ambidextrous operation, safer disassembly, and a loaded chamber indicator were some of the
advances noted at the time.
In 2014 we were the benefactor of a similar agreement to 2009. With our pistols beginning to show
their age in terms of mechanical breakdown and maintenance cost, Smith and Wesson again offered
a one for one trade. Our firearms were traded to Smith and Wesson for 196 new, latest generation,
M&P40 pistols.
So in effect the Nashua Police Department has not purchased a new duty pistol for roughly 15
years.
In today's market there is virtually no opportunity for this to continue. Typical replacement schedule
for this agency is considered to be 5 to 7 years depending on the officer. Officers assigned to SWAT
will typically be on the lower end of that scale due to the significant increase in firearms training and
round count on the issued handgun. We are currently beginning to see that phase develop with some
of our SWAT officer's pistols. Furthermore trade in value for our current firearms is beginning to drop
significantly. With many agencies nationwide transitioning back to 9mm, the demand for .40 caliber
pistols has changed considerably in six months alone. (A quoted trade in price for our .40 caliber
pistols was about to drop nearly $50.00 per pistol}
Pistol Models
For strategic planning purposes and to identify the optimal duty pistol three make/models were
considered, the Glock 17, Smith and Wesson M&P9, and the Sig Sauer P320. All models being
considered are 9mm.It is the opinion of the members of the firearms training unit supported by input
from department stakeholders that our next duty pistol should be the Sig Sauer P320. The P320 was
reported by our testers to have a superior trigger which breaks at approximately 6 Ibs., has little take
up and short reset.. The grip angle is optimal and the sights are robust. Perhaps the most significant
feature of the P320 is the modularity. In short, the removable trigger group is the serialized part of the
firearm. This allows for great flexibility in moving between grip sizes as well as potentially between
the different model sizes and even caliber. Safety features of the pistol are excellent and incorporate
a striker safety, disconnect safety and three point takedown safety.
