-POLL ADDED- What gun would you give the police?

[Paul]

The recent 1911 v.s. Revolver got me thinking about police issued handguns. If you had to select one handgun for a large police force, what would it be, and why? Keep in mind that this handgun has to work for every officer on the department, and be user friendly enough for the officers that aren't "gun" people and don't shoot other than department mandated qualifications. Let's not worry about costs of the firearms, just opinions on what would be best.

Personally, I would choose a Glock for myself, but if I were buying for a department, I would go with a Smith & Wesson M&P in .40 caliber. They are reliable, simple guns, point naturally for most, and fit the hands of pretty much everyone.



Discuss.

[VikesFan1]

Probably the M&P with the replacable grip backstraps. Because it's cheaper than a HK.

[Paul]

Let's not worry about costs of the firearms, just opinions on what would be best.

Because it's cheaper than a HK.

Do you think an H&K would be a better choice? And if so, what model?

[VikesFan1]

I do, until you looked at the budget, then no.

[VikesFan1]

Sorry.. That's what I get for scimming over your post.... Welll, the P30 in .40 is what I had in mind, which is what I believe the M&P is a wannabe of.

ETA:

Here's one with a safety, which is a good requirement as well, unless you're talking about 1911s.

[MrVvrroomm]

I'd let them keep what the majority of the LEA's in the US already have. Glock 22, 23, 17, 19, 21

[hammAR]

I would give them a budget and let them pick their own................

[45usp45]

I would give them a budget and let them pick their own................

+1

[mitchx3]

[VikesFan1]

I would give them a budget and let them pick their own................

Let's not worry about costs of the firearms, just opinions on what would be best.

[Paul]

I would give them a budget and let them pick their own................

The argument for issuing everyone the same weapon/caliber has always been magazine/ammunition compatibility in a SHTF situation. That idea has some merit, although I doubt that needs comes in to play often.

[hammAR]

I would give them a budget and let them pick their own................

The argument for issuing everyone the same weapon/caliber has always been magazine/ammunition compatibility in a SHTF situation. That idea has some merit, although I doubt that needs comes in to play often.

Military yes,
LEO, no.....in TSHTF scenario it would not work that way and they are not trained that way......
using that logic, then all LEO's in the state should carry the same weapon platforms/caliber.....

[diskdoctr]

I would go with the M&P as well. The interchangeable backstraps are nice for the differing sizes of officers hands and S&W has always had a good rep as far as their LE firearms I think. Although I like the idea of having them have a specific budget and having the officer choose their own and justify the choice.

[Paul]

Military yes,
LEO, no.....in TSHTF scenario it would not work that way and they are not trained that way......
using that logic, then all LEO's in the state should carry the same weapon platforms/caliber.....

I agree with you for the most part, especially as far as the training is concerned. I think the benefit would come in to play in a school/mall/active shooter scenario. In that case I could see some benefit of everyone from that department, or county to carry the same weapon. But, given that the average officer carries approximately 45 rounds these days, I can't envision too many realistic scenarios where they would go through that and require more ammunition.

[Snowgun]

I think the P30L would be nice, but as others have posted, it would be prohibitively expensive.

Also, since these guns would be issued, there might be a problem with maintenence and parts, since HK is so weird about giving out parts or parts just being available.

Also, the .40 cal on the p30 has the safety (not in the 9mm), which (from what i've heard) most police/tactical people don't like (finger is the safety!). However, this gun is available in multiple versions, including ones with the LEM trigger, which is similar to the trigger on the M&P or XD. Unfortunatly these are mostly sold in Europe, but a major LEO contract might be able to get some.

I think the M&P is the all around right choice. Though the p30 has more options for grip configurations for the policewomen and small/large handed people, the M&P does pretty well with the modular backstrap. Also, it doens't have the grip safety like the XD. I didn't think this was such a big deal, but one retired SWAT told me at a pistol class that when he had been run over and was shooting his gun UPSIDE DOWN WEAK HAND from on his back, he was glad he didn't have to mess with a grip safety (or any safety for that matter).