Cops to drop US revolvers for Chinese-made pistols

Neo Tsim

Hong Kong police will be equipped with new Chinese-made semi-automatic pistols starting July 25, saying the features and design of the new handguns can better cater to officers' daily operational needs while enhancing safety.

Police said it would be "a long-term process," which sources said could take at least 10 years.

The current service revolver, made by Smith and Wesson, has been in use even before Hong Kong's handover to China and the American firearms manufacturer has already stopped making parts for the model.

The force will switch to using two new 9-millimeter mainland pistols - CF98-A and CS/LP5, replacing the current S&W Model 10 revolvers and SIG P250 pistols.

The new mainland pistols have multiple advantages, the most significant being the increased magazine size from the current six to 15.

Reloading will also be much easier, according to sources, as officers currently have to open up the cylinder to refill bullets with a speedloader, but with the new pistol officers can replace the whole magazine.

The replacement scheme will be implemented in phases. The first batch of officers to undergo training with the new pistols will include those from the emergency and tactical units, quick response teams and crime detective officers.

Superintendent Ko Cheuk-hang, from the police support wing, did not disclose the number of guns purchased and their total cost. He stressed that the number would be sufficient for the whole police department and the procurement stringently complied with all government protocols and procedures.

"We will start providing training for the new pistols in late July. After officers have completed the training and passed the tests, they will then carry the new firearms to report for duty," Ko said.

About 2,000 officers will be trained per year.

"The police hold an open mind and have been reviewing available choices of equipment from the global market, including China. We then vet and select the most appropriate equipment," Ko said. "We rely on a couple of very important principles including effectiveness and long-term sustainability to make sure all the equipment serves our purposes and meets all our weapon handling standard requirements."

Chief inspector Tang Che-leung, from the weapons training division, pointed to improvements in safety, speed and stability behind the replacement.

"The new pistols feature a manual safety pin, allowing officers to switch the gun to safety mode, reducing the risk of the firearm being discharged accidentally," Tang said.

The easier and faster reloading for the pistols is targeted for constables.

He said the design also provides a better hand grip for Asians and reduces recoil, making it accurate and stable.

Police guidelines on the use of firearms remain unchanged, Tang said.

neo.tsim@singtaonewscorp.com