most common LE handgun

S

simonrichter

New member
I know it's a question rather stressed, but I didn't get a satisfying answer so far: Adding all the LE agencies in the US (Federal ones as well as police and sheriff depts. etc.), which making is the most common in absolute numbers? Does anyone have any useful data on this topic?

As a quick guess, I would say it's still Glock, but maybe that's just another common misconception...
 
Glock, undoubtedly. Glock claims ~60-65% market share. Even if that's generous, they're winning, though M&P is making strides.

Model number of Glock, probably 22 followed closely by 23 and 19. That's not counting backups. My brother's agency (and a lot of others, I understand) allows and encourages the subcompact G27 as a BUG for the 22/23.
 
Yeah, my guess would be Glock too. I'm probably one of the only law enforcement officers in the country who has never fired a Glock. My agency uses issued M&Ps, but many of our officers say we'd have been better off if Glock got the contract.
 
^ My dad was a trooper in the Wyoming Highway Patrol for 25 years (in that timeframe, issued the Smith 686 (.357), Beretta 92 (9x19), then Beretta 96FS (.40) when he went out. We still know a lot of troopers and dispatchers on patrol. Shortly thereafter, they switched to the Gen 3 Glock 22 for something like 8 years. This year they switched to the M&P 40. Reports coming in are very positive so far. Apparently very reliable and ergonomics are well liked.
 
It seems to me that a lot of officers carp about whatever firearm they're issued. If they have Glocks - they wished they had Smiths, if they have H&K they wish they had Glocks...

When the department switches they wish they had what they used to have...

Chicago gives officers some choice. They get $1,800 to buy their own gear - including firearms. Initially recruites must purchase DAO or striker fired pistol from Springfield Armory, Smith and Wesson, or Glock pistols. They must be chambered in 9 mm until the recruit's 18-month probationary period is over.

After 18 months they can purchase a different sidearm if it meets the following requirments:

Be manufactured by Beretta, Glock, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, or Springfield Armory.

Be chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP.

Be Double-Action Only, Hammer or Striker-Fired.

So that's not too bad...
 
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C0untZer0 said:
It seems to me that a lot of officers carp about whatever firearm they're issued. If they have Glocks - they wished they had Smiths, if they have H&K they wish they had Glocks...

When the department switches they wish they had what they used to have...

Chicago gives officers some choice. They get $1,800 to buy their own gear - including firearms. Initially recruites must purchase DAO or striker fired pistol from Springfield Armory, Smith and Wesson, or Glock pistols. They must be chambered in 9 mm until the recruit's 18-month probationary period is over.

After 18 months they can purchase a different sidearm if it meets the following requirments:

Be manufactured by Beretta, Glock, Ruger, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, or Springfield Armory.

Be chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP.

Be Double-Action Only, Hammer or Striker-Fired.

So that's not too bad...
Click to expand...

As much as I despise the politics of Chicago, I really like the freedom each officer has to choose a sidearm they work well with.
 
Federal LE sidearms, sources.....

For details(open source to non sworn public) about US govt agencies, I'd see; www.fletc.gov or www.FBI.gov or www.fleoa.org .
To my limited knowledge, I'd say the Glock 22/23 .40 is the most used/issued LE sidearm across all state/federal/local agencies. Massad Ayoob may know the details. He's done many article about major LE agencies/service pistols.
At one point, Glock had approx 60-75% of all US police sidearm contracts about 4/5 years ago but that has since been reduced by the SIG & M&P line.

The .40S&W is still considered the most issued/packed round by sworn US law enforcement nationwide.

Clyde
 
I'm an LEO here in Florida and I know pretty much every dept down here carries the glock model 22 .40 cal. I know of one other dept that carries the M&P .40 and Florida Higway Patrol carries the Beretta 92 in .40. Then you have some of the special units like swat or tach units that will carry a 1911 kimber .45. Atleast that's what swat carries at my dept if they choose to. if I had to make a top 3 list it would have to be the glock 22 .40, Beretta 92 .40, then the M&P .40. Atleast that's how it goes here in the gunshine state..
 
