What Handguns Do Police Use?

What handguns do police use? Today, most law enforcement officers carry full-size or compact semi-automatic pistols chambered in 9mm. Leading models include the Glock 17, Glock 19, Sig Sauer P320, and Smith & Wesson M&P series—selected for their reliability, capacity, and compatibility with duty lights and optics.

Police handgun choices have evolved from revolvers to striker-fired platforms that support modern tactical needs. Whether it’s uniformed patrol, SWAT, or off-duty carry, each role demands specific performance standards.

This guide breaks down the most common handguns in law enforcement, why they’re chosen, and how they differ by agency or assignment.

Model Caliber Use Case Agency Examples Notable Features
Glock 19 9mm Primary duty & off-duty FBI, LAPD, NYPD Compact size, high reliability, optics-ready options
Glock 22 .40 S&W Uniformed patrol State Police, Highway Patrol Higher capacity, .40 stopping power
Sig Sauer P320 9mm Standard duty U.S. Military, DHS Modular chassis, M17/M18 military variant
Smith & Wesson M&P9 9mm General duty & tactical ICE, Local PDs Ergonomic design, ambidextrous controls
FN 509 9mm Duty & SWAT use LAPD Military trial-tested, high durability

Glock 17

The Glock 17 is a full-size, striker-fired, polymer-framed handgun chambered in 9mm. It features a 17+1 round standard capacity and is engineered for durability under high-round-count duty use. The firearm’s Safe Action System includes three passive safeties—trigger, firing pin, and drop safety—which reset automatically after every shot.

Key design elements include a 4.49-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel, polygonal rifling, and a low bore axis for reduced muzzle flip. The slide is typically finished with Glock’s nDLC or Tenifer process, increasing corrosion resistance and surface hardness. The Glock 17’s wide parts interchangeability and low-maintenance requirements have made it a standard-issue sidearm for numerous law enforcement agencies worldwide. It is optics-ready in MOS (Modular Optic System) configurations and supports most duty-rated weapon lights.

Glock 19

The Glock 19 is a compact version of the Glock 17, also chambered in 9mm, and features a 4.02-inch barrel with a 15+1 round capacity. Its reduced size makes it suitable for both uniformed duty and concealed off-duty use, offering a balance between shootability and concealability.

The Glock 19 retains the same internal mechanism and Safe Action System as the Glock 17, ensuring familiarity for officers cross-training between platforms. The MOS variant of the Glock 19 supports direct mounting of RDS optics, and newer Gen 5 versions include an ambidextrous slide stop lever and a flared magwell for improved reload ergonomics.

Law enforcement agencies favor the Glock 19 due to its compatibility with Glock 17 magazines and holsters, making it logistically efficient while still maintaining full-service capability.

Glock 22 vs. Glock 19: Key Differences and Why Officers Prefer the Glock 22

The Glock 22 and Glock 19 might seem similar at a glance, but they diverge in crucial ways that shape their usage among law enforcement officers.

Size and Weight Differences

While both firearms share a recognizable design, the Glock 22 is distinctively longer and heavier. This enhanced size provides certain advantages in terms of balance and handling, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.

Ammunition Versatility

One of the standout features of the Glock 22 is its ability to chamber both 9mm and .40 caliber rounds. This flexibility offers a powerful alternative to the Glock 19, which is primarily designed for 9mm ammunition. The transition from a 9mm to a .40 caliber gives officers increased stopping power without sacrificing control—crucial in tactical situations.

Concealability Factor

The Glock 19 remains a favorite for officers whose roles prioritize discretion and concealment. However, when concealment is not a priority, the Glock 22 gains preference due to its additional firepower.

Bridging the Caliber Gap

Historically, there was a gap in firearms: between the heavier .45 caliber and the more compact 9mm options. The Glock 22 fills this void, combining the power associated with larger calibers and the maneuverability of smaller models. This combination makes it a trustworthy choice for law enforcement professionals globally.

In summary, the Glock 22 stands out with its enhanced power, adaptability to different ammunition types, and effective balance of size and capability, making it a preferred choice for many officers in the field.

Sig Sauer P320

The Sig Sauer P320 is a modular, striker-fired pistol platform designed around a serialized fire control unit (FCU), which allows the core mechanism to be transferred between full-size, compact, and subcompact grip modules. Chambered primarily in 9mm for law enforcement applications, the P320 features a 4.7-inch barrel (full-size) and a 17+1 capacity in its standard configuration.

