Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch has a new firearm at his side and soon every armed member of his department will be sporting a new weapon.
With the approval of Knoxville City Council expected at a Tuesday meeting, the Knoxville Police Department will begin a transition from a .40-caliber Glock to a .45-caliber Sig Sauer handgun.
"We've been in the process of evaluating our guns for a little over a year now," the chief said.
Officers have been test firing the .45-caliber semi-automatic handguns at the Police Department's firing range and providing feedback on their preference of the Glock or the Sig Sauer.
"Most made comments about the quality of the weapon and increased accuracy," Rausch said of support for the Sig Sauer.
A proposed contract with Elmer Arms South, LLC, in Dandridge calls for the Police Department to exchange its Glocks for the new Sig Sauers and pay $13,500. Rausch said the contract, which was awarded based on bids, includes training for police firearms instructors and warranties on the weapons.
The contract calls for the department to acquire 225 guns.
The Police Department adopted the .40-caliber Glocks over its 9mm Glocks in 2002.
Rausch said at $750 each, the .45-caliber Sig Sauer is more expensive than the $600 .40-caliber Glock. But Rausch noted the Glock has a life of four years while the Sig Sauer is expected to perform for 10 years.
Officers will have to carry five magazines for the .45-caliber guns. Each magazine holds eight rounds. Officers have been carrying three magazines for the Glocks, with each magazine holding 15 rounds.
Rausch said the .45-caliber pistols will provide more stopping power. The chief said hollow-point, 230-grain ammunition for the .45-caliber weapons will be made special for the Police Department. The agency has about 300,000 rounds of .40-caliber ammunition to trade in as part of the contract with Elmer Arms South.
Copyright 2013 - The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
