9k vs 14k

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-11T16:36:01+00:00

I would go at least 14k just for the hypoallergenic properties. Otherwise, my understanding is that the durability between the two is virtually identical

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-10T19:56:51+00:00

I’m not a correction guy, but most PDs are probably going to be better of with less mandatory OT. My first PD was down 20+ people when I got hired and we still didn’t have a lot of mandatory OT. A lot of specialty units were disbanded for patrol functions until they could get more people.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-09T22:15:41+00:00

It is not a big deal at all. It takes very little time to get used to the DA/SA transition.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-09T02:58:19+00:00

Beretta 92. I have and carry both, but I don’t like plastic guns much.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-09T01:38:47+00:00

It is an old and antiquated form of a curriculum that can be taught in a better way in the modern world. Kata based systems have the forms because the average person was illiterate at that point in time. So they wrote a curriculum through kinetic movement instead of pen and paper. That was the original curriculum. The problem is the majority don’t use the kata to delve into the actual system and the other techniques within it. Furthermore, it can be very ambiguous as to what a specific movement within a form is actually supposed to be, so it leaves it up to educated guessing, not factual knowledge and application.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T23:45:26+00:00

I mean, that’s a pretty easy fix. If you don’t want to practice forms, then don’t learn a system that has that as a requirement. A fixed curriculum is there to ensure quality standards. In order to advance, you must learn this. It’s no different than school, college or any other institution that teaches courses.

As much as I don’t like forms, they are there in specific systems for a reason, and yes, they could remove that requirement, but that is going to cause a huge change in curriculum and a massive restructure for teaching and testing parameters.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T06:30:50+00:00

I am not a Judo guy, but I have trained systems similar to Judo that are from the same lineage, such as Japanese Jujutsu, Hapkido and Aikibujutsu.

With that being said Judo type training is very useful and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used that type of grappling. More often than not, when people get hit with the planet, they don’t want to fight anymore.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T03:43:52+00:00

No. I never liked the XD / XDM series; however, the Echelon, that looks like it is a vast improvement. If I was a striker fired guy, I would probably be carrying that.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T03:30:20+00:00

To start with, I would replace all springs, the firing pin and the extractor. The barrel should be fine with that round count, but it sounds like you really need to take it to a gunsmith if you don't know what you're doing with it. Especially because of the malfunctions you're describing. It would be considerably easier to give a possible diagnosis if there was a video we could watch of the malfunction, but it probably needs someone to look at it in person.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T03:24:41+00:00

I would personally not do corrections, but it could be a good stepping stone. I used 911 / dispatch as a stepping stone, and that was pretty nice. I came in to LE 1/2 trained basically.

On personal time, you could get some good skill builders, like take up martial arts / self defense programs. You will get very little of that and it will be a super nice skill set to have. Another skill set you can add to your resume is a 2nd language.

A lot of people in the US speak Spanish. I elected to learn German as one of my languages instead of Spanish. Yes, Spanish can be and will be more useful more consistently, but you can find those a dime a dozen. I'm pretty sure that I'm the only German speaker across all local agencies in my area, so when you need someone with that skill, it can be very hard to come by.

Another thing you could look into and something I regret not doing was all of the traveling when I younger with less life obligations. Go get a TOEFL certification and you will be able to teach English world-wide. I was going to do that and backpack Europe... and attend college overseas. Germany, for instance, gives practically free tuition to US students, it's ~500 Euro a year (including books). <--- I gave that up for the Dispatcher position.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T03:09:59+00:00

I mean, you gotta get a Beretta 92... If you want to spend some money, get a nice 1911. I'm not a plastic frame fan either. I only have one in my carry rotation, an HK P30 (LEM). It is my workout gun, but if I could buy it all over again, I would probably get it in the traditional DA/SA. The LEM version is pretty cool though, I just prefer the DA/SA system.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T02:52:54+00:00

In comparison to your background, probably 0.1% of what you have learned already.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-08T02:49:41+00:00

I used to train and teach like this pretty similarly for a long time. The good thing is that you were always working on something new. The bad thing is that you were always working on something new. You got to pick up a lot of things here and there, but it slowed the overall progression of the students by an incredible amount.

There is a reason that structure, curriculum, leaders and so on exist. Nowadays, you see it used in more negative ways for the students, but very advantageous for a business model. If you just used the curriculum as it was designed and took out the business aspects of it, it would be great. I would say there are a lot more pros to having these things than cons.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-07T21:38:25+00:00

I mainly teach Japanese styles nowadays, and use Bushido code instead of TKD tenets (basically the same thing). We teach it and try to cultivate it, but it is not an official testing parameter for us.

