FAVORITE Duty Pistol

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Well, we seem to have covered the FIRST duty pistol subject pretty well and it looks like just about all of us have gone through several pistols during our various careers.  Now, out of all the different guns we have carried, which one(s) was your favorite?

For down and out tack-driving accuracy, I would have to go with the S&W 6" model 686 (at least the one I had).  Alway qualified as expert, but with that 686 I qualified distinguished.  I suppose I should mention that it wasn't quite an "out-of-the-box" gun.  I did have the action worked on a bit. 

[Jon Spurlock]

Yep, I loved my 686 too.  It handled very well, and functioned flawlessly.  As a detective I carry a Glcok 27, and its not bad at all.

[gotzguns]

i never had to carry a pistol but i thought i would post this. several year ago i bought a s&w mod. 10 that was made up for the hong kong police. i don't know what they did to those pistols but i can't miss with it. i own several other 38 pistols but this mod. 10 just doesn't miss. its my all around favorite plinker pistol. have put several thousand rounds threw it and it jst keeps going.  gotzguns

[wspe61]

 

I shot better with several revolvers over the years; ( on the range) but I never stopped carrying my series 70 Gold Cup. It served me well , and I was very comfortable with it. Now it sits in the secure location waiting for my grandson when my wife decides he's mature enough... It was a fine gun.

[Griff]

Gosh that's an easy question.  My 1978 production Colt SAA, .45 Colt 4-3/4".  Carried almost everytime I was mounted.  Never felt undergunned.  Probably was, but...
When on regular duty, I liked both my Model 65 S&W and Colt Combat Commander.  Would hate to make a choice between those two.

[Baron von Haltomstadt]

This is a little harder than remembering the first duty pistol -

I still have an affinity for the 1st revolver I carried - a nickeled, .357 Magnum, S&W Hwy Patrolman (backed up by a S&W Model 39 9mm).

My favorite "showy" duty guns were a consecutive serial number pair of nickeled, 9mm, S&W, Model  59. I wore these as a pair for the 9 years I was on motorcycle duty. My most accurate (for me) was a 9mm, Glock 17.

As I conlude my 30th year, I am carrying a stainless, .45 Colt, S&W 625 and a .40 S&W Glock Model 22 (I believe in the superior ballistics of the .40 S&W, I just wish I could shoot it with as tight a groups as I got with the 9mm)

Not part of this topic, but related: My favorite off-duty carry pistols were a Colt New Service, in .45 Colt with the barrel cut to 3" and a .38 Spl, S&W stainless Chief's Special totally engraved. Both these have been sold long ago. My current favorites are: a .45 Colt, stainless, Ruger Vaquero, 3.5" barrel, and Birdshead grip and ( my latest) a blue & case hardened, .45 Colt, Uberti 1873 SAA, with 3" barrel./color]

[Forty Rod]

Four inch Model 19 S&W for the very short time I worked with the Sheriff's Dept.

[Texas Lawdog]

My best first duty weapon was a First Series Model 66 Smith with a 4 inch Barrel. The Semi-autos included a Govt. Model 70 Series 45acp. A SIG P226, and a Glock Model 23. I was not a fan of Glocks until I bought my first one. I bought the Model 23 and took to the range for annual qualification, I shot the best score in over 32 years. That was 4 years ago and now I own a Model 21, a Model 22, a Model 23, a Model 27, and a Model 32. It took a long time for an Ol' Dog to come around.

[Coal Creek Griff]

My favorite duty pistol is the one I'm currrently carrying--a Kimber Pro-Carry HD (stainless 1911 pattern .45).  The ones they issue us have ambi safeties and night sights.  This is one fine gun!  I was very pleased that our department made this gun an option for issue.  We can choose between stainless or alloy Kimbers or Glock 21, 22 or 23.  Most detectives went with the Glock 23 or the alloy Kimber, but I am willing to put up with the extra weight.  It's a great gun.

[Marshal Tac]

My favorite duty pistol has to be my first semi auto duty pistol as well.. It was "old style" Sig P220 in .45 ACP. Two tone, nickled steel parts with the black frame. I shot this pistol so well, I thought I could never miss with it. Never qualified below "expert" (the highest score you could get), didn't matter if it was day or night. 

A few years later, I was forced to go to a Glock 22 in .40.. Never shot that gun nearly as well as the SIG. Still shot expert, but the groups looked like a shotgun pattern instead of the one ragged hole I was used to... In 2000 the department transitioned back to the SIG P220 and I was very happy. My "new" Sig is a shooter, but it does not shoot quite as tight as my first one.

My first one is now equiped with a beautiful set of presentation wood grips and behind glass in a presentation case, hanging in a place of honor on my wall.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

Tac,
When my department went to semi-autos back in 80's I bought a Sig Sauer 220.  Carried it to retirement in '94 and still carry it today.  Recently picked up a new Springfield TRP (their tactical 1911 model).  Great gun, accurate, but it won't replace the 220.
CJF

[Doc Sunrise]

My favorite duty pistol which is what I personally carry daily is my Sig 220.  I am anxiously waiting for my newly ordered Sig SAS 220 to come in with the DAK trigger system to replace it.  Man I have to tell you, after all the training, after all the shooting classes, after all the time on the range, that Sig 220 has never once failed, and it has consistently remained accurate.

