Compact as on duty bug?

[rrich1]

I am purchasing an m&p 40fs to replace my glock 22 for duty work. Lots of people carry the 27as a bug and wondering if any oyher leo's carry a compact as one? It eould be nice to use the same magazines just like the g22 and g27.

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[rrich1]

Anybody?

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[MichiganScott]

I'm not an LEO, but it seem to me that the 40C is simply too large for what you want. The compact models are ideal primary weapons for concealed carry.

Although the magazines are not interchangeable, the Shield would be a better BUG because it's a single stack. I'd bet a bunch of your brothers carry a 642 in a pocket. The Shield can be carried in a similar manner, while the 40C can't unless you wear BDU pants.

 

[Donn]

What Scott said. The Shield would be a more suitable BUG.

 

[soad]

If many in LE carry the G27 as a BUG (as stated by the OP), I don't see why carrying a 40c would be much different.

That being said, the Shield would be a great choice as well.

 

[Mack]

The 40C would be like using a Glock 23 for a BUG, depending on your body type it might be doable but likely not optimal.

 

[66snub]

A co-worker's wife is a Reserve Officer in our department's Mounted Division. She was going to use her 40c as a duty piece but couldn't find a duty holster to accommodate it. She ended up buying a full size M&P for duty and keeping her 40c for off duty. It's definitely big enough to use as a duty piece. I'm not sure if it's small enough to be a bug. For me, I wouldn't be able to put it somewhere on my body, such as an ankle or inside my vest. My M37 is about as big as I can go for a bug.

 

[ken158]

Hard to beat a 642 as a bug

 

[DanTana]

Carrying the .40c as a backup makes perfect sense, as long as it's comfortable for you. This way you only need to carry the .40 15 rd spare magazines.

 

[vernSL]

Most people I know who use the G26 or 27 as a BUG carry it in an ankle holster. The grip is much larger on the 40c compared to the G27. It would be pretty touch to ankle carry it. If you were going to carry somewhere else, I would probably recommend the Shield because it's slim. But the grip on the Shield is pretty long as well.

 

[The Sarge]

If you can carry the 40C as a BUG, then do so. I have carried much larger pistols in an ankle holster with no problem. The 40C makes perfect sense due to mag/ammo compatibility. The Shield 40 is also a great choice and would be easier to carry with more options to hide. Though not magazine compatible to your primary, it shares the same ammo which is a good thing. Bill

 

[3S16]

The Glock 17/26 or 22/27 is pretty tough to beat as a law enforcement combination. The continuity of grip, fire control system, and reloading drill is important - especially in a situation where you have to revert to a BUG. It also makes it easier to qualify with both guns. The ability to use your full size magazines in a sub-compact BUG is priceless . I knew lots of officers who carried full size semi-autos as a duty weapon and a J frame or .380 BUG and not a one carried spare ammo for it. So, would you rather have five shots and your done, or 10 rounds of .40 S&W in your G27 and then reach for that spare 15 round mag on your duty belt? Again, if things have gotten so ugly that you have to revert to your BUG you'll be functioning on gross motor skills. Another bonus is that G27 makes a great off-duty weapon.
If I were still "on the job" I'd still be carrying the G22/G27 combo. I would advise the OP to do the same. Just my opinion, based on 32 years as an LEO.
Since retiring, my primary carry gun is a G23. I do have to admit that I sometimes carry a beautiful little S&W 37 in a Remora IWB in hot weather and stick two speed strips in my back pocket.
Don't get me wrong, I dearly love my J, K, N frame revolvers, but this thread is about duty weapon / BUG combos.

 

[SoCalDep]

I carried a 9C as a backup to my full size for a while on patrol...While large it worked fine in my front left pocket in a Remora holster...Which worked great for off-duty as well.

That said, the Glock 26/27 is much smaller than the M&P Compact, which as was said is closer to the 19/23.

As for magazine compatibility with a duty gun, I think it can be a benefit but I think too many people think it's so important that they sacrifice choosing a more shootable, appropriate firearm and/or a more accessible or appropriate carry position. I do think that if one carries a backup that doesn't take the same mags as their primary they should carry at least one reload.

One of the deputies at my old patrol station was in a shooting a bit over a year ago where the suspect took his firearm during a fight. He shot the suspect with his backup gun while his partner used his duty weapon...He emptied the J-frame and had no reload. Luckily the problem was decisively solved at that point.

 

[jimmyj]

When I was carrying a Glock 17, Bug was a Glock 26. Same as when I went to a Glock 22, Bug was a Glock 27. I used a "Belly Band" around my vest for the Glock Bugs. (used a larger uniform shirt). Now with the vests that are worn over the uniform shirts, the "Bug" carry should be simpler.

 

[rrich1]

Thank you for all of the replies. I went to the range recently with my friend who just purchased an M&P 40FS. It felt a lot better in my hands than my G22 and shot pretty well with it. I am wanting to switch to the M&P.

I went to Rural King today and got to compare the size and believe I can ankle carry or vest carry the 40C decently. I was wanting to have a nice off duty carry gun as well and the shield is very tempting but the same price as the compact.

Years ago I had a G27 and didn't shoot it well at all (im sure it was me). Could I go and get another one? Sure, but I loved the feel of the M&P over the G22.