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Police Duty Gun.?

By Yahoo Answers
2008-01-31 10:31:10
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what I should carry on duty, when I join a police department (I am 16 now). I know I will be issued a Glock 22, but I am not the biggest fan of Glock. I think that they are a little small for me. I prefer a big framed gun. I was considering a Beretta 92-FS, but that is a 9mm, and has NO stopping power. So how about a 96 (Beretta 92-FS chambered for a .40 S&W)? What do you recommend pistol wise for patrol purposes?
Answered By: Kenneth C
The 9mm has plenty of stopping power, especially with modern JHPs. I have seen more then one dead body with 9mm holes in them. Compared to .40 S&W and .45 ACP, it might not be the best option...But I will say a nine is fine and I would have no problems carrying one. Especially since you generally get 3-4 more rounds per magazine with one. Police rarely get into extended gun battles, but it has happened and if you did, you might wish you had the extra rounds compared to a bit more "power". I carried one in the Army for 4 years. There are dozens and dozens of duty weapons out there chambered in the .40 S&W that are suitable for patrol work. Sig, Glock, Beretta, H&K, FN, ect, ect, ect all make them. So most advice would be to try a few out and see what you like. About the Beretta 96, which you mentioned specifically, it is a fine weapon. Also keep in mind, most police departments only issue one firearm (most commonly the Glock 22) and you *have* to carry that. Others may have a short list of "approved" weapons. Only a small percentage of departments let you carry what you want.
User: Pun
you're 16 so god only knows what they will be issuing in the years to come. i'm not a fan of glock either. states can have requirements on which "brand" of weapon you can carry so that is always something to consider. as for stopping power - hogwash - a well placed shot does the job just as well as the big stuff. some departments allow your choice of weapon based upon authorized manufacturers. i am a s&w fan myself but for off duty and size i really like the kahr p45 and the mini kimbers..... good luck with your choice of career......
User: Animal Liberation Front
The Glock 22 is fine, but the Beretta doesn't have enough stopping power as you said. The 96 would work if you like it. Hopefully you will never have to use it, and as you will learn in the academy, you wanna use your taser before your gun. (I wish cops could use HK MP7 PDWs.) Shooting someone is too much paperwork, but for your patrol gun it's definitely up to you. The 96 would work if you wanted it. Try em all, look up the specs. You might just find out you love say... the Colt 45 1911. Best of luck, I hope you never get in a position you need to use that gun. -John
User: hamrrfan
If you are accepted by a police force you will have to follow their policy. Some departments allow officers to make their own choice, others specify the exact weapon. By the time you are old enough to join, the Glock may not be the weapon authorized by the department that you are thinking about.
User: Kenneth C
The 9mm has plenty of stopping power, especially with modern JHPs. I have seen more then one dead body with 9mm holes in them. Compared to .40 S&W and .45 ACP, it might not be the best option...But I will say a nine is fine and I would have no problems carrying one. Especially since you generally get 3-4 more rounds per magazine with one. Police rarely get into extended gun battles, but it has happened and if you did, you might wish you had the extra rounds compared to a bit more "power". I carried one in the Army for 4 years. There are dozens and dozens of duty weapons out there chambered in the .40 S&W that are suitable for patrol work. Sig, Glock, Beretta, H&K, FN, ect, ect, ect all make them. So most advice would be to try a few out and see what you like. About the Beretta 96, which you mentioned specifically, it is a fine weapon. Also keep in mind, most police departments only issue one firearm (most commonly the Glock 22) and you *have* to carry that. Others may have a short list of "approved" weapons. Only a small percentage of departments let you carry what you want.
User: JJ
glock sucks. i like springfield .45 semi auto's. i had one that was a law enforcement edition, carried 13 rounds and 1 in the hole. no manual safety switch, it had a saftey on the back of the grip and one on the trigger that disengaged automatically when you grip the gun and pull the trigger. i loved that gun.
User: dumddink
carry with u integrity common sense these should super cede the need for deadly force
User: mebe1042
You have about 5 years(give or take) to worry about that and now wouldn't be the time. You really don't know where you'll be working, if the Dept. issues you a weapon or you can purchase your own and what you prefer is acceptable. Glocks are popular because they're considered "idiot guns" by some because any idiot can shoot one and they can endure the neglect of same idiot that doesn't clean it regularly. Me personally, they're fine. I have a 27 as a back-up/off duty. And within 5 years lots of things could change. Like from 1990 to 1995 you saw the widespread transition from revolvers to semi-autos. 1995 to 2000 saw the change from 9mm to .40cal as the standard duty weapon. And from 2000 to 2005 saw the shift from .40cal to .45ACP, Officers carrying long rifles and S&W actually making a decent duty weapon! :). From 2005 to the present, Tasers becoming a new and very useful tool for Police Officers and some Officers going to 1911 style sidearms. Hang loose and see what happens when you get there. It may be completely different from what you plan for.