The P320 platform supports factory and aftermarket optic-ready slides, X-Series performance upgrades, and flat-faced triggers for enhanced control. Its polymer grip modules vary in size and texture to match department preferences or officer hand sizes. Law enforcement agencies select the P320 for its modularity, drop safety certification, and increasing cross-compatibility with military configurations, including the M17 and M18 variants.

Smith & Wesson M&P Series

The Smith & Wesson M&P9 and M&P40 are striker-fired duty pistols developed specifically for law enforcement and military markets. The full-size M&P9 features a 4.25-inch barrel, 17+1 round capacity, and a steel-reinforced polymer frame with interchangeable backstraps for ergonomic adjustment.

The pistol’s hinged trigger safety, low bore axis, and tactile reset allow for efficient training transfer across skill levels. The M2.0 variant added an enhanced grip texture, crisper trigger break, and forward slide serrations. Duty configurations include thumb safety versions, optics-cut slides, and integrated Picatinny rails for light and laser compatibility.

M&P pistols are widely adopted by U.S. federal, state, and municipal law enforcement agencies due to their durability, adaptability, and intuitive controls.

FN 509

The FN 509 is a striker-fired, polymer-frame handgun developed from FN America’s submission to the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System trials. Chambered in 9mm, it features a 4-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, 17+1 capacity, and fully ambidextrous controls—including slide stop and magazine release.

The FN 509 Tactical variant includes an optic-ready slide, suppressor-height night sights, and a threaded barrel, supporting advanced patrol or tactical configurations. The pistol’s aggressive slide serrations and high-grip texturing improve handling under stress or adverse conditions.

LAPD’s adoption of a variant of the FN 509 highlights its real-world viability for law enforcement patrol and tactical deployment. Its drop safety performance, accuracy standards, and modular upgrades make it suitable for departments seeking a rugged, optics-compatible sidearm platform.

Auxiliary and Backup Handguns in Law Enforcement

Yes, many police officers do carry a second handgun, especially those in patrol, undercover, or tactical roles. These backup weapons serve as a contingency tool—if the primary duty weapon is inaccessible, damaged, or forcibly taken, the secondary firearm provides a last line of defense.

Why Officers Carry a Backup Gun?

Backup guns are selected for concealability, ease of access in compromised positions, and compatibility with duty ammunition (typically 9mm). Departments often allow them under policy conditions such as:

  • Firearm must be from an approved list or meet minimum safety criteria.

  • The officer must qualify with the backup weapon.

  • The gun must be carried in a department-approved holster (e.g., ankle, vest, or pocket-mounted).

Common Backup Handgun Locations

  • Ankle holsters (for seated access or patrol backup)

  • Vest holsters (commonly placed on the external carrier)

  • Support-side pocket (especially for detectives or plainclothes units)

Most Common Backup Handguns Used by Police

These compact and subcompact models dominate in law enforcement backup and off-duty carry:

  • Glock 43 / 43X: Single-stack 9mm with 6 to 10-round capacity. Ultra-thin profile ideal for ankle or vest carry. Matches manual of arms with Glock duty pistols.

  • Sig Sauer P365: One of the most popular subcompacts due to its 10 to 15-round magazine capacity in a tiny frame. Offers night sights and RDS-compatible versions.

  • Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus: Updated from the original Shield, offering 10+1 or 13+1 capacity in 9mm. Slim and consistent with full-size M&P ergonomics.

  • Ruger LCP II (in .380 ACP): Extremely lightweight, often used in deep concealment roles, though not always authorized for duty use due to caliber.

  • Glock 26: A slightly thicker subcompact that still offers 10-round capacity and accepts Glock 17/19 magazines. Common choice for those wanting Glock familiarity in a smaller frame.

When Is a Backup Gun Used?

Real-world use of backup guns typically occurs:

  • During weapon retention struggles

  • When seated or downed and the duty weapon can’t be reached

  • In low-visibility conditions where primary access is compromised

Departments with high-risk operational profiles (such as large urban police departments or SWAT divisions) are more likely to formalize secondary carry in their policies.

The Revolver Era: Police Sidearms from 1900 to 1980s

Throughout most of the 20th century, double-action revolvers were the standard sidearm for police departments across the United States. Agencies favored them for their simplicity, reliability, and ease of training. The majority were medium-frame revolvers chambered in .38 Special, with six-round cylinders, fixed sights, and steel frames.

Core Duty Models: Smith & Wesson and Colt Dominance

Two manufacturers dominated police service revolvers during this era: Smith & Wesson and Colt.

