A security guard often places their life in the hands of the very weapons they carry to defend the people or property they are guarding. For many security guards, the work may require you to carry a gun, and as you may already know, there are hundreds of gun options out there, so how can you determine the best one for you? While it can be a tough decision to choose the gun that will be perfect to carry, you should know which guns have proven reliable and which are often named as being in the top for security guards and law enforcement officers who carry guns.
Glock 22
The Glock 22 is by far, the most popular gun for law enforcement officers and has a magazine capacity of 15/16/22, fires .40 S&W ammunition and weighs just over 34 ounces when fully loaded. The Glock 22 holds more rounds than other handguns in its class. This gun was introduced in 1990 and within a few short years was found to be dominating other guns in popularity, primarily because it became a top gun for military and law enforcement members. It is a great gun for security guards as it is lightweight, has great accuracy
Specs:
Caliber: .40 S&W
Barrel: 4.49 Inches
Length: 7.32 Inches
Weight: 1.41 pounds
Sights: Front and rear
Ruger LC9
Weighing in at just 17 ounces and only 6 inches long, the Ruger LC9 is a great choice for security guards who are required to carry a gun. The LC9 is a semi-automatic, double action, locked breech pistol that fires smoothly. According to FirstSecurityServices.com, a security firm on the West Coast, many of their globally stationed armed guards carry the Ruger LC9 during patrols and even when off-duty for protection.
Specs:
Caliber: 9 mm Luger
Weight: 17.1 oz.
Length: 6 inches
Barrel: 3.1 inches
Sights: Fixed
Beretta Model 92
Beretta is the oldest gun manufacturer in the world that still actively produces guns today. The Model 92 was introduced in 1972 and is a lightweight firearm that is tough, easy to fire and, with its small size, easier to handle than many other firearms. In 1990, the Model 92C was introduced and was comparable to other semi-automatic firearms on the market, but with its light weight and great aim, it became popular quickly with law enforcement officers who wanted a quality firearm to carry when off duty.
Specs:
Caliber: 9 mm Luger
Weight: 2.09 pounds unloaded
Length: 8.5 inches
Barrel: 4.92 inches
Sights: Iron front and rear sights and optional optics
Heckler & Koch HK45
The German firearm manufacturer Heckler & Koch started manufacturing guns for law enforcement in the 1940s and the company still produces some of the highest quality firearms in existence today. The HK45 was designed specifically for the military and was tested for power, accuracy and durability during active firing. Security forces can easily add laser sights and silencers to the HK45. It has little recoil for such a power-filled firearm and is a top choice for law enforcement and military members as well as armed security guards worldwide.
Specs:
Caliber: .45 ACP
Weight: 31.2 oz.
Length: 8.03 inches
Barrel: 4.46 inches
Sights: Fixed sights
Colt M1911
Originally produced in 1911, the Colt M1911 was designed for the U.S. military and the original M1911 was used until 1986 when the Beretta M9 replaced it. The gun fires standard .45 ACP and offers a light-weight grip, small recoil and accuracy for hitting targets. Today, the M1911 is still a very popular firearm for security guards and law enforcement, as well as civilians who need protection.
Specs:
Caliber: .45 ACP
Weight: 2.44 pounds
Length: 8.25 inches
Barrel: 5.03 inches (government model) or 4.25 inches (commander model) or 3.5 inches (Officer model)
Sights: Front and rear sights
There has been much speculation in recent years, especially with school shootings and other shootings happening in various cities nationwide, on whether security guards should be equipped with guns to help prevent fatal shootings not only on school campuses, but in businesses nationwide. One of the biggest decisions a business will make is whether their guards will be armed and when determining this, companies must choose to make the workplace a safe place for employees as well as clients. If you work in the security industry and your company has decided to use armed patrol, we hope this list will help you as you determine the best gun for you to carry—both on duty and off.
Chris Ward is a security specialist with First Security.
