Austin police to be issued S&W M&P .40

[A-R]

Interesting story (though I'd hate to be the new APD recruit who just plopped down $500 to buy a new Glock + holster from his own pocket):

http://www.statesman.com/news/local/aus ... _frontpage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of course, the reporter's obvious lack of gun knowledge shows in this line (probably fed to him directly from the police department):

a special Smith & Wesson .40-caliber gun used by the military and police officers, which usually sell for about $750 each.

Elsewhere the graphic about the gun that accompanies the story say:

The gun is specifically designed for military and police use

So the S&W M&P that I can buy as a non-LEO citizen at any gun shop for $550 is not the same thing as this M&P at $750 each? I'm guessing that figure is an MSRP off of S&W's web site.

Oh well, they seem like good guns. Though I've never personally fired one. The guys at GT Distributors rave about them (and this is probably where APD will be buying them).

[i8godzilla]

Source=OPs Link

Next spring, Pietrowski likely will have to retire it for a shiny new .40-caliber pistol — a weapon that in coming months will reside in the holsters of each of the department's 1,600 officers.

Austin police officials have begun an effort to buy and outfit officers with the same handguns, ending a years-long practice of requiring them to purchase their own duty weapons from a lengthy list of approved firearms.

The new guns will cost the department about $800,000 and will be paid for by federal grants.

800,000/1,600 = ??? (Hint: $500)

I guess calculators are too expensive for the paper and the writer is unaware how to do math without one.......

[A-R]

Source=OPs Link

Next spring, Pietrowski likely will have to retire it for a shiny new .40-caliber pistol — a weapon that in coming months will reside in the holsters of each of the department's 1,600 officers.

Austin police officials have begun an effort to buy and outfit officers with the same handguns, ending a years-long practice of requiring them to purchase their own duty weapons from a lengthy list of approved firearms.

The new guns will cost the department about $800,000 and will be paid for by federal grants.

800,000/1,600 = ??? (Hint: $500)

I guess calculators are too expensive for the paper and the writer is unaware how to do math without one.......

I did the same math as you and agree with you. But the story says these guns "usually sell for about $750" - which I can only guess is supposed to in some way show that APD is getting a "deal" at "only" $500 per unit. But as all us gun owners know, you can walk into most gun shops and buy a brand-new .40-cal M&P for about $550 without even having to look too hard. I think the street price is less than this at GT Distributors. And of course the street price of a Glock there (for "qualified" buyers - LEOs etc) is $398. Of course, must add in some amount for night sights and perhaps the $500 per unit figure also includes holsters or extra mags? Who knows.

But $500 each for M&P .40s doesn't seem like a "great deal" to me when you're buying 1,600 of them at once - unless night sights and extra mags are included in that per unit price.

[williamkevin]

Source=OPs Link

Next spring, Pietrowski likely will have to retire it for a shiny new .40-caliber pistol — a weapon that in coming months will reside in the holsters of each of the department's 1,600 officers.

Austin police officials have begun an effort to buy and outfit officers with the same handguns, ending a years-long practice of requiring them to purchase their own duty weapons from a lengthy list of approved firearms.

The new guns will cost the department about $800,000 and will be paid for by federal grants.

800,000/1,600 = ??? (Hint: $500)

I guess calculators are too expensive for the paper and the writer is unaware how to do math without one.......

I did the same math as you and agree with you. But the story says these guns "usually sell for about $750" - which I can only guess is supposed to in some way show that APD is getting a "deal" at "only" $500 per unit. But as all us gun owners know, you can walk into most gun shops and buy a brand-new .40-cal M&P for about $550 without even having to look too hard. I think the street price is less than this at GT Distributors. And of course the street price of a Glock there (for "qualified" buyers - LEOs etc) is $398. Of course, must add in some amount for night sights and perhaps the $500 per unit figure also includes holsters or extra mags? Who knows.

But $500 each for M&P .40s doesn't seem like a "great deal" to me when you're buying 1,600 of them at once - unless night sights and extra mags are included in that per unit price.

I think you are right about the $750.00 being MSRP. There is at least one gun shop in my area selling them for a price close to that. I didn't pay even close to that figure for mine.

Don't know if S & W has a Law Enforcement purchase program or not, but if they do, it is obviously not as good as Glocks.

