Before going into academy I want to work on marksmanship...?

Question

For the experienced street cops out there... I have a Browning Pro-40 now, but I know I'll be issued a Glock 9mm. I know I can carry *pretty much* whatever I want and I want to make sure I get as good and comfortable on my firearm as I can... what are your opinions on the Glock 9mm's vs. the Browning Pro- 40's for street cops (Opinions on caliber in general are also VERY welcome.) I'm a bit worried about all the safety's on my Browning. It's alot of fumbling to do, but I can always buy a .40 cal glock (G22). I will NOT carry a Beretta... the last thing I want is someone pulling my gun apart in my hand. Any opinions?

I have experience with guns as far as the firing range goes, but I havn't had to use them or depend on them practically as far as protection. I can disassemble a beretta while someone's holding it, so I dont want the same thing happening to me. I've always heard .40 cal is best for self protection but as I said before I've never had to shoot anyone before... which is what brings me to this question.

Answer 1

The Glock is about as basic (as far as functionalibility) as you can get. They are also a very commonly issued gun.

I took a Beretta 92 through the academy and loved it. When I was issued my first Glock I hated it after the Beretta. But after 10 years I would probably still carry it even if I had a choice.

One thing I did notice with the Beretta was it could malfunction after firing 1000 rounds in 2 days in the academy I had to painstakenly clean all it's parts. I am sure you have heard of some of the tests they have done on the Glocks and how they have mistreated them and they continued to perform.

Another positive for the Glock is the baby Glocks. I carry a Glock 27 on my ankle (If you are going to be issued a Glock 9mm, model 17 or 19, the Glock 26 is a 9mm baby Glock). Besides the obvious of being able to use magazines off my belt in the baby Glock it also functions exactly like the full size. It even has a comparable recoil (in my opinion). So there is no adjustment between shooting each gun. A lot of guys I see with small frame back up guns qualify at much lower scores than their sidearm, with the baby Glock I usually shoot the same.

The Glock is a good service weapon, no extra safetys or other gadgets to get in your way. The gun will also take a lot of abuse and still function. I would say go for that and it will come through for you in a pinch.

I am not a big fan of Glock's factory sights though, the back sight looks like the letter U. Opt for night sights if you get a Glock. Once you get through the academy and out in the field you could also make use of the tactical rail on the front of the Glock. The light snaps on and off in a second, I use mine all the time and love it.

Answer 2

For the most part the fundamental are the same. I would go to the range with the weapon YOU want to carry. Practice, take your time and make sure you are doing everything right. Good sight picture, even trigger pull and all the fun stuff. If you practice all that then no matter what automatic you put in your hand you should be able to fire it accurately unless the gun is just a piece of garbage.

Me personally I would carry a glock or a Beretta if I have a choice. The Browning is a great gun, I wouldn't worry about the safety system. I used to carry a S&W and it has all the safety bells and wistles too, but with practice I was able to draw and fire just as fast as the people with glocks so I wouldn't worry about the safety thing.

Answer 3

From your picture and ID, I'll assume you are female, as am I.

I have a Glock 40 caliber, Model 23. I shot several before I settled on this one. It fit my smaller hand better and once I got trigger control mastered, I can shoot a deadly pattern. =)

There has been some discussion here about knockdown power, and some agencies do require that the officers carry at least a 40. There must be something to that, and I was impressed that the FBI issues the Glock 23 as standard.

Good luck and be safe out there.

Answer 4

I shoot with a 9mm S&W and have used Glocks 40 and 9's, the 9's are easy to shoot and the trigger is great, the 40's have more recoil and might make you loose your line of sight for a sec until you find your target again. But it all depends what ammo you use, +p's have a punch so you will feel more recoil. My trigger on the S&W is horrible, heavy as heck, makes me shoot to the right because of the force on the trigger finger. The Glocks have almost perfect triggers.
Go to your local range and rent some if you have that option and see which one suits you, try different ammos too.

Answer 5

Look at Springfield Armory's XD line.
Everything you like about the Glock has been improved on and added to the SA Extreme Duty series, and it is available in 9mm, .40, .45, and 357 Sig. with 3, 4, and 5 inch barrels.

Answer 6

My opinion on caliber is that all this talk about knock-down power is irrelevant if you can't hit the target.

Yeah, I guess you could train hard enough to be able to hipshoot with a mortar, but the bottom line is that you do have to be able to hit the target for any of the ballistics to matter.

Don't buy a specific model just because it's what all the "smart" law enforcement types use. Odds are that if you ever need it, the light will be poor and the perp won't be able to see your sidearm well enough to be awed by your choice.

Answer 7

I am military and we carried Barettas. They do come apart very easy but from someone you may be shooting at it is highly doubtfull that they will know how to disasemble your weapon. Dont always believe the movies. About Cailber. I would personally reccommend the .40 cal. It has the recoil of a 9mm but the knowckdown of a 45 caliber. but it has to be something you are willing to test and see what you want to carry

Answer 8

You concern about your Beretta being pulled apart in your hand is the least of your worries. If it gets to that stage of the fight, you are in big trouble.
The Beretta is one of the finest guns made and is actually no comparison to the Glock.
As for the safety, it's all about training. I have carried mine for over 10 years and consistently qualify in the upper 90's (meeting all timed phases of the qualifying).