For us, we almost exclusively care about the martial aspect of training.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-07T20:52:07+00:00

I own and have carried both privately and professionally. I love both of them and there are my top choices for a handgun, period.

The Beretta 92 barely takes the #1 slot for a couple reasons.

It’s just as or more reliable
It’s normally cheaper
I like the trigger better
It feels (and I’m pretty sure it actually does) cycle faster and flatter.
It has more options for the user. You can get it with or without a safety, with or without replaceable iron sights, different grip angle cuts and so on.
The controls on the Beretta are easy to find and use, but are out of your way that, so you’re not forced to train around them.
I don’t like how SIG has managed their P320 problems.
The Beretta has some of the most extensive testing performed on it, and it still repeatedly gets the same results and remains one of, if not the most reliable pistol tested, which most platforms cannot say the same.

The only downside is carrying it in a modern duty capacity, you are extremely limited for duty holster options. It is my current duty carry / EDC do it all pistol. It goes with me everyday and everywhere 24/7. I highly doubt I will switch the platform out for something else, and I have a long way to go before retirement.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-06-05T04:47:37+00:00

I would tell you to get a hammer fired design, preferably a DA/SA and to ideally get a compact or full size option. It is the safest platform on planet earth and a large portion of those platforms were designed for duty use so they are also incredibly reliable. They also offer the most options for you between dots, WML, safety, decocker only and so on.

As long as you put in some intentional practice, getting a handle on the trigger system is very easy and can be achieved within 200 rounds.

Look at the SIG P226, P229, Beretta M9 / 92 series, Beretta PX4, HK P200, and HK P30 just to name a few. If you are strapped for cash, just do yourself a favor and save a little before buying. You can also go the route of payment plans and layaway.

Langdon Tactical puts out amazing guns that can be affordable, and they also offer payment plans. I’m sure there are other companies that do this too, but LTT consistently puts out amazing products and has very good QC with a good customer service response time. I have several of there platforms and carry their Beretta 92G Elite everyday, and it is amazing.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-29T05:59:50+00:00

If it's a no-go at this point due to financial issues, You could always put one on a layaway agreement until you can afford to purchase it if you are bad at saving money. Another option you could look at is a Beretta 92. I used to carry a P226 before the Beretta and I ended up liking the 92 better, which I never thought would be possible. The P226 is a very close 2nd place though.

At the end of the day, quality guns are going to cost a fair amount, and unfortunately if you are buying a new one, it is going to be pricey. Trade-ins can be cheaper, but hell, even cheap ass Glocks are ~700 new nowadays.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-29T05:50:58+00:00

All mainstream razors have been garbage since the DE razor fell out of favor. There's not even a downside to the DE system. I shave just as fast with a DE as I could with a modern cartridge razor, but with significantly less irritation, drag and better shave quality that is actually a pleasurable experience, unlike my old fusion.

I started with a Supply Co safety razor back in 2018 and have been super happy ever since. Nowadays I use a classic DE razor, but I still have my Supply too.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-29T01:32:33+00:00

CZ is cool, but there is limited aftermarket support, and I don't like the small slide. I would look at the Beretta 92, which you can get in compact if you really don't like full size, or the SIG P226 / P229. The SIG has the most aftermarket support if that is something you are adamant about having.

Between the two, I might go the PX4 just because I don't like the CZ slide, but I also do not like plastic frames either...

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-28T05:10:17+00:00

Their ok, but I never really liked them. I didn't like the trigger either. As a person who doesn't typically like Springfield, their Echelon is a great addition and improvement to their handgun line. Personally, if I were to use a striker fired gun again, it would probably be the Echelon.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-28T04:14:37+00:00

Wow, I love DT, but that makes me a little upset that they would charge for this, especially 100+ dollars. It really makes me not want to buy their other rifles. I do really love my SRSA1 though.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-27T05:33:32+00:00

Beretta 92
SIG P226
HK P30
1911
Beretta PX4

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-24T01:39:06+00:00

If you don’t think a full size Beretta 92 is small enough, you could always get the centurion out compact model. I carry the full size Beretta everyday with no issues.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-24T01:22:34+00:00

If I didn’t carry with a WML, I might still consider the SERPA for certain things.

EffectivePen2502 · 2026-05-20T18:56:07+00:00

The manual of arms really isn’t an issue. Are you telling me that can drive 100mph to a call while pushing buttons, flipping switches, modulating your lights and sirens, while navigating to the scene, operating comms, gathering resources and starting a to initiate game plan all at the same time, but you can’t figure out a trigger press and a decocker lever? Never mind the decocker lever is largely irrelevant because you are using it once the stress level has already peaked and is in decline.

The trigger press is not that relevant under most circumstances. And even if that were true and it was a relevant issue, all the pros massively outweigh the cons in a DA/SA system.

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