DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
TRAINING AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT
sh ORES, 4]
oe Bh ae
€ e * . Pee.
, eee
ge
a
agg gee
Ps
DUTY FIREARM
SELECTION INFORMATION PACKET
JULY 2015
DEVELOPED BY: (JUN/2015)
J. Marte Martinez, Firearms Training Unit, TSD
APPROVED BY: (JUN/2015)
Isaac U. Sagario, Branch Administrator, TSD
Overview
ee i Test & Evaluation (T&E)
DPS conducted a comparative evaluation following specific T&E procedures
| and protocols. The T&E assessed firearm performance of four (4) models (see
» +| T&E Results), testing features and function to obtain quantitative and qualitative
“| data relevant to reliability, accuracy, ease of operation, safety, care and
“4 maintenance, and costs.
-| The T&E provided the opportunity for invaluable End User input and validation
1 at the officer level. 103 officers or approximately 6% of the uniformed staff,
-| including 66 ACO's, actively participated in 18 days of live fire testing. End
-| Users fired over 40,000 rounds in five tables of fire, testing all aspects of firearm
-| function and features.
f Department End User Data
-| Male — 83.5% (86) Female — 16.5% (17)
.| Average Experience: 14 years
: Average Height: 5°9 4” Average Weight: 210
Left Handedness: 18% (19) Right Handedness: 82% (84)
'| Average Hand Size: 8.01" Average Reach: 6.34”
| Department Requirements
The Departments Firearms Training Unit (FTU) relied upon a 2013 National
Institute of Justice study that revealed 92% of reporting law enforcement and
corrections agencies employed “striker fired,” “double action only” pistols. The
{ primary factor behind the transition to this type of firearm as the predominant
pistol in Law Enforcement is due to initlal purchase price, reliability, durability,
availability of parts, ease of use and maintenance.
| As a result, the FTU contacted Beretta, Colt, Glock USA, FN America, Heckler
| & Koch (HK), Kimber, Strum Ruger, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and
| Springfield Armory for information and proposals for a T&E of this type of
-| firearm. Only Glock, FN, HK, Sig Sauer, S&W and Springfield Armory
| responded. However, FN, Sig Sauer, and Glock submitted proposals that met
the cost requirement of $450.00 or fess per unit.
- Considering all the information provided by manufacturers and in an attempt to
> 4 manage T&E costs the following four handguns were selected as possible duty
_| handgun replacements: FNS 9 and FNS 9C, Glock Model 17 & Model 19, Sig
~~ 1 Sauer Model P320 Full size and Compact, and the Smith & Wesson Model
= | M&P9 and Model M&P9 Compact.
FNS-9 GLOCK 17
SIG P320 S&W MP9
Acceptance of Specialized Test Documentation
The FTU accepted manufacturer documentation of Specialized Test results,
these tests comply with industry standards for Law Enforcement firearms and
ensure minimum safety features and reliability during standard and abusive
handling.
* NIJ Standard-0112.03 Auto loading Pistols for Police Officers (11/98)
Revision A: This is an equipment standard developed by the Office of
Law Enforcement Standards of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology.
* ANSI/SAAMI 299.5 - 1996. American National Standard Voluntary
Industry Performances Standard Criteria for Evaluation of New Firearms
Designs Under Conditions of Abusive Mishandling for Use of
Commercial Manufacturers.
Test Criteria
Department Armorers, Firearms Instructors and End Users conducted a
| comparative evaluation of the sample weapons provided by FN, Glock, Sig
| Sauer and Smith & Wesson against the following criteria.
ANS! / SAAMI 2299.3-1993. Voluntary Industry Performance Standards
for Pressure and Velocity of Centerfire Pistol and Revolver Ammunition
for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers.
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Testing Standards
for Corrosion and Wear - MIL STD 8710 tests. Data reporied from either
test was acceptable.
