Handgun recommendations for armed security?

[mikeyr]

I would make it a Glock since you will be carrying it daily. Its plastic so its lighter to carry all day. By wearing it daily you will get it scratched up on things, but that is ok, it was already fugly when you bought it brand new. Its already fugly so the nicks that will come from dropping it wont bother you. Its plastic and fugly so scratches from hitting sides of buildings or brush or who knows what as you daily carry won't show as badly. Its also cheap compared to other guns so you will be less upset when you scratch it up.

And even though its really fugly, after all that abuse, if you ever need it, it will reliably fire and function flawlessly. Luckily I don't carry, so I have no need for a plastic gun but that would be my choice. Yeah, I am not a fan of Glocks but this is a case where there is no pride of ownership, there is no need for a nice looking gun, its a tool and in this case, the best tool for the job is a Glock.

[BarrettM99]

Glock 19, M&P 9, VP9, XD9. Take your pick.

[ZombieLivesMatter]

I have no brand biased, I've had Glock, CZ, Sig, and S&W. But as recommended multiple times before, G19. Try one at the range sometime, it'll feel very different than your G26. My G26 is my CCW but it took a few training sessions to get accustomed to, whereas the G19 was on point the first time I held it, felt small and light to carry around but felt like a full-size shooting.

[timbo399]

Glock 17/19, S&W M&P (I love the ergonomics/hand fit on these even better than Glocks but not on roster anymore)-- light to carry all day w polymer frame.

That being said, you need to try out a bunch and see what is best FOR YOU. This is an incredibly important decision for you as your life could be on the line here. Not talking about some range gun to buy. So try out as many as you can and see what you like then practice, practice, practice.

Good luck with the new job OP!!! Stay safe. If you were closer I'd let you try a bunch of my semis but I'm sure you will get the same offer from people closer to you.

[tanks]

...So far I'm considering the CZ P01 and Beretta 92G. A Sig is a little out of my budget (unless I can find one used)

Have you checked out the fit? For example I am fine with a CZ P01 but Beretta 92 is way too big for my hands.

In regards to weight the CZ P01 is not heavy (maybe people are confusing it with SP-01).

[solipsism]

19 or 17.

Metal guns are nice and all but carrying one 8+ hours gets old.

[timeexposure]

I second (or third or twentieth) the recommendation for Glock 17 or 19.

If you don't want Glock because, Glock, then I still recommend a polymer frame pistol. Personally, I would carry the HK P2000, and add a grip cover of your choice. I like the LEM trigger (variant 1) but you'll only find SA/DA decocker models (variant 3) new in Cali. A Springfield XD-9 is cheaper and is a good quality gun too (if the grip safety doesn't bother you like it bothers others). If you like SIG, consider the SP2022. It retails at $597, so a local retailer should be able to sell one for less.

Save the all-metal guns for the range or competition.

[Jimmy's]

M&P all day long.

[FalconLair]

I am a retired policeman working as an Armed Guard. Every company has a policy and it is because of insurance and what the client asks for. i.e. one company who provides Armed Patrol in high end communities says, "No 1911s, No Glocks". Another place you might work for is on a subcontract to a Federal, State, County or City owned building or grounds and they will say what caliber you will carry.

38 Special is the default for most places.

i used to chat a bit with the security guard who worked for my bank - he had a .38 revolver 6 shot

one day i asked him why he carried a revolver instead of a semi-auto - 3 or 4 guys storm a bank and 6 shots doesn't seem like much - he told me the bank only allowed for a .38 revolver and 6 shots - my guess is they are limiting what their security can do while at the same time making people feel safer because there was an "armed" presence at the bank - limit the liability

i kinda felt the guy was underarmed

[mansysinatra]

Glock or Springfield XD...and a really good holster.

[sigstroker]

You could do a lot worse than your 686. As a security guard you won't be hunting down criminals, you just want people to stop what they're doing. The 686 is big and silvery and scary.

[P5Ret]

M&P all day long.

If a Sig isn't in his budget, I really doubt an off roster M&P is either.


OP I went through this a few years ago with my son. What he wanted and what the company required were different things, especially when it came to a holster. Their requirement's on holster's basically eliminated anything that wasn't a common LE duty handgun. I don't recall exactly how their policy was worded but no one made a level III holster for what he wanted to carry. So you may want to look at that before you make your decision.

[Packy14]

Any statistics on safeties getting you killed? Some PD's that did or do approve guns with safeties mandate on safe carry or approve guns that would force you to do so like a 1911.

I haven't been seeing all kinds of reports of these cops dying in droves because they forgot to take the safety off.

He's not a cop and most cops can't shoot for **** anyway. But they have backup and often dump a whole mag to make up for poor skills. They are also virtually immune from liability unlike the OP.

[Packy14]

Get a Glock 17/22 and then go to "Front Sight" and actually learn how to shoot it.

"Any gun will do, if you will do." However nothing will do if you can't shoot.

If you are going to carry a gun for a living you need to be good with it!

Anything else is pure stupidity.

Randy

And then get some quality instruction to unlearn the nonsense you learned at front site.

[newbie1234]

Go to the indoor range which has the free rent pistol try all of them and pick the one you like most.
This is not military, you do not have to stick with GI stuffs. Let people tell you which one without try out first is exactly you get the GI M16,72,79,1911.
My 2 cents