Do autoloading sidearms save LEO lives?

[bushmaster1313]

Is there any reliable data showing one way or the other the effect of LEO packing autoloading sidearms on their safety?

For example, how many threats per year stopped with round 7 or up?

Do the autoloaders really allow better follow up shots?

Are dangerous criminals less intimidated by a revolver?

Thank you in advance

 

[beeenbag]

In my opinion, there may not be many cases that involve a 7th round or higher but... There's always that one instance.

It's better to have and not need than to need and not have.

 

[Tomcat47]

Thats a LOADED question!

If I were a LEO I would want Hi Capacity sidearm with good backup!

 

[Karate]

Not sure all LEO want Hicap sidearms....I have known a couple that just perfer revolvers and others that want a Single stack 45

 

[Dave T]

Having studied the FBI's annual report on officer involved shootings for 6 years straight, back when I was in the business I don't believe they calculate that data. If they do it is something new that's been added since my days wearing a badge.

Dave

 

[bigfatdave]

I think the difference between "armed" and "unarmed" is so vast that the details of the weapons are just that ... details and ultimately not all that important compared to training, skill, and the ability to not panic.

 

[[email protected]]

The last report that I reviewed did not have the data. But I also carry 46 rounds in my duty gun/mags, 4 rounds in shotgun, 112 rounds in 223, and if it is not enought I have an additional 5 in my j frame backup. When you are working a beat you never know what will happen next or what the incident you are dealing with will turn into, so it is best to be as prepared as you can be. One of the biggest advantage that autoloaders has is you can better engage multiple threats with less reloading giving you an advantage. Another is that if the suspect or threat knows you have a revolver (badguys pay attention as to what gun you carry) then they know after six shots you have to reload.

 

[Smaug]

Shots fired vs. hits went way up when cops switched to autos. Massad Ayoob had some stats on it in some of his articles, you might try searching there.

A well-practicied shooter with a revolver can do just as well or better than an unpracticed shooter with an auto. But with equal skill levels, the autos are easier to shoot. This has been my experience too.

 

[mgmorden]

A well-practicied shooter with a revolver can do just as well or better than an unpracticed shooter with an auto. But with equal skill levels, the autos are easier to shoot. This has been my experience too.

This basically sums it up. In modern arms, the reliability of a revolver is not really a factor. Autoloaders are so reliable these days that its not worth mentioning.

Now consider that autoloaders typically have triggers that are MUCH more conducive to accurate shooting.

Consider also that autoloaders typically have higher capacities, IN ADDITION to the ability to replenish that capacity much more quickly.

It becomes a question of not "why should we switch", but instead "why SHOULDN'T" we switch?

Don't get me wrong, I love shooting revolvers, but my main like on that doesn't apply to law enforcement: retrieving brass for reloads. Other than that, in law enforcement about the only reasons to go revolver is that if you're more used to shooting one (which is a segment of the population that is rapidly decreasing), or for some sense of style (which should play ZERO role in choice of a duty sidearm).

 

[Cards81fan]

Do autoloading sidearms save LEO lives?

Not any more than autoloading sidearms endanger LEO lives.