Onesiphorus
Member
19,23 or 30
Which Glock Would You Recommend?
- Thread starter gqpolo
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LiveLife
Member
Recommend not buying any gun until you complete the police academy and become a peace officer because many department will offer Law Enforcement discounts for carry/back up guns (my cousins-in-law are PD/Sheriff).
In the meantime, you can call the potential employers (City police department vs county Sheriff) to see which models of hand guns they issue and practice with those models to get familiar and qualify at the range (many ranges offer wide assortment of rental guns you can shoot). If you want to make a personal Glock purchase, G17/G19/G22/G23 have the same size grips with G19/G23 compacts being a bit short at the base (2 rounds worth). If you never shot before, full size models shoot softer with more accuracy then compact models (more flip/snap and less accurate) but the difference is not that much and over time/practice can be compensated. I recommend you shoot various models you are considering and make your decision based on shooting impression (talk to Glock owners and take an experienced Glock shooter with you to the range if you can, that will help).
Range qualifications may vary from department/state, but usually involve human sized target at set distances (5/10/15 yards etc.) - You should be able to ask the range officer at the local police range/public range to find out what range qualifications (and ammunition) local law enforcement use and start using them as your practice.
In the meantime, you can call the potential employers (City police department vs county Sheriff) to see which models of hand guns they issue and practice with those models to get familiar and qualify at the range (many ranges offer wide assortment of rental guns you can shoot). If you want to make a personal Glock purchase, G17/G19/G22/G23 have the same size grips with G19/G23 compacts being a bit short at the base (2 rounds worth). If you never shot before, full size models shoot softer with more accuracy then compact models (more flip/snap and less accurate) but the difference is not that much and over time/practice can be compensated. I recommend you shoot various models you are considering and make your decision based on shooting impression (talk to Glock owners and take an experienced Glock shooter with you to the range if you can, that will help).
Range qualifications may vary from department/state, but usually involve human sized target at set distances (5/10/15 yards etc.) - You should be able to ask the range officer at the local police range/public range to find out what range qualifications (and ammunition) local law enforcement use and start using them as your practice.
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Sapper771
Member
Have you already been hired by a department ? Or are you going through the academy as a student?
If you have been hired by a department, then they should either A)Issued you a service weapon, B)issue you a voucher to go purchase a service weapon, or C) give you a list of approved firearms and you will have to purchase your own weapon + gear.
There are certain departments that still have an open firearms policy where officers can carry just about anything they want.
If you are a student, and you have never fired a handgun, I would recommend starting out with a Glock 17 9mm (full sized) or the Glock 19 9mm (compact).
The 9mm cartridge has minimal recoil that will help you learn the pistol and make a smoother transition to pistol shooting.
After you finish your academy and you get hired, more than likely you will be issued a duty weapon and trained on it, then it is up to you if you want to keep the Glock 17/19 or sell it. 9mm ammunition is cheaper, which will help you shoot more and train more with less money.
If you really want to save some money, call the academy that you will be attending and ask them if they have spare pistols that they can lend to students. My academy had several guns that they kept in armory to issue to students. You may also want to ask them if you are expected to supply the ammunition(just to make sure).
Good Luck to you in the academy, and Godspeed throughout your career.
If you have been hired by a department, then they should either A)Issued you a service weapon, B)issue you a voucher to go purchase a service weapon, or C) give you a list of approved firearms and you will have to purchase your own weapon + gear.
There are certain departments that still have an open firearms policy where officers can carry just about anything they want.
If you are a student, and you have never fired a handgun, I would recommend starting out with a Glock 17 9mm (full sized) or the Glock 19 9mm (compact).
The 9mm cartridge has minimal recoil that will help you learn the pistol and make a smoother transition to pistol shooting.
After you finish your academy and you get hired, more than likely you will be issued a duty weapon and trained on it, then it is up to you if you want to keep the Glock 17/19 or sell it. 9mm ammunition is cheaper, which will help you shoot more and train more with less money.
If you really want to save some money, call the academy that you will be attending and ask them if they have spare pistols that they can lend to students. My academy had several guns that they kept in armory to issue to students. You may also want to ask them if you are expected to supply the ammunition(just to make sure).
Good Luck to you in the academy, and Godspeed throughout your career.
Justice5
Member
My department issues the Glock 21, 22, or 23, depending on hand size. If you have small hands, the 23 would likely be the best choice. The other benefit is that it is a bit smaller than the others, and off duty carry would be easier with it.
I'm not sure what your choices are, but out of the three, I perfer the Glock 21. Something about the recoil being easier for me to control with a 45 caliber, rather than a 40. The glock 21 has a very smooth recoil. I've never been a fan of the 9mm, just my opinion.
Good advice on Practice, Practice, Practice. The better I become at shooting, the more I enjoy it and have more confidence when and if the day comes.
My department supplies ammunition as well, so you may think about your decision based on what they will supply for you to shoot and practice with.
Congratulations and good luck in the academy!
I'm not sure what your choices are, but out of the three, I perfer the Glock 21. Something about the recoil being easier for me to control with a 45 caliber, rather than a 40. The glock 21 has a very smooth recoil. I've never been a fan of the 9mm, just my opinion.
