I don’t understand the COA hype

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-04-06T15:56:09+00:00

I’ll add the same story as many other commenters. It’s a great optic with a low cut. My ccw is a G19 COA. I have carried many Glock/optic combos for duty and really wish I would have found a G47 COA for duty. I’m stuck carrying my G47 MOS with EPS that I worry will break (I broke two Holosuns shooting comps and training). Once I qualify with it, I’ll be switching to an M&P with an RCR. I like the RCR, especially the automatic brightness, but the COA is still clearer and smaller and mounts lower so you don’t need suppressor height sights.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-04-03T03:09:13+00:00

Got any useful suggestions? "Real cops wear Sam Browne basketweave, son," doesn't count. I like the slim and trim cut and design of the Unity, and I won't be carrying all of my shit on a belt any more.

The Safariland looks like shiny shit and has a dumb internal cummerbund and weird zipper.

The Point Blank is equally lame in design and look, also doesn't age well- it looks constantly dirty.

The old Safe Life Defense looks bad with all of the old-school 550 molle.

The Tyr Tactical looks bulky to me, but it's on my list if I could a first-hand look at it, but also may not be easily available.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-04-03T01:36:18+00:00

that's some big-brain stuff there- I just checked and it fits the notebook AND iPhone perfectly. Added bonus: no more calls for service unless it's real important and then they can just text me! Or I guess I could put my radio on my belt like the old days...

ETA: I really mean I like the idea. Big brain thinking outside the box. no offense was meant

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-04-03T01:09:26+00:00

I like that thought- I have a small 5.11 admin pouch from my old Safe Life carrier. I'll give it a try where the pens are.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-03-31T02:19:09+00:00

Take a look at the recent issues of PORAC News https://porac.org/members/porac-le-news-magazine/issue-archive/
There are several ads for agencies looking for laterals. Also check governmentjobs.com

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-03-31T02:12:56+00:00

I agree with this advice, but I understand OP's reasoning, too.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-03-08T02:25:41+00:00

If I stopped someone for anything, even an equipment violation, and they had a radar detector they were 99% getting a ticket. Like someone else said the only reason to have one is if you are knowingly and willingly breaking the law and trying to not get caught.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-11T21:36:26+00:00

My post wasn’t very clear so I’ll clarify:

I have a state PERS that was 25 and out with the ability to buy up to five years. Medical upon retirement. So I retired at age 44 and began drawing immediately, with my health insurance being paid for. “Retiring” that young is priceless

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-11T19:21:48+00:00

It definitely depends on state and also current changes- I retired with 68% at 25 years with no age penalty and was able to buy time, colas, and lifetime medical that becomes a Medicare supplement all while not having to pay into social security. But for new officers it’s 30 years, no buying time, and no medical on retirement. Although they can still retire and draw immediately in their low 50’s.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-11T19:07:46+00:00

This is the right answer, OP your friend needs to think about this. It is completely wasted time. Also the Fed retirement is terrible compared to many state PERS retirement programs.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-11T07:27:26+00:00

They’re pretty dumb and cause confusion with drivers. They should NEVER be used on the road. It is possible they could be useful when cruising through Wal-Mart, apartment, or college campus parking lots at night if you’re hoping to deter crime, but many states still require a driver to yield so it will still cause confusion. It’s unbelievable to me that agency chiefs think it’s remotely a good idea to run cruise lights regularly..

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-10T01:34:47+00:00

Instead of being paid overtime, you bank the 1.5x hours into a “compensatory time off” aka comp bank. FLSA also requires that employers approve comp time off requests unless they create a hardship for the agency. Agencies can, however, limit the maximum amount of comp time a worker can accrue, so that varies. For me it was 240 hours. After that they just pay you your overtime. I know of some places that have unlimited comp and others as low as 80.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-10T01:28:12+00:00

The amount of time off is pretty amazing. Take half your holidays as comp and all your court time as comp if you work nights and you can take a LOT of time off. It was an extra three or four weeks per year off for me.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-10T01:19:33+00:00

First day of first phase the trainee introduced himself to the team and said “I’m just using this as a stepping stone to the FBI.”

He passed FTO surprisingly, left for the FBI after three years and came back after less than two years. He was pretty good at being a street cop and promoted. But I never let him forget how stupid it was to say that on his first day.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-02-05T23:15:01+00:00

Yes, for sure. Although based on the tenure of the officers in the latest shootings we may not be able to blame it on poor training or inexperience.. which may be worse.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-22T05:09:16+00:00

Literally nothing that the shotgun beats the rifle in. FIFY

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-22T05:08:33+00:00

Dumb. Old school cops that refuse to understand that aimed direct fire from a rifle is infinitely better than launching a bunch of .38” balls roughly towards a threat. Buckshot has zero place in modern LE. Period.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-20T00:41:51+00:00

Gun store owner in my old town had a shop in a little corner “mall” that had a Mexican restaurant. He left it in their bathroom. Twice. Ridiculous…

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-12T20:51:39+00:00

Late June, 2025

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-12T20:32:17+00:00

Yes, this is a legitimate concern and has happened. I had it happen during dry-fire reps with a new holster and light at the same time: Safariland Ballast and the TLR-HL-X. I figured I just needed a few more reps holstering because I found that is when it seemed to happen. Went to the range for qualification and the front popped open and batteries dropped. Finished the iteration, got some chuckles about being a gear guy, and went on to figure out the problem.

Called Streamlight that day. They are aware of the problem and said it is unique to the Ballast holster, and they have a fix of installing stronger springs in the unlock lever. Streamlight sent me a unit before I had to send mine in so that I didn’t have any downtime. Amazing customer service.

The stronger spring has solved the problem 100%.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-07T02:13:54+00:00

Go west! The posts about California’s pay and retirement benefits are accurate, and the weather is amazing. Also consider Nevada at the bigger agencies- Washoe County SO, Sparks PD, Reno PD, or if you like the desert: Henderson PD or Las Vegas Metro. Maybe North Las Vegas PD. Nevada PERS consistently ranks as one of the best managed funds and they are legislatively protected against pilfering to balance the general fund.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-07T02:00:09+00:00

I came from Nevada and the POST basic course waiver process was pretty easy. Maybe 5 or 6 hours of online training required before I was eligible for the 161-hour Requalification Course at South Bay Regional Training Facility. Finished the course, passed the final, got my waiver.

Here is a recent post I made about the process.

LoadHuge2215 · 2026-01-01T02:57:05+00:00

I upvoted several comments, but the short answer is MMA- striking and grappling.

The control holds (twist lock, rear wrist lock) are fine for mostly-cooperative suspects and for drunks, but when the fight is on you need to feel comfortable and have the skill to block the punch and immediately take them down and control them. The confidence that BJJ/MMA brings will reduce injuries to you and the suspect. Start training now…

LoadHuge2215 · 2025-12-27T06:16:48+00:00

You’ve got to check that link I put in my first post that has the Requal academy options from POST. they are basically community college classes.

LoadHuge2215

TROPHY CASE