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Changes in Qualification Shooting Scores Following Conversion to 9mm Semi-Automatics

NCJ Number
134736
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: (1991) Pages: 35-50
Author(s)
D Cheatwood
Date Published
1991
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Based on data from the performance of 309 officers of the Anne Arundel County Police Department (Maryland), this study examines firearms qualification scores before and after the department changed its training program and converted to the Beretta model 92-F semiautomatic pistol (9mm).
Abstract
Five qualifying periods were available for analysis. The first and second periods, during 1987 and 1988, used the .38 caliber revolver exclusively. The third period was transitional. It was the first use of the 9mm, and the training program was being changed in that different targets were being used. Periods four and five, after 1989, involved only the 9mm, and the new training format was in place. The findings confirm the result of other studies that indicate a drop in overall qualification scores following conversion to a semiautomatic pistol. The drop in the female officers' average score following conversion was exactly the same as the drop in the male officers' average score. Members of the Anne Arundel County Police Department training staff agree that the 9mm pistol is less accurate than the .38 caliber revolver, in part due to the ammunition used. Also, the changes in training emphasis and course fired have moved away from emphasis on accuracy and high scores as the measures of firing performance. The new emphasis on tactics in shooting situations and on effective fire at close range is expected to reduce scores. Significantly, poor shooters are doing better when they use the 9mm semiautomatic. Although 73 percent of all officers had their qualifying scores decline during this conversion process, 51 percent of the worst shooters raised their scores. 3 tables and 19 references

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