Cops & the 9mm

American Handgunner, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Massad Ayoob

The men and women of the San Diego Police Department got a much-appreciated Christmas present a while ago. In the beginning of 2003, they were limited to 9mm pistols firing 147-grain subsonic ammunition. By the beginning of 2004, it was a different ball game. The department's approximately 2,000 sworn officers were authorized to carry .40 or .45 caliber semiautomatics too, with a broad approval policy that included conventional double action pistols, Springfield Armory XDs, Taurus 24/7s, Glocks and even cocked and locked 1911s. By the end of January 2004, some 450 of these cops had voted with their feet and their wallets and bought larger-caliber duty guns.

Says SDPD Rangemaster and Handgunner columnist Dave Douglas, of those who bought the larger caliber guns, "The Glock 21 is far and away the most used, followed by the SIG P220. We also have a smattering of about 60 1911 and HK users." All these pistols are chambered for .45 ACE with SDPD issuing the 230 grain Federal Tactical hollowpoint. "The mix between .40 and .45 is running about 70-percent to 30-percent in favor of the .45s," says Dave.