Im looking to buy my first gun?

Question

Im 21 years old and I want to buy a gun. I want to be a police officer, so I want to practice shooting before I go to the Academy. I want to buy something like a .45 or a 9 millimeter handgun. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should buy? Thanks

Answer 1

One thing about Glocks is that they are relatively new technology, and have some flaws. They are a reliable gun, but not always.

I'd recommend a Smith and Wesson 9mm or .45, or even better- a Springfield .45. Springfield is a company that has been around for years, along with Smith. As my gun dealer says- "you can't go wrong with a Springfield or Smith."

The only drawback is that these are normally a tad more expensive than Glocks. But if you're going into LE,. I'd make the initial investment. You never know when you may need it.

-CS

Answer 2

I know this is not what you asked. A first time gun buyer who just wants to go shooting should not get a powerful handgun. A short list of reasons. 1. controlling recoil is a skill acquired with familiarity with guns that don't have a lot of recoil 2. powerful cartridges are more expensive thus you will shoot less 3. Until you are more familiar with guns, powerful guns are unpleasant. Thus you will shoot less 4. ALL OF US (though some will deny it) will develop a blink or a flinch from firing even a .45 for hours. thus you will shoot worse The body has a few natural reactions to loud sounds and recoil. To overcome these reactions you have to move up the power scale of firearms. Overcoming these reactions makes you accurate and very fast (what I am interested in) first time gun buyer should get a 22 ruger mark iii. I just can't stress this enough. 2 cents a shell!!!. Really, get skills. If you are buying this to go shooting why do you need power. I hope you listen you will feel better about your purchase. Edit: Dammit bound I was writing this while you posted now I look like I am just repeating what you said.

Answer 3

First of all, if you have decide on which dept. you want to work for, see what handguns they use and the caliber. My preference is the full size Glock model 22 in .40 S&W caliber.
It is bigger in diamer than the 9mm, but less than th.45, and almost rival the 9mm in velocity and has more power than the .45 ACP round.

Answer 4

Ask an officer with the department you want to work for what their firearms requirements or restrictions are. Most agencies allow 9mm, and you'd probably be safe going that way. GLOCK is the big name in Federal 9mm weapons but Smith & Wesson makes some pretty good models as well. Look at the ejection path for your weapon, particularly if you are left handed. The Ruger 9mm used to be a real ejection hazard for lefties, although I think they fixed that now. Again, bottom line, find out what the agency you want to work for allows on the job.

Answer 5

Just a word of advice, if you do shoot make damn sure you do it correctly. If you become a police officer and get to the academy, they could tell you you are shooting wrong and that will really mess you up, and you could wash out due to bad accuracy after that.

I would suggest a Glock 22 .40.

Answer 6

Most departments have specific calibers and/or specific handguns approved as duty weapons. I'd ask a cop working in the department you wish to join what options are available as approved sidearms. That way you don't spend alot of time and money purchasing and training on a weapon you won't be able to use.

Answer 7

.45 might be too big.
Look in to either a .40 or 9mm Glock. Glock is the unofficial standard for law enforcement, and most departments issue .40's or 9mm. If you've never handled a gun before, you may want to consider a 9mm - a .40 is going to be heavier, have more recoil, and overall a bit tougher to handle.

Answer 8

Determine which police department that you want to apply to and find out which type of pistol is issued to their officers.

Buy that pistol and practice...

Also, it would be well worth it to take a class (if they are offered in your area) that will teach you proper technique...it may not be the same as the academy, but any class will be good in teaching basic fundamentals like breathing, aiming, sight picture, and trigger squeeze.

Answer 9

A great first gun is a Beretta 92. The same model the US military uses in 9MM.

Answer 10

my advice, if you really want to become a cop,
try learning some communication skills before worrying about what gun to kill people with.
the best cop on the street should only have to kill three or four people in their career. but, will have to talk to thousands of people, some of them will be stupid politicians. remember, can't kill them all.