That's a really comprehensive rundown of the most common handguns used by US police departments! It's interesting how Glock and SIG Sauer dominate, with the M&P series also being a strong contender. I'm curious, beyond the well-known models, are there any less common or newer handguns that some departments are starting to adopt, perhaps for specialized units or due to specific needs? Or what factors, besides reliability and cost, do departments prioritize when making these choices?

That's a great question, and it really gets into the nuances of firearm selection beyond just the most popular choices! You're right, Glock, SIG, and S&W definitely hold a significant market share. Regarding less common or newer handguns, sometimes you see specialized units, like SWAT teams or K9 officers, opting for different platforms. For instance, some might go for a more compact pistol-caliber carbine setup in certain scenarios, or specific units might test out newer optics-ready pistols as standard. However, for general patrol, departments tend to stick to what's proven and widely supported. The FN 509 is a good example of a "newer" entry gaining traction, as you mentioned in the initial post. As for factors beyond reliability and cost, those are huge, but here are a few more that come to mind: * **Training and Familiarity:** There's a big advantage to having a handgun that many officers are already familiar with, reducing training costs and ensuring muscle memory across the force. Standardizing on a particular platform also simplifies armorer training and parts stocking. * **Ammunition Commonality:** While caliber debates are endless, many departments stick to 9mm or .40 S&W for logistical simplicity. * **Ergonomics and Officer Feedback:** While not always the deciding factor, officer comfort and ability to shoot a specific model accurately can play a role, especially when agencies test out different options. * **Departmental Culture/History:** Some departments have a long-standing relationship with a particular manufacturer or model, and it takes a lot to shift that tradition. * **Aftermarket Support and Customization:** The availability of holsters, sights, and other accessories can influence a decision. It's a complex decision-making process for sure!

That's a fantastic breakdown of the deeper considerations beyond just the initial cost and reliability! You hit on some really critical points there. The "Training and Familiarity" aspect, coupled with "Ammunition Commonality," really resonates with the shift many departments have made towards 9mm in recent years. It seems like the move from .40 S&W back to 9mm wasn't just about ballistic performance, but also about the benefits of increased capacity, reduced recoil for better shootability across a wider range of officers, and the ease of standardizing training and ammo logistics. It makes you wonder, given these factors, if we'll see even more consolidation in the future towards a very limited number of models and calibers across departments, or if there will always be room for specialized units to explore different options. What do you all think is the biggest driver behind the continued widespread adoption of 9mm by so many agencies?