whats the best duty weapon?

[rent_a_pig]

I am a security guard andI have been a Ruger man for a long time. I used to carry a p89 and for the last year I have been carrying a p90 both are great guns, but I think it's time for a change. I want to try something new with out spending a grand. The p90 is a nice gun however, it lacks a few things, one of them being a tac rail. I would like to stay with a .45 ACP. I was thinking about getting a Glock 21C, but to be honest I am really tired of seeing and hearing "Glock". I also considered the Ruger p345, but as I said; "its time for a change". I thought about a Springfield XD but I have heard some bad things. Any advice would be greatly apprieciated. Just please dont post saying a certain gun is awsome just because you happen to have that gun and nothing else worth mentioning. Im looking for some serious advice from avid shooters.

[Keola]

I would encourage you to get some magazines and read up on the pistols that are available. Maybe even go to one of your local ranges and rent what they have and try it out, who knows you might like a "Glock". I would say that just about every pistol that's on the market will have some write up about it, but it's up to you on what you want. Not every gun is as it seems in the write up though, you just might get a flaky one out of the group even if most of the write ups are great.

Personally, I like 1911's, but I have also aquired a taste for Sig's and I have a SA XD 9mm which I love shooting.

All pistols are can be great...... but it really boils down to ...does it feel good in you hands and can you handle it correctly to do what you need to do.....

[ArmyCop]

Although currently unemployed - when I was Police Aux my duty weapon was a Ruger P94 in .40 cal.
I'm soon to get a Crimson Trace laser grip for it - doesn't affect any holster you normally would use.
I also would prefer if it had a rail to add a flashlight as needed - not perm mount but on and off as I want - Does Ruger have anyway to send suggestions?
I really wouldn't want to swap from Ruger - especially considering one day wanting to purchase one of their carbine's in .40 cal that would allow mag interchange with my P94.
Let us know what you decide...

PS: Any chance a smith could machine rails onto a Ruger?

[Marlin]

When I was on the street as a very active reservist forty years ago, I carried a Smith Model 15, which I dearly loved. The standard issue was a Smith Model 10, but I preferred the sights on the Combat Masterpiece.

Additionally, I carried a Model 36 on my ankle as a back-up.

That was before the days when the semi came into popular use. In fact, the Montgomery (AL) PD forbid any use of a magazine-fed pistol at the time.

[pickenup]

Read this thread. Might help, might not.
Click here.

[offeror]

I wouldn't get a "C" for a duty gun if I were you. Brands you mention are among the best and most popular -- Rugers and Glocks. Also, if you can afford it, a SIG or an H&K. All these are available in .45 ACP.

[Chief P-95]

Most of guns mentioned as possible carry guns are owned by some company not from the good old USA, even if they are made in the USA the profits go to some place else to be used for firearms research or what ever else the company wants to gain a competitive edge over among others US companies.

My advise: 1. keep your P-89, or 2. buy any Ruger 45, I have 4 including a P-345 with rails(all are great guns). Be aware shooting 45 is more expensive than 9mm. A lot of good practice makes a better shooter. I don't know everything but I have been a LEO for more than 30 years and coach a college pistol team. Good luck and fun making your choice.

[armedandsafe]

Chief P-95, welcome to THE forum. Stick around and enjoy.

I haven't been in the Job for 40 years, and then carried a Colt's 1917. I have carried my P85 (when not carrying the DW .357) for many years and trust my life to it. Solid, dependable, ugly. I love it.

Pops

[rent_a_pig]

Well, I went to the range this weekend and I borrowed a buddies Glock 21, and I gotta say that I liked it! The point of aim was kinda wierd though. It would take some getting used to. My whole problem with getting a Glock is just this: I am the type of person who likes to go against the grain, and everyone and thier third cousin uses a Glock for duty. Yeah, I know; it's kind of a stupid reason not to pick a good gun for duty. I will probably go with the Glock anyway, I just had to mention that it buggs me a bit.

[pickenup]

You are thinking of buying a gun, that you may have to use to DEFEND YOURS (or someone else’s) LIFE, after you admit that it does NOT have a good point of aim (for you) and would TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO?????

WHY????? Because SOMEONE ELSE carries one????

pickenup sits back and shakes his head. Amazing, simply amazing.

[rent_a_pig]

ummm you are WAY off man. If you read the above you would notice that I said that I was hesitant about buying a Glock BECAUSE everyone else has one. I did also mention that I like the way the gun felt and shot, I just said that the aim was wierd. I am picky person and I find something wrong with just about everything. The only gun that I have ever shot that I liked everything about was an H&K, but I dont have 800 bones to just shell out.

[pickenup]

Originally Posted by rent_a_pig

I will probably go with the Glock anyway.

Way off??
Your words, not mine.



.

[rent_a_pig]

i meant this part of your reply.

WHY????? Because SOMEONE ELSE carries one????

