

Gun is hot, if I'm carrying it, in a holster.
 
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