Good advice on Practice, Practice, Practice. The better I become at shooting, the more I enjoy it and have more confidence when and if the day comes.
My department supplies ammunition as well, so you may think about your decision based on what they will supply for you to shoot and practice with.
Congratulations and good luck in the academy!
BoomBoom25
Member
My cousin works for the Sherrif's Office in Cookville TN. I haven't talked to him in a while but I belive he told me they can carry either a Glock, Beretta, or Smith@Wesson in calibers ranging from 9mm through 45. as on on duty weapon. Plus a back up again of those choices with the exception of being able to pick .380acp if the so chose. I do belive most agencies will allow you to pick your own weapon for an off duty gun. Some will also let you buy your own gun to use as an on duty weapon.Like everyone else is saying you should talk with your department about that. Now if you can pick your own gun and still wont a Glock it's a tough choice I love them all. But I would proably stick with the compact G23 OG G19 and if I were going full size if your department allows it I would go for the G20 IN 10mm. You can't really beat that and if you like hunting in most states all you have to do is get the 6 in barrel and you can use it for hunting as well. Anyway thats just my 2cents worth hope I helped a little.
Thank you all for the valuable information. Here is what the local Captain sent me:
Mr. Quicker,
It is difficult to answer your question because each department uses something different. We are presently using Glocks and the officer has a choice of either 9MM or .45. We recently switched from Sig Sauers. Some departments do not give a choice and could be using 9mm or .40 or .45 cal.
I do not know how familiar you are with shooting. If you have little or no experience, I would use and become proficient with something on the order of a 9mm. Then, if the need arises and you have to go to a larger caliber, the transition is not so difficult. If you have little or no experience and go right to a large caliber, you may experience a greater learning curve.
Also, the idea of getting some time in shooting prior to the academy is not a bad idea. But, if you have had little or no experience, you need to make sure you are getting the right training and not learning habits that they will have to break when you get to the academy, which will mean that it will be more difficult to qualify.
Don't know if this helps or if it is what you were looking for. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. Good Luck.
Capt. Dent
Do you all agree with this? If so I agree with the G23 guys and start with a 9mm barrel and work my way up to the .45
Mr. Quicker,
It is difficult to answer your question because each department uses something different. We are presently using Glocks and the officer has a choice of either 9MM or .45. We recently switched from Sig Sauers. Some departments do not give a choice and could be using 9mm or .40 or .45 cal.
I do not know how familiar you are with shooting. If you have little or no experience, I would use and become proficient with something on the order of a 9mm. Then, if the need arises and you have to go to a larger caliber, the transition is not so difficult. If you have little or no experience and go right to a large caliber, you may experience a greater learning curve.
Also, the idea of getting some time in shooting prior to the academy is not a bad idea. But, if you have had little or no experience, you need to make sure you are getting the right training and not learning habits that they will have to break when you get to the academy, which will mean that it will be more difficult to qualify.
Don't know if this helps or if it is what you were looking for. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know. Good Luck.
Capt. Dent
Do you all agree with this? If so I agree with the G23 guys and start with a 9mm barrel and work my way up to the .45
Autolycus
Member
You should call the PD and ask them what their approved firearms are. I would then purchase it. I would also suggest not taking the class at the range until after the academy as their instructors will teach you the basics and get you into it. From there you can start training more and more.
Chances are you will be issued a gun or told to puchase from a list and specific supplier. It would not be cool to buy the same gun from two different stores. You may also get a police discount on your duty guns.
Chances are you will be issued a gun or told to puchase from a list and specific supplier. It would not be cool to buy the same gun from two different stores. You may also get a police discount on your duty guns.
Autolycus
Member
I just read your last post. I would suggest a Glock 17 or a Glock 19. I would check out the Glock 17's in the 4th generation. They come with adjustable grips.
LiveLife
Member
gqpolo,
It would be ideal to buy the same gun the department uses that you will end up with (Glock/Sig/S&W), but if you don't know that at this point, then you may need to make a personal handgun decision.
Most law enforcement departments use Glock 22 as their primary duty weapon. If you start with a Glock 23, then much of your practice and "muscle memory" will transition well to the Glock 22.
Even though I am a fan of Glock, if you never shot a handgun before, I would highly recommend you spend some time shooting an assortment of range guns (Glock/Sig/S&W) in full-size models to get a good feeling for them.
And you still have the option to buy your handgun after you graduate and start with a department. You can continue to shoot range guns and practice.
I hope this helped and good luck to you.
It would be ideal to buy the same gun the department uses that you will end up with (Glock/Sig/S&W), but if you don't know that at this point, then you may need to make a personal handgun decision.
Most law enforcement departments use Glock 22 as their primary duty weapon. If you start with a Glock 23, then much of your practice and "muscle memory" will transition well to the Glock 22.
Even though I am a fan of Glock, if you never shot a handgun before, I would highly recommend you spend some time shooting an assortment of range guns (Glock/Sig/S&W) in full-size models to get a good feeling for them.
And you still have the option to buy your handgun after you graduate and start with a department. You can continue to shoot range guns and practice.
I hope this helped and good luck to you.
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