  • Smith & Wesson Model 10 (originally the .38 Hand Ejector, 1899): This became the gold standard for police sidearms. By the mid-20th century, it was the most issued duty revolver in the U.S., with 4-inch barrels being most common for uniformed officers and 2-inch "snub-nose" versions for detectives and plainclothes units.

  • Colt Police Positive (introduced in 1907): Known for its innovative “Positive Lock” internal safety system, it helped prevent accidental discharges if the weapon was dropped. It was issued widely and chambered primarily in .38 Special and .32 Colt.

  • Colt Official Police: Similar to the Police Positive but beefed up for .38 Special loads. It saw widespread use in large departments during the mid-20th century.

Concealed Carry and Plainclothes Configurations

Detectives and off-duty officers typically carried shorter-barreled revolvers, often with round butt frames for better concealment. Models like the S&W Model 10 Snub, Colt Detective Special, and eventually the S&W Model 13 (FBI standard from 1981–1991) filled this role.

The Rise of Magnum Revolvers (1950s–1970s)

While the .357 Magnum was introduced in the 1930s, high cost and recoil limited its adoption until the post-WWII era. By the 1950s and 60s, concerns over increased firepower among criminals led to growing interest in magnum-capable revolvers.

  • S&W Model 19: A K-frame .357 Magnum that balanced power and portability. Popular for highway patrol officers.

  • S&W Model 586 (L-frame): Created in the 1980s to solve durability issues with the Model 19. Designed to withstand regular use of full-power .357 loads.

  • Colt Python: Arguably the most refined magnum revolver of the period. Expensive, hand-fitted, and considered a premium option—carried by those who could afford personal purchase.

  • Ruger Security Six & Speed Six: Introduced in the 1970s, these rugged revolvers were affordable, strong, and became common in some departments before the switch to semi-autos.

Why the Revolver Era Ended?

By the late 1980s and into the 1990s, revolvers were being phased out. The reasons were simple:

  • Limited capacity: Six rounds was no longer sufficient in the face of higher-capacity semi-autos.

  • Reloading speed: Even with speedloaders, revolvers couldn’t match magazine-fed pistols under stress.

  • Training burden: DA/SA triggers and heavier recoil made revolvers less user-friendly compared to modern striker-fired pistols.

However, their reliability and proven record made them remain in service longer than expected. In some foreign countries—and even in limited U.S. roles—police revolvers still see occasional use today.

Early Semi-Auto Police Pistols

Early police semi-auto use was mostly in urban departments. It was socially unwelcome for even police to open carry their duty weapons, so most police officers of the 19th century and much of the 20th century would conceal their duty guns in pocket or under a jacket.

Early police semi-autos were compact medium-bore pistols like the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless (favored by the Boston Police Department and Shanghai Municipal Police, largely made up of British expats) and later the Walther PP series, which was created for the German police.

Some departments would adopt or authorize civilian M1911 pistols, especially the 38 Super variants in the 1930s. While never popular for mainstream police use, the 1911 pistol would catch on in select police units (such as LAPD Swat, LAPD SIS, the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team and select FBI SWAT units) in the 1970s and 80s. The Commander model would also find some popularity in plainclothes use as well.

One of the first semi-autos after the 1911 to see much police use was the Smith & Wesson autos. Early adopters included the Illinois State Patrol, who issued the Model 39 (a single-stack 9mm DA/SA pistol) and the Bakersfield Police Department, who adopted the Model 59 (same upper and barrel, double-stack magazine) when it came onto the civilian market in 1971. The second- and third-generation S&W autos like the 459, 5906, 1046, 456 and 4506, were also common police issue from the 1980s into the 2000s.

The other brands to dominate the police market starting in the 1980s and into the 1990s were Glock, Sig Sauer and Beretta. The Glock 17, 22, 23 and 19 first gained acceptance in the US police market beginning in the early 1990s, which has grown to the point that Glock is now the single most-common police duty pistol.

Starting with the FBI's adoption of the .40 S&W cartridge, much of the United States' domestic police force switched to this caliber. Almost all of the common police issue pistols of the day were chambered for it, and until fairly recently most pistols based on a 9mm frame-size would likewise be offered in that caliber.

Sig Sauer's P220, P226 and P229 DA/SA pistols were common police issue for state and local departments as well as federal agencies like the FBI, Border Patrol and beyond, in fact remaining common into the early 00s.

