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HIPCHIP
Posts: 14 New Member
Off-duty weapon recommendatin
HIPCHIP
Posts: 14 New Member
I'm a retired police officer. My off-duty weapons are a Ruger P-89 full size 9mm and a 1911. With me now needing reading glasses and the fact both of the pistols are heavy and have no rails for flashlights/lasers, and no night sights, I thought it might be nice to come into the 21st century and get something small to medium in size and light weight (so I can wear inside the waistband with shorts and a T-shirt) and that has a rail for light/laser. The HK USP was recommended, but at $1000 that's a little steep, so was wondering what would be recommended? I like .40 or .45, and I live in Kalifornia, so a LOT of pistols (like the XD-S) are a NO NO, so if anybody out there has found something nice I should check out, please let me know. My local gun shop is over an hour away, so trying to get ideas so I can see what the shop has in stock before I drive all the way over there.
Thanks in advance.
Forgot to mention, and this isn't a deal breaker, but my duty weapon was a S&W 4006, which is DA/SA, and I prefer DA/SA uif that is an available option.
Thanks in advance.
Forgot to mention, and this isn't a deal breaker, but my duty weapon was a S&W 4006, which is DA/SA, and I prefer DA/SA uif that is an available option.
Replies
The Home defense handgun is an 4" XD45 with a Streamlisht TLR-1 attached....
That being said, something like a Kahr would be a good choice, if allowed. But they don't usually come with rails, I don't believe.
They are all compact and all have rails. Really not a fan of the .40 s&w cartridge, but if you are set on it you should look into the M&P40c and the Glock 23.
(the Glock 30sf is chambered in .45acp)
I know the new 9mm ammo is really good, but love the .45, so .40 is kind of in the middle and that's what I shot while on the job. I just like a big chunk of lead going to the bad guy and am still a little wary of the 9mm.
I would highly recommend looking into a Walther PPS ("Police Pistol Slim") in .40 caliber. I have one and cannot overstate how much I love it. It is incredibly slim/concealable/comfortable for carry although certainly not what I would call featherweight. Flush mags are 6 rounds, but I more often use the available 7-round mags. Small as it is, it does have a rail for a light or laser, although if you're going to carry it concealed you might consider an internal guide rod laser for less bulk (http://www.lasermax.com/). For a small gun in .40 cal, it is amazingly controllable and I'm more accurate with it than I am with my larger Glocks. I love the thing so much, I'm planning to get another in 9mm so I can shoot it more often and save a little on range ammo. MSRP is only $599. Extra mags are on the expensive side, though.
Springfield also has the new XDS in .45. I haven't tried one, but would love to. Looks like a great gun. Very slim.
Smith & Wesson has the M&P Shield (single stack .40 with 6 or 7 round mags), under $500 MSRP.
Glock 36 is another slim, concealable .45.
Someone has already suggested a commander-sized 1911. Might be a good idea as you're already comfortable with the 1911 platform, although even the commander is still pretty heavy.
EDIT: Oops. All of the above are striker-fired. I overlooked your preference for DA/SA. SIG P239? No rail, but Lasermax and Crimson Trace both make lasers to fit the 239. http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p239.aspx
DA/SA is not a deal breaker, that's just what I'm used to. XP-S is illegal in Kalifornia, so I'll check out the others. Looking for something lighter than my full size with high cap mags (grandfathered in) or a heavy 1911. I'll still carry them when needed, but thought it would be nice to have something with 21st century technology, like the lights and laser, especially since the vision ain't as good as it was when I was a young'un! (LOL)
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
I'd have to check with the gun shop. The XD was legal, but the XD-M was a No No, and the XD-S is a No No (Whatever the new mini .45 is). I'll check though.
NRA Endowment Member
Wow, can't believe I didn't mention the M&P45......especially since it's one of my daily carry guns.
But yeah, I agree with Larsen......fantastic guns!
Great suggestion. I'm pretty sure it's CA legal - could swear I recall seeing a vid on the .40 cal version. Is or can be offered with a mag disco & safety. Seems to cover all the bases other than DA/SA.
Wow, CA's laws are a PITA. I live in NYC and don't know if we're better or worse, really, but even in the crazier states like NY and CA I can't believe they don't make exceptions to some of the stupider laws for retired LE. Pretty annoying.
Winston Churchill
Have a buddy who is retired police, USMC Vet (Nam) and was an assemblyman. Was on the committee that deals with weapons. 6-8 people on the committee, 2 were Republicans. The committee is SO ANTI-GUN that they won't even consider any kind of exemption for retired LEO's, and even active duty LEO's in some cases (you have to have signed letter from your dept to buy the weapon, then surrender the weapon to the department when you retire!). The anti's in Kalifornia have their heads so far up their donkeys that I'm surprised they can even breathe, but all the lack of oxygen probably explains why they are so Dain Bramaged!!! (LOL)
Laws are so screwed up in Kali that the guy at the gun store said the Springfield XD-S is illegal, yet on the site it says they have them for sale. The "Judge" which was specifically designed NOT to be a small shotgun is illegal in Kali because they classify it as a small shotgun! And we have a state senator who is trying to ban all Bullet Button type of releases and confiscate all the "Bad Rifles" without any compensation, and this bill has been shown to violate two amendments to the Bill of Rights, and they (the senator and the stupid committee) don't care. This is the same senator who has also submitted a bill to allow juveniles convicted of a crime and sentenced to life in prison WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE, to apply for parole if they've been in for a certain period.
Once my wife retires, we're moving out of this stupid state!
I'm an old dirt bike guy, so CZ is an old motorcycle maker, so I'll take a look at them. Like them, just hope it is priced OK. Also want a flashlight on it so when I carry I don't have to worry about having a separate flashlight.