Last I looked, the Glock 22 is pretty popular nationwide among LEOs. My agency issues the Sig P220ST. For my part, if my issued pistol has to come without a manual safety, I'd rather have a Glock. Left to my own devices, I'd much prefer a duty pistol with a manual safety, and I'd be happy with either one of my Ruger .45s...P-90 or P345.
 
In Massachusetts it's always been;

#1. Glock
#2. Sig
#3. S&W
#4. Beretta
#5. Ruger

Now it's hard to say because S&W M&P has swept the market and most everyone I know has switched or is switching to the M&P in 45acp or 40S&W, (one agency went with 9mm.) MA & NH State Police adopted the M&P in 45acp.
 
Very nice overview, thank you all.

I reckon one could sum it up as:

1. Glock is still predominant

2. S&W M&P is gaining

3. .40 is the most common LE caliber

4. This forum is a pretty good place to learn about any firearms related stuff :)
 
In the United States, the most widely issued firearm in the LE community is the Glock 22/23 Gen III handgun.

Speer Gold Dot or (Winchester Ranger) in .40s&w is the most widely issued ammunition. Federal Hydra-Shok is widely issued too.

The Smith&Wesson M&P semi-auto has made a substantial gain in the market but is still drastically outnumbered by Glock.

FWIW Sig Sauer (usually the model 226/229) maintains a solid but distant third place position in the law enforcement market.

The most widespread BUG for LEOs is still the S&W 442.
 
From what I see every day, Glocks are by far the norm for local law enforcement. Our policy states for uniformed carry, it has to be a Glock .40 other than a G27. Those can only be carried by plain clothes.
 
I am currently issued a Sig P229R DAK in .40. I REALLY like it. So much so, that I went out and bought one of my own under the LEO purchase program ($100 rebate). That being said, I also have a POW Glock 23 that I REALLY like as well. I would have no problem whatsoever if my agency issued that pistol either.

My agency seems to secure a new contract for issued handguns about every five years or so. It will be interesting to see what's next. I'm certain that it will be in .40 though. That caliber is likely to be the ammo of choice in law enforcement in the U.S. for many many years to come.

Stay safe and have a great New Year!
 
MacGuffin. I'm issued a P229 in 357 sig. We are in the process of switching to a different gun, (poly striker fired.) I love my Sig and at the last conference I attempted to purchase one at officer price. The price was $735.00. The Glock table was right next to the Sig table. A new Glock was $399.00 for officer price. I couldn't bring myself to purchase a Sig at almost twice the price. Most likely Depts are probably seeing the same thing, a substantial saving with less maintenance if they go to a S&W or Glock.
 
See around in my parts SIG seems to be king. The county I live in issues G21's in .45acp. Almost every local city agency around issues Sigs, nt agency included with P220's. I know it varies by areas of the country. Of course local Sheriffs and Chiefs will inevitably look to their neighbors tools during a decision to purchase firearms. .45acp is the predominant caliber almost across the board around my parts, with some .357 sig thrown in here and there (wealthy departments :D)

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Most likely Depts are probably seeing the same thing, a substantial saving with less maintenance if they go to a S&W or Glock.
Click to expand...

See, I have the same thought process when looking into gun purchases. I want VALUE. At twice the price, I'll pick a new Glock over a new Sig anyday. If I found a great deal on a used Sig then I'd scoop it up. At any rate, I will have to say that I don't believe the maintenance is more on a Sig than a Glock, definately not more than a S&W. My current agency is still fielding the same duty pistols purchased 12 years ago and it doesn't look like there will be money in the budget to make a purchase in the next few years. We've had zero issues with Sig... other than the infamous slide rust where we have to inspect each others gear weekly to make sure it isn't pitted (admittedly, that is a pain).

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My agency just issued the 4th generation Glock 22/23. This is the fourth time we've issued the Glock in the past twenty years (Gen 2 9mm, Gen 2 .40, Gen 3 .40 and now Gen 4 .40). We had the opportunity to go to the S&W M&P with a very generous trade offer. It was put to the officers for a vote. The vast majority chose to stay with the Glock. It may have been simply that they chose to stay with what they already knew and were familiar with. Either way the Gen 4 has been very well received.
 
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