Armed Officers: What type of weapon?

[S/O245]

I have to re say that again lol. My agency issues weapons for on duty use to some assignments and supervisors. But all the armed officers also have his/her own weapon. The issued weapons stay at the office locked up when not in use. I think that Armed Officers can carry such weapons as 38, 357 mag 9mm 40 cal or 45 i dont know about 380. I would assume any legal law enforcement type weapon would be allowed. In order to take the OPOTC Private Security Firearms training the security academy commanders told me it had to be a law enforcement size weapon.

Im not assigned to a armed assignment right now. However i do carry off duty I have a Ohio CCW Permit. I mostly carry my 38 spl ultra lite hammerless revolver. I like it cause it dont weight much and is small.

Stay Safe All

[1stWatch]

My state requires security to carry a minimum caliber of a 9 mm in semiautomatic or .38 in non-semiautomatic. The maximum caliber allowed is .45 in semiautomatic and .44 in non-semiautomatic. Pistols such as a .22 or a .380 are not permitted for duty carry.

[S/O245]

Some people would say 38 is no good for duty. What do you all say ? I carry 38 spl for ccw and i like the 38. I think it would do pretty good for carry. For on duty carry i would probably carry 9mm or 40 just because i would have more rounds to capacity. You also hear some say 9mm is not good. I hear alot of the Military has changed to using 9mm for handguns. One reason is because the 9mm's i hera are cheaper in price and ammo i guess. I have a friend who is a Military PO and they carry 9mm for a handgun.

Stay Safe All

[N. A. Corbier]

Some people would say 38 is no good for duty. What do you all say ? I carry 38 spl for ccw and i like the 38. I think it would do pretty good for carry. For on duty carry i would probably carry 9mm or 40 just because i would have more rounds to capacity. You also hear some say 9mm is not good. I hear alot of the Military has changed to using 9mm for handguns. One reason is because the 9mm's i hera are cheaper in price and ammo i guess. I have a friend who is a Military PO and they carry 9mm for a handgun.

Stay Safe All

The military went to 9mm for the same reason they went to .223 from .308. It wounds the enemy, and does not kill them. If you kill an enemy soldier, you still have 50 more who want to avenge that soldier's death. If you wound the soldier, you have 45 soldiers who want provide cover fire, and four soldiers who want to save that soldier by carrying him/her to the rear for medical treatment.

The military also uses ball ammo to reduce the amount of hydraulic and kenetic trauma to gun shot wounds, as the purpose of shooting someone (on paper) is to make them a non-combatant, not a corpse.

[Mr. Security]

I'm armed with high-powered rubber bands. Their cheap, readily available, and do not require a special license/permit. Usually, one well-placed shot to the snouser (nose) turns the subject into a crybaby.

Sorry. Couldn't resist the urge anymore

[SeanCO]

I carry a Springfield XD 9mm, OC and an ASP.

[3rd_shift]

Glock 19, 9 mm with 10 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber plus, 2 extra 10 round magazines for 31 cartridges on me at all times.
Lightweight and comfy to carry for a whole shift.
Easy to maintain.

[Echos13]

I presently carry a 1st generation 9mm Ruger P-85 or a Taurus model 508 .357 (with .38 loads -sigh-) wheel gun with 2.5 inch ported barrel. Depending on calls the Rugar is ether on a tatical leg holster for high profile jobs or on my belt, right side to my back concealed. Ack! This Ruger, talk about the big gun look with out the big gun caliber. I need to get a Glock, maybe a Kimber or something. But the money is just not there. Maybe a used one? Thought about trading my Taurus and Ruger in for a used Glock. My Ruger goes back to my final police years (should have kept my Bersa mid-size). I remember getting a recall on the P-85 because they were going full auto on some owners. I really love my Ruger, it can stand just about any kind of treatment. But it's big, and with a full magazine, ai-ya!

[N. A. Corbier]

Anyone have any suggestions on what good company semi-autos should be? Opinion on Full Manual Safety vs. DAO?

I'm looking at purchasing some cheap pistols that will function when needs dictate, that won't hurt employee's hands, and that they will actually want to fire. Either in 9mm or .40 caliber, with a preference in .40 caliber.

I'm told that up here, the Wisconsin Gun Shows are so cheap you should bring an FCIC-enabled laptop to run serials. So, I think I can find some good used hardware.

