Wife's xmas present help

[rcpd807]

I thought after the North Hollywood shootout, cops were favoring the .40 or .45 ACP over the 9mm.

I am not sure if it has anything to do with North Hollywood, but I am issued and carry a H&K 45 caliber. I figure the bigger the better. Most officer involved shooting happen within 3 to 7 feet, so don't really need something that will travel too far.

 

[wfooshee]

I would NOT go with the Ruger auto's, since I have always had function problems with them.

My P89 has NEVER failed through over 15 years of at least monthly range visits. with the exception of some exceptionally low-quality re-loads I got somewhere, which had expanded brass.

Not arguing for Ruger in his choice, just pointing out a different experience.

I also have a Ruger 10-22 semi-auto .22 rifle, best plinker I've ever seen. Wonderful little gun.

OK, that was a Ruger plug.

 

[03silverbullet]

What ever you get, make sure that your extra nice to her.

 

[extrememarine]

You definitely need to consider what is comfortable for her; how the weapon fits the shooter will effect how effectively he/she is able to put rounds on target.

Personal experience is with the Berretta 92f (M9 service pistol) and Glock 17/19 & 20. The M9 is my T/O weapon and I must qualify with it each year. It does not "fit" me very well, but I am able to score well with it (370's out of 400pts). Same course of fire with my G17(bone stock), I can average 390's; it just fits me better. I carried the M9 in Iraq, and experienced reliability issues with it. I acquired a G19 as a back up carry over there and had no issues in 3 months of harsh conditions. I am still adjusting to the G20, it's bigger frame / grip is taking some time to get comfortable with. As much as I like the .45's knock down power, the G17 just fits better, which in turn, gives me more confidence in employing that weapon.

As stated above, the Glock line is dead reliable; when push comes to shove, and you squeeze the trigger, it's going to do what it's supposed to.

Everyone will like something different about his/her favorite brand / model. I'd suggest going to a range that rents the prospective models, that would be money well spent, IMHO.

If I were given the option, the G17 would go with me back the sand box before any other sidearm. Good luck & may she never need to use what ever sidearm you decide on.

-wr

 

[Bounce]

All good comments all quality arms. Personal preference reign supreme here. I like the build quality and reliability of the Sig options. However, after owning several, I have decided I don't care for them personally. The grips of most feel like I'm trying to hold on to a 2x4 and I personally don't care for "Kunchentinkers" (trigger-cocking semi-autos).

I've spent extensive time learning and aclimating to 1911-pattern pistols, so the single-action design is what feels best to me and is the best controlled (IMO). That means something from Springfield in either a .40 S&W or .45 ACP and only in their SAO/Cocked-and-locked versions. Too bad that they didn't let her look into different models from Kimber. Thanks to my Pro Carry II, I've aced my range qualifications every time since switching to it.

IMO, as a service pistol, 9mm is at the bottom end of appropriate. Loading up with extra shots is a hint that those extra shots are often needed. Many of the elite units in the military have already broken from their "standard issue" 9s and gone (back) to models in .45 ACP. The .40S&W splits the difference while often fitting into the smaller frames similar (but beefier) to th 9s.

Bottom line is your wife needs to go to some ranges, try renting some of the available models and spending time sending hot lead down range to see what best suits her.

 

[Bob Hughes]

my vote goes to the glock model 23.

I haven't read any of the replies, but will when I am done.
When I transitioned from a Smith and Wesson 9mm to a Glock 9mm in 1991, I heard all the commotion about how Glocks were worthless. While they have had some problems (ie: the KaBoom factor in their large frame weapons), to ME, as an 18 year cop who has served pretty much every part of police work and has been involved in too police shootings, there is no better combat weapon than a Glock. There are certainly better weapons, certainly more accurate weapons, certainly safer weapons for home use, no doubt. But for a combat weapon, it is amazing. Drop it in mud, pick it up and pull the trigger, it fires. Drop it in sand, pick it up and pull the trigger, it fires. Drop it on the concrete during a struggle, pick it up and pull the trigger, it fires.

It has enough tolerances built in that most debris will not cause it to fire like many, more precise weapons. It is rugged, has a built in safety system that is perfect for law enforcement, but not so much the home. With the Smith and Wesson we had, if you dropped it, the magazine release safety would break and the gun would be nothing better than a boat anchor. We had an officer here who had a Sig's trigger spring break after his first round in a shootout with a bank robbery suspect. Once that spring broke, the gun was useless.

With a Glock, for combat purposes, it is hard to beat.

You definitely need to consider what is comfortable for her; how the weapon fits the shooter will effect how effectively he/she is able to put rounds on target.
Personal experience is with the Berretta 92f (M9 service pistol) and Glock 17/19 & 20. The M9 is my T/O weapon and I must qualify with it each year. It does not "fit" me very well, but I am able to score well with it (370's out of 400pts). Same course of fire with my G17(bone stock), I can average 390's; it just fits me better. I carried the M9 in Iraq, and experienced reliability issues with it. I acquired a G19 as a back up carry over there and had no issues in 3 months of harsh conditions. I am still adjusting to the G20, it's bigger frame / grip is taking some time to get comfortable with. As much as I like the .45's knock down power, the G17 just fits better, which in turn, gives me more confidence in employing that weapon.

