.45 Recommendations?

[Doc]

There is a high possibility that I am going to be hired on as an auxiliary police officer. I am extremely excited about this opportunity. However, I have never owned a gun or fired a gun.

Therefore, I am in the market for a handgun so I can practice at a range prior to beginning the auxilary p.o. training. THe dept. require the sidearm to be a .45. So, any information, opinions, suggestions, pros/cons of any .45 would be appreciated.

Thanks,


Doc

[Doc]

Well, as it turns out, the dept. recommended Glock .45

Now, I just need to find a dealer. Would you recommend going to a firearms store or a Gun Show? Will one be cheaper over another?


THanks,

Doc

[tommygenewoolworth]

Doc

If you are purchasing the weapon for your auxillary duty as a law enforcement officer, I might suggest a gun dealer. If you can get your agency to provide you authorization on departmental letter head to purchase your weapon ......... The gun daler may, and again MAY sell you the weapon a law enforcement price. Just a thought.

tomahawk134

[darrell]

Doc,


That is a true suggestion. In mIchigan as a Reserve you are intitled to the LE mags for your weapon. With department leter head. Like i said in the other post you have, Goock 21 or the Sig Sauer P220, or P245

[telcom911]

through your Dept. for several hundred dollars less then retail. You will have to wait until you get hired to buy it, but it may be worth the wait. Talk to the firearms guru at the dept. and see what they can do for you. They will normally have a dealer that they use, and will most likely want you to use them also.

If you want to buy a Glock for yourself anyway, just look for a good deal. Prices vary by region as much as $100, the coasts (ESP. the NE) being the most expensive. Look around at several sources before deciding anything.

The best advice I (IMO) could give you is find a gun shop or firearms training school that offers basic handgun classes. They can get you started, esp. with safety and basic marksmanship instruction. Most of these place have guns they rent out for the classes, and alomst all carry a full line of Glocks for rental. Getting good quality instuction is the smartest action you could take at this point, I strongly recomend it -before- you purchase a firearm. A gun is a lot of responsibility, knowing how it works and how to handle it correctly and SAFELY before you bring it into your home is a win-win situation.

[CXT_180]

I have a good friend who has a Glock 21C. (Compensated) The compensated barrel makes such a difference, wow, see if you can't get your hands on one that is compensated, it's worth the extra $$. Meprolight adjustable Tritium night sights are good stuff, too. Much better than the standard three dot.

[Switchback]

The compensated barrel is particulalrly useful if you been wanting to get rid of that pesky facial hair when shooting from retention. :D

Think twice about the compensated barrels on a LE/defensive handgun. They're great out shooting at the range. But why have to worry about hurting yourself with your own firearm... not to mention there tends to be a higher muzzle flash with these weapons.

The Glocks in .45 are a sheer pleasure to shoot. I highly doubt you'll find that you NEED compensated barrels.

Weigh out the options.

[txinvestigator1]

I have never fired a handgun with a compensated barrell. Has anyone here ever fired one in a night qual? If so did the flash screw up your night vision?

[OfcMikey]

I have fired my Taurus 41mag snubby Titanium in the dark.
I didn't notice any change in my night vision, but man what a fireball. :D :D
I haven't fired any comped autoloaders as of yet. :(

[CXT_180]

Originally posted by txinvestigator1
I have never fired a handgun with a compensated barrell. Has anyone here ever fired one in a night qual? If so did the flash screw up your night vision?

It does make one hell of a flash, like a big "V" out of the ports, then the usual muzzle flash. I didn't notice if it messed with the night vision. You can even see the flash at some indoor ranges. *shrug*

[Switchback]

hmmmm....

...what could possibly happen if those vertically expelled gases were directed to your face???

hmmm... just a thought.

[Mac]

I prefer the 1911 style of handguns in .45ACP. I prefer Kimber over all others but some people want more magazine capacity than the 7 rounds found in most Kimbers. Kimber does make a polymer handgun with a double stack magazine. Para-Ordinance makes an outstanding .45 1911 style handgun with a 14 round capacity magazine called the LDA or Light Double Action. Para-Ordinance has an LE program with hundreds off their handguns.

Mac

[resqr1]

A little thing I learned about night vision from an Air Force survival instructor. Any light other than red, no matter how bright will destroy your night vision. With that, it doesn't matter whether the flash goes up or out, your night vision is gone when you pull the trigger. This is for black out conditions. Ambient light, such as a street light, will allow you to see the figure you shot at but no details like whether he dropped the weapon or not.

[txinvestigator1]

How about a mini poll. Who's agency required you to do night qualifications?

I have never been required to do so.

[Switchback]

For SOG, we do night quals on the handgun, AR and MP5.