My youngest is about to finish up his cross-over training and take his state board.

He is wanting a 40 for his graduation present. Don't have a problem with that. Just want to know from experienced LEO's their best choice for a 40.

thanks in advance.

SC

Glock Model 23 w/night sights

Is he already hired on with a department? If so, they'll have a policy as to what he can carry as a duty weapon.

If you don't know, as Jimmy says a Glock 22 or 23 with night sights is a safe bet.

If he has a wide latitude, I'd also consider a Sig 229.

If his department requires he carry a department issue gun, then maybe a Glock 27 as a backup or off-duty gun would be nice.

Congratulations to your both your son and you.

__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

This is the S&W Forum, so I say M-4006 or M&P40!

Seriously, many PDs issue the duty weapons now. I'd wait. He may need a off-duty/back-up gun but I'd wait on that too. PD policy may dictate what that would be also.

A nice Emerson combat knife with the "wave" feature would be a nice gift that will last his whole career.

__________________
N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

M&P 40.

Many agencies are changing from Glock to M&P.

Glock 22 or Springfield XDm. Glocks are pretty generic, and duty gear is available everywhere, from all the brand name makers. The Springfield is a great pistol, but newer in design, so duty gear is a little harder to find but available. There are more coming on line though. The Department policy may only allow certain brands so this would be the overall deciding factor.

__________________
Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

My duty weapon was (retired LEO) the Glock model 23. I still have it and and use it to qualify for LEOSA annually, making it over 20 years old. It has never jammed and works perfectly every time.

+1 on the Glock 23. I carried one for 12 years on and off duty. absolutely "0" malfunctions. The lighter weight really is a plus on those "extended" shifts.

De Oppresso Liber

Retired for a little over a year now. I carried a S&W 4006 for the last 12 years after 8 of carrying a Colt Model 1911. I hated it at first, but once I mastered the DA then SA trigger pull, I really grew to like it. I then started carrying a S&W Model 3913 as backup and now carry it as my LEOSA concealed handgun. My duty 4006 now wears night sights and is my bedside gun. I own, shoot and like very much the SIG 229 and think that your son would be happy with either. .......... Big Cholla

I carry a Sig 226 in .40 and it has served me well in several gunfights. I like bigger weapons for carry on my duty belt, but that's me. If the department does not allow only one or several choices I would say let him try multiple weapons and see what he is comfortable with.

Our dept.now issues the M&P...great gun, I like the ergos much more than the Glock.

__________________
Thirty characters. Exactly...

Assuming that he can carry what he wants here's another vote for either a Glock 22 or 23 for a duty weapon. You can't go wrong with one of these Tactical Tuperwares.

Kenny

With experiance as an LE firearms instructor and 16 years in the trade there are few handguns that I have not tested. If your son wants a .40 for graduation get him a generation 4 Glock 23, it'll last him a lifetime.

__________________
- Change it back -

XXXXXXXXXXXX

other than 2 extra rounds and .496" in barrel length, what other differences are there between the 22 and 23?

tks
SC

Were it me, I'd have him try a G22 and an M&P to see which one he liked better.

The bugs are not worked out of the 4th gen yet. Stick with the 3rd if you have to do a glock. M&P will last just as long, performs just as well, is less likely to kaboom, and has much better ergos.


(I'll list my credentials if I have to)

My first choice would be a Sig 229 in .40

Second choice would be the Glock 23.

Regards 18DAI.

I agree with the other fellows who support a Glock 23. If he is issued something else, he will still appreciate the 23 for off duty, or even as a BUG. Get him a gen 3 with night sights and 3 mags.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

bought the Glock 22. He is 6'1" and like his father, he has "healthy hands". The 22 had a slightly longer grip and just felt better in each hand and 2 handed. We liked the 2 extra rounds, but the extra barrel length was a toss up between more accuracy and more cumbersome in a bind.

So we brought it home along with 200 rounds of Winchester target ammo. Gun or ammo not as accurate as I had hoped it would be. Trigger pul/take-up is going to take some getting used to.

