What Firearm do Police Use?
Police officers use a variety of firearms, which can differ depending on their jurisdiction, department, and specific tasks. Here’s an in-depth look at the common firearms used by law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Conventional Pistols
Despite advancements in gun technology, conventional pistols remain the most widely used weapon among law enforcement agencies. Here’s a breakdown of the common calibers and styles:
- 9x19mm: This caliber is widely adopted by most police departments around the world. The reliability, firepower, and accessibility of this caliber make it an optimal choice.
- Glock 17/19* 9mm (Austria): 15- or 19-round capacity
- Smith & Wesson M&P40 (USA): 12-round capacity
- 45 ACP: Some law enforcement agencies use.45 ACP due to their perceived stopping power.
- *Beretta PX4 Storm** (Italy): 15-round capacity
- *Colt M45 MEU VI** (USA): 10-round capacity
Revolver Reborn
Although revolvers are considered outdated, they still serve a purpose in some police operations. The reasons for keeping revolvers:
- Durability and reliability, especially in wet or rugged conditions
- Uncommon calibers, providing a distinct shooting signature (e.g.,.460 S&W,.38 Special +P)
- S&W J-Frame.38 Special +P: 6-shot capacity
- *Taurus Model 905** 9.5mm Beretta (.40 S&W): 7-shot capacity
Specialized Rifles and Shotguns
Law enforcement agencies may require specialized weapons for specific scenarios, including:
- *Rifle calibers:*
- 5.56 NATO (556x45mm): standard caliber in many countries (e.g., US, Israel)
- 7.62x39mm: Russia’s AK rifle caliber is used by many agencies due to its widespread availability
- *Shotguns:*
- 12 Gauge: popular in the USA and Europe
- Mossberg 500 Bantam (USA): pump-action, 6- or 8-shot capacity
- 14 Gauge: rarely used in modern law enforcement due to limited ammunition and reloading
- Rossi Circuit Judge (USA): side-by-side, 18.25-inch barrel
- 12 Gauge: popular in the USA and Europe
Cartridges and Rifles for Different Tasks**
**Urban Police Operations**
• *Sub-compact**: 9x19mm, 357 SIG or.40 S&W rifles (e.g., S&W M&P15*
• *Rifling pattern*: optimal for soft-tissue stoppers with a reduced Ricochet Factor
**Outdoor/Coastal/Wildfire Response**
• *AR-15 Pattern*: M4/M16 rifles 5.56 NATO)
• *Increased accuracy at distance*: ballistics expertise
**Prisoner, Crowd, and Riot Control**
• *Less than Lethal Options** (LL.O.)*: tear gas, paintball, 37x49mm smoke shells in 12 gauge
+ *Conversion kits available* for traditional shotguns
**Semiautomatic Pistols vs. Revolvers**
In debates between **Conventional Semi-Automatic Pistols** and **Revolvers**, various factors, such as department policy and training, need to be considered:
| Semi-Automatic Pistol vs. Revolver | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 500-800 rpm (magazine fed) + 1,000 – 2,000 psi (pistols in 10,000-foot drops) – *Higher Rate Of Fire ( |
| Capacity | **Conventional magazines** available (up to 35 rounds) + Reload time approximately <5seconds> (< magazine capacity increases reload time); *conversely* |
| Stopping Power | Ballistics performance (reliably hitting target without ricocheting or creating unintended splinters) + Limited ammunition types can cause penetration or overpenetration if not optimized* |
Despite these considerations, revolvers have unique applications:
*historic background*, maintaining the art
* Limited ammo, conserving resupply and enhancing shooting posture*
* Simplified operational training*, easing maintenance; and reducing administrative overhead, compared to auto-loading, gas-driven magazine-fed magazines
Wrap-up
The selection of firearms varies across police forces and purposes. When making decisions for firearms acquisition and deployment:
* *Carefully weighing* pros, cons and potential implications.
* ***Collaborate** widely among agencies for the pursuit of effective use, avoiding the limitations we know but don’t explicitly mention – or so one hopes).
* ***Focus** specifically on *Realistic testing and Training to Enhance Skills*. Each jurisdiction ultimately requires their agents to utilize a weapon within the capacity and potential that law enforcement aims to ensure.
What Firearm do Police Use? Is the question the start-up, as mentioned, within this detailed view. Understanding these variations aids us.