User: NYPD.Hwy505.
Service: S&W 5946 9MM (Never left the racks without it) Off-Duty: Baby Glock 26 When I came on the job - Ruger Police Service Six .38 (saved my life) Off Duty - S&W Chief 5 Shot.
User: spkultr
first of all, get some help while you are still a minor for your anger management issues. second, you will carry whatever your superior officer tells you to carry. third, finish 10th grade geography, this is imperative fourth, maybe marine scout sniper would fit your personality better, ,,,, just thinking out loud.
User: Pun
you're 16 so god only knows what they will be issuing in the years to come. i'm not a fan of glock either. states can have requirements on which "brand" of weapon you can carry so that is always something to consider. as for stopping power - hogwash - a well placed shot does the job just as well as the big stuff. some departments allow your choice of weapon based upon authorized manufacturers. i am a s&w fan myself but for off duty and size i really like the kahr p45 and the mini kimbers..... good luck with your choice of career......
User: Animal Liberation Front
The Glock 22 is fine, but the Beretta doesn't have enough stopping power as you said. The 96 would work if you like it. Hopefully you will never have to use it, and as you will learn in the academy, you wanna use your taser before your gun. (I wish cops could use HK MP7 PDWs.) Shooting someone is too much paperwork, but for your patrol gun it's definitely up to you. The 96 would work if you wanted it. Try em all, look up the specs. You might just find out you love say... the Colt 45 1911. Best of luck, I hope you never get in a position you need to use that gun. -John
User: hamrrfan
If you are accepted by a police force you will have to follow their policy. Some departments allow officers to make their own choice, others specify the exact weapon. By the time you are old enough to join, the Glock may not be the weapon authorized by the department that you are thinking about.
User: Kenneth C
The 9mm has plenty of stopping power, especially with modern JHPs. I have seen more then one dead body with 9mm holes in them. Compared to .40 S&W and .45 ACP, it might not be the best option...But I will say a nine is fine and I would have no problems carrying one. Especially since you generally get 3-4 more rounds per magazine with one. Police rarely get into extended gun battles, but it has happened and if you did, you might wish you had the extra rounds compared to a bit more "power". I carried one in the Army for 4 years. There are dozens and dozens of duty weapons out there chambered in the .40 S&W that are suitable for patrol work. Sig, Glock, Beretta, H&K, FN, ect, ect, ect all make them. So most advice would be to try a few out and see what you like. About the Beretta 96, which you mentioned specifically, it is a fine weapon. Also keep in mind, most police departments only issue one firearm (most commonly the Glock 22) and you *have* to carry that. Others may have a short list of "approved" weapons. Only a small percentage of departments let you carry what you want.
User: JJ
glock sucks. i like springfield .45 semi auto's. i had one that was a law enforcement edition, carried 13 rounds and 1 in the hole. no manual safety switch, it had a saftey on the back of the grip and one on the trigger that disengaged automatically when you grip the gun and pull the trigger. i loved that gun.
User: dumddink
carry with u integrity common sense these should super cede the need for deadly force
User: mebe1042
You have about 5 years(give or take) to worry about that and now wouldn't be the time. You really don't know where you'll be working, if the Dept. issues you a weapon or you can purchase your own and what you prefer is acceptable. Glocks are popular because they're considered "idiot guns" by some because any idiot can shoot one and they can endure the neglect of same idiot that doesn't clean it regularly. Me personally, they're fine. I have a 27 as a back-up/off duty. And within 5 years lots of things could change. Like from 1990 to 1995 you saw the widespread transition from revolvers to semi-autos. 1995 to 2000 saw the change from 9mm to .40cal as the standard duty weapon. And from 2000 to 2005 saw the shift from .40cal to .45ACP, Officers carrying long rifles and S&W actually making a decent duty weapon! :). From 2005 to the present, Tasers becoming a new and very useful tool for Police Officers and some Officers going to 1911 style sidearms. Hang loose and see what happens when you get there. It may be completely different from what you plan for.
User: NYPD.Hwy505.
Service: S&W 5946 9MM (Never left the racks without it) Off-Duty: Baby Glock 26 When I came on the job - Ruger Police Service Six .38 (saved my life) Off Duty - S&W Chief 5 Shot.
User: spkultr
first of all, get some help while you are still a minor for your anger management issues. second, you will carry whatever your superior officer tells you to carry. third, finish 10th grade geography, this is imperative fourth, maybe marine scout sniper would fit your personality better, ,,,, just thinking out loud.

by Yahoo Answers