Academy Firearms Recommendations

[Reardon_san]

I am currently enrolled in the Pre-Orientation at the GWC Academy. The staff has provided us w/ a list of unform articles, equipment and weapons to have ready for the Academy. Any recommendations on where to purchase an (relatively) inexpensive yet adequate handgun for this type of curriculum?

[Jwood562]

did they give you a list of firearms? did they tell you what caliber or is just buy any gun you want to shoot type thing. also are you putting yourself through the academy or are you already hired and your agency sends you there.

if you are putting yourself through then you may want to look at what firearms are allowed by the agency you are going to apply for so you can trin with that during the academy and then use it for duty.

[Jonathan Doe]

Majority of agencies are using Glocks in different calibers. Some use Beretta. I carry Sig P226 in 9mm or P220 in 45 Auto. Among all the guns out there, Glock has the lowest prices I believe, and simpler to train with.

[tyrist]

Get something on the cheaper side of things because you may not be able to use it when you are hired. You may even want to get a police trade in since they are still completely functional.

[Unit74]

I would go with with a G22 or G21. Go find a beater gun and blast away.

Once you get hired, your agency will more than likely present you with a new peace maker.

[Unit74]

Buy a Glock 22 or Glock 17.

I would disagree with a G17.


Train like you fight. You will no doubt carry a .40 or a .45 on duty. Get the most time with a carry caliber you can. Leave the 9mm for plinking on your own time for fun.

[repoman1984]

I'm hoping my Glock 22 will eventually become my service weapon if all goes well with LAPD. Seen them on many belts and I like the gun and the caliber, fairly inexpensive VS berretta, sig and gasp...HK. lol not to knock HK but those are some PRICEY handguns.

[Casual Observer]

I would disagree with a G17.


Train like you fight. You will no doubt carry a .40 or a .45 on duty. Get the most time with a carry caliber you can. Leave the 9mm for plinking on your own time for fun.

This is good advice. Unfortunately, issued firearms do span the range from $500 Glocks to $900 Sig's and HK's.

You're right on about caliber. Many LEA (including almost all the 3 letter Fed agencies) are using .40S&W these days- nice compromise between the over-penetration of the 9mm and the subsonic .45ACP.

As a side note, if you go with the Glock 22 or 23, be sure to use the magazines with 11 coils in them. That way it won't jam when you but a light on it.

[Reardon_san]

ACADEMY LIST

did they give you a list of firearms? did they tell you what caliber or is just buy any gun you want to shoot type thing. also are you putting yourself through the academy or are you already hired and your agency sends you there.

if you are putting yourself through then you may want to look at what firearms are allowed by the agency you are going to apply for so you can trin with that during the academy and then use it for duty.

Yes.
Colt, Para-Ordnance, S&W, H&K, Sig, Beretta or Glock.
Caliber: .45 ACP, 40 S&W, 9 or 10mm, with a minimum of 4" long barrel length.
Holster: Blk basketweave designed for the weapon w/ Level 1 or 2 security.
Must have inside thumb break safety strap & retention device.

Yes. I am an Independent, thus far.

[bshnt2015]

Since you are putting yourself thru, I'd go with a 9mm, Glock 17. Safariland holster. Agencies like LAPD allow the Glock 17 9mm. Buy ammo in bulk if you can with other classmates, avoid Wolf brand stay with Federal, Winchester or Speer. Good luck.

[Unit74]

As a side note, if you go with the Glock 22 or 23, be sure to use the magazines with 11 coils in them. That way it won't jam when you but a light on it.

FWIW...

Not sure if it's an issue with a .40, but on my duty G21 with an X300 and over 2500 rnds on it I have not have any stopages due to a mag. Last range I had a light primer strike but a tap rack bang and I was back in the fight without skipping a beat.

[Casual Observer]

FWIW...

Not sure if it's an issue with a .40, but on my duty G21 with an X300 and over 2500 rnds on it I have not have any stopages due to a mag. Last range I had a light primer strike but a tap rack bang and I was back in the fight without skipping a beat.

it is an issue with the .40S&W Glocks that's been well documented. When designing the 22 and 23, they simply made a new barrel. Frame and springs were carried over from the 17/19. The weight of a light attached to the rail bends the frame just enough to affect the feeding of the round from the magazine into the breach. The solution is to use the new magazines that use an 11 coil spring for forceful feeding.

I do agree with the Glock 17 choice. It's a good solid weapon that will serve you well in the academy. The weapon and ammo are about as cheap as you can go and still maintain the necessary quality/ reliability IMHO.

[Jwood562]

Yes.
Colt, Para-Ordnance, S&W, H&K, Sig, Beretta or Glock.
Caliber: .45 ACP, 40 S&W, 9 or 10mm, with a minimum of 4" long barrel length.
Holster: Blk basketweave designed for the weapon w/ Level 1 or 2 security.
Must have inside thumb break safety strap & retention device.

Yes. I am an Independent, thus far.

That is a nice list to choose from.

Have you shot any of these guns? I would by the nicest you can afford right now. do not buy the glock just because it is the least expensive. practice like you play. This relates to your training. I shot about every gun I could get my grubby little hands on when it came time to buy a duty weapon.

I chose the sig P220 becasue that is waht felt best in my hand. I do agree to stick with either .40 or .45 caliber for duty weapon. with a 45 cal you can get 10+1 rds and 40 cal I believe like 14 or even 16+1 depending on brand.

I believe that for holsters only level II or III with have a thumb safty snap and strap over the hammer. Again the holster training is just as important. Break that thing in like a cathcers mit. make sure you can get the gun out easily and you can undo the saftey snaps easily when needed.

I use a level III safariland basket weave and it is second nature un-holsetering and reholstering.

good luck and let us know what gun/holster combo you get

[Pryde]

I would disagree with a G17.


Train like you fight. You will no doubt carry a .40 or a .45 on duty. Get the most time with a carry caliber you can. Leave the 9mm for plinking on your own time for fun.

There's nothing wrong with carrying a 9mm if you are using a good LEO load such as Fed HST or Win Ranger. Not to mention the fact that the Glock 17/19 do not have the durability issues present on the Glock 20/23.

[couz_taylor]

absolutely correct