I work in a secure building. LEO carry GLOCK 17/19s. Non-LEO, with the proper permit, can carry whatever we want. I generally carry a HK P2000.

With all the fun events in the world today, would you carry a GLOCK instead of your preferred SIG/HK/Walther, etc. while at work just to have magazine compatibility with LEO? While the chances of any "Assault on Precinct 13" event are slim to none, would you still carry a GLOCK just to be compatible with LEO?

Thoughts?

Edited based upon Q's reply.

Q has a valid point that you should carry what serves you best. For purposes of my question, assume that you shoot the GLOCK as well as your preferred weapon you just prefer the trigger, ergonomics, size of your standard carry weapon, etc.

In addition, you may assume that in this scenario you have access to a GLOCK.

Thanks Q!

I’ll carry whatever that serves me best. I won’t carry something just because it has mag compatibility with the LEOs.

I remember reading about that in the gun rags back in years past and for awhile, that seemed like a thing, where they cover every minutia of concern.

Then I think they examined how often that situation came up where people had to share mags and I think it was next to zero among departments that allowed different carry guns.

But I haven't subscribed to a gun rag in over 20 yrs. so I may be behind or way ahead.

ETA: In fairness, I have to admit I do carry a G26 over my preferred P239 because of capacity and parts availability.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dsiets,

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
I’ll carry whatever that serves me best.

Another vote for that.

Besides although it’s not exactly equivalent, I’ll never forget something that Massad Ayoob said about having ammunition in some sort of ultimate catastrophe situation: We’d better have all we think we’ll need before it happens rather than have some sort of plan to acquire it after the event. I.e., choose and stockpile based on what’s best for you, not because you think you could barter a case of canned tuna in exchange for some 45 ACP from the local National Guard outfit.

If I felt the need to have a lot of ammo, that’s what I’d carry. I certainly would not plan on talking some LEO out of his supply if it were North Hollywood or Mumbai all over again.

If I need to grab a magazine from somebody else chances are there will be a whole gun to grab because it’s gone really pear shaped.

Now in some kind of unit/military action or similar, sure but my EDC is not chosen because I think I will be picking up Glock mag loot drops like in a video game.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
chances are there will be a whole gun to grab

My thought as well.

One of the things that used to amaze (and annoy) me back in the 1950s was when a hero in a teevee thriller didn’t pick up a gun or other weapon that a bad guy dropped.

If you've burned through all your ammo and still haven't solved the problem, I'm not wasting mine giving it to you! You're not getting my mags unless I'm dead, and if that's the case you can take the gun, too.

Carry what you like and what works for you. Don't worry about what everybody else is using.

Being a private citizen and not LEO, I would be very worried about pumping out a whole bunch of rounds down range where a lot of innocent people can be. Much rather escape and evade, or if that is not possible hide. I have 12rds in the gun, and a 15 round spare that I always carry, and sometimes two 15rd mags. I feel safe with that load.

That being said, I do always keep extra ammo and mags in the truck, and I am never far from my truck.

No. I carry a 1911 and don’t expect to pick any mags up during a gunfight.

Some VERY good points. A couple of extra magazines and leave it at that sounds like the way to go.

I carry a gun because it's reliable.
In the past it was Gov't 1911's, and for a little while a BHP.
Came on the job it was a Sig Sauer P-226, then a 220.
Then I switched to a Glock G-21, and recently I went back to 9mm and am using a G-34 for duty- a G-43X with shield mags (15 Rds) or a G-19 (possibly a 17Rd G-17 mag is I' carrying an extra mag)

Round Count somewhat matters for me.
I would have no problem carrying a 1911 again, but I would always carry at least 1 extra mag.
I prefer 15, 17 rds. No problem with a Sig 21 rd mag either.

I've never heard anyone complain of "too much ammo".
I've heard of a few incidents where someone wished that they had more.
I'll err on the side of caution.

A defensive firearms use is an extremely unlikely event.

A defensive firearms use where multiple magazines are required is even more unlikely.

A defensive firearms use where multiple magazines are required AND you may either find somebody willing to share OR somebody needs magazines from you is an absolute unicorn.

The magazine compatibility thing pops up in the LE world now and then and there are no doubt still a lot of agencies that would claim it as a benefit of making everybody carry the same gun, but in the relatively modern era, I am aware of only one occurrence where pistol magazines were shared and it was extreme outlier event in San Francisco in the 90s. There may be others, but again, extreme, extreme, extreme outliers.

