Recomendations for duty/off-duty carry?

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dreamkileer

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I have recently started my job as a Probation Officer, and am authorized by the Department to carry a 9mm and no more then 45 rds. I've fired the Beretta M-9 and Browning Hi-Power during my time in the military, but the majority of my andgun experience is with .40 and .45's.

Does anybody have a suggestion or reccomendation for a 9mm that won't break the bank (would like to stay under $600 if possible), is reliable, and comfortable to wear in plainclothes?

Thank you for the help.
 
Glock Sig and HK are gonna be the most reliable, and in order to stay cheap I would suggest buying used.
 
If you are wanting to buy new for under $600, a Glock or Hi-Power. If you go used go for a Sig, HK or either of the above.

If you are only going to buy one gun for both on and off duty, I would choose the Hi-Power. It is big enough to hold plenty of rounds and is slim enough to work well as off duty.
 
I agree:

Glock Sig and HK are gonna be the most reliable, and in order to stay cheap I would suggest buying used.
Click to expand...

As LEO you will find discounts on the above mentioned firearms.
 
Glock. Seems to work for a large portion of US law enforcement. ;) You can use a Glock 19 for both on-duty and off-duty and it can be concealed fairly easily if you need. Also, with the LEO discount, you should be able to afford one with night-sights and a few extra mags which would have you covered well. I'd say, get an extra mag so you have 2 spares and 1 loaded, get the night sights factory installed to save a little bit, and that should be all you'd ever need.
 
It is essential that you pick a defensive handgun that fits you properly and not something recommended on the internet that doesn't. See pax's site, http://corneredcat.com/FirstGun/tryongun.aspx, for an excellent explantion of how to make sure a handgun fits the individual.

Of the handguns you have shot what pointed naturally for you and resulted in the most comfortable and accurate shooting?
 
Off duty?

1) Get something small. The mousegun you have with you is better than the hand cannon that's at home in your safe.

2) Get something that fits. Something that points well, and feels like part of your hand. When you point your finger at something, and then you point the gun at it, they should both be pointed in the same direction.

3) Practice. A while back the average "gun fight" in Miami was 1.2 rounds. Accuracy in the first shot works. Scaring the bejeezus outta the folks by dumping three our four magazines doesn't.
 
Glock is the obvious choice for law enforcement. Check the local cop shop. You can get a brand new Glock with an LE discount for around $400. That will leave extra money for ammunition/holster and possibly night sights if you wish
 
Thank you for the input.

I've fired a Springfield XD in .40, and found it to be the most comfortable pistol I've fired. The majority of officers I work with swear by Glock, but the guys in my Guard unit are championing the Sig.


HSO- much thanks, that website was extremely helpful.
 
Do you want a full size weapon or a compact weapon?

A Walther P99 can be had for around $600, it comes in a variety of trigger styles, and personally it fit my hands better then the S&W M&P (another good pistol from what I have heard). The only problem with the Walther P99 is finding them, particularly if you want a DA/SA trigger group (Walther calls it AS).

USPs can be had used for around $600, and you might be able to snag a new P2000 on gunbroker for around $600 (they don't seem to be moving recently).

Add in the usual Glocks and the XD9 to top off the list.
 
SIG P228

These can usually be found, some LNIB for between $550-$650. There is NO
better balanced pistol IMHO~! Superb craftsmanship, reliability, and accuracy
right from the box. Only drawback might be the fact that they are getting
harder to find these days~! :uhoh: ;) :D
 
In your case a Glock G19 seems the best combination for on-duty & off-duty carry. Weight & comfort needs to be considered.

If you ever need to use your pistol, it would be for up close and personal encounters. I'd stick with simplicity of operation.
 
Glock 19 would be my suggestion. That was my last duty weapon as a police officer. It was big enough for uniformed work, great for detective work, and small enough for off duty carry. I highly recommend it
 
Why hasn't anyone suggested the Beretta PX4. The gun can be bought for around 550 if you look around .... shouldn't go over 600. You get two 17 round mags with it, comes in four different "styles" mostly dealing with the type of trigger-safety, it's light-weight, durable, and damn good looking.
 
The plain clothes thing is tough. Are you going to holster carry or pocket carry? Holster on and pocket off?

Do you the absolute ability to keep your finger off the trigger until you want to shoot?
 
Glock 19 all the way. Each mag holds 15 rounds. Carry one in the gun and 2 reloads for a total of 45 rounds.

I would chamber a round, reload that mag back to 15, so you would have 16 in the gun. Have one reload with all 15 and the other with 14.

With a Glock LEO discount, you will have the gun w/night sights, 3 mags and enough coin for a decent off duty holster (I assume they provide on duty gear, but if not there is plenty of holsters suited for both) all for $600.00 or less, brand new.

Be safe, you only have 1*
 
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