[Chief P-95]

Pops,
Thanks for the relpy. I do enjoy reading these forums but seldom post. I have P-85 and love it. Also a P-93DAO it is almost like shooting a revolver, a P-95 and my latest a P-345. All are great shooters. Dwayne

[shooter13]

If you don't shoot a lot the best would be a .38spec. revolver--- easy to use and most used ones are not to expensive. The worst thing to do is to invest a lot of money in a semi-auto pistol and not be able to safely handle the weapon or complete qualification. I have been a firearms instructor for security for 15 years and have had a number of officers fail to qualify with both autos and wheel guns---people don't practise!!!! It is easier and safer to train a new shooter on a wheelgun and then if they shoot on a regular basis they can transition to a auto. A good use model 10 or 64 smith&wesson is a good starting weapon. (I still prefer Colt) Ruger, S&W, and Glocks are very good weapons that have few problems on the range, but if I ever have to carry a semi-auto it will be a
Sig-Saurer as I have had a very good experience with these on the range.

[delta13soultaker]

Taurus makes a few models that will serve as good service sidearms in a security role. And they are pretty affordable.

[Country101]

I like Kimber. The TLE would do nicely, I would think. Or of course, Wilson Combat(you said you didn't want to spend a grand, but how bout 2-3. :-D ). Glock and anything else with a polymer anything would be out for me. Each make has a decent to good gun if you look, so find a couple you like and weigh the good and bad of each.

[Smoky14]

I avoid, repeat AVOID so called TAC rails unless they are a requirment of your employer. The addition of a light soooo changes the handling of a weapon AND gives the BG a place to aim. By the time you get the lite in play you are the target, not good.
Smoky the opinionated

[Archie]

RaP,
What are your restrictions for choosing a carry gun? Can you carry anything? Are you restricted from single action autopistols? Can you carry a revolver?

A number of years ago I did a reseach paper on the subject. One of the factors in choosing a duty gun is how well the user can use that particular pistol. Because of my small hands, shooting any auto with a double stack magazine is problematic. (I can cheat and shoot most 9x19 pistols because the recoil is so mild, but I'm not gripping them properly.)

To make a long story short, my choices were either a 1911 auto; or a S&W .41 Magnum, preferable the model 48, with proper (smaller) grips; or a S&W model 19 with appropriate grips. These days, none of those are cheap, but they all fit your criteria of being off the beaten track. And you can find a M19 for reasonable sums around the country.

In modern guns, I find Glocks do work well and are adequate; but they are plastic and have no soul. I have an H&K USP 40; other than the grip being just a little too big, I can shoot it well and it works properly.

Good luck. Your quest is nothing less than the Holy Grail; and it changes subtly for everyone.

[llama.45]

dont get a glock dude

[Ruger.44]

For as much as you should or shouldn't avoid a model for arbitrary reasons, don't chose or avoid a caliber either. As a Ruger man, you might try the P91DC. I have one and really like it. No safety to mess with, good capacity, lots of stopping power as a .40S&W, and a frame that your familiar with.

I mention the Frame because of that golden rule, "If you can't shoot it comfortably, it ain't doin' you a damn bit of good." You already shoot them and I assume like them, don't mess with a good thing.

Stay Safe,

Jim

[user]

The critical factor is, what fits in your hand? A semiauto can hold more ammo, or the same ammo in a lot less space, than a revolver, but is not as reliable. Though I'm not sure there's a nickel's worth of difference. My suggestion would be that you get something that will shoot a bullet that can deliver at least two hundred and thirty foot-pounds of energy at 50 yards, and weighs about 22 oz. or less. If your hands are big enough, the Sig P226 is a nice choice, and will hold 15 rounds easily (if you're in a state that allows it); the 229 holds less but is more comfortable to most people; the all-metal Kahr's are nice, but I think you can do more damage faster with a S&W .357 revolver; and as a primary duty weapon it can exert a psychological force no semiauto can match.

9mm Luger and .357 magnum are relatively inexpensive and available almost everywhere, with really cheap practice ammo available in huge quantities.

A word on price: don't scrimp and save, find what's really best for you and buy it. This is not gasoline you have to buy every week, and where it's best to find whatever will run your car ok for the cheapest amount possible. This is something you don't want to have to buy again for a long time, so get the best value. For example, the Rohrbaugh is a great little pistol, but they're close to being totally handmade and therefore very expensive. But a used Iver Johnson .32 revolver you can pick up for $75 at a pawnshop will get you killed. Don't waste money, but don't be cheap,either. Be prepared to pay for quality. I suggest you set aside about $1,000 to $1,200 to pay not only for a good gun, but a good holster, laser grips, tritium sights, or whatever else you may find useful. You'll need to invest in a good bit of ammo for practice and time at the range, too.

Don't be impatient. Visit gunshops and ranges; look around, watch, and ask people questions. Some ranges will let you rent practice guns so you can see what they feel like before you invest. wait until the target comes into your sights before you fire - same principle applies to spending money on a gun.

[Neverhome]

I have a Taurus .45 ACP with the Crimson Trace Laser Sites built into the grip.
No need for a special holster for the Laser, it is a single stacked magazine (8 rounds), which fits my small hands very well, is very accurate and has never misfed a round. All Taurus guns come with a lifetime warranty. The 45 ACP packs a lot of stopping power and just looking down the barrel with that sewer pipe diameter is sometimes enough to make someone back off before you have to discharge the weapon.

I like the gun because it is well made and functions well, not because I own one.
If I buy something and I don't like it, be it a gun, car, etc., it is gone within days.
That philosophy has sometimes cost me big time but whatever I own, I am happy with.

Good luck in your choice.

Neverhome