New policy - what would you choose?

[OPFOR]

Ok, so my agency has (finally!) officially approved a secondary firearm for on and off-duty carry. There are only a few approved firearms, and you are only allowed to pick ONE to be your "official" BUG. From the list below, what would you choose and why?

Keep in mind that our issued weapon is the Sig P228/P229/P229R (depending on when you came on the job...), that your issued weapon MUST be carried while on duty, that any BUG/off-duty weapon must be purchased by the individual agent.

All approved BUGs must be in 9mm, and must be carried with 124gr Hydra-Shok ammo for duty.

The approved list is:

Sig Sauer (9mm) Models 239, 228 and 229(R)
Glock Models 19 and 26
Smith & Wesson Model M&P9C
Kahr Arms Models P9 and PM9

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[joker1]

My pic would be the GLOCK 26 with the 19 a close second. But where the issue gun is a Sig, it would be best to have a similar gun for a BUG.

[JD]

Out of that list, Glock 26 with the Kahr P9 running second. I'll take the capacity/compactness of the G26 for off duty, can still be carried as a BUG on duty. If having the BUG for on duty is the higher need, my preference would go to the smaller, slimmer Kahr.

[SIXTO]

I'd go with one of the Kahrs, simply because they are the most versatile as far as concealment goes. Off duty, you already have the option of going with your duty gun, which is a compact. I'd go a step down in size to the sub compact or micro to give myself the most flexibility in carry methods and off duty dress.

[Lateck]

I voted 229R. That way magazines are inter-changeable.
Also the SIG is reliable!
I would of like to have seen the Ruger SR9c on your list, but......

Lateck

[pgrass101]

I voted for the Glock 19 becuase I like it That's what I would chose.

[WHEC724]

Not being a LEO nor active duty, I really don't feel qualified to vote, since I'm always 'off-duty' (or actually always 'on-duty' as I think of it).

But I voted anyway for G26. You can always argue for more firepower, but I prefer to optimize my arsenal.

[OPFOR]

SIXTO, I agree; the P228 is of appropriate size for most carry; I want the off-duty/BUG to be significantly smaller.

Lateck - I love the P229R, but it's BIGGER and HEAVIER (though only slightly) than my duty weapon - not exactly ideal for a BUG or deeper concealment pistol!

[21bubba]

P239, you know all the reasons.

[sigpack]

P239, you know all the reasons.

I think the 239 is fine for concealed carry but a little large for a bug. Another vote for the G26.

[OPFOR]

I guess I should add that I already own the following 9mm pistols that are on the approved list:

My issue P228.
A personal P228.
Sig P239 SAS (Gen 1)
A Glock 19 (Gen 3)

This doesn't really affect my decision (another excuse to buy a new gun, right?), but I thought I'd throw it out there...

[DaveH]

IMHO, (albeit the weight might be a little less) your off-duty-carry should be as near to your on duty-carry as you can get it -- in terms of muscle-memory, sight-picture, grip-to-barrel alignment, feel-in-the-hand, trigger-pull (weight/distance/let-off[if any], etc. No distraction when the adrenalin is pumping.

OTOH, the BUG should use the same magazines as the primary, also -- magazine failure being a major cause of FTF.

So, I suggest you decide if you are talking about primarily an off-duty-carry? Or is it to be primarily a BUG that you will also carry off-duty -- until you can buy another gun for exclusive off-duty-carry?

[Cuda66]

Well, knowing that...I'd have to go with the G26.

[Napa Nick]

I'd go with one of the Kahrs, simply because they are the most versatile as far as concealment goes. Off duty, you already have the option of going with your duty gun, which is a compact. I'd go a step down in size to the sub compact or micro to give myself the most flexibility in carry methods and off duty dress.

This the best advice yet, and it saved my lots of typing.

[SIGguy229]

I went with the P239....but like JD, have the Kahr as a close #2