Can't choose... need help

[comandante costello]

Assuming the gun fits your hand well, the USP would far and away be my choice.

[SgtDinosaur]

Considering your job, a full size service pistol in .45 ACP sounds pretty good, although I would be tempted to just use CorBon +P in the Glock. Sounds like you're jonesing for a new pistol . I can relate.

[DedEye]

If you point and shoot the XD well, why not look at the XD45?

Pistols are a very personal choice depending on what fits you and what you're comfortable with, so you are probably best served by shooting them all and figuring out which one you like most.

[Mr. Joshua]

Have you checked out the M&P 45? It's an excellent pistol, it's slowly taking me away from my Glocks.

[FCinCA]

The HK would be a good choice in my opinion.

[ElvenSoul]

Well as a fellow armed security officer I will tell ya...very few companies allow officers to carry anything other than 9mm or .40SW in auto. Even then your choices for brands can be limited to Glock, Springfield XD, Berreta 92F, and other police certified makes and models.

[JDoe]

#1 Sig P226 in .357 SIG

Rationale

1. Sig P226 is a reliable, high quality, well known weapon.
2. .357 SIG without question has greater penetration through objects like car doors than 9 mm, .40 S & W or .45 Auto. If there is a chance you're going to have to shoot through a car door this is the round to select.
3. .357 SIG JHP rounds have about the same penetration in ballistic gelatin as 9 mm, .40 S & W or .45 Auto and presumably would have similar performance in a human body.
4. You can always get at .40 S & W barrel for practice.
5. A .357 SIG is going to have a little more of a bang and flash* than the other caliber choices and that should have a psychological effect upon someone if you have to shoot them. In other words chances are they will know that they are shot and drop (not necessarily die, just drop--call it psychological incapacitation.)
6. Recoil is a little greater than a .40, maybe 10% greater but doesn't seem to impact getting back on target for multiple taps (with a little practice.)
7. The Secret Service uses the Sig P229 in .357 SIG so it must be good.
8. You will love shooting a .357 SIG.

Of course this is just my opinion and you should rent the guns you are thinking about before making a decision. I also have a Glock 19 and love it but just recently picked up a Glock 33 in .357 SIG (the Baby Glock) and simply love it. I just got back from the range to try out my 9 mm drop in Lone Wolf conversion barrel and shot 250 rounds through it without a hiccup. If you like the Glock platform the Glock 32 would be the same size as your Glock 19--something else to think about.

Best of luck with your decision making!

*Edit: Regarding the supposed flash here is some info on various muzzle flashes from different types of .357 SIG ammo. All the way from no flash to a flash that will affect your night vision.

Blazer: Has a little bright white flash.

CCI Lawman: Has an orange/red flash about 6" in diameter.

Corbon 115g JHP: No muzzle flash.

Federal "Personal Defense Ammo" (PDA): Has a very bright flash with a ball of white light at least 18" in diameter.

Hornady 124 HP: Very low flash.

PMC Eldorado: Has 8" diameter orange flash.

RBCD 60 grain TFSP: approx. 9" long and 5" wide; fairly bright orange/white light -- tested in daylight only.

Remington Golden Saber Hollow Points: Very bright flash that can adversely affect night vision.

Sellier and Bellot: Has no flash.

Speer Gold Dots (with yellow primer): Almost zero noticeable muzzle flash.

[Oldnoob]

Can't go wrong with a Sig, and I think having a conversion barrel is a great idea. Do they make a 40-9 or 357-9 conversion for sig yet?

[smittty]

Sig 229 in 357 sig.

Try this, load a mag with spent 357 sig rounds, yes I did say spent rounds as in empty brass, insert the mag and work the slide and see what happens.

Smittty

[ElvenSoul]

ummm I don't know of a single security company that would let a guard carry a Sig in .357...and there are very few police dept that allow officers to carry it as well

I agree it's a great round...but it has not gotten accpetance in the law enforcement community as yet....I don't know the reason why but they want their officers to carry 9mm or .40S&W only in automatics.

[ElvenSoul]

Oh if your thinking of working bank protection...get used to the idea of carrying a .38Special

Most major bank chains only allow officers to carry a .38 Special

Insurance reasons I guess

[cal_gunner]

I would check with your employer to see what they allow. It would be a drag to get something that you cannot carry on your Post.

[BuisJoel]

if you want a bigger round i would say P220 hands down. Theres a dealer in the market section that can get you one for a VERY good price.

[leitung]

I know my company wont let me carry my dads new kimber, I was told because it has a hair trigger. I can carry pretty much anything else as long as I can get a level 2 or greater holster.

[oghl888]

See my thoughts below.

I considering the following guns:
1)Sig P226 in .357SIG. I can carry .357SIG and get a .40 drop in barrel to cut down on ammo costs. I like this idea.

### always a good choice, assuming it fits you well and you shoot well with it.

2)H&K USP .45, I like the feel of this gun, and H&K's are good quality guns.

### Big grip for me, doesn't fit me well. You are not me though, and it could be a good choice.

3)FN Five-Seven.. not really for carry just for fun. I like it's light weight and has potential for high cap mags.

### I heard that the ammo available for this is actually quite weak. Not 100% sure if it's true.

4)Springfield XD .357, I love the grip of the XD, and every time I pick one up I smile, it just seems to fit well.

### If it fits you well and you shoot better with it because of the fit, then this is the one I would pick.

I am leaning towards the SIG, because I know sigs are known for being reliable, good quality, firearms.

### All on your list are reliable, good quality firearms. The only one I would question as a carry gun is the FN. Also, I would not put a lot of importance on the caliber. If you can shoot a 9mm much better than a 40/357sig/45, then I would say go with the 9mm. Shot placement is the most important thing.


Now for those who know anything about BSIS regs: one who has qualified with .357 mag revolvers can carry a .357SIG because all BSIS cares about is the numbers on the gun right..