subcompact auto

[Moose23]

My partner at work (EMS) has asked me to help her find/purchase a backup gun for her husband who is in law enforcement. I know he likes Glocks and prefers .40 cal over 9mm. It will be carried in an ankle holster.

I know, I know, he should pick out his own weapon after trying various models/calibers/configurations. She's gonna buy him a pistol whether I help or not (and she knows NOTHING about weapons), so I want her to get him something that he's probably going to like and use.

Any suggestions?

 

[HOWARD J]

Kel-tec P3-AT--.380 auto pistol

 

[Quoheleth]

Suggestion: A gift card to Buds.

Seriously, there's a lot of questions - does the PD have a list of acceptable duty BUGs? If so, if she guys Brand X and it's not allowable, she's dropped $500 for something he can't use.

A lightweight .38 would be a good all-purpose duty BUG & off duty pocket gun. I really, really like the LCR, and if he's carrying it all day on his ankle, it's lightness won't throw off his gait.

I'm not up on what's available in compact .40s - someone can fill in those blanks - but if I were just making a cold-buy, the .38 would be #1 on my list.

Q

 

[AOK]

The Glock 27 is the subcompact .40 cal for Glock. It's a VERY nice gun. I have a good friend who is a LEO and his backup us the 27. His primary carry is the Glock 22 so he is able to use his 22 mags in his 27.

Last year I also happened to sell my Glock 27 (it was a great gun, I just needed the money for another gun) to local police officer who wanted it for his backup/off duty carry. He said he had a fellow officer in the department that also had a 27 as a backup and carried it in an ankle holster. Personally I think it would be a little to bulky for me as an ankle holster but to each his own. With that said, he's not the first person I've heard of carrying a subcompact Glock (Glock 27 or 26) in an ankle holster.

 

[AK103K]

I carry a 26 in an ankle holster, and it actually works out very well, with the right pants. You just need a good holster and full cut pant legs.

 

[Moose23]

I've tried to reason with her that there's certain parameters we have to know...like what type of backup he's allowed to carry, if it's allowed at all in his agency. No clue on restrictions of action, caliber, etc. Recommended a gift card. No dice. She's deadset that she's going to buy him a backup pistol, and that's that, so I'm trying to make the best of a not-so-great situation. Money is not really an issue, so neither of them would consider the $500-$600 as "wasted".

Will check out the Kel-Tec.

Have looked at the G27 in 40 cal on the Glock website. Kinda leaning that way, as I know he's a Glock fan, but he'll be happy with whatever he gets. Opinions on the G27?

 

[AK103K]

If he already has a Glock, then I'd look into the smaller model of the same caliber of what he already has. That way the mags and ammo are compatible.

 

[AOK]

"Have looked at the G27 in 40 cal on the Glock website. Kinda leaning that way, as I know he's a Glock fan, but he'll be happy with whatever he gets. Opinions on the G27?"

-----

As mentioned from a previous poster, if he already carries a Glock (22 or 23) then it would be great idea to get the 27. He would carry the 27 with the standard mag for the gun and then use the mags from the 22 or 23 as reloads.

It's also not a bad idea to have a consistent platform. While the the 22, 23, and 27 are different sizes, they all function the same.

As for the gun itself, it's a Glock. Stick with generation 3's (I believe Glock doesn't makes 27's in generation 4 yet anyways) and he'll love it. It's accurate and will go bang every time he pulls the trigger.

 

[NEPABob]

Kahr p40

 

[DeepSouth]

Kahr p40

or PM40

either one

 

[DasFriek]

or PM40

either one

+1 for this idea.
I cant imagine wearing a Glock on my ankle as many people do.
I own an MK9 which is a sweet shooter, But a PM40 wouldn't be the most fun to shoot at the range imo. But highly effective for its purpose.

 

[AK103K]

I cant imagine wearing a Glock on my ankle as many people do.

I used to think the same thing until I actually tried it. With the right holster, its really quite comfortable and no worse than anything else.

 

[thedriver101]

G27 or G26 is the way to go, although imho the G26 is already a touch snappy; I'd expect the the G27 to be more so. Like others said, I'd check with his department first though. No use buying a BUG he can't carry.