Carry gun

[CAglock20c]

Hi guys, I know this question (or variants of this question) gets asked from time to to time, but I was curious. Are Glock and Sig still the majority of carry pistols being used out there in LE, or are more officers going to other options like XD/XDm's, M&P's, etc? I assume the majority of pistols carried are .40 S&W as well? Thanks guys (and gals)!

[Notorious]

Glocks account for 65% of the American LE market according to popular figures, mainly published by Glock.

40 seems to be the predominant caliber, but 9mm is making quite a comeback as many departments are going back to it for costs and ease of shooting. 45 will always be popular in American LE too.

[oddjob]

In the San Joaquin valley area I'd say Glock followed by Sig. In today's economic climate money is extremely important to an agency. I know a few agencies that are going to Glocks from Sigs & HK's due to costs.

[MarcM]

LASD is still issuing Berettas, I believe, but are supposedly going to the M&P in 9mm soon. I go back and forth between my 9mm Beretta Centurion with Crimson Trace, and my P220 Elite. I love them both.

[phantomson9]

LASD at the moment is issuing the s&w m&p in 9mm the academy class that just graduated was the first class to finish the academy with them. But from what I have heard about most agencies in the area glock is still the most popular followed by sig but a lot of agencies are moving to the m&p.

[ap3572001]

Glock .40 seems to be VERY popular. Officers who buy Glock GEN4 22's now have an option of having 22rd factory magazines.

With better ammo , 9mm is VERY popular too.
SIG and Beretta are still popular on/off duty.

I see a little less interest in .45

[S2V]

I used to carry my Beretta... too big. Switched to S&W M&P 9C...

My former dept, I carried a Glock onduty/offduty (.45)

[CAglock20c]

that's interesting about Berettas...is that just because of the large military influence/lower cost? I'd think departments would much rather go with a glock before beretta...

[ap3572001]

I also forgot to mention that from what I see at our range ( LE Instructor for over 10 years) Beretta 92FS/G 9mm seem to be the most reliable.

Just my observation .

I HAVE seen plenty of :Glocks, Sigs, HK's , XD's etc jam.

Not a 92 series Beretta.

I own two Beretta's now . A 92FS and a 92G .

Owned about 8 Beretta 92 series pistols.

NEVER had to clear a jam.

[Notorious]

That's what I hear about Berettas from all my LAPD buddies who carried one. Never jammed. Might break. Never jam.

[CaliTheKid]

Seems there have been a few gun philosophies in my department I have (respectfully) noticed.

The Beretta generation that were issued it and have stuck with it. Old school and I have only seen them change when they get promoted and are more station/office bound or have a medical issue that requires a lighter firearm.

The HK USP 45 group that are (or were) mainly at the faster stations. They like the .45 round specifically.

The new Sig group that seem to be moving back to 9mm in favor of capacity but some do carry the P220's. Many of these used to carry the USP .45. Sig group seem to feel the Sig is best system available to them. The SRT trigger is a favored feature.

No one seems to be too passionate either way about the MP 9mm they issue now but some do like the MP 9c for off duty.

Just my observations.

[yzErnie]

from what I see at our range ( LE Instructor for over 10 years)...

...is that these new generation of kids don't know how to (or want to) clean a gun...concerning to me at the failure rate I see during quals. I used to do random hangun inspections after briefings and would issue ahhhcraps to those with dirty guns but they whined to their association so I was told to stop doing them.

[MarcM]

Seems there have been a few gun philosophies in my department I have (respectfully) noticed.

The Beretta generation that were issued it and have stuck with it. Old school and I have only seen them change when they get promoted and are more station/office bound or have a medical issue that requires a lighter firearm.

The HK USP 45 group that are (or were) mainly at the faster stations. They like the .45 round specifically.

The new Sig group that seem to be moving back to 9mm in favor of capacity but some do carry the P220's. Many of these used to carry the USP .45. Sig group seem to feel the Sig is best system available to them. The SRT trigger is a favored feature.

No one seems to be too passionate either way about the MP 9mm they issue now but some do like the MP 9c for off duty.

Just my observations.

Sounds like me...Started with a Mod 15, went to a Mod 686. Was issued an Italian Beretta, but preferred to carry my own Beretta Centurion. Later, I added Crimson Trace laser grips when authorized. Carried that combo for some years until the HK USP was authorized. I went to 45 from 9 because I like the size of the round, and I could still carry a 12 round magazine. Carried the USP 45 for a few years until the Sig was authorized. The P220 Elite felt better in my hands, but was a single stack, 8 round magazine. No big deal, since I am now mostly working indoors. The P220E is thinner and maybe a little lighter than the HK. When I go 10-8 in the field, I have a mag pouch that holds 4 magazines and I am good at changing them. I am right now back to my Beretta Centurion because it is smaller than the Sig, and about the same weight. The Beretta, right now, is a more comfortable gun while at my desk. Also, since I do not carry extra magazines in the office, having 16 rounds is nice.

I like firearms, so I like to use different ones as they become authorized to see how they perform for me. So far, I have been able to shoot well with any gun that has been issued, so it just boils down to personal needs and tastes. I am looking forward to getting the M&P 9 to see what all the talk is about. I will use the counties gun, though. I will hold off on buying my own until after I have shot theirs because I have never been a fan of S&W pistols.

[Jonathan Doe]

I started the Academy with an issued S&W model 67, then issued a Beretta 92FS, then I was using my own H&K USP 45. For non uniform duties, I used H&K P7M8, then P2000 9mm. Now I use Sig P226 9mm exclusively on/off duty.

[BigDogatPlay]

I too started in the revolver era. Carried S&W Gen 1, 2, and 3 through the years, the last being a 4506. Converted to Sig, P226 .40, and never looked back.

In 35 years of shooting and 20 as a LEO, I've never seen a stoppage on a Sig that was not induced by either the operator or the ammo. I saw one Beretta break, but otherwise either ammo or operator for stoppages. Glocks I've shot and observed have also run exceptionally well.