It was hypothesized that the semiautomatic 9-mm handgun should be the primary armament for New Jersey State Police officers in view of the increasing potential for officers to use their handguns to counter the escalating confrontations with armed criminals. Objective testing procedures were designed. The cartridges used in the tests were of two different manufacturers but were of equal weight and similar velocity. The different rounds were fired in each cycle in order to measure accuracy and reliability and to aid in identifying the most versatile cartridge for State police use. The weapons themselves were scored on functional/mechanical reliability, accuracy, safety, handling, speed of development, maintainability, and firepower. Test results showed higher hit probability with autoloaders. The pistol selected after evaluating all criteria, the Heckler and Koch P7M8, carries nine rounds loaded in contrast to the revolver's six. A trooper armed with a P7M8 has a total of 41 rounds available instead of the 36 with a revolver. A trooper can carry 41 aimed shots from the auto in the time a revolver marksman has fired 12, reloading from holster cartridge loops. Tables, photographs, 6 footnotes, and about 45 references are supplied.