PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE A GUN

[akashooter]

hey i like shooting at ranges and when out of school i want to have a job in law enforcement. my dad was a police officer and was issued a .38 s&w, and later on the police force moved to 9mm berretas, he also bought a .357 s&w(i believe). (when my dad stopped being a cop he returned is guns or sold them too other officers). i have shot and rented many guns, and iam looking to buy a gun that many law enforcemnts use(so i get a good feel of them, and get used to them)

so please inform me on the guns you would suggest, and price

thanks alot !!

 

[P95Carry]

Welcome!

This is one of the most popular questions and some searching might yield some more than useful threads. Try some searches on ''what gun'' type of criteria.

It is not that easy advising as many factors need addressed. Your budget, hand size, prior experience (or not) - the list is long.

IMO the best thing is to if possible try guns either as rentals or friend's guns. You say you have done that so - that surely has given some ideas - better than we can supply - no one here can make a definitive suggestion other than based on our own experience.

Same with price - go look on Gunbroker.com for example - see what prices are like. If you hone down a choice to say three guns then discussion can be more useful.

 

[Hogfan1911]

Seems the vast majority of the law enforcement agencies I've seen carry Glocks, with a mixture of Berettas, Sigs, & S&W autos scattered in there. Do you have an idea of where you plan to try to become an LEO? If so, you could ask one of them what they issue & if the department allows the option to choose your own sidearm. Some of them do, within certain restrictions (caliber, DAO, etc.).

 

[DougW]

I am not a LEO, but around here in Texas, most agencies carry Glock, Sig, and Baretta 9's or more often 40's. The Texas DPS carry Sig's 229 in .357Sig. Seams that the .40 is the way most are going as an issued item. In the rural areas, the 1911's are prominant.

 

[akashooter]

thanks alot, iam going to the range and try some of them out

thanks again

 

[lee n. field]

i want to have a job in law enforcement. my dad was a police officer and was issued a .38 s&w, and later on the police force moved to 9mm berretas, he also bought a .357 s&w(i believe).

Times have changed. Glock 9mm or 40.

 

[copaup]

We just transitioned from Smith and Wesson 4043s to Sig Sauer 229Rs last year, and in my opinion it was a very good switch. 40 S&W is the most common police cartridge in use right now with 9mm and 45 acp also being fairly common. The Glock models 22 and 23 are probably the most common police duty weapons in the US today, and are good, reliable pistols.

For a first gun I have a couple of suggestions. A good 22 LR automatic to develop marksmanship and basic skills will serve you well. The Ruger 22s are perfect for this, and fairly inexpensive. For a first centerfire handgun I suggest something along the lines of a used Smith and Wesson model 10 in 38 special. Cheap but quality gun, cheap ammo to practice with, and a good choice for home defense. Once the skills have been developed and you know that you want to move on there are literally hundreds of good solid choices out there.

Good luck.

 

[akashooter]

thank you

 

[1krr]

I'd like to through in another vote for the Glock. I fired the M9 and have fired a bunch of things since. My first personal handgun was a g17. 10 years later, I still own and shoot it. You mentioned range gun and I think the 9mm is the perfect caliber. For personal defence, the 9mm is more than capable of killing someone. Both the G17 and G19 would be good for a primary range gun.

That's my opinion and we all know about opinions. You said you have shot many handguns, which did you like the best?

 

[cyanide]

Glock