Originally Posted by
Rex G
This past decade, my changes have mostly been age-related. In 2011, as I closed-in on age fifty, .40 S&W, at least when fired from my high-nore-axis, aluminum-alloy-framed SIG P229 pistols, started becoming too much. There had already been a rumor that 9mm would soon be approved as an alternative duty cartridge, so, I divested all of my SIGs except for my primary duty pistol. By early 2012, I had pulled my 1911 from the safe, and test-fired it, to find that .45 ACP, fired from an all-steel, lower-bore-axis 1911, was less vexing to my wrist, so, the 1911 became resumed being my personal-time carry gun, for the first time since 2002. This also broke with my pattern of carrying the same system on and off the clock.
As rumors grew stronger, about 9mm becoming an authorized duty cartridge, I bought a pre-owned Gen3 G17, in 2012. The rumor became truth in September 2015. At my October qual, I switched to the G17, qualifying with the Gen3, and also with a newly-added Gen4. I also soon qual’ed with a pair of Gen4 G19, but soon found that I did not like them very much, so I carried a G17 in and off the clock. I did not totally put-away the 1911.
At the end of 2015, the chief approved the 1911 as a primary duty pistol. In early 2016, I attended the mandated transition class, and, for first time since 2002, was again toting a 1911 duty pistol, on the clock, and during much personal time. The G17 was mostly a personal-time carry gun.
In mid-2017, I had to start patrolling in a Ford “Police Interceptor,” based upon a miniaturized Ford Explorer. When I was the passenger officer, as was necessary when training and evaluation rookies, a full-sized pistols tended to catch on the right seat bolster, when i exited the vehicle. A work-around was to put the Glock holster body back onto the shank, and carry a G19 in the duty rig. When driving, I carried the larger G17. During personal time, I carried the G17, or the 1911. The G19 was a necessary evil.
After my October 2017 qual, my right wrist and thumb swelled and discolored, and, of course, ached. A couple of weeks later, I qual’ed with the G19 and 1911 pistols. No pain, no swelling, Now I really hated the G19. Other significant factors were present, in my personal life, as well as on the job, so I put in my papers to retire. I never fired a G19 again. In retirement, I gave mostly carried either a G17, or revolvers, with the 1911 being an occasional carry weapon.
Then, along comes the panic-demic, limiting my/our range trips, as my wife has significant co-morbidities. Long-stroke DA is my least-perishable trigger skill, so nowadays, I am mostly revolving around. Eventually, I will probably resume training with auto-pistols, after my wife finally gets her COVID vaccination.