I've been crazy busy... but just finished a few assignments and got a few big projects to finish. Got at least 3 personnel actions going forward for termination... ugh... those are the worst because of all the time and work involved.
How's life there? Enjoying the job still? How about the job search? Keep me posted, you young'un.
It's way too big and blocky to conceal for backup. How do you want to carry a backup? Vest carrier? Ankle? Forget pocket carry, it's too big. I can't conceal it in uniform and I have my pants tailored to be fitted so it's not going to work in an ankle holster either. Just imagine your G22 in all dimensions and measure out 4" on the slide and about 1" off the butt of the gun. Then see if you think that will fit into any of the areas you want to conceal it in uniform.
Off-duty is different because you can wear it under concealing garments that are baggier.
The g26 is 9mm and the g27 is 40cal. You need the g27 to match the g22 as the g27 can take the g22 mags so you don't have to worry about carrying extra mags. That's why I am switching from my G21 45acp to the G34 9mm for duty and matching it to my g26.
I'll send you some pics of the g26 and the LCP so you can get an idea of the sizes.
I can't fall out of a chair, I am sleeping on the sofa, haha!
Have you ever handled a G27? It's way too big for a pocket and heavy for ankle carry, unless you wear bell bottoms on duty, it won't be easy to get to either. Check out the thread "Help me Pick a Pocket Pistol", I posted pics of my G26 and my LCP which I carry in my pocket for backup.
I like the LCP because it's cheap ($270) but some don't like the .380ACP cartridge. I also have a J-frame Smith loaded with .38 Special +P+ Winchesters. Good guns but the Smith costs at least 2x as much. Don't rush into it, check your department policy to see what they allow for backup. They might not allow certain brands or calibers so that will narrow your search a bit.
Also check out the various backup weapon threads in Coptalk. There's a lot of good info there. After all, you are getting decades, if not centuries of collective LE experience there. (Dragoon alone has a few hundred years)
That sounds about right... I have the G26 for off-duty, it's too big to be a backup, especially on your 24" waist and frame. Maybe that can be your gift to yourself with that first paycheck. I know I bought myself a J-frame revolver for a backup my first month on the job. Yep, we used revolvers in police work, believe it or not.
If you were eight when I started... forget it... I don't want to talk to you anymore... dang whupper-snappers! All y'all kids are nuthin but hippies no how! Man, you are barely legal to drink. Your mommy know you out here playing cop?
You only have ONE pistol?!?!?!? Do not come home tomorrow until you buy another one! That's an ORDER! Always have more than one ready to go. You will need an off-duty and backup anyway for work so get to it already. What do you have as your main weapon?
As for how to deal with the FTO? Hard to say. Some FTOs want to see how you act under pressure so you can't get flustered and show him you can't take stress. Some want to actually see you mess up so they can start their lesson there using you as the prime example. The best thing to do is study hard. You will have a field training manual outlining the different phases and what each phase and even what each day entails. Study the lessons ahead of time. Talk to your FTO about the lessons. Study hard on your own time to be ready for the lesson. The worst is having someone who is not prepared and not open to training.
Your first few days should be light so take in his philosophy and ask him how does he see the training process. Don't be afraid to ask questions, ask all day, ask again and again until you are sure. Better to mess up in training than in real contacts. Make no mistake about it, you will mess up, the point is to not keep making the same mistake. Take copious notes of the training. If there's something you're iffy about, ask, then practice until you are comfortable.
I went to the academy in 94, started in 95. On and off in between for other stupid distractions and endeavors in life but never could get away from being a cop. It's in the blood.