[Marshal Tac]

Doc,
As the department armorer for these guns, I have never had one that failed due to a parts breakage or gun related problem that couldn't be traced back to either the ammo being bad or a worn out magazine spring... Their reliability combined with thier accuracy had built a reputation that has even converted some of our most die-hard Glockers to appreciate them... You will undoubtedly like that SAS DAK P220. I played with them at my most recent armorer's school, and learned that I could get some very smooth trigger pulls out of it, BUT it will take a little getting used to.... The re-set position for that DAK trigger is different. I recently handled one of the new Single Action Only P220's with the external safety, like the 1911. Boy was that a sweet gun! They got rid of the double action notch on the sear, the de-cock mechanism, and set the trigger up for a 4.5 pound release with only a little take up and NO creep... That gun is definatley on my "Gotta Have One" list.

Capt. John,
If you want a 1911 that is all SIG and is a fantastic shooter, take a hard look at their Sig GSR series of guns. I have one of the first generation GSR's in stainless steel, with the light rail, and out of 8 or 9 1911's I've owned, it is the most accurate and reliable out of the box gun I have ever owned. I have a couple of custom 1911's that cost twice as much that can hold thier own with it, but none of them can beat it, to include a Custom Springfield and a Wilson. I have not shot any of the newer "Revolution", second generation GSR's from Sig, but understand they are no sloutches in the accuracy department either.

My only complaint I have ever had about the P220 was related to the fact that the slides rusted at even the mention of the word moisture.... BUT Sig has recently fixed that too.... All of the new P220's are now manufactured with a stainless steel, one-peice CNC machined slide, just like the up-dated P226's/P228's/P229's. I might finally be able to retire my re-finishing set up and finally get to spend more time working on the department's Colt RIFLES instead!

[wspe61]

Series 70 and 80 Gold Cup...........

[SFT]

Smith 586, best shooting, most accurate duty gun I was ever issued, in fact I bought it from the department shortly after going through auto transition.

[Arcey]

I bought my S&W Mod 64 when we transitioned to autos.  Me and another couple of old farts meet on Wednesday mornings for a bull session at an indoor range.  Shot the 64 last week and after knocking the rust off my DA pull I cut the middle out of a Q with it.  My old Mod 14 went this morning.  Same result.  I shot PPC matches with that one back in the mid seventies.  Don't know why I still have it, I sold most everything else.  I do love the K frame Smiths.

After having people scream GLOCK at me for several years I reluctantly bought a G26 about a month ago.  I put magazine extensions on the mags so I could get all my hand on it.  It's laying here on the desk right now with its little night sights glowing.  It seems just happy to be here.  Have to admit, I shot that little gun out of the box as well as I shoot the 5946 Smith I carried until retirement, I'd put a few thousand through that.  Yeah, I bought the Smith when I retired.

This morning before we left the range, I looked at a G34.  I hope to be shooting IDPA with my son-in-law by next year this time.  He's saving for a G23 and I match him dollar for dollar.  The boy shows allot of promise with borrowed Glocks.  I'll need the G34 to keep up with him.  If it's still there next Wednesday it's going on lay away.

The department I worked for has switched to Glocks.  Sheriff's Department here carries the things.  All but a couple guys at the gun shop carry them.  I haven't shot everything on the market but after a few hundred thru the G26 and a box or two thru a pard's G19, I'm pretty much convinced I'll never do any better with anything else.

[fourfingersofdeath]

Started with a Model10 3" heavy Bbl, full metal jacket Winchester loads. Finished with a Model10 3" heavy Bbl, 125 Gn Hollow point Jacketed Winchester loads. Carried a J frame occasionally when on escorts, but generally the Model 10 was the go.

If I could have picked? Toss up between the 45 Colt Commander and the Glock 26. I kinda think the ol' Colt would win.



Dang! That wind is playing havoc with my hairstyle!
Mick.

[John Barleycorn]

That would have to be my current duty pistol the Sig P220 in stainless with night-sights, its an all round piece of German precision.  I added coco bolo checkered grips from Houge Grips and the Safariland level II midride keeps it secure. Our issued duty round is the Federal Hydrashok in 230gr. What would I add? a thumb safty buty thats just me a lot of officers dont want to have to think about flipping a safty in a life or death situation on the other side of the coin most officers that are killed by gunshot are shot with thier own weapon and a second or two for the perp to find that safty my be just the time you need to fight or flee for cover.

[Captain Rob Page]

  My Smith & Wesson 686 for several years and for 12 years my Sig P220, which I plan to use till I retire!

[Knight77]

My favorite wasn't the fanciest or the most powerful.  It was a 2 3/4" barrel model 66 loaded with Federal .38 +p+ ammo.  In the Federal Academy we shot full power ammo every day and by the time I graduated I could put those lil 110 grainers wherever I wanted.  I was very confident with that little gun.