[Crinsol]

All the known firearms manufacturers make good products, is all depends on fit for you. There are a ton of former military folks that are qualified on the Beretta. SIG's, Glocks, H&K, Kimber, Springsfield, Colt all are good. It all comes down to training, training and more training.

Also, not to get into a which round is better arguement, there is really not whole lot of difference between a 9mm, 40, 357 or 45. If your going to issue weapons and ammo, I would recommend 9mm purely for budgetary reasons. Have everyone practice with FMJ rounds and carry a decent round like gold dots or golden sabers. Hydroshocks work, no doubt about it, but try looking at some of the newer bullet technology.

Just my .02 worth.

[N. A. Corbier]

All the known firearms manufacturers make good products, is all depends on fit for you. There are a ton of former military folks that are qualified on the Beretta. SIG's, Glocks, H&K, Kimber, Springsfield, Colt all are good. It all comes down to training, training and more training.

Also, not to get into a which round is better arguement, there is really not whole lot of difference between a 9mm, 40, 357 or 45. If your going to issue weapons and ammo, I would recommend 9mm purely for budgetary reasons. Have everyone practice with FMJ rounds and carry a decent round like gold dots or golden sabers. Hydroshocks work, no doubt about it, but try looking at some of the newer bullet technology.

Just my .02 worth.

Why FMJ for practice? Granted, when I was young, my father used full wadcutters for target shooting, and JHP for defense rounds, but he wasn't in LE, he was just a gun collector.

I was thinking about 9mm for budgetary concerns, as well. If the people coming to me can be sufficiently convinced to practice regularly with their weapons, then hopefully rounds-on-target percentage will be sufficent enough that a 9mm will stop the threat.

I saw something about Expanding FMJ rounds, which looks rather interesting. There were several articles on this, where a hard core round has a FMJ with silicone spacer at the top. The jacket is scored so it opens correctly upon penetration, but won't clog in clothing or building materials.

For training purposes, I'm hoping to at least find a good range around here that won't care if I bring a group with duty gear and pistols and take up a few lanes for a few hours, just practicing. Perhaps some rifles, too.

Once a month, maybe once every three months, everyone is encouraged to come on out and shoot with everyone else. Company's buying the ammo, I know what Cheaper Than Dirt is. While I don't expect everyone to be friends, I would like some level of esprit de corps, so that these employees know they can depend on each other when something bad happens.

[Crinsol]

FMJ-because paper targets don't care . But if you have the money go for it.

I have heard about rounds with silicon tips, and the data does not look very good.

[N. A. Corbier]

FMJ-because paper targets don't care . But if you have the money go for it.

I have heard about rounds with silicon tips, and the data does not look very good.

Heh, I was thinking reloaded lead ball for paper.

[plankeye]

I carry a Ruger P94 .40 S&W 10 + 1
and a extra mag on my duty belt

Rugers make very good guns, might not have alot of additional accessories like a rail for a flashlight, though some models do have them. But Ive never had a problem with my ruger, its always ready to fire for me and have not had any jams or anything, they are easy to clean and maintain and they are cheap but quality made.

[N. A. Corbier]

I carry a Ruger P94 .40 S&W 10 + 1
and a extra mag on my duty belt

Rugers make very good guns, might not have alot of additional accessories like a rail for a flashlight, though some models do have them. But Ive never had a problem with my ruger, its always ready to fire for me and have not had any jams or anything, they are easy to clean and maintain and they are cheap but quality made.

I've had range time with the Ruger in 9mm, P series. Its a nice gun, easy to maintain, cheap for its quality, and all around good. Ruger sent me product information (someone suggested I ask for a T&E weapon, I'm quite sure Ruger will send me one - oh yes... Not.) on their P-series models for law enforcement. They're nice weapons.

I have a personal preference for Beretta, and I know that the reputation for S&W autos means cheap S&W autos. So long as the rep is not warranted, I won't hesitate to buy them for company weapons for employees who do not have duty weapons, or do not wish to purchase them. So long as the qualify with it, don't destroy it, keep it clean, and do not use it off duty, I have no problems with providing them a weapons, so long as I get it back in the same shape it was given (within reason). After all, they may not have a use for a gun outside of work.