Approved Weapons

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AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
APPROVED PISTOL AND AMMUNITION LIST

This document supersedes all previously dated weapons and ammunition lists.  It remains effective until approved updates and revisions are circulated. 

  1. This document is effective August 1, 2007 and applies to all new weapons purchases by sworn personnel.
    1. Officers who are on the authorized 1911 Handler list are grandfathered.  (See 5)
    2. Officers who obtained weapons under the provisions of previous weapons lists may continue to carry them on their weapons card until they are no longer serviceable.
  1. Only weapons on the approved weapons list (listed by brand name and model number) are authorized.  Variations of the approved models are allowed only if the variation to the existing approved model does not adversely affect the safety or internal function of the weapon.  (Examples: light rails, DAK/LEM triggers, finish or grip material)

Approval by the Commander of Training, or his designee, is required.

  1. Any approved semi-automatic pistol that is added to an officer’s list of duty or off duty sidearms must be equipped with night-sights.
  2. Barrel porting is not approved for duty or off-duty use.  Weapons with factory or after market compensators are not approved for duty/backup use.
  3. Officers certified as 1911 Handlers are authorized to add and delete similarly approved weapons for the duration of their career.  (Refer to the attached 1911 addendum.)

I.  Departmentally approved Semi-Automatic Pistols

 

Weapons from the following list of approved manufacturers and models may be carried both on-duty and off-duty as a primary or a back-up weapon.  The only calibers allowed are 9MM, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. 

Glock

Models 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 30, 34, 35, 36

(See 2 above)

Heckler & Koch

USP-9, USP-40, USP-45, USP TAC 45

Variants allowing “single action only” carry are strictly forbidden.  NO OFFICER will carry ANY H&K variant in “single action” or “locked and cocked” mode.

Compact versions of the H&K USP are not authorized.

(See 2 above)

Sig Sauer

Models P220, P225, P226, P228, P229, P239, SP2340, P245.

(See 2 above)

Smith & Wesson

Any 3rd Generation S&W including Models 410, 457, 908, 910, 3913, 3953, 4013, 4053, 4513, 4553, 4043, 4043, 4006, 4046, 4563, 4566, 4583, 4586, 5906, 5946, 5903, 5943

S&W Model 99 is approved in 9mm, .40 caliber, and .45 caliber.

S&W M&P is approved in .40 caliber, but must NOT have the magazine disconnect.

 

II.  Off Duty and Back-Up Weapons

The following weapons are authorized for back-up and off-duty only.
These weapons are authorized in .38 caliber and .357 Magnum only.

Smith and Wesson Revolvers

M686, 2.5” Barrel; M649 Bodyguard; M60 Chief’s Special; 340 and 340PD; 342 and 342PD; 442; 642; and 649.  These models may be equipped with fixed or floating firing pins. 

APPROVED DUTY AMMUNITION

Pistol

Winchester                              38+p                125 gr.

Speer CCI Gold Dot               357                  125 gr.

Speer CCI Gold Dot               9MM               147 gr.

Speer CCI Gold Dot               40 cal.              165 gr.

Speer CCI Gold Dot               45 cal.              230 gr.

 
Addendum A

Departmentally Approved 1911 Handlers and Weapons

 

Effective March 15, 2005, the Model 1911 was dropped from the Austin Police Department Approved Weapons List.  Those officers who had successfully passed the 1911 Handlers Course are authorized to continue carrying approved weapons.  Officers who registered for a 1911 Handlers Course, and presented an approved weapon for inspection prior to March 15, 2005 will be permitted to carry approved 1911 pistols upon meeting training standards.

With the exception of those officers described above, no sworn member of the Austin Police Department is authorized by the agency to add a 1911 to their weapons card or carry the weapon on or off duty.

Unlike previous “grandfathered” criteria, authorized 1911 Handlers may add and delete approved weapons for the duration of their career, rather than for the serviceable life of the weapon.  As such, the officer is grandfathered rather than the weapon.

All 1911 weapons must be equipped with Titanium firing pin and a heavy duty firing pin return spring.  An ambidextrous thumb safety is required for left handed shooters.  All 1911s must also be equipped with a functioning grip safety, disconnector and a hammer with a half cock notch.

 

All Model 1911 weapons must be inspected by range personnel and approved by the Commander of training prior to the weapon being added to an officer’s weapons card. 

Departmentally Approved 1911 Pistols

 

Colt
Models 1911 Government, Officers, Commanders

Kimber

Stainless Custom, Custom Defender, Supermatch, Ultra CDP II, Custom II, Custom II TLE and TLE/RL

Les Baer

Model 1911 Thunder Ranch Special, Comanche

Para Ordnance
Models P14-45, P13-45, P12-45, P10-45, P16-40, P15-40, P14-40

Springfield
Springfield Pro-Model 1911-A1, Springfield Operator 1911 -A1

STI
All Model 1911 type manufacture

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