Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

By Donald J. Mihalek

Law enforcement in the United States is in constant evolution and that includes various police sidearms.

These days, law enforcement carrying a .38 Special or .357 Magnum on duty seems like ancient history. In the 1980s, the cocaine wars brought an increased need for superior firepower and weaponry.

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These days, with firearms assaults on law enforcement up more than 60 percent, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, agencies and officers are in constant need of better sidearms that are reliable and can end a threat.

Technology helps, and the FBI has conducted a multitude of studies showing that the modern 9mm round is just as lethal and capable as any other round on the market.

As this transition occurs, many departments are following the tide and switching its duty weapons back to ones chambered in 9mm. This shift is being led by many of the larger police departments in our nation, who are also dealing with a heightened sensitivity and calls to “demilitarize” and become more “community oriented.”

Despite that, what critics don’t realize is as many departments move back to 9mm, the officers are actually increasing …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life