The NYPD’s young guns are hitting the streets with new pistols that are more accurate and feature better grips — but veteran cops are angry that, unlike rookies, they’ll have to pony up $525 if they want to upgrade to the better firepower.
“If the Glock 17 can help us shoot better, that increases our safety,” one seasoned Brooklyn cop said. “I personally believe the department should help out in paying for the new gun, or, at least, provide an even swap.
“Not everybody has $525 on hand to make a purchase like that.”
The department introduced the Glock 17, Generation 4, to newbies in the Police Academy in July, and is offering it free to all new classes of recruits.
The gunmaker touts “revolutionary” design advances over other models because it features a longer barrel, textured grip, customizable back strap and a reversible, enlarged magazine catch that makes it easier to swap out the magazine.
“It’s the ergonomics of this gun . . . that makes this a better gun,” said Inspector Raymond Caroli, commander of the NYPD firearms and tactics section.
Recruits, who are issued a service weapon in the academy at no cost, get to pick among the Glock 17 and two other guns that have been offered for years — the compact Glock 19 and the Sig Sauer P226. Most are picking the Glock 17, Caroli said.
He added that having more senior cops pay was a policy matter, saying, “If an in-service cop wants that gun, he can go ahead and buy it.”
The rollout comes as the NYPD stresses its community policing program and works to improve police-community relations, which have been damaged by police-involved shootings.
Some cops are criticizing another aspect of the Glock 17 rollout, noting that the department is purposefully limiting the number of bullets they can carry.
The gun, as designed, can hold 17-round magazines — two more than the Glock 19. But the NYPD had the manufacturer customize the Glock 17s to carry only 15 rounds so it would be consistent with the interchangeable Glock 19 magazine.
One cop who recently went to the firing range said the instructor there drew guffaws when he explained the 15-bullet limit.
“Half the class laughed when the instructor said that,” the officer said. “Good ol’ NYPD, they’re restricting us yet again, only handing out the 15 option.”
Another cop said, “Why would you select a firearm that can hold 17 rounds, but then only allow 15 to be carried? It defies common sense. Officers may need those rounds if they find themselves in an active-shooter situation like Dallas or Orlando.”