03/05/2026
I have been on a quest for the last several years to find my perfect duty pistol.
All of the usual criteria applied:
-Proven, documented & reputable manufacturer
-Proven, documented & reputable model
-Mission applicable (uniformed duty/tactical primary sidearm & plain clothes/concealed defensive carry sidearm)
My research and testing was based on both objective data obtained from numerous sources (to include military, law enforcement and civilian pistol testing and evaluation) and my personal (objective & subjective) testing and use. All pistols mentioned, throughout these specified posts, have had over 1,000 rounds or much more run through them, by me, and within varied environments (day, night, optics, no optics, all weather conditions, high round count classes, qualifications, plinking, evaluation shoots/drills). They have not been purposely tortured but have definitely been used, banged, dropped...etc. Numerous factory loads were used (FMJ, frangible, Hollow Point, standard, +P & +P+...no reloads) across all pistols tested.
I must note now that this is not a paid platform, I am sponsored by no one, I receive nothing from anyone, I advertise for no one and everything was paid for by me. These are my experiences and the goal is to provide solid information from a professional instructor and end user of such tools. All of the pistols mentioned are excellent tools for such mission specific needs and I recommend them all. I will eventually reveal in the coming weeks my final choice that best suits my professional needs but the journey, the process, is worth detailing to understand conclusions.
I'll start with a little related history. From 1986 through 2022 I have been issued (or forced to carry by my agencies), for uniform duty/tactical operations, the following pistols (that I'll attempt to place in order): S&W model 64 (HB 4" 38spl), S&W model 13 (HB 4" 38spl), S&W model 19 (4" 357mag), S&W model 66 (4" 357mag), Beretta 92FS (9mm), Sig P226 (9mm DA/SA), Sig P226 (40s&w DAK), G***k 22 (Gen 3), G***k 21SF (Gen3), G***k 17 (Gen 4), G***k 45 (Gen 5). All have performed very well for me w/in said mission. Some fit me better & required much less effort to perfect (talking about accuracy, speed & efficiency of use). By 2022 I found that the ergonomics (grip fit, trigger reach, controls, point ability...) of G***k (GREAT platform) forced extreme effort on my part to perfect it's performance. I have Lg/Xl hands, meaty palms, short thick fingers; am 6' 230lb...linebacker build... & G***k just did not naturally fit, did not naturally point & felt like a block in my hand. In 2022, after retirement from a larger agency & some contracting work I hired on with a very small agency surrounded by very rural area (that may be important later). My current agency issues G***k 34 (Gen 3) but allows officers to duty carry what they want within reason, approval of chief & instructor (me) and annual qualification.
Now the teaser: From 2022 til present I chose (tested/evaluated/carried) several pistols for duty in an attempt to find which one performed best for me (as a uniformed police officer and fi****ms instructor.
In the following weeks I'll post details outlining testing and evaluation of the specific pistols and eventually my winner & why.
I hope you find this interesting and helpful & will see you next week.
