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The duty pistols carried by law enforcement must be accurate and have excellent capacity. Thus, full-size handguns are often the best choice for duty use, which is reflected by the sidearms issued by police departments across the country. Here are our picks for the best full-size duty pistols of 2023.
There are a few qualities every good duty pistol should have: great ergonomics, simple manual of arms, consistent trigger pull, a 4-4.5" barrel, an accessory rail, and an optics-ready slide.To be considered for our list, each handgun must also be chambered in 9mm (for ammo compatibility) with a capacity of 17+1 or more.
Although it is a recent release, the Echelon has already made a strong first impression in the firearms community. It was designed with law enforcement in mind and as such, it is a completely modular and ships with a flush fit 20-round magazine and an extended 20-round magazine.
The Echelon also has a solid trigger and intuitive low-profile controls, plus the slide serrations are substantial enough to use while wearing gloves. Moreover, Springfield's Variable Interface System (VIS) allows the shooter to mount over 30 different models of red dot optics, making it an incredibly well-rounded duty pistol.
It would be difficult (if not impossible) to find a handgun with ergonomics superior to those of the Heckler & Koch VP9. This pistol offers 27 unique grip configurations to suit the shooter's preferences, and the grip angle itself makes for a comfortable shooting experience.
Unlike on most pistols, the VP9's controls are completely ambidextrous - a huge plus for law enforcement who may find themselves shooting offhand or from unconventional positions. The optics-ready slide also features rear cocking wings, which enable easier manipulation of the slide.
And for shooters who prefer a push button magazine release over a Eurpean-style paddle, the VP9-B affords all the benefits of the VP9 without necessitating additional training to run the gun effectively.
The DR920 from Shadow Systems is a Glock-style pistol that is ready for duty right out of the box, complete with optics cut and forward / rear cocking serrations. The front strap is flat with grippy stippling, and the trigger guard has a cutout to avoid the infamous "Glock knuckle" when shooting.
Plus, the DR920 has an advantage that the other pistols on this list don't have in that it is compatible with aftermarket Glock parts and accessories. This removes some of the hassle of finding holsters and spare mags or conducting routine repairs and maintenance.
Featuring the new Performance Duty Trigger, the Walther PDP Pro was designed from the ground up as a high-performance duty pistol. It has a standard capacity of 18+1 and includes a threaded barrel, flared magazine well, and tactile slide serrations.
The PDP Pro is built tough and can withstand even the harshest conditions without compromising funtionality, making it an ideal choice for tactical units. If you demand excellence from your duty pistol, then the Walther PDP Pro is the gun for you.
Smith & Wesson's latest addition to the M&P9 lineup is an amazing all-metal striker fired pistol with an unbelievably light, crisp trigger pull. The low bore axis reduces muzzle rise, enabling the shooter to make faster, more accurate follow-up shots.
Additionally, the Competitor model features lightning cuts on the slide and comes equipped with a flared magazine well for rapid reloads. This well-balanced pistol truly redefines what a striker-fired duty handgun should be.
Of course, law enforcement often carry patrol rifles in their vehicles for situations that require more firepower than a handgun can offer. Be sure to watch our video to learn how you can convert your AR-15 into a duty gun!
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