LASD and the M&P

SoCalDep

SoCalDep

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So it's official. LASD will be converting to the M&P9. At this time details are not fully worked out but from what it sounds like, right now the conversion will be voluntary, with deputies being able to keep their Beretta if they choose. I'm guessing most will convert. It also seems deputies will be able to purchase their old Beretta after they switch.

I'm pretty excited, both that I get another M&P, and also that I get to purchase the pistol I used for the academy, much of patrol, etc...

Recruits have been issued the M&P with Surefire X300 light for some time now, though the exact light model hasn't been determined yet...The X300 is a likely choice though.

Fun times! This will be the first major handgun conversion for the department since the adoption of the Beretta in 1989!
 
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147gr Winchester Ranger T for 9mm
230gr Winchester Ranger T for .45
135gr Speer Gold Dot for .38 Special (Backup/Off duty only)
 
Just curious, were your issued 92's double action only version?
If so, heck, a Hi-Point would be an upgrade. 92 DAO is one of the more horrible trigger pulls on any semi-auto pistol I have ever shot.
 
We issued 92F and 92FS previously. They worked (and still work) very well. Over the past 15 years, more and more optional duty pistols were approved. The M&P was more or less found to have the best trigger and grip (of approved pistols) for the majority of deputies and the dept began to issue them to new recruits in the academy. A decision was made to pitch the issuance of weapon-lights for all sworn personnel, as opposed to the current policy where we can buy our own. When the numbers got crunched, they found the costs involved with purchase of rails, holsters, lights, etc. for the Beretta compared to the purchase price of M&Ps, lights and holsters (probably with deputy purchase or trade-in of the old guns) made it almost the same price to upgrade to a new handgun.

At least that's how it has been explained to me thus far.
 
LOL, I had to google LASD. Congrats, but shouldn't you guys be carring .45's? Just for the stopping power. I have the M&P 9mm and love it, but I will be getting a .45 soon, just have to find one I love as much as my M&P.
 
There are several approved .45s deputies can purchase for duty use. Personally, I feel all handgun ammunition is inherently underpowered and the purpose of said handgun is to fight my way back to the long gun I should have had in the first place. Our 9mm ammunition has a very good reputation in actual shootings, and in fact has performed better than our .45 round in the past. Winchester updated the .45 round but in all the 9mm shootings with which I'm familiar the 9mm has resulted in a rapid incapacitation.

I feel entirely more comfortable with 18 rounds of lower recoil, easier to shoot quickly, and proven effective ammunition than with a lower capacity .45. Of course, to each their own and the .45 is a good round...I'm not trying to knock it. Ultimately, incapacitation via handgun is significantly more dependent on shot placement than caliber differences, particularly with modern ammunition.
 
Very well put, but what dept is lasd?

SoCalDep said:
There are several approved .45s deputies can purchase for duty use. Personally, I feel all handgun ammunition is inherently underpowered and the purpose of said handgun is to fight my way back to the long gun I should have had in the first place. Our 9mm ammunition has a very good reputation in actual shootings, and in fact has performed better than our .45 round in the past. Winchester updated the .45 round but in all the 9mm shootings with which I'm familiar the 9mm has resulted in a rapid incapacitation.

I feel entirely more comfortable with 18 rounds of lower recoil, easier to shoot quickly, and proven effective ammunition than with a lower capacity .45. Of course, to each their own and the .45 is a good round...I'm not trying to knock it. Ultimately, incapacitation via handgun is significantly more dependent on shot placement than caliber differences, particularly with modern ammunition.
Click to expand...
 
SoCalDep said:
Ultimately, incapacitation via handgun is significantly more dependent on shot placement than caliber differences, particularly with modern ammunition.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, I have been arguing this same thing and I keep getting the reply " your a newb you will learn later its all about stopping power". In Jersey we only get 10 to a clip, so a .45 is not a bad idea for me.
 
anthonyresto said:
Thank you so much, I have been arguing this same thing and I keep getting the reply " your a newb you will learn later its all about stopping power". In Jersey we only get 10 to a clip, so a .45 is not a bad idea for me.
Click to expand...

It is all about living through the battle and going home. There are costs and benefits to any decision and one must feel comfortable with their choice for self defense/duty use. One of my favorite words of wisdom from one of our senior instructors was regarding questions about handgun effectiveness. He told us that if we were asked what is the best gun for self defense we should ask the student what they carry. When they answer we should tell them "that's the best gun". The fact is most modern guns work well. Most modern ammunition works well. If someone feels more comfortable with a 1911 and 8 rounds of .45 and learns to use it, then that's the best gun in the world. If someone has an 8 shot 9mm Ruger LC9 and learns to use it it's the best gun in the world. I have an M&P9 right now and it's my best gun in the world.

Be very careful of those who put too much stock in the pistol brand or capacity or caliber, and even brand or type of ammunition. Nothing...Not even a .50BMG will replace a miss with a hit. Be comfortable your weapon will do it's job, and be comfortable you can do yours as well and you will have the best gun in the world.

That doesn't mean us gun nuts can't do all we can to justify the acquisition of another firearm! :D
 
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If you scroll about half way down the page, you'll see a nice comparison of major pistol calibers as the perform in ballistic gel. You may be srprised at what you see:

AR15.COM :: Archives :: Steel Sheets o' Truth Table added P.6

After I saw this I just kind of snickered when I got ".9mm is wimpy" comment. That said, I still own a .38, .40, .45, and .357mag. But the M&P 9 gets the nod for duty all of the time and splits EDC with the 1911 Commander. The .38 is a nice BUG or for days that a full size pistol is not an "appropriate accessory".
 
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Glad I could be of assistance. I'd like to find a similar table with other brands of rounds. I'm curious about the performance of Hornaday Critical Defense (if they actually go bang now).
 
Rather have a 40

If would much rather have the M&P 40: over the 9.
The 40 still has a 15/1 cap and alot more knock down than the 9. Alot of other LE groups have gone to the 40cal for that reason. Either way at least they are made in USA !
 
Really no such thing as "knock down" power. If you scrolled down to the chart, you'd have notice that no one round drastically out performed the other. And that test was done by Speer, they make money marketing all of those rounds.

That being said, carry what you like and shoot well. But they have no reason to "lie" and show relative equal performance of their major pistol caliber rounds. I would however, like to see the same test performed shooting through heavy denim and some other real world barriers.

SoCal, do you have any data on the Winchester 147 you are issued? I'm interested in that round and maybe their 127+p as well.
 
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