The Beretta M9/92FS pistol, another one of the high-capacity "Wonder Nines," was also a common police duty pistol (as well as the 96FS, chambered in .40 S&W) for the last quarter of the 20th Century as many officers had gained familiarity in military service. H&K managed to make some inroads into the law enforcement market with the USP series.

Modern police duty pistols, however, are quite different.

Modern Police Handguns

The modern police handgun is a full-size or compact polymer-framed striker-fired pistol, usually chambered in 9mm but with a few holdouts still clinging to .40 S&W. Almost no departments insist on .45 ACP anymore.

The typical police pistol of today has - at minimum - night sights, if not a milled slide for accepting a red dot sight. The frame is railed for mounting a pistol light, usually a full-size light such as the Streamlight TLR-1, SureFire X300 or Modlite PL350.

The Glock 17 and 19, as well as iterations such as the 19X, 45, 34, and now the Border Patrol's duty pistol, the Glock 47 are the most common, with the .40 caliber Glocks (22, 23) also still represented in the field.

Smith and Wesson's new generation of duty pistols, the M&P series, is somewhat common with the M&P9 and M&P40 (both original and M2.0 versions) being far from uncommon in police use in the United States.

Sig Sauer's P320 pistol made a splash as the new issue handgun of the US military (in M17/M18 guise) and has found some adoption in US (and foreign) departments as well.

The LAPD decided to go in a different direction altogether, adopting a variant of the FN509 (itself an entrant in the US military trials) for standard issue.

Common auxiiliary pistols include all of the above, but many departments will allow officers to supply their own gun. The Sig Sauer P220 series is commonly approved for duty use, as well as Berettas, and in more recent years, Staccato 2011 pistols as well.

The modern duty gun is vastly different than what police officers had to use even as recently as 30 years ago.

Why Law Enforcement Officers Favor The Glock 19

The Glock 19 remains a top choice among law enforcement officers, thanks to its array of practical features and characteristics that meet their demanding needs.

  • Durability and Reliability: Officers need firearms that can withstand heavy use in various environments. This model is renowned for its robust construction, ensuring it performs reliably even in extreme weather conditions.

  • Ease of Maintenance: Its straightforward design simplifies cleaning and maintenance. This ease of upkeep means officers can focus on their duties rather than worrying about complex disassembly and reassembly.

  • Versatility: The Glock 19 is designed to handle different shooting scenarios, making it suitable for both on-duty use and undercover assignments. Its adaptability ensures officers feel prepared no matter the situation.

  • Accuracy and Stopping Power: Users have praised the weapon for its precision and effective stopping power. These qualities give officers an essential advantage in high-pressure situations, where accuracy is paramount.

These features collectively make this firearm a preferred choice for law enforcement professionals around the globe, providing them with the confidence and reliability needed in their line of duty.

Why the Ruger LC9 is a Popular Off-Duty Weapon for Law Enforcement Officers?

The Ruger LC9 has earned its reputation as a preferred choice for law enforcement officers when it comes to off-duty firearms. A primary reason for its popularity is its compact size. Measuring just around six inches in length and weighing a mere 17 ounces, it easily fits into concealed carry holsters or even pockets, making it extremely convenient for officers to carry discreetly when not on duty.

Enhanced Firepower

A major upgrade from its earlier models, the LC9 is chambered for 9mm rounds. This enhancement addresses the common concern among officers regarding the stopping power of smaller cartridges, like the .380. The 9mm capability provides greater confidence in personal protection scenarios without adding significant bulk.

Ideal for Concealed Carry

Its lightweight and sleek design, combined with its powerful ammunition, make the LC9 an ideal choice for concealed carry. Officers appreciate the balance it strikes between being unobtrusive and effective, which is crucial when they are off the clock but still mindful of personal safety.

Conclusion: Duty Pistols Reflect the Realities of Law Enforcement

The handguns carried by police officers aren’t chosen at random—they’re the result of decades of evolution in firearms engineering, agency policy, and tactical necessity. Whether it’s the widespread use of the Glock 19, the modularity of the Sig Sauer P320, or the specialized adoption of optics-ready platforms like the FN 509, each model reflects how departments balance performance, reliability, and logistics.

Modern duty pistols must support attachments like weapon lights and red dot sights, meet drop safety standards, and perform in a range of urban and rural scenarios. But choosing the right sidearm is only half the system. These handguns demand equally capable duty holsters—retention-rated, optic-compatible, and built for consistent access under stress.

Understanding what handguns police use provides more than trivia—it highlights how critical gear selection is for those who carry not by choice, but by profession.

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