NCJ Number
146667
Date Published
1991
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video provides technical information on various types of double-action semiautomatic pistols and cartridges.
Abstract
This video focuses on double-action semiautomatic pistols because they are apparently the trend for police handguns in the foreseeable future. Advantages and disadvantages are explained for the 9 mm parabellum cartridge, .40 Smith and Wesson cartridge, 10 mm auto cartridge, and the .45 ACP cartridge. The video then explains the following safety/operating systems: slide mount/hammer drop, decock lever/no manual, the Glock system, double-action only, squeeze cocker, and frame mount/hammer lock (cocked or down). The video then discusses the relative importance of certain handgun characteristics. These are weight, reliability, durability, weight, accuracy, corrosion resistance, magazine capacity, concealability, availability of a compact weapon, trigger reach and grip size, recoil, simplicity and ease of maintenance, and costs. Various pistol models in four pistol groups are rated in the foregoing pistol characteristics. The pistol groups are 9 mm chambered pistols, .40 S and W chambered pistols, 10 mm chambered pistols, and .45 ACP chambered pistols. Over 21 pistol series are assessed. Charts rate the characteristics for each pistol. The concluding portion of the video provides advice on how to select a pistol for a particular police department. The first step is to list the characteristics of the handgun best suited for the department.