As stated above, the Glock line is dead reliable; when push comes to shove, and you squeeze the trigger, it's going to do what it's supposed to.

Everyone will like something different about his/her favorite brand / model. I'd suggest going to a range that rents the prospective models, that would be money well spent, IMHO.

If I were given the option, the G17 would go with me back the sand box before any other sidearm. Good luck & may she never need to use what ever sidearm you decide on.

-wr

My favorite piece is the Glock 23 which fires my favorite round the .40 S&W. It always works when you pull the trigger.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

I've owned a Glock 27, the "baby Glock" in .40 S&W for several years. It is totally reliable and very accurate for a small pistol.

I've read that many officers who use a full sized Glock as their duty weapon will use a Baby Glock in the same caliber as a backup gun, since the larger issue magazines will also fit the smaller backup gun. I think this would be an important consideration when gun shopping.

My 27 holds 9+1 rds and I have a 15 rd mag that sticks out the bottom of the gun about an inch. It will accept up to a 29 rd mag. A PEARCE GRIP mag extension makes the baby Glock much easier to hold and shoot for $10.

I'm not sure if the Glock would fit your wife's hand comfortably. It's large for me. Many newer auto pistols have replaceable grip backstraps to fit the gun to different sized hands.

Whether the Glock is right or not, the ability to use issue mags should be considered if a backup gun will be carried.

 

[evil_henchman]

I can't believe this isn't in NEPRT with all the other "which handgun is best" threads where all the same replies can be found. Have you thought about asking your wife what she want's and then "surprising" her with it? Nothing like spending $500 to $1000 on a handgun based on advice from a motorcycle forum and risking having the recipient hate it. Sheesh.

 

[Silver Penguin]

I had a similar dilema but we don't have guns here so I got her a throwing axe for her 40th.

Wait a minute..... you live in 'Gunchester' and don't have guns here? How did she like the throwing axe?

Jill

 

[ponyfool]

I didn't get into caliber discussions, rather just the gun. The ONLY reason I carry a Glock 26 over say a Glock 30 is because I have an issued 9mm Glock 17 and I wanted interchangeable magazines.

Even with the KaBoom issue the large framed Glocks have had, I would much prefer the .45 to the 9mm. Even though our department swears the new 9mm round we carry is very good, I'd prefer big holes to little holes. My .45 saved my life twice and I was very pleased with the round, and gun's performance.

I had the Glock 21 sidearm with the Glock 30 back up when we were allowed the .45ACP. When they made us switch, I was issued the Glock 17 and traded the Glock 30 for a compatible Glock 26.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

That means something from Springfield in either a .40 S&W or .45 ACP and only in their SAO/Cocked-and-locked versions.

Now that's what I'm talking 'bout! (I do love that olive drab and desert brown)

I can't believe this isn't in NEPRT...

Shame on you! Firearms are never NEPRT. Sheesh!

...I would much prefer the .45 to the 9mm. ... My .45 saved my life twice and I was very pleased with the round, and gun's performance.

Pardon the edit there Pony and can I hear an "Amen!"?

 

[feejer222]

I had a similar dilema but we don't have guns here so I got her a throwing axe for her 40th.

Wait a minute..... you live in 'Gunchester' and don't have guns here? How did she like the throwing axe?

Jill

OK we dont have legal guns here, and try to stay away from the nice folks who do have 'em. :blink:

She loved the axe but the scabbard didn't go with any of her work suits so she says she now needs a new wardrobe. ho hum, no changes there eh?

Hope she doesn't read this she will pin me to the wall with the axe....again :huh:

 

[PTINSTRUCTOR]

Two questions: Is she going to use this on duty? Will it be allowed by her Department?

As a retired LEO, Federal Firearms Instructor, Distinguished Weapons Expert, Range Master, as well as a Federal Defensive Tactics Instructor, I would recommend talking to the Department's Firearms Instructor or Training Officer. All these forum guys have great ideas and most of the weapons, they mentioned, are very good. However, if they are not allowed, why carry it. Plus, carrying the same type of weapon you use and train with, on duty, makes life a whole lot easier off duty.

Just for info, the U.S. Border Patrol did one of the most extensive tests for the best weapon and the best caliber for law enforcement, at least for our officers. They used new guys, old hands, good shooters and bad shooters. The tried all the weapons and various calibers. Basically the result of their test was that most (Border Patrol) officers liked the Glock, for the reasons mentioned here in the forum. It is almost indistructable. And it has the least moving parts. Did they use it? No, but then remember they are a government agency. (Actually there were several reason for not using it in their enviournment)

And they found that the standard caliber that was the best, for Border patrol work, was the 40 cal. FBI had gone to a 10 mm but had to detuned it to make it a great round. So, .40 cal was still the best overall STANDARD round for police work (up 'til then we used 9MM....more rounds per clip...less stopping power).