More later as he shoots it more.

SC

He will like it, and I think you will find the accuracy will improve after getting used to the trigger.

I have my old issue guns, a Gen 2 and a Gen 3. They are shooting machines; not pretty or elegant, just monotonously reliable and able to get it done.

XXXXXXXXXXX

It definetly isn't a 686 competition fitted single action trigger.....that's for sure. But I'm sure in time he'll figure out the take up. The trigger is crisp...once you get to the "crisp spot".

Now I have another excuse to buy a Dillon with several die sets! :-)

SC

I recently picked up a PD trade in 3rd gen G22 and it shoots like a laser beam with WWB ammo; I hope the cop who traded it in got another tack driver.

I did swab the bore with windex and cleaned it good before I shot it.

I have never been able to shoot the .40 well. The Glock trigger guard rests on the knuckle of my middle finger and I never cared for the feel of the gun in my hand.

I am confident as he shoots the gun he will get more familiar with the trigger and the recoil.

__________________
Luke 22:36

Excellent. Need the stock advantage.

__________________
Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

He needs to get out and start shooting some different makes and models if he is going to be allowed to choose. Any of the current offerings from Glock, S&W Springfield etc. are excellent choices. The availability and choice of accessories and duty gear will be in Glocks favor though.

glock 23 he can duty carry or carry as ccw.but the glock 22 is great also thats what we carry and 1 bullet keeps me from getting master each year.I think it comes from the weak hand 2 rds we fire.

__________________
God save the SOUTH

IMO, G22 is what I own and use now. I tried the M&P40 and used to carry a 4046. The G22 takes the snappiness of the .40 right out of it.

__________________
Don't look, reload and shoot!

I carried a Glock 22 from the first model to the Gen 4 version for over 20 years. Never liked the trigger, BUT, they are light and easy to carry, combat accurate, and extremely reliable and durable. For a police gun they have been very hard to beat. New striker fired guns on the scene also seem to be just as reliable and durable include the M&P, Sig 250, XDm and FNH model FNS. I was impressed with the FNS and bought one for a retirement gun. It has functioned perfectly, but does not have near the track record as the Glock.

__________________
Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

M&P is garbage. My agency has issued and recalled them multiple times. I'm on my second.

Glock is a great bet if you want to go polymer. For uniform patrol I would say the 22. For off duty/undercover the 23 is hard to beat. If find the 27 to be too small to manage.

If I were to choose, I would say a 4006/3TSW or a 4046/3TSW. Great guns. You can't go wrong. However, as someone mentioned, it will be super easy to find duty gear for the Glocks, not so much for the S & Ws.

__________________
Un-Reconstructed Southerner

We had 4046's issued to us in the early '90's. I know this is the S&W Forum but I despised that double action only P.O.S. boat anchor. Worst gun I was ever forced to carry. We're issued Glock 35's in .40 now and I have shot master with both the 3rd generation and the Gen 4 that was issued to me about a year ago. Good uniform duty pistol, but too large for plain clothes use. The 23 is what I would go with if given a choice.

Walther PPQ

Synergy-I535

__________________
S&W SD9 VE

I've been through three issue G-22's. All have been reliable and accurate. I carry a G-22, G-27, or G-21 depending on what the mission dujour is. Glocks always seem to work. But, as an LE Firearms Instructor, I've seen problems: locking block sheared off, pins fallen out, recoil spring guide rod snapped in half...they are man-made machines, so there really is no such thing as "Glock Perfection."

The glock 27 "baby glock" is a nice piece. It depends on the purpose,
duty or after hours, but personally i prefer the beretta 96.
gl and have fun
dave

I'd get him an off-duty gun. He'll carry it more and it will last forever. If he switches jobs they may not carry whatever you buy him for a duty gun. I'd get a Glock 27. If he does work for a department that carries Glock 22's, he'll be able to use the high cap mags in his Glock 27 and he may be able to use it as a back-up gun.