If you were just starting out in 2018...

[M2CattleCo]

Glock 19 and 43.

[Josh Runkle]

It depends. If my primary criteria was shootability and carry, I'd say Glock, and more specifically Glock G17, G19, or G19X. They're usually quite dependable, easy to detail-disassemble, and perform do-it-yourself modifications/trigger tuning (in my case, with OEM parts {except for sights and butt-plugs}).

The original poster mentioned use for church security. If threat management is a possibility, then I'd suggest taking a hard look at pistols with a longer triggerpull, such as HK's LEM-equipped pistols or other DAO options (in my case, a Beretta 92D). Or a DA/SA choice.

That's not to say that choosing a Glock is a bad alternative-far from it. But for a Glock as a threat management tool I would probably recommend a Gen4, Gen5 or G19X, or in earlier generations using a NY1 trigger spring. In my personal case, as a Security Team leader if I go the Glock route, it's normally going to be my G34 with a NY1 and a minus connector, with Warren Tactical sights-but I'm far more likely to choose my HK P30L V1 LEM or Beretta 92D.

Best, Jon

I could be wrong, but I got the impression that he was referring to CCW in church, not church security.

I generically agree with your assessment for a security role, but I disagree for CCW. For CCW, I don’t really believe you should draw your weapon unless you are firing it. While homicide might have justifiable circumstances, assault with a deadly weapon is probably harder to defend as a justifiable position, from the standpoint of a private citizen.

Then again...he does live in Texas.



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[Hambo]

For one thing I wouldn't spend a decade with P7s.

Other than that diversion, they're making more Beretta 92 versions than when I bought my first in the '80s. I had to learn to stake 1911 front sights back then, and now I could buy one with dovetail sights AND a beavertail. I still drool on Wilson combat stuff, but now it's internet porn instead of a catalogue.

If you want a polymer answer maybe a P30 or a G34.

[JonInWA]

I could be wrong, but I got the impression that he was referring to CCW in church, not church security.

I generically agree with your assessment for a security role, but I disagree for CCW. For CCW, I don’t really believe you should draw your weapon unless you are firing it. While homicide might have justifiable circumstances, assault with a deadly weapon is probably harder to defend as a justifiable position, from the standpoint of a private citizen.

Then again...he does live in Texas.



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I agree with you, Josh; if he's just a congregant, in that case, shootabiity likely trumps threat management criteria.

Best, Jon

[Eastex]

Again, thanks for the replies. I go to a very small country church so we’re not prone to being as “organized” as larger ones are. We don’t have a security team so much but there are several of us who are armed on any given Sunday. I started a thread way back on the revolver forum about a GP100 I bought from one of the members, he sits on the far left side as you enter in and I sit on the far right. Guns I suspect being in the building include his Gen 2 Glock 17, my 642, a Shield, and at least two Ruger LCPs and those are just the ones I know about out of a crowd of 20-40 people.
I’m looking for something that would primarily be used for while at church. I practice with my 642 at the distances involved but that’s not it’s strong suit. It’s great for concealment but that’s less of a issue at church where I have a jacket on.


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[Treecop]

Glock support gear and aftermarket parts(sights) are universally available.
Like others have said, the G19 is a great do it all gun.
If I could go back in time to 2005 and agency restrictions didn’t exist, I would buy a g19(9 years before I did) and ignore all of the caliber bs and steel gun nonsense that claimed my $ over the years.
Carry methods are going to be mission dictated. Keep in mind sitting in pews and frequent close contact with fellow parishioners.


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[Guinnessman]

If I were starting out, I would buy 3 P30’s, and 3 P30sk’s, and call it a day. If only I could go back 15 years, and tell myself to quit being a “Sample Whore” and stick to the P30.

[HopetonBrown]

A Glock 17 or two. I think I bought a 1911 as my first gun because my 2 friends that had pistols had Glocks and I wanted something different.

[Rex G]

As I will be retiring from LEO-ing later this month, and by March will be able to afford and pair-and-a-spare of just about any fighting handgun I desire, this is not a hypothetical for me. Striker-fired pistols are eliminated from consideration, in the first round, because the protruding, boxy, rear portion of the slide makes concealment difficult. I can conceal my P229 better than a baby Glock, because the outer rear corner of the slide is the greatest challenge to concealment.

.40 Snap & Whip is eliminated from consideration, because of my aging, aching right wrist. I retired my P229 .40 duty pistol one month after my chief approved 9mm as an alternative duty pistol cartridge. I believe I can eliminate 357 SIG and 10mm, too.

A steel or stainless-steel frame is desirable, to damp recoil, to spare my aging, aching right wrist. This eliminates plenty of contenders.

A low bore axis is desirable, to mitigate muzzle flip. This is a strike against SIGs, though an all-stainless P226 might still be a contender.

The hump on the left side of the P229 frame is a strike against the P229. This hump is not present on the P226, if I recall correctly.

So, this leaves the P226, with a stainless steel frame, as a leading contender for the prize. Slimmer G10 grip panels would probably be an improvement, over the standard plastic grip panels.

Having said that, a full-sized, single-column, all-steel, 5” 1911, with a relieved trigger guard and high-cut front strap, is much more to my liking. (I have two Les Baers.) Double-column-mag handguns are more like hands-guns, requiring two hands for best operation. I have toddler and infant grandsons, so a one-hand-gun is better.

The new Wilson Combat X-something may have low-enough grip-area bulk to work well for me, but I have never seen or handled one.

[Nephrology]

I'd stick with Glock, but more strongly consider the M&P line of pistols.