Question...anyone switching back to 9mm?

[effbeeeye]

I actually prefer to carry a .40 caliber, but I wouldn't feel under gunned with Federal HST in 9mm. For 9mm we use Winchester, but do issue Federal rounds for other applications.

My philosophy is to use the biggest caliber you can accurately shoot (and afford!). I hate seeing people get into arguments about caliber size.

I use 9mm for its lower cost and recoil. And knowing what I know about wound ballistics, I don't feel under gunned. I've considered getting a .40 or .45, but I like the idea of only having one type of ammo for all my handguns. A 12ga and a 9mm are plenty for self defense!

[harley536]

LAPD is issuing 9mm Glocks, switching from the .40 caliber. Ballistic gell testing of the current issue ammunition shows little difference between the two rounds, but the primary reason for the change is cost.

Also, the G22 .40 cal I was issued originally would not function 100% either. Constant malfunctions plagued almost the whole class. The round would be half in the chamber and needed a quick tap on the bottom of the magazine to allow it to go into battery. Our class swapped them out for G17's about 3 months into the academy. I'll take the smaller, 100% reliable (in my experience) weapon over the bigger G22.

For the skeptics, multiple people (instructors) fired the weapons that were malfunctioning and tried running the gun extremely wet, same malfunction. Maybe just a bad batch of pistols, who knows.

[biochembruin]

Also, the G22 .40 cal I was issued originally would not function 100% either. Constant malfunctions plagued almost the whole class. The round would be half in the chamber and needed a quick tap on the bottom of the magazine to allow it to go into battery. Our class swapped them out for G17's about 3 months into the academy. I'll take the smaller, 100% reliable (in my experience) weapon over the bigger G22.

For the skeptics, multiple people (instructors) fired the weapons that were malfunctioning and tried running the gun extremely wet, same malfunction. Maybe just a bad batch of pistols, who knows.

Was it LAPD? If so, were you still using the Super Clean NT round? We had a lot of problems with that round.

[bcj128]

Hey guys, thanks for such a great thread...bio, I am also a firearms instructor (albeit for a considerably smaller agency) and have found this to be very informative.

Just curious to see how the LAPD selection goes...

[oddjob]

Redford,

I've had two XD9's because they did feel better than the Glock 17. I shot the XD9 for a year at USPSA matches. Then one day I shot plate racks for time. I was faster with the Glock 17 even though the XD9 felt better. My point is have your son shoot both on plate racks for speed (or a Bill Drill) and see which he is faster AND accurate with. Sometimes "feel" isn't the same as shootability. I'm guessing it was the lower bore axis of the Glock 17. I do think the Glock 17 is slightly more reliable than the XD9. Both are easy to clean, but there are a lot more accessories available for the Glock 17 than the XD9.

I now use a CZ Shadow for USPSA and the Glock 17 for GSSF.

Good luck!

[biochembruin]

Hey guys, thanks for such a great thread...bio, I am also a firearms instructor (albeit for a considerably smaller agency) and have found this to be very informative.

Just curious to see how the LAPD selection goes...

I'm not part of the selection for a new issue weapon, but if I had to guess, I would guess it will be the M&P 9mm with no safety. LAPD has had an historically strong relationship with Smith and Wesson.

[RedFord150]

Redford,

...I was faster with the Glock 17 even though the XD9 felt better. My point is have your son shoot both on plate racks for speed (or a Bill Drill) and see which he is faster AND accurate with. Sometimes "feel" isn't the same as shootability. ...

Thank you for your insights. The are very valuable to me.
We rented an XD9 at a local indoor range and put 25 rounds each through it. For my son, his 25 rounds were basically 2 big holes over the orange center. I was very quick on target with the XD9. For me, it was really amazing.
We will do a trip and rent just the G19. He is saving his $ and expects to buy in the next few months.
Thanks again.