I have carried a Glock since 1986 (except when the Border Patrol went to Barettas). Still love them. But Glocks FIT me and my hands.

Many Departments, however, are going to weapons with double/single actions that require a lot more trigger pull on the first round than subsequent shots. Reason? Reduced ADs (accidental discharges). Under high stress, under-trained officers, were "griping" the trigger too tightly. Therefore, during immediate action situations, they would clench up and so would their trigger finger. Result....ADs. (although proper training can keep this from happening)

So, again, find out what her department recommends and allows. And just remember, one of the worst feelings is to be out of ammo and have everyone around you using a different weapon (thereby mag) and a different caliber. There is nothing like "borrowing" a full mag from your buddy, during a fire fight, to make you feel good!

One last thing, in my world...how cool is it to have a cop for a wife????? I have a wife who rides an FJR well, use to race motorcross, knows how to shoot and will rip your throat out...but she was never a cop. My congrats.

 

[madmike2]

Two questions: Is she going to use this on duty? Will it be allowed by her Department?

In the first post he lists the Department approved weapons.

 

[huk finn]

Not if it will rain and snow. let me know if you want o hit the range sometime.

OK, THREAD HIGHJACK. I belong to a private range out here in Rockford, where I can shoot indoors ANYTIME I want. 24/7/365. Since the weather is starting to go to crap, we need to put together a day at the pistol range. Did I mention the range is HEATED!

How bout somewhere centralized, like gat guns off I-90 & rte 25 ???? Easy for the chicago guys to find

for evil medic, call gun ranges that rent guns ,,, let her try them out first since she may have to use it in dangerous situations.

I hope to find a glock 36 rental to see if I like it

 

[Silver Penguin]

Hope she doesn't read this she will pin me to the wall with the axe....again :huh:

Graham - you HAVE to post pix of this. There are some weirdos on the forum that are into that kind of thing. :clapping:

 

[wfooshee]

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

For example. . . .

 

[JimH]

Here's my personal choice: https://www.hk-usa.com/le_products.html USP Compact in .40 S&W. I have fired just about eveything under the sun at one time or another (ex-military) and I don't like the 92f. This is an easy gun to grip and very fast to return to the target. The LE trigger is really nice. I can get off three shots in a really tight group, or one to the heart, one to the head, then one back to the chest in a couple of seconds and that's from a side holster draw. It's really easy to clean and travels well.

 

[PTINSTRUCTOR]

Two questions: Is she going to use this on duty? Will it be allowed by her Department?

In the first post he lists the Department approved weapons.

OK...the question should have been "will she carry this off duty or on duty?" Departments usually have DIFFERENT lists for Off duty carry then they do for ON duty carry. And, most departments, IMHO, do not allow officers to carry the variance of weapons, mentioned here, ON DUTY.

Off duty is usually a one on one confrontation where the officer has little or no backup, unless he carries a department radio everywhere. Plus the weapon is almost always concealed (thereby usually smaller). So, departments allow more types of weapons OFF duty provided the officer can qualify with it.

However, ON duty, most departments have more requirements. Type, caliber and make of weapon is usually regulated for good reason. I have never seen a police department allow that many types of weapons to be carried ON DUTY. However, as may be pointed out, I do not KNOW the regs of EVERY department in the US.

When officers qualify or re-qualify, with whatever they carry, the reason is simple: It enhances "muscle memory" for those high stress situations police officers find themselves, where "adrenelin rush" kicks in (the nervous system restricts or changes body functions like vision, motor skills, and reasoning abilities) . It usually follows, that each officer, ON DUTY, can or should be able to, pick up another officer's weapon and be proficient with it. Plus, mags/cal are interchangable ("Wheel guns" just need the same type of caliber). Some weapons, like those mentioned, have decocking levers. Some have double single action or just one (single or double action). Trigger pulls are different, mag realeases are different, etc. It is a scary situation to be out of ammo and your partner(s) have a different cal or mag type. Now what?

Again, IMHO, I find it hard to believe that a department would allow that variance of weapons to be used on duty. But, having been a West Texas peace officer, for awhile, I have seen some departments/officers do some really strange things. However they were not all bad .

Again, ask her training officer or range master. They should have the knowledge both of the department's requirements and her individual requirements.

I hope you find a weapn that "suits" her. I know she will be happy with your effort. Most men would never buy their wives guns, so your marriage is probably very strong.....I hope!

 

[dean]

if she test drives the springfield xd sc, make sure to test drive one with regular mags, and one with the pearce grip extensions. for me, the grip extensions make a world of difference, without defeating the subcompact design. i've read the xd has better ergos than the glock, and results in better aiming from the get go. that said, i'd still test drive 'em all, as painful as that might be. ( :

dean