What round do the local LEOs carry?

[bripsu]

I've had my XDm 40 for a little over a month and I am trying to determine what the best defensive round is as far as accuracy, load/eject, and stopping power. I've found a lot of options (obviously), but a few suggestions have been to use what the local LEOs carry so that you would not appear "too excessive" if anything ever happened.

2 Questions:
1. Do most people follow this philosophy?
2. Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the local departments carry (State College Boro, College Twp, Patton Twp, Ferguson Twp, etc.)?

Thanks!

[gnbrotz]

I've had my XDm 40 for a little over a month and I am trying to determine what the best defensive round is as far as accuracy, load/eject, and stopping power. I've found a lot of options (obviously), but a few suggestions have been to use what the local LEOs carry so that you would not appear "too excessive" if anything ever happened.

2 Questions:
1. Do most people follow this philosophy?
2. Out of curiosity, does anyone know what the local departments carry (State College Boro, College Twp, Patton Twp, Ferguson Twp, etc.)?

Thanks!

1. No. The suggestion that caliber choice or ammo type may taint a "good shoot" (or help you skate on a "bad shoot") is a myth.
2. If you really want to know, call a local department and ask them.

[Zef_66]

Not sure about local PDs. But state troopers in that area all carry 45GAP that the state police just switched to. Being that is a pretty large round, I don't think that can be much of a problem.

[ithinkimamedic]

SCPD carry Glocks. 22 and 23 depending. Last time it was discussed they were carrying Winchester Ranger SXT 165gr 40S&W
College twp is patrolled by SCPD.
Ferguson carry glock 22s w/ a tac light attatched to them all the time, they train frequently in employing it as well. I would have to check but I'm failry certian they use the ranger SXT's as well
Patton - glock 22s again not 100% sure on which round
PSUPD - I'll check and get back to ya.

As far as "carrying what they do for interchangability" it's a novel concept but the likelyhood of a situation happening where that would be the case are extremely low. Find a good defensive round that works for you and carry that.

Personally I do carry the 40 s&w Ranger SXT in the 165gr flavor. I've put rounds through calibrated blastics gel through my gun and been happy with the penetration and expansion. YMMV.

[Bigrepp61]

alot of them are carrying gold speer i think.... the state police are also carrying tazers and the only reason i know that is cuz my father in law decided to brandish a .30-.30 when the staties showed up for a drunk and disorderly... well their handgun jammed and he pulled the tazer.....

[FUNDAMENTALS]

I doubt very seriously that departments in the Com. of PA have the time,
money, expertise to conduct ballistic test as to what round of ammunition
there officers should carry. The probably rely on Federal Reports or
Ammunition Manufactures Reports/Studies. Pa. has many small departments
and I would say that they prurchase ammunition through the State Piggy
Back program to keep cost down. Tough economic times, shrinking budgets
will probably dictate what ammunition is purchased. I have rarely seen a
"Mission Statement" from a great may departments that define the round
of ammunition that a department has selected and the reasons backing
decision up. IE: Hollow Point/Controlled Expansion Rounds, Frangible, etc.

[bripsu]

SCPD carry Glocks. 22 and 23 depending. Last time it was discussed they were carrying Winchester Ranger SXT 165gr 40S&W
College twp is patrolled by SCPD.
Ferguson carry glock 22s w/ a tac light attatched to them all the time, they train frequently in employing it as well. I would have to check but I'm failry certian they use the ranger SXT's as well
Patton - glock 22s again not 100% sure on which round
PSUPD - I'll check and get back to ya.

Thanks for the interesting data, you saved me a lot of calling around.

I wasn't concerned with "interchangeability" as much as the suggestion on other threads to avoid a possible "excessive force" argument from a jury if you were using something hotter / higher expansion than LEO. Sounds like myth / speculation if there aren't documented cases.

[Marine0341]

Well I'm not considered LEO (at least not yet) but as a Sheriff's Deputy I carry a .40 and I'd say that most people go with that in my department. I think it's a great over-all round for both personal protection and as a duty caliber.

[VTLO910]

1st off, I'm no ballistics expert, but here is my take...

As LEO I carry a plain jane Federal JHP in .40

My Off Duty Carry, I use Remington Golden Sabre +p or Winchester Ranger SXT or similar ammo for my 9mm and .40, Speer Gold Dot for .357sig

As far as legalities, When you shoot someone, what are you doing...? YOUR STOPPING A THREAT.

Hollow Point ammo's purpose is to expand upon impact thus delivering maximum take-down force.

Ball Ammo has a better chance to go through a persons body, thus making it potentially more dangerous to others who might be in the area when the firearm is discharged...


The Point:

Go out and find yourself a decent Jacketed Hollow Point Round, Train, and worry about that stuff if/when you ever have to defend yourself...



If you engraved "Kill 'um all, let GOD sort them out" on your slide, then I think you might have some issues...lol


and one last thing. Don't use reloads for carry. Using a store bought ammo gives them less things to question. ie... Hott Rounds, etc...

[Paradigm]

Our guys use Glock .40 provided by the town.