I would think it depends on the agency you are hiring on to and their policy. What firearms are authorized by that department? Will they allow you to carry your own?

I don't know much about the Sigmas, but I don't recall hearing much good about them.

What about a Springfield XD or a Glock?

I've also heard mostly negative things about them. Check out the Ruger line too.

The negatives mostly come from people that don't have them. They do have a long trigger pull, but that is the only negative I have with mine. It is 100% reliable with any ammo. The early ones had some problems, but if you are looking at the VE Series, these have been worked out. They are probably the best bang for the buck out there. Go over to the S&W Forum and ask the guys that have them. I will buy another in .40 cal. one day.

Originally Posted by greenjeans

The negatives mostly come from people that don't have them. They do have a long trigger pull, but that is the only negative I have with mine. It is 100% reliable with any ammo. The early ones had some problems, but if you are looking at the VE Series, these have been worked out. They are probably the best bang for the buck out there. Go over to the S&W Forum and ask the guys that have them. I will buy another in .40 cal. one day.

I am with Greenjeans on this one for sure. I have had the Sigma .40ve for two years now and it a good pistol that has always gone bang. The trigger did take a little getting use to. It's fairly smooth now and I think enough of it to use it for home defense.

You should consider looking that the summitgunbrokers.com site. They sell police turn-ins and the like. I don't have anything against the Sigmas, but Summit sells quite a few pistols that I would prefer to have, for about the same price. For example, a like-new S&W 4046 for $295.....

hth,
PhilR.

The S&W 3rd gen pistols are superior as are the Ruger P-series(especially the P90). A S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100 are as all-purpose as you can get with a sidearm.

we are allowed to carry our own handgun, in fact it is encouraged, no revolvers has to be semi-auto, and i belive it has to be .380, 9mm and .40 cal, thanks for the insight and anymore info would be helpful i want to make sure i get something that i will like and be reliable in the long run, i know the best way is to shoot them all but we have nothing like that near where i am so i have to go with my instinct and from what i can get from other people that have experience like you guys. thanks

You work for an agency that allows .380 as a duty weapon? My I ask where you are from?

my bad i wasn't thinking duty weapon on that one, basicly i am looking for a 9mm or a 40. i had just got off work last night when i posted that and we were talking guns and for some reason i had .380 stuck in my head

i went and looked around some more today and looked at the springfield XD i found them here where i live for 450 dollars is that a good price on one, the s&W M&P were going for 490 dollars, i guess i can live with those prices it a little out of my range but not by too much so would the XD make for a good starting duty gun???

1. I would suggest that you have a good talk with your training officer. I'm not sure about now but at one time you could buy guns from police distrubitors on a Chief of police letter of authorization, for less than the local gun shop could get the same thing from their distributors.

2. Do you really want a "starter" gun for duty? Does your Department have any Requirements? Ie. TDA or DAO Is SA ok? Safety lever or decocker only? Is there a minimum trigger pull weight required? A good quality semi auto pistol should last for your whole career so why skimp especially if you are serious about law enforcement. Ask a lot of questions, take your time and get the best you can afford. Jim

I would personally go with the Glock 22 or XD .40 cal.

ok so i went and looked around today again, and a gun shop just north of where i live has 2 glocks that came from a local police dept, traded in, i dont remeber what model but they were glocks, i like the feel of them more than the other 2 guns i have tried, i cant shoot them before hand but they feel good and the price is good, the only want $390 dollars no more than 500 rounds through them either would that be a really good price?????