CJ Student with a Handgun Question

[RJ St.John]

I was hoping that a law enforcment officer could give me an idea as to what a good .40 cal pistol would be as my first gun. I have 2 years before I graduate and become eligible for hire, but I'd like to become proficient now. Any ideas?
RJ St.John

[codered]

RJ, if you have a particular department in mind.......become proficient with the 'make' and calibre of weapon 'that' department carries.

[michiganstud]

RJ, if you have a particular department in mind.......become proficient with the 'make' and calibre of weapon 'that' department carries.

Wait until your firearms class. Chances are that you will already have habits that the instructors will change (not saying the habits would be bad, just different than what they teach).

During my firearms class there were a number of students that the instructors got on because of jerking or grip or habit of draw. We had to shoot the way they taught us to shoot.

[sbrad]

Wait until your firearms class. Chances are that you will already have habits that the instructors will change (not saying the habits would be bad, just different than what they teach).

During my firearms class there were a number of students that the instructors got on because of jerking or grip or habit of draw. We had to shoot the way they taught us to shoot.

I agree! If you're not already into shooting, wait until the academy. Firearms instructors will be the first to tell you that it is sometimes much easier to teach someone who has never picked up a gun before because the bad habits aren't there.

[Jynkxxie]

Not a Cop, butif you have never shot a pistol before or are not proficient...start out small...I.E. .22. It won't hurt you, it will only help you and it is cheaper to practice PROPERLY on a .22 than a .40.

Just my $.01.

[ProfessorFrink]

My PD carries Glock .45's. And the chief carries a revolver. A retired LEO had a 9mm.

[fin81]

I just got out of the academy, finished the FTO program, and WOR program. Prior to going to the academy I had minimal experience with firearms. I have to agree that you should wait for the instructors to teach you. We had firearms training the first week of the academy. If you fail you are gone. We used the Glock 22 and 27, awesome weapons. Once you get the training from the staff you will have a long breaks between weapon training and classes. It is then with the knowledge you now have that you should continue to practice on your own. If you still feel strongly about learning prior to the academy then find out what weapon your future department uses and find a good instructor to teach you.

[Tankus]

Not a Cop, butif you have never shot a pistol before or are not proficient...start out small...I.E. .22. It won't hurt you, it will only help you and it is cheaper to practice PROPERLY on a .22 than a .40.

Just my $.01.

i would disagree jynkxxie......sorry mate.....

if you are gunna practice, then practice with what you are gunna use.....its no good practicing with a completely different weapon than you will be using on the street.....i believe...(and its only my belief/opinion) that the weapon you choose should be like an extention of your body and known to your brain like a part of your body, and the handling of it becoming second nature....
....one instructor told me that....to make the weapon a part of your body....he said "you dont look at yer finger or hand to pick yer nose...dont look at yer firearm as you draw it..."

select a weapon that is comfortable for you....grip, weight, trigger poundage etc....if need be, spend the time to get grips custom made?

whatever you choose....make it part of you

[codered]

Good point mich.

[Evnings]

In the years I've been a police officer, we have gone through so many types of different weapons and styles of shooting. When I started, we were using wheel guns of all varities and using the Weaver Stance. Then we went to 9mm with situational shooting. Now we are using 40 caliber Sigs with more realistic shooting. We also carry pepperball guns and are fixing to carry Taser guns along with the shotguns in our cars.

Before long its going to take so long to go through the use of force scale, your'e going to tired of thinking or dead before you can reach a desicion. We also have the option of using OC or a baton. I kind of miss the old days of making them " do the chicken ". Then bagging them up and taking them to jail. Usually they were a much humbler person after they had done the chicken.

I do know that if I had more experience with firearms prior to becoming a police officer, my shooting skills would have been better.

[Jynkxxie]

i would disagree jynkxxie......sorry mate.....

if you are gunna practice, then practice with what you are gunna use.....its no good practicing with a completely different weapon than you will be using on the street.....i believe...(and its only my belief/opinion) that the weapon you choose should be like an extention of your body and known to your brain like a part of your body, and the handling of it becoming second nature....
....one instructor told me that....to make the weapon a part of your body....he said "you dont look at yer finger or hand to pick yer nose...dont look at yer firearm as you draw it..."

select a weapon that is comfortable for you....grip, weight, trigger poundage etc....if need be, spend the time to get grips custom made?

whatever you choose....make it part of you

Well I am not saying he should carry a .22 to work. LOL He has 2 years..2 years is plenty of time to work himself up the ladder...I started out with a .40. TOO BIG. I have since had to correct several bad habits learned from starting with too large of a caliber.

Just my 2 cents. I have heard the same from most instructors I have worked with as well. Start Small and work your way up.

I also agree with Mich. Unless, like me, you are gonna seek out instructors to work with...You should wait (like the academy) for someone to properly instruct you.

[Ianscape]

I like my Glock 23, first pistol I have shot, and love it.

[txinvestigator1]

Well I am not saying he should carry a .22 to work. LOL He has 2 years..2 years is plenty of time to work himself up the ladder...I started out with a .40. TOO BIG. I have since had to correct several bad habits learned from starting with too large of a caliber.

Just my 2 cents. I have heard the same from most instructors I have worked with as well. Start Small and work your way up.

I also agree with Mich. Unless, like me, you are gonna seek out instructors to work with...You should wait (like the academy) for someone to properly instruct you.

Starting with a .22 is a legitimate and effective training method. One can learn proper stance, grip, sight alignment, sight picture, , breathing trigger control and follow through without having to be concerned with recoil, flash or noise.

It does take longer to get to a point to the person is proficient with a duty weapon if starting with a .22. But it is a great way for a neophyte to begin.