Use of Pistols in Combat

[Jcordell]

As a police officer a handgun is more useful. I need my hands free to do things like look at driver licenses, take photographs, arrest people, write in my notepad, ect. It just isn't as practical to carry a rifle or shotgun on my person all the time. But I never know when I might need a firearm so I carry a pistol - two of them actually. The rifle and shotgun ride in my patrolcar.

[Excalibur]

Originally Posted by Jcordell

As a police officer a handgun is more useful. I need my hands free to do things like look at driver licenses, take photographs, arrest people, write in my notepad, ect. It just isn't as practical to carry a rifle or shotgun on my person all the time. But I never know when I might need a firearm so I carry a pistol - two of them actually. The rifle and shotgun ride in my patrolcar.

Police work is a lot different than military.

[k9870]

carbine/pistol combo is a time proven setup.

[funkychinaman]

Originally Posted by Jcordell

As a police officer a handgun is more useful. I need my hands free to do things like look at driver licenses, take photographs, arrest people, write in my notepad, ect. It just isn't as practical to carry a rifle or shotgun on my person all the time. But I never know when I might need a firearm so I carry a pistol - two of them actually. The rifle and shotgun ride in my patrolcar.

What kind of rifle and shotgun?

[Excalibur]

Originally Posted by funkychinaman

What kind of rifle and shotgun?

I bet an AR-15 and an 870

[SPEMack618]

I bet a Mini-14 and a Mossberg 500. Ha!

[Excalibur]

Originally Posted by SPEMack618

I bet a Mini-14 and a Mossberg 500. Ha!

I'll believe a Mossberg but really, a Mini-14?

[Jcordell]

A Colt AR-15 carbine from 1977. It's old, like me, but it still works and a Remington 870. most of the time when I think it might be time for the long-guns to be deployed I go with the Remington. I'm usually the only guy with the shotgun. I get teased by the younger officers, but the shotgun is a powerful psychological tool (big bore and that great racking sound) and it can be useful on locks and door hinges. I've shot up doors a few times at our range and it really does work like they show in the movies. I carry both 00 buck and slugs.

The sheriff department carried the Ruger Mini-14 up until a few years ago then they went to the M4 carbine. Yes that's right the M4 carbine with the 3 round round burst setting. Traditionally sheriff department's have more money than city departments - more of a tax base to rely on. Incidentally even though police departments can buy and carry full-auto weapons here in the United States we still have to pay the Federal tax on them. I had one of the local ATF agents tell me that. So it can get pretty expensive.

If we want a rifle we have to provide our own. The deputies are issued their rifles. *Sigh*.

I carry a Glock 19 and my backup is the S&W Model 49 Bodyguard. I also am authorized to carry my Glock 26 as a backup and off-duty gun. My department authorizes either the Glock 21 or the Glock 19. I went with the G19 becasue I have small(ish) hands and I didn't like the big blocky grip of the G21. Now we've got the new Gen4 G21's and as a firearms instructer I was given the option of taking one of the first ones to come in. But I've been carrying my G19 for almost seven years now (it was brand new when I got it) and I like it. So I'm sticking with the whimpy 9mm.

[Excalibur]

Well a cop buddy of mine said he'd rather pay the money to get his own than be issued a weapon that he might or might not be allowed to modify to his own spec. For a patrol rifle, he personalized his own AR-15. Sure he had to pay for the tax stamp on it being an SBR, but he said it was worth it.

[predator20]

Originally Posted by Jcordell

A Colt AR-15 carbine from 1977. It's old, like me, but it still works and a Remington 870. most of the time when I think it might be time for the long-guns to be deployed I go with the Remington. I'm usually the only guy with the shotgun. I get teased by the younger officers, but the shotgun is a powerful psychological tool (big bore and that great racking sound) and it can be useful on locks and door hinges. I've shot up doors a few times at our range and it really does work like they show in the movies. I carry both 00 buck and slugs.

Wow an old slab slide, way cool. You should post a pic of it if you're allowed to. If your 870 has wood furniture, that would be the icing on the cake. I have a 653 clone (fixed carry handle, 16" lw barrel) I prefer the way it handles and shoots over my M4gery with all the tac stuff. Simple is better sometimes.

Originally Posted by Jcordell

The sheriff department carried the Ruger Mini-14 up until a few years ago then they went to the M4 carbine. Yes that's right the M4 carbine with the 3 round round burst setting. Traditionally sheriff department's have more money than city departments - more of a tax base to rely on. Incidentally even though police departments can buy and carry full-auto weapons here in the United States we still have to pay the Federal tax on them. I had one of the local ATF agents tell me that. So it can get pretty expensive.

If we want a rifle we have to provide our own. The deputies are issued their rifles. *Sigh*..

Yeah our sheriff's department is way too big. (We've done building drawings for them in that past, so I really shouldn't complain.) There was an article a few years back when they got new ARs. They weren't full auto or anything. I can't remember the maker I think it was Del-ton or something. There was bid between several makers. The deputies were required to go through a training course and had to pass before being issued one. Which I thought was good policy. I think our police department still has just shotguns.