AR15 - Department or Personal?

[janus408]

Does your Department allow you to field your own rifle, similar to how some allow you discretion regarding which handgun you carry?

If your Department does: Do you bring your own, or do you still opt to use a Department issued Rifle?

I ask because I go into an Academy in a few months. I recently went to a Station and used the indoor range with some of their duty rifles. Having spent the last 10 years firing AR15s built by friends and family, the duty rifles were sub-par at best (in comparison).

So if there is a chance I will be able to use a rifle I build intentionally for the sole purpose of a duty rifle, I want to get on that before I am busy with the Academy and FT. But if people see it as pointless, the time can be better spent elsewhere.

[P5Ret]

It is up to the individual department, so you may be better served asking there. Also keep in mind that anything they let you carry is going to have to be approved by them. I'd be willing to bet that a home build isn't going to cut it, for the simple reason of liability. The department wants to be able to send it out and make sure it is up to spec. if the need arises. With a home build made from parts from different manufacturers you can't do that.

[jaysen]

Does your Department allow you to field your own rifle, similar to how some allow you discretion regarding which handgun you carry?

If your Department does: Do you bring your own, or do you still opt to use a Department issued Rifle?

I ask because I go into an Academy in a few months. I recently went to a Station and used the indoor range with some of their duty rifles. Having spent the last 10 years firing AR15s built by friends and family, the duty rifles were sub-par at best (in comparison).

So if there is a chance I will be able to use a rifle I build intentionally for the sole purpose of a duty rifle, I want to get on that before I am busy with the Academy and FT. But if people see it as pointless, the time can be better spent elsewhere.

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit, no? Worry about passing the academy, successfully completing FTO, and passing probation.

[SimonBirch]

Yeah

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit, no? Worry about passing the academy, successfully completing FTO, and passing probation.

+1.

[RickD427]

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit, no? Worry about passing the academy, successfully completing FTO, and passing probation.

+2

While you're doing the academy and FTO periods, you're focus really needs to be on learning, and adapting yourself to you agency's operating doctrine (which includes its policies and practices on the carrying of patrol rifles). You're likely to raise the ire of tenured officers in your new department if you act before you learn. This is the time in your career to be "good moldable material" and not the budding "tactical operator."

[ak_in_ca]

Focus on the academy boot you will have a ton of other field gear to buy before you need a patrol rifle. Plus a lot of captains won't even sign off on your purchase until youre off probation. I'll also tell you I don't know of any departments that will let you "Build" your own rifle. All rifles I know of must be factory in their, gas system, FCG, BCG, Barrel. Most will let you change butt stocks, add optics, sling etc... but youre not gonna be allowed to frankenrifle your gun for liability reasons.

[Petro6golf]

For our dept you can get issued a dept rifle or buy your own and get a letter from the sheriff. I bought my own and customized it how I want it. I take it home at the end of the week and its my rifle.

That being said, I paid the $2500 for it out of pocket and if I go tomorrow and use it in a shooting, DOJ will take it away for at least a year if not way longer and ill be out a rifle. If I use the dept rifle in a shooting then who cares cause its a temporary loss to the dept and ill get re issued another one. Our dept does not care about what you have on your rifle or in your rifle as long as its inspected and works fine and works for you and is within policy.

and like everyone else said. You have a very very long road a head of you. Worry about your learning domains and passing the academy, FTO and probation before you worry about the perks of having your own rifle. Focus on important things first. Building your own rifle is largely unimportant in the scheme of things for now.

[vintagearms]

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit, no? Worry about passing the academy, successfully completing FTO, and passing probation.

+3. That was the last thing on my mind when I went thru the academy.

[CBR_rider]

But if people see it as pointless, the time can be better spent elsewhere.

Yup, spend the time doing whatever it would be looking for parts/buying parts/building parts/shooting rifle/whatever with rifle studying learning domains, running extra miles, practicing Aikido/Krav Maga/etc, eating better, doing ride alongs, researching potential lines of work (probation vs parole vs sheriff deputy vs custody vs city cop vs DFW...), etc. Waste of time right now to worry about patrol rifles.

[zack_trp1911]

Get through the academy, field training, and probation period (if your dept has one after FTO.)

The last thing you need to worry about is deciding what rifle you need/want. Prior to that, master your side arm.

Good luck.

[Rogue187]

As most have said here..worry about passing the Academy/FTO/Probation and once you finish all that then you can inquire about the rifle issue..
They just don't issue you a rifle because your going into the academy..
Only once your complete and are authorized then you can buy one..
Your really jumping ahead when you should be looking in front of you..

[drewXD/G23]

What department are you going to work for?

[cacop]

I put myself through the academy and what I was going to be allowed or issued was the last thing on my mind. As in I would look at the wide array of autopistols on the line and wonder. That and when we had a free day we shot each others guns. My least favorite was the 3rd Gen Smith 9mm of a SO. Guess what I was issued at the department that hired me? Oh, well. It beats a sharp stick.

[WyattandDoc]

What you should do is park your Training Officer in the briefing room once you get to your station. Tell him not to move and that you already know everything. March into the Watch Commander's office and TELL him you will be carrying your own custom AR.

Then tell him you want the requisition form for your personal Police Interceptor submitted immediately and that it will be a "Take Home" vehicle. Make sure he includes the gas card in the requisition form, cause they always forget that.

Then march into the Captains office and TELL him you want to go to SWAT School. Demand to work Dope on a flex schedule until they can get you into Swat School.

Good Luck, you'll be fine.