Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns LEO- What do you carry?

To piggy back on the “how do you decide on capacity” thread and the “what percent of off duty Leo carry” thread...What do you that are employed as LEO carry while on duty and what do you carry while off?


I imagine your duty weapon is consistent, but does your off duty carry weapon change?
How do you carry your off duty weapon?[b][/b]

Glock 17 on duty

My off duty carry depends on what I'm doing, where I'm going and what I'm wearing.

A Springfield xds .45 is my primary off duty ccw choice
A Ruger lc9
Glock 17
And I've also carried some various revolvers over the years although not often.

I try to carry all the time. But there's places I don't. Like going to the gym, I leave it in the vehicle.

I play basketball once a week, leave it in the vehicle.

Ideally a person would carry everywhere. For me I don't find that practical or convenient. So I carry almost everywhere.

-Jake

Thanks Jake.

Appreciate the feedback. I’m curious as to the off duty carry habits and equipment of folks that carry for a living.

I carry sporadically. Usually a 8 shot 22lr revolver. Occasionally a 25acp Mauser.
I’ve no illusions either is close to some conception of an ultimate carry weapon, but I know both are better than a stick in the eye. Maybe. Lol.

The xds is not the best option available on the market right now for me either. But it's what I have in the safe.

I think a Glock 43 would be a better choice for me. I just haven't gotten around to buying one yet, and I generally like my xds.

Also, I generally advise people to make their ccw choice based on comfort. If it's uncomfortable eventually you'll start leaving it in the glove box or leaving it at home.

So I tell people to buy something that you will carry almost every where you go. It's better to have something on you, even if it isn't the "best", than to have the "best" sitting at home in a drawer.

-Jake

glock 17 on duty.

glock 42 or 19 off duty.

pocket or cram it in the waistband for the 42 and belt or paddle the 19.

most times its the 42, because it's easier and i shoot it well

The Springfield XDs seem under appreciated.

No ones,
Can I add a question to your list?

Does your department have any say in your off duty weapon, do you have to
qualify with it? Whoops, that's two!

When I was in the business:

Dallas PD 1977-1988:
On Duty:
Issue gun: S&W 64 4"(never carried one day later traded in for a 15)
S&W 29-2 6.5"
S&W 29-2 4"
S&W 57 4"
S&W 58 4"
S&W 24-3 3"
S&W 19-3 4" (carried for two weeks while the 29-2 6" was being rebuilt)
Colt 1911 Government Model .38 Super
Colt 1911 Commander .38 Super
S&W 42 2" (backup gun)
High Standard Derringer .22 Magnum (backup gun)

OD:
Colt 1911 5" .45 ACP
S&W Model 60 2"
Colt 1911 4.25" .38 Super



Rochester, NH PD 1989-1993:
65 4"
5906 9mm
42 2" (backup gun)

OD
Colt Commander .38 Super



NH Probation/Parole 1993-2002:
Issue Gun: Ruger Security-Six (never carried)
S&W 6906 9mm

OD:
Colt Commander .38 Super



In retirement LEOSA qualified:
Colt Commander .38 Super
Glock 19 9mm
Kahr P380
S&W 60-10 .357 Magnum 3"

Back when I was working, I carried a Sig P220 on duty. Carried that and a Sig 1911 Ultra Compact. In the summer I usually had a j frame S&W in my pocket. Retired 5 years ago and still (always) carry all three depending on time of year, risk assessment of where I’d be going. Any time I was in an area with a higher likelyhood of dealing with a dirt ball, I carried my P220. My thought was that if I was gonna get in a fight, I want a fighting gun. I was fortunate enough to shoot a couple hundred thousand rounds out of P220’s in my career at work so I got pretty good with it using either hand.

In a non uniformed capacity, I carry a S&W M&P 2.0 Compact in 9mm, with one spare full size 17rd magazine. When I was uniformed, I last carried a M&P 9Pro 5" with a Surefire X300, and three spare 17rd magazines.

I started out carrying a Sig P220, went to a Kimber 1911, then a M&P 45 before the M&P 9mm.

Nephew on PPD carries the Glock 22 on duty, and either the Glock 23 or the Glock 43 off duty, depending on where he plans to be.

G22 on duty, G 27 off duty. The G 43 's are popular and gaining every day. We are seeing less 380's since the 43 showed up. I have not shot a 43 but qualed a bunch of people with them. Capacity is my issue with the 43. The plus 2 magazine base plate would be a must for me. In the end, if I bite on the 43, I would end up carry 2 spare mags. My G27 seems to alleviate my capacity anxiety for the time being. I do like the size of the 43, so a 43x or 48 may be the answer.

HK P2000 on duty.

Xds9 off

Haven’t worn a badge for a decade. When I did my primary was a Glock 21 and a BUG Glock 26. OD mostly was the G26 as it was the easiest to conceal. OD we were required to have at least 1 spare mag and a set of handcuffs and our badge had to be next to your gun on your belt regardless if it was carried IWB or OWB. I carried a few times in a fanny pack but nothing says off duty LEO more than one of those stupid things!!

Stay safe out there!!

Elk Country

P320 carry on and (often) off duty.
My off-duty 320 is about to get some upgrades.

Alternate, and long-standing off-duty, is a much abused 642.

George

Our new policy limits us to striker fired semi autos with out a grip safety.No external hammer guns. No revolvers. Minimum capacity of 6 rounds and you must carry a reload. My 642 was my summer/warm weather gun and the the G27 was my, all the other time gun. I really miss the 642!

On-duty: Sig P220 .45acp

Off-duty: Glock 26 in 9mm most of the time, Glock 19 in 9mm when my wife and I are going shooting and she wants to shoot the G-26. In the summer, my off-duty carry can be a S&W 642, pocket carried in shorts.

5” M&P CORE with a light and RMR at work. (Soon to be replaced with a 4.25” 2.0 CORE)

M&P 2.0 Compact with a Deltapoint when I’m off. I have a TLR7 for it but haven’t found a suitable holster yet. I carry the Compact year round. If I have to tuck in a shirt I just wear a vest.

If I’m hiking a lot and away from nearly everyone I’ll carry a Shield and two spare mags. The Shield gets carried about 10% of the time.

Edit—
The Compact is carried in a Harry’s holster. Disclaimer-He sent it to me for free. But it’s all I wear now and worth every penny of what I would have spent. So comfortable that the Shield rarely gets carried anymore. Very, very well thought out holster.

I don’t feel like weapon commonality is really critical, especially with the striker fired guns. I’d happily carry a Glock29 or Sig320C, but being already set up with M&P mags, holsters, and parts made the decision easy.

If you’re off duty we allow you to carry whatever you want and you don’t qualify with it. If you’re doing any sort of LE work at all it’s gotta come from an approved list with all the associated hassle and paperwork.

My first dept we carried Smith sigma 40s no back up

Second part time agency was Smith 6906s

First full time job started out with Smith 6906s then we transferred to Glock 21s and Glock 30s carried those for about 12 years and switched to a Glock 31s and got issued Glock 33s for back up

Then we we're authorized to carry personal Sig's in 357.

19 on and 19 off