The Glock 17 pistol has a plastic receiver, and both receiver and its parts are cast as a single unit resulting in a lower handgun weight. The two magazines that come with it also are plastic with a steel lining. When fully loaded with 18 cartridges, ejection may be somewhat slow, but the magazine ejects easily after several shots have been fired. The weapon has a trigger lock and a firing pin lock. It has been fired repeatedly for 10,000 rounds without malfunction and is a tough, rugged pistol. The Springfield Armory Model 1911 is a single-action pistol that gives the shooter the same trigger feel and pull for every shot. It has both an automatic and a manual safety. The automatic or grip safety may cause problems for shooters with small hands. The autoloading Beretta Model 92F is a double-action pistol for the first shot from the hammer-down position. It thereafter becomes a single-action pistol for the remaining 14 shots. To make full use of this weapon's safety features, officers should carry the pistol loaded with the manual safety in the down position. Once the hammer has been dropped, it is advisable to raise the manual safety and carry the pistol in this fashion. The Sig Sauer P-226 also is double action for the first shot and single action thereafter. It has 15 and 20 round magazines and a firing pin lock that is activated by pulling the trigger. Other safety features make this pistol extremely mechanically safe. Agencies should evaluate both revolvers and autoloaders carefully to determine which weapon best meets their needs. Photographs.