springfield xd .45 -question for the cops out there?

Question

Okay so my husband has been obsessing over this gun for a while. He is graduating and getting his Criminal Justice degree soon (to be a police officer) and I've been saving up for 8 months and want to get it for him as a graduation present. I know that some departments will let you use your own gun if it's within regulations, so in case he gets hired on to a department that will, I want to make sure that I get him the best possible 'model' of this gun for the job. I thought it would be easy because I know what he wants but now that I've started looking I'm seeng all these different types - ACP, 4-inch, 5-inch, compact...somebody help me and tell me what EXACTLY I should get for him. I know he can always take it back and exchange it but I'd be a much cooler wife and it would be so much better if I can get it right the first time. Please help!!! If you're a cop tell me what you'd pick to carry on duty!

okay slicktop - so the 4-inch or 5-inch? and should it be ACP- is that a dumb question? I'm sorry I just don't know much about this kind of thing. Tell me exactly what I should say when I walk in - like: "Springfield xd .45 ACP - 5-inch"?

Okay I ALREADY KNOW he wants the springfield xd .45 - I don't need any coaching on what brand of gun...I just need specifics on what size, etc.

My hubby was a cop in Oklahoma, but when he moved to Minnesota he had to go to school because you have to have a criminal justice degree to be a cop up here...but anyway he used to be able to carry his own gun of choice when he worked down there....

Answer 1

Slicktop had a good answer, but I'll give you the specifics...
.45 ACP
Fullsize frame
5" Barrel
Single/double or "dual" action.

PS- Buying your hubby his dream gun? .... I love you!

Answer 2

I carry a Sig Sauer .40 cal, but the 45 is a good round. If that is what your husband likes, it's a great weapon. It packs one hell of a wallop, big, heavy subsonic round. He needs to have big hands, as the grips on these guns are pretty big. The only real problem with the .45 is that it has a pretty heavy recoil, and no matter what you do, the muzzle jumps off target more than the smaller rounds. I carried one in the Marine Corps, so I have a little experience. If you hit center mass, you probably won't need more than one round. Those suckers look like you could send a monkey into orbit inside of one of them. As a primary duty sidearm, he will need a full size frame, not a compact. That would be fine for a off duty or back up. The longer the barrel, the more accurate the gun, as a general rule, so buy hime the heavy frame full size gun.

5" barrel

Answer 3

DEPENDING ON THE DEPARTMENT HE WORKS FOR HE WILL CARRY A WEAPON THY ORDAIN NOT HIM.

MOST LAW ENF AGENCIES USE A STANDARD .38 OR .40 CAL TODAY.

MANY USE THE PHILOSOPHY OF A .45 IS TOO POWERFUL A WEAPON? OR A 9 MM IS JUST THE RIGHT ONE. I PERSONALLY HAVE CARRIED A DAN WESSON .357. IT SHOOTS .38 OR .357 AMMO AND HAS 3 DIFFERENT INTERCHANGEABLE BARRELS. A 2" FOR UNDERCOVER, A 4" FOR PATROL WORK AND A 6" FOR PISTOL TEAM. HAVE HAD THIS WEAPON SINCE 1973.
WHEN OUT WITH WIFE I CARRY A WALTHER PPK THE JAMES BOND GUN.
WHEN I TRANSPORTED PRISONERS, THE DEPARTMENT ALLOWED US TO USE A .40 CAL SO I HAVE ONE .40 CAL ALSO.

Answer 4

MANY cops these days prefer the 40-Cal GLOCK for a
multitude of reasons - But there is a slew of fine wearonry out
there that would do-the-job. I suggest, casually feel-him-out
on his preferences, or talk to his buddies for a good direction
on what he likes, and I'm sure you'll find just the right one !!
P.S. - DO get a good 'name-brand' piece, tho, that he is comfortable with - his life could depend-on-it someday !!
(God-Forbid)