So I'd say to stop planning for the least likely occurrence within a set of very unlikely occurrences. The criteria that matter to me:

1) Carry a gun that you'll actually carry. The subcompact in your pocket is far more useful than the full-size in your nightstand. You should also carry the biggest gun that you'll actually carry.

2) Carry a gun that you're proficient with. The BBQ gun only makes sense if you shoot well with it. It's a tool, not a fashion accessory. That doesn't mean it can't be a pretty tool, but I can think of one guy that I know that has a penchant for carrying revolvers because it makes him different.

3) It should go without saying even beyond the others, but carry a gun that works. That goes for mechanical function as well as anything battery powered that is attached to the gun.

Beyond that, it's up to you. I carried a CCO sized 1911 for a few years and came to the realization one day (December 2, 2015, while watching the aftermath of the husband-wife terror attack in San Bernardino, CA on the news) that I could do better.

I would not carry something that did not fit my hands well, for the sake of having magazine compatibility with the local LEOs, but, because Gen4 and Gen5 9mm Glocks do fit my hands well, I do regard it as an advantage that I have magazine compatibility with many local LEOs. I tend to carry a Glock G17 daily, and, it does happen to be the standard duty pistol for Houston PD officers, in Texas, hired after some time around 2016 or 2017.

My usual carry Gen4 G17 became my “orthopedic” duty pistol in October 2015, soon after the then-chief of Houston PD OK’ed 9mm to again be a duty cartridge. The recoil characteristics of the SIG P229, firing .40, had been vexing my arthritic right hand for several years. (.40 S&W had become standard in 1997. .45 ACP had become an authorized alternative in late 2012.) I have been retired since 2018, but, we live close enough to two schools, that we would hear the gunshots, in the event of a school shooting, and close enough to two Jewish houses of worship, if shots were to be fired there. One morning, I was awakened by distant rifle fire, which was an LE colleague ending a mass shooting, on a residential street, not all that far away, near a grocery store, where we often shop. So, I do think about such things.

Plus, several vehicular pursuits have ended near me. A felony vehicle stop occurred ahead of me, in 2019, which prompted me to angle my truck, to keep traffic from passing me, and bumbling their way into the situation.

Notably, it is not simply about my being able to use others’ magazines, but that I could provide my loaded magazines to LEOs, in an extreme situation. Even when I am not carrying a Glock, such as when I opt to tote revolvers, I still normally have loaded G17 mags in my truck.

Lots of thoughts from different angles and experiences.

As for me, currently still working, so mag capacity is an issue I consider, but mag interchangeability is not something I consider.

A backup gun, or access to a rifle is something I still care about.

When I retire (soon) the capacity will become less important as I will no longer have to run to the fight, but can consider my personal and families safety first and foremost.
I’ll probably still want a minimum of 10 rounds and a spare mag, but a full-size battle pistol and three mags won’t be my daily carry.

My dad used to always say this. He wanted 9mm and 223 so he could pick up all the NATO rounds.

If that’s the situation I’m in, I probably want water and shelter more than anything. I think it plays into our fantasies more than being realistic.

quote:

If that’s the situation I’m in, I probably want water and shelter more than anything. I think it plays into our fantasies more than being realistic.

AMEN to this. If we are at a point where we (in general terms) are killing folks and looting for ammo and supplies I honestly think ammo will be the least of our problems.

When the Kung Flu was at its height and folks were scared I had folks asking me how much ammo should they have or guns etc. and I told them all the same thing. Even if things get a little off the reservation law and order will be here and you will still be responsible for every round you fired. That made a lot of folks take a step back and take a more realistic view of things.

I mean I am all for Mohawks and asses hanging out of chaps while scouring the wastelands for 9volt batteries and toilet paper but I am still betting that even in this timeline that probably falls WAY THE HELL towards the pointy end of the bell curve.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
chances are there will be a whole gun to grab

One of the things that used to amaze (and annoy) me back in the 1950s was when a hero in a teevee thriller didn’t pick up a gun or other weapon that a bad guy dropped.

The fifties? Shit that's still happening every show I watch.

"Sir, if the time comes I need one, there'll be plenty lying on the ground..."

-Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley
'We Were Solders...'

No. Even local agencies don't share magazine compatibility within themselves.

For many, concealed carry involves compromises- size and comfort, capacity, caliber, etc. I carry a G43 with an extra mag and a backup P238. But in a "just in case event", a SHTF situation, I want a long gun, a battle rifle, not a handgun and looking for extra mags.