Need a New Firearm for the Academy

[Peen]

Hi, Im new to the forum and figured this would be the best forum to ask this question as any since there seems to be alot of knowledgable people around here about Law Enforcement. Well Im about to graduate this spring with my associates in Criminal Justice, and will be attending Police Academy at a college in my area, Ill be turning 21 just about the time I finish academy :D . I already have a part time job at a Police Department doing pretty mutch everything from helping process citations in WinBadge to being the Coffe B***H :D ... Well anyways I will be attending police academy this summer at my expense. I already own a couple of long guns and a crappy .22 star pistol that has been passed down in the family(but has lots of sentimental value ). I need to get a new firearm for the academy, and I was thinking that the best one economicly would be the g19(since 9mm ammo is so cheap), but I wanted to get one that has more stopping power since I want to go ahead and carry it when I start working as a LEO... any reccomendations?

[ngcsubutterbar]

are you allowed to use your own firearm? If so, are there any conditions your firearm has to meet? Like specific caliber, make, etc.?


personaly I'd reccomend a glock in a .40 caliber round. Its an 'all around compromise'.

[Peen]

Yes we are allowed to bring our own. They are supposed to supply one to train with, but I want to own/use my own anyways. Not sure about the specifics, but I dont see why they wouldnt allow certain calibers/makes ect...

[Darin]

Glock M22 or M23. Also take a look at Springfield XD-9(9mm) or the XD-40(.40).

[mcsap]

Nothing wrong with the 9mm. I carried one for years. A .38 is a good caliber as well , the name of the game is can you put rounds in center of mass? I do now carry a Glock .40 which is dept. issued. Of all of the people ( some of whom I work with) talk down the 9mm, nobody has ever volunteered to be shot by a 9mm pistol?!!

[Peen]

Yea, I was thinking the same thing, every firearm is just as deadly as the next no matter the caliber.


And sorry, now that I look I guess I should have posted this in the firearm forum... didnt even see that :(

[Peen]

Well I cant seem to decide between the G21, and the G23... Anyone fired both and can tell me the differences? It would seem the .40 ammo would be cheaper, but the 23 has a large bore, and more power and would probably be better to carry on duty. :confused:

[Darin]

The Glock M23 is a compact .40 caliber. The Glock M21 is a full size .45 caliber. So the M21 has a larger bore.

[Peen]

Oops, looks like I got that mixed up :p I guess Im gonna get one from the next gunshow they have down here In Houston, wonder if I would have any trouble with a used glock, or should I just buy new.

[Darin]

If cost is an issue then get a used Glock. If you know someone that's knowledgeable about firearms to go with you to check out the Glock would be great.

Your idea about the gun show is a great one. I went to a gun show this weekend and seen NEW Glocks for $445. And my local gun shops sell used Glocks for more than that.

[rdp]

Don't fall into the gun that is the most economical for you....

You need a gun that FITS!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can argue brands and calibers all day long.

Go to the gun show and play with various guns to see which one you can work all the mechanisms without shifting your firing grip.

You may also check with where you are going to work......some restrict which calibers and brands/models you can carry. No reason to buy all the duty gear twice.

Ammo price difference is negligible in these common calibers.....

[P01IC3M4N]

Colt government .45. that's all you'll ever need.

i'd wait. most departments now issue guns and if they don't, they require certain types. and don't take the suggestion of anyone here. go find one you can shoot well.

in the academy, i had a Colt double eagle officer's model. then i had a hard time finding a holster to fit it so i traded it and got a ruger P90. it was too big and heavy so i got a Colt .45 gov't. when i got hired, they required a double action so i got a beretta 96. the trigger pull was too heavy so i traded for a glock 19. got hired somewhere else and we could carry what we wanted so i went back to the Colt gov't. after 3 years, my department started issuing us glock 32s.

see what you're going to have to go through if you buy one now?

[Peen]

True, however I could always use it to own and CC off duty, or just for home defense. Since All I own now are long guns, and a .22 thats older than the pope. :p

[xynder]

True, however I could always use it to own and CC off duty, or just for home defense. Since All I own now are long guns, and a .22 thats older than the pope. :p

http://www.moonclips.com/images/629838.jpg

[sgtbear111]

GLock 23 or 1911 pattern 45 auto. If you have some specific police dept you want to apply to, ask about their policy on duty weapons. Also, you can get a high quality Jonathan Ciener 22 cal conversion unit for the Glock, 1911 45, Beretta pistols. I have one for my B-92 - great. The one I got for the Glock 19/23 6 years ago, was returned - junk. But some improvements have been made and maybe someone has recent (better) experience with the Ciener 22 unit for the Glock.