«© Test Method 503.5 Temperature Shock
= Test Method 504.1 Contamination by Fluids
«© Test Method 506.5 Rain
= Test Method 507.5 Humidity
5 ©6Test Method 509.5 Salt Fog
« Test Method 510.5 Sand and Dust
° Test Method 512.5 Immersion
Function and Features
« Safety Features 2 Grip Angle & Comfort
« Ambidextrous Controls = Accessibility of Controls
« Sights ° Trigger Reach & Reset
© Point of Impact Point of Aim ° Perceived Recoil
Accuracy
= Loading / Unloading
5 One Handed Shooting
Reliability Testing
Accuracy and Dispersion Testing
Adverse Conditions
«© ~=No Cleaning or Lubrication
os Sand / Dirt
o Water Immersion (5 Minutes)
= Low Light
« Reparability
« Ease of Care and Maintenance
s Ergonomics (Subjective)
s Design
e Ease of Operation and Use
° Access and Efficiency of Controls
«Trigger Efficiency
s Perceived Recoil
c Assembly/Disassembly
« Attitudes (ease of operation a differing angles)
® Cost per unit with manufacturer trade-in allowance and incentives
Live Fire testing of all four handguns began on March 17, 2015; however, the
FNS-9 and FNS-9C were removed from the test due to numerous malfunctions,
| stoppages and safety concerns.
; At the conclusion of the T&E, the data clearly depicted the Sig Sauer P320 was
| the best firearm for the Department and our officers.
oe 3 Safety Features
As previously stated, the Department identified the need for an essential
safety feature that prohibited “pulling” the trigger to disassemble the firearm
for cleaning and preferred a firearm that did not require a special tool to
disassemble.
With officer safety being the most critical factor of selection, the Sig P320
stood above the other firearms with a “Take Down Safety system’ that:
« Prohibits takedown without magazine removal! (removing the source of
ammunition) and the slide locked to the rear (ejecting the chambered
round).
« Allows disassembly without tools or trigger manipulation by simply
pushing the slide forward and off the frame once the magazine is
removed and the slide is locked back.
« Reassembly is prohibited if a magazine is seated in the magazine well,
again removing the potential for a round to be accidentally chambered.
| Reliability
‘| The Sig P320 proved to be the most reliable of the four firearms tested, being
| the only firearm that did not experience a malfunction or stoppage; firing 10,639
{ founds without cleaning or lubrication during the entire test.
Accuracy
The Sig P320 scored higher in both the Bench Accuracy Test and the End User
Accuracy tests with an average 1.53” spread for the Bench Test and 3.06”
| spread for End Users. The End User accuracy was 0.97" tighter than the next
closest firearm, this clearly depicts the minimal recoil and ability to acquire the
same sight picture, slight alignment and trigger control.
| Glock 17 170” 4.03"
| Sig Sauer P320 15s" SOG}
| S&W MP9 2.42” 4.28"
: Adverse / Abusive Conditions
ee Again, the Sig P320 proved to outperform during the Sand / Dirt Test. This test
| was conducted using local material found on the Koko Head Range. Each
ae 4 firearm had 7 grams of sand / dirt placed directly in the slide, barrel and
- | magazine well and after working the action 3 times, three (3) rounds were fired.
| If the firearm functioned, 3 additional grams of dirt was added and the above
a procedure repeated. If the firearm continued to function, Sand/Dirt mixture
would be added in 1 gram increments and fired till all firearms malfunctioned or
oe 4] one emerged as clearly superior.
“< | The Sig P320 outperformed both the Giock and the M&P9 in the test, continuing
- .| to fire after the addition of 16 grams of Sand/Dirt. The Glock malfunctioned at 11
grams and the M&P9 malfunctioned at 7 grams.
a The Water Immersion Test Immediately followed the Sand / Dirt test. The test
ie consisted of submerging the firearm. still caked with sand/dirt in water for 5
minutes. After 5 minutes, the firearm was removed and without cleaning, drying
off or any other measures and was immediately fired 10 times.
oe The Sig P320 and the Glock both functioned but the M&P9 failed to fire after the |
-| second round, an immediate action drill was executed yet the M&P9 continued
fo malfunction with each of the next three attempts to fire.
At the conclusion of the Immersion test, 1.5 pounds of sand/dirt was added to
| the water to create a mud slurry mixture. The firearms were then submerged in
the mud slurry and agitated for 30 seconds. The Sig P320 was the only firearm
“| to fire more than 3 rounds upon removal. The Glock fired 2 rounds before
malfunctioning and the M&P9 was only able to fire 1 round prior to |
malfunctioning.
