Top Guns & Weapons For Law Enforcement Duty Guns

Ranging from capable undercover Glocks to micro-compact lightweight Kimbers, check out the all-time top pistols from the Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement archive. For full reviews on any of the firearms – duty guns below, visit www.tactical-life.com/subscribe/guns-weapons-for-law-enforcement/.

STI Lawman
Available in either 9mm or .45 ACP, the STI Lawman was designed first and foremost as a duty and defensive pistol for law enforcement officers. The gun utilizes STI’s patented RecoilMaster guide rod, a dual-spring assembly that lasts 10 times as long as a conventional single-spring assembly. It also provides for softer recoil, a longer slide dwell time to allow magazine springs to react, a faster recovery time and less muzzle movement. “The Lawman certainly met and exceeded my demands,” notes author Matt Berger. “The pistol ran reliably after a modest break-in period and hit where I pointed it time and time again.” The Lawman will make an apt choice as a duty sidearm for an LEO, or for off-duty carry among officers with a taste for firearms that are more than simply another piece of hardware.

Read more on STI Lawman HERE….

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Available in both 9mm and .40 caliber, the S&W Shield is a slim and compact M&P pistol. With a frame-width of 0.95 inches, it is easy to conceal and as an off-duty weapon, would be very comfortable. “The pistol’s accuracy was surprising,” observes author Dave Bahde. “Given its short barrel length, I tested the pistol at 15 yards, but it exhibited excellent accuracy out to 25 yards.” The industry is getting better at meeting users’ needs, and Smith & Wesson has created a huge winner with the M&P Shield. Made in America and coming with Smith & Wesson’s superb customer service, it does not get much better than this. The S&W M&P Shield may replace the Chief’s Special one day to become the favorite among officers for off-duty or backup carry.

Colt Rail Gun 1911
The Picatinny rail that is machined into the dust cover of the updated Colt Rail Gun offers the versatility of attaching tactical lights or laser sights, making it a tactical pistol easily adaptable to any military or law enforcement requirement. It is even equipped with a tactical-grade, ambidextrous safety lever, making it more easily adaptable to both right- and left-handed shooters. “After 500 rounds of various ball and hollow-point loads, I did not suffer a single stoppage,” wrote author Dave Spaulding, “which is actually quite encouraging considering how finicky many 1911 pistols can be.” In short, the gun ran perfectly, and in the police world that is a crucial factor.

Smith & Wesson 640 Pro Series
Though the Smith & Wesson 640 Pro Series is a sound choice for a backup gun simply by virtue of its being an easily concealable revolver in a major caliber, it also offers added features that enhance its capability and reliability. “Smith & Wesson’s characteristically smooth, predictable double-action mechanism will make the hits come with practice,” author Andy Massimilian notes, “and the 14-pound trigger weight feels much lighter when shooting.” The S&W 640 is also easy to control, even when fired one-handed with .357 Magnum rounds, thanks to its full-size grip. Carrying a revolver for backup has always been a sound move, and the Smith & Wesson 640 Pro Series is among the best choices available.

Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra .45 ACP
Sig Sauer’s 1911 Ultra is a balance of size and utility, with a 3.3-inch-long barrel, 7+1 capacity of .45 ACP ammunition and, all together, a weight of 28 ounces unloaded. The pistol also has a full-length guide rod and a bushing-less barrel. Some purists fret about both, but savvy 1911 pistol enthusiasts will tell you each of these features, when executed right, are the keys to making a compact 1911 run reliably. “Over a period of about three weeks, I fired 250 rounds through the Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra,” wrote author Richard Mann. “The pistol did not malfunction a single time.” If a super-compact 1911 in .45 ACP would be the ideal backup gun for your primary duty gun, you should give the Sig Sauer Ultra 1911 a serious look.

Steyr M40-A1
The M-A1 series of pistols continues a century-long tradition of fine handgun manufacturing for Steyr. Under the 4-inch barrel on the dust cover of the frame is an integrated strip of Picatinny rail, ideal for lights and laser units. The radical yet intuitive ergonomics of the pistol feature a raked forward grip angle with a very low bore axis for lower perceived recoil. The pistol also features a key-operated access lock above the trigger on the right side of the frame that can lock the action and prevent firing. Also of note is the fact the pistol does not have a magazine safety, meaning the pistol can be fired with the magazine removed. For the LE officer looking for an outstanding sidearm, the M-A1 series of pistols should definitely fit the bill.