CA departments that still use 9mm?

[SFShep]

We were told my former dept. (LASD) they tested a lot of ammo and determined the Ranger Talon were the best and that is what they went with when we transitioned from our S&W revolvers to the Beretta 92f in late 1989.. It was only when the negative comments made the news about the "evil" Black Talons (I still have a few) that the dept. changed to the SXT Rangers.

I don't know what proof you have ptmn and I'm not trying to start an argument by any means, but as far as I know, LASD still uses the 147 grain and has done so since 1989.

SFShep, you should go to tacticalforums.com and read Dr. Gary Roberts' report on various ammo rounds and calibers. You will have to do a search, since it is probably in the archives by now. You do NOT want to use Hydra Shok ammo. It was considered outdated by Roberts years ago due to its lack of penetration in denim. The Federal HST ammo replaced it and it performs much better than the Hydrashok ammo

Hope this helps.

Thanks, I've was in my local gun shop the other day still in search of good 9mm ammo that was not +P (as the gun I'm going to use it for is not +P rated). I was considering the current Winchester PDX1 9mm but they were out of it so I got myself a box of the Ranger SXT 147gr. 9mm's (RA9SXT)

So I've been doing some research into the SXT round and there seems to be some differences of opinions on its effectiveness.

Some say it's just as good as the old Black Talons were, just not colored black.

Some say it's a collector's item since it's no longer in production (mine has a 2013 lot number).

Some say it's obsolete, having been eclipsed by the Ranger-T version (RA9T).

And some say it's ineffective because the hollow point will plug easily with clothing when fired through material like denim and it will turn into an FMJ.

So what are some thoughts here on the old Winchester SXT? And how do they differ from the current Ranger-T ammo or the civilian PDX1 variant?

[CaptMike]

We use the S&W M&P and the Winchester RA9T. We switched from Beretta 92s last year.

[retired]

For "retired" post of: "I don't know what proof you have ptmn and I'm not trying to start an argument by any means, but as far as I know, LASD still uses the 147 grain and has done so since 1989."

I'm not sure how you mixed up my,statement in post #13 of DOE SWAT using 9mm Federal 9BP 115gr JHP, with LAPD using it. My I based my statement off of the fact I was on the US Dept of Energy SWAT team at LLL and that was what we used until DOE switched to 40 cal.

ptmn, I apologize. I haven't looked at this thread since last year and missed your post until now. My comment was directed to PR5Ret, not you. Again I apologize for singling you out.

[1911su16b870]

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4337-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Duty-and-Self-Defense-Ammo

Is an excellent summary. I have personally reached similar conclusions during my walk on this path.

I would stress IMO running a minimum of 500 rounds of defensive ammo through the platform with out issue prior to running that on my person as a defensive handgun/ammo combination.

We carry handguns because an AR doesn't fit in my pants!

[RikkiTikkiTavi]

We can carry 9mm, 40, or 45. But the department issues either a Glock 35 or Sig 226 both 40. The department also allows the purchase and carry of a fun of your choice at your expense. I carry the Glock 34 9mm. Most of my department is switching back to the 9mm almost 3/4 of the SWAT team has switched to 9mm and most of patrol as well.

[SFShep]

We can carry 9mm, 40, or 45. But the department issues either a Glock 35 or Sig 226 both 40. The department also allows the purchase and carry of a fun of your choice at your expense. I carry the Glock 34 9mm. Most of my department is switching back to the 9mm almost 3/4 of the SWAT team has switched to 9mm and most of patrol as well.

The Glock 35 and 35? The extended slide/barrel versions of the 17 and 22? That's a first. I've always thought those were competition pistols rather than duty pistols. I've never seen them in a duty belt before.

[Ubermcoupe]

The Glock 35 and 35? The extended slide/barrel versions of the 17 and 22? That's a first. I've always thought those were competition pistols rather than duty pistols. I've never seen them in a duty belt before.

I knew a guy with SJPD that carried a "practical/tactical" 34 because he shot better with the longer sight radius.

Barrel length on the 34/35 is similar to the length of a 1911.

[John M]

A bunch of our guys (Sac Sheriff) bought their own 34's and carry those on duty. Dept issue for us are the G17 or G19..Fed HST 147

[CBR_rider]

The Glock 35 and 35? The extended slide/barrel versions of the 17 and 22? That's a first. I've always thought those were competition pistols rather than duty pistols. I've never seen them in a duty belt before.

I've seen a few around... A few guys I've talked to with them like the 34/35's because they are darn accurate with them.

[wisardd1]

Very informative thread! The hst 147 seems to the most used based on this small sample

[RikkiTikkiTavi]

The Glock 35 and 35? The extended slide/barrel versions of the 17 and 22? That's a first. I've always thought those were competition pistols rather than duty pistols. I've never seen them in a duty belt before.

Yea, my department and National City PD both issue the 35. I personally was against Glock for the first 8 years of my career until I shot a 34. So Ibalways carried a Sig until recently. The 34 is like cheating such a low recoil gun.

[pointman1531]

My department issues out Federal HST 9mm 147 gr. Our dept. issues Glock 17, G26 and G30. However, there is an approved list of authorized handguns for duty use & off duty of (9mm, .40, and .45 acp / Sig Sauer, Beretta, S&W, and HK) which are allowed.

I carried .45 acp for the first 10 years of my career. Dabbled with the .40 cal for a couple of years and now have returned to the 9mm. The ammo that Federal are making are good. Penetration and expansion is effective. The key is SHOT PLACEMENT. Having a lot of rounds is reassuring, but hitting with what you have is important!

[tankton]

^^afaik, the blue label G34s ship with the standard 5.5# Glock trigger, not the lightened one (in addition to fixed sights).