Not a fan of ankle rigs. Saw too many guns get loose on foot chases and even in restaurants. I went with a vest holster and converted my shirts to velcro closures so I could get at my BUG quickly. If he is issued a Glock, stay with Glock for backup. And a J frame Smith is handy, too.

He has shot some 25 handguns that I have. I had a Glock 10mm custom cerakoted for him when he graduated from Oklahoma State but he doesn't want to shoot it. That and my wife's little 10mm are the only Glocks in the collection.

But anything he picks up he shoots well.

92SF he's cursed with small hands so that shouldn't be a problem. However it's giving him fits with handcuff training.

Tommy

Couple things to consider:

Does his duty uniform have an exterior vest carrier? I asked this as I was an ankle carry officer (used an Alesia ankle rig and pistol never came out during fights or foot pursuits) until we went to the exterior vest carrier. Our duty pistol at that time was a Glock 17. I started carrying a Glock 26 in a utility pouch with velcroed kydex holster inside the pouch on my vest carrier. It was set up for a left-handed draw, which was my weak hand.

Has he shot a Glock 26 or 43 or 43X? A Glock 26 would be able to use his duty magazines in an emergency. A Glock 43 or 43X will be easier to carry and conceal off duty. 43X can use Shield magazines, going from 10 rounds to 15 rounds. I have found the Shield Gen 3 magazines to work perfectly.

Your best bet is to let him choose his off duty and or backup pistol himself. You can give him the money as a graduation gift with the understanding that he will use it to purchase a pistol. This way you and him will save a couple hundred bucks getting any type of Glock pistol through Glock’s blue label program.

Don’t discount a little J frame revolver! Very lightweight and was very easy to carry in that exterior vest carrier with the utility pouch. I also had a couple reloads in speed strips. I was just talking about this with another retired cop the other day. Both times I had to draw a pistol off duty, it was my little J frame that I was carrying during those incidents (held bad guy at gunpoint until on duty officers arrived). I have a shrouded hammer J frame with a Crimson Trace laser grip, which I still occasionally will carry at times. When bicycling I carry it all the time.

On duty and in uniform by best/favorite back-up gun is the Glock 42. I'm more apt to carry it every shift. I consider it a completely last ditch gun so I'm not too worried about reloads.

Our duty gun is the Glock 45 and my plainclothes (everyday now) is my Glock 19. I love my recently added Glock 26. The thought of sharing the same mags is great but it's just too bulky for back-up carry.

When it comes right down to it, for me, I need what I know I will carry. It works every time. I carry Buffalo Bore HP in it. The icing on the cake is it is simply just a miniature of my primary weapon. If I need it, there's not much for me to think about.

Military and former military can purchase on the Glock Blue Label Program as well as LE.

GT Distributers lists the G43X MOS Blue Label pricing for $398.09.

Abiding by policy is number one. Knowing his needs and wants is another.

Policy changed for us last third of my career, allowing us to have backup weapons. I never carried a back up weapon, but if it did, it would be smaller than my off duty. The officers who carried backups always complained about their weight and general unhappiness carrying them.

I carried many different weapons on and off, and my last off duty was my current SIG P365 XL. If I had carried a backup during my last years with the XL, I probably would have carried the P365.

When duty-carrying a G23.4, I off duty carried a G43 and a G42. I probably would have carried the G42 as a backup.

There are always new models coming out, but due to YouTube, I’m watching fewer gun review videos.

Don't forget that you may want to budget for better (more visible) iron sights on the BUG. If a RMR won't be usable, on the BUG, that is. Trijicon HD sights are very useful.

There are titanium handcuffs to reduce weight on belt, if that interests you.

I should also add that I carry in a pocket holster in my off side cargo pocket. The back up is the pocket’s only content.

quote:

Originally posted by horsedoc:
Mike he's already looking for a better set of handcuffs because the issued ones suck. Any suggestions for a source would be appreciated. This is new territory for us.

Tommy

Google police distributer near me or look at Galls online. There’s a police supply down in Austin that I just got some Speer gold dots from.

Whatever you get him, make sure they have the “rivet” where the bail hinges. In bottom pic you can see it (the bump) and in the other you can’t. The one that is smooth can be pried open with a handy seatbelt and is easily escaped from.

Handcuffs, Galls has some good ones. I carried a set of hinged handcuffs, which are a bit oversize for a larger suspects. I also carried a standard set of chain handcuffs, which were primarily used for smaller suspects or suspects who were actively fighting. I will say that the hinged handcuffs were great for wrist locks and transitioning their arms into straight arm bars, or bend arm bars.

Thanks guys , I truly appreciate all your input.

Tommy

Some places require you to qualify with your backup and they may only approve certain brands/models. That was my experience in GA so once you know those items it may be easier to choose. I preferred a non-striker for my back up it now there are so many smaller striker BUG’s.i haven’t seen one of these in person but I’m told the Diamondback revolver is j frame size and they make them in 9mm and .357/.38. Might be worth consideration.

i would also go the g26 route. the magazine compatability and back up double duty. is a pretty good use

In addition to the back up gun, a nice tactical watch like a Luminox or even a Glock watch would be a nice graduation gift. Congratulations to you guys, sounds like you raised a fine young man.

A set of Smith & Wesson Model 1-1 handcuffs. They’re asymmetrical and are excellent for both very small and very large wrists.

Also a duplicate flashlight to what he’s issued or using. Not sure you can have too many quality flashlights working patrol. Also a small flat easy-on mini light he can hang from an epaulette that points down, for cuffing in dim or dark places. Bonus if it’s red light.

I have a question about this. If the OP were to purchase a gun and give it to his son, does that make him subject to a straw purchase situation? Seems like if it was purchased from a dealer it would be a different situation than if he were purchase from a private party.

A straw purchase is when someone is disqualified from purchasing a handgun has someone who is qualified to purchase a handgun, purchase it for them. Then, give the gun to them.

There’s nothing wrong with purchasing a handgun for someone as a gift who is qualified and legal to purchase the weapon themselves.

What ever you end up getting as a gift for the graduate just make sure that is compatable with his department policies and will be allowed to carry while on duty. ............................... drill sgt.