(GunReports.com) — The San Antonio Police Department has selected the M&P40 as its new service firearm and has begun to convert officers to the new handgun platform.
As one of the state’s largest police forces with over 2,100 sworn officers, San Antonio joins the ranks of agencies that have converted to the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol. The full-department conversion calls for 2,600 M&P40 pistols chambered in 40 S&W to be delivered to the department. The recent order represents Smith & Wesson’s largest contract to date to an agency in the state of Texas.
The M&P40 pistol was selected by the San Antonio Police Department after an extensive testing and evaluation period, which included comparisons with numerous firearms from various competitors. After thoroughly examining each submission, the department chose the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol based on its high level of quality and dependability. Throughout the assessment process, the M&P pistol was commended for its professional-grade features and performance during live-fire exercises.
James Debney, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson, said, “We are honored that our M&P pistols have been selected by the San Antonio Police Department. Our nation’s first responders are extremely important to us, and they have always been so. These men and women work tirelessly and dedicate their lives to helping keep our communities safe and we are proud to support them with firearms designed to meet their high standards for performance and reliability.”
In addition to supplying the department with new duty sidearms, Smith & Wesson will support the agency with a variety of additional services including armorers’ classes and transitional training for officers. The M&P40 pistols supplied to the San Antonio Police Department include standard features such as customizable grip inserts, ambidextrous operating features and the ability to disassemble the firearm without pulling the trigger.
Mike Brown, Vice President of U.S. Sales for Smith & Wesson, said, “As an American owned and operated supplier of law enforcement duty pistols, we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the San Antonio Police Department.”Gun Tests magazine evaluated the M&P40 No. 209200 in the October 2007 issue. We gave it an A- grade, saying that “overall, it was a solid, average gun.” In the August 2006 issue, Gun Tests evaluated a Smith & Wesson M&P 40 S&W No. 209000. It earned a Conditional Buy. That article said, “We think everyone will find this handsome gun easy to shoot, but it may need tweaking in the accuracy department. Despite an awkward tear down procedure, this is an otherwise smooth-handling gun. All it needs is a thumb safety, in our view.”
To read the October 2007 article, Gun Tests subscribers click here
To read the August 2006 article, Gun Tests subscribers click here