[Middle Age Russ]

I am sure S&W has an active LE purchasing program. What we don't know regarding the Austin bid is what all is included per pistol. Also, what else is included, such as spare parts, armorer training, etc...? In the end, I doubt that it is a terrible deal for Austin PD. They may even have factored in availability of grant money for sourcing these through US based companies. Lots of factors to consider in an overall program....

[williamkevin]

I am sure S&W has an active LE purchasing program. What we don't know regarding the Austin bid, is what all is included per pistol and what else is included, such as spare parts, armorer training, etc.... In the end, I doubt that it is a terrible deal for Austin PD. They may even have factored in availability of grant money for sourcing these through US based companies. Lots of factors to consider in an overall program....

Hadn't thought about that but I bet you're right.

[jtran987]

what if they are all using the M&P PROFESSIONAL edition which MSRP is round 750, so maybe there are some merit, major differences between M&P and M&P Pro is fiber optic sights and an improved trigger

[i8godzilla]

@austinrealtor -- I was not doubting you mathematical skills! My issue is with the way purported news outlets put to press confusing and sometimes flat out false information. Most readers will not take the time to do the math and will assume that APD is shelling out ~$750 for each weapon. Is this the Statesman's objective?

I review hundreds of resumes on a daily basis. The lack of writing skills seems to be a general theme. This is especially true of those that have degrees granted in the last ten years.

I apologize for hijacking your thread. I'll go back to troll mode.........

[jamisjockey]

When LE Agencies, security companies, etc purchase firearms through a contract, they often get other stuff with them. Holsters, extra magazines, spare parts and armorer training for the department. Quite often factored into the cost that seems high to us, when we get a firearm it usually comes in a case with one measly magazine....

[PBratton]

I am sure S&W has an active LE purchasing program. What we don't know regarding the Austin bid is what all is included per pistol. Also, what else is included, such as spare parts, armorer training, etc...? In the end, I doubt that it is a terrible deal for Austin PD. They may even have factored in availability of grant money for sourcing these through US based companies. Lots of factors to consider in an overall program....

And you can be sure that whoever these are purchased from will be required to 'buy' the trade-ins that the City owns.

[68Charger]

Wait.. according to this troopers carry .357Sig Sig Sauers? True? I didn't know this, but then again I only see troopers when I'm heading to Houston or sometimes Austin.

True?

[A-R]

Wait.. according to this troopers carry .357Sig Sig Sauers? True? I didn't know this, but then again I only see troopers when I'm heading to Houston or sometimes Austin.

True?

The troopers who taught the CHL instructor course this summer were all packing Sigs and they said they were .357 (though I didn't ask for "proof" )

[A-R]

@austinrealtor -- I was not doubting you mathematical skills! My issue is with the way purported news outlets put to press confusing and sometimes flat out false information. Most readers will not take the time to do the math and will assume that APD is shelling out ~$750 for each weapon. Is this the Statesman's objective?

I review hundreds of resumes on a daily basis. The lack of writing skills seems to be a general theme. This is especially true of those that have degrees granted in the last ten years.

I apologize for hijacking your thread. I'll go back to troll mode.........

No problem. No harm no fould no offense taken at all. I actually meant to mention the math issue in my OP. Didn't find your post to be a hijack at all.

And I know exactly what you mean about writing skills. I graduated about 15 years ago with a journalism degree, so I'm biased. But the ability of the average person to write well has never been all that great. Now it seems even "journalists" are lacking in some basic composition and critical thinking skills.

[A-R]

I am sure S&W has an active LE purchasing program. What we don't know regarding the Austin bid, is what all is included per pistol and what else is included, such as spare parts, armorer training, etc.... In the end, I doubt that it is a terrible deal for Austin PD. They may even have factored in availability of grant money for sourcing these through US based companies. Lots of factors to consider in an overall program....

Hadn't thought about that but I bet you're right.

I agree, good point.

[texjames]

I was talking guns to a guy last night and our Sheirff Dept is switching to Glocks 40 cal and he gets them from GT Dist for $406 i believe he said.Thats with
Department letter. And yes Texas Troopers carry 357 sigs.They have had those since they got rid of the S&W 686 in 357 mag.