Each year a couple of dozen different firearms are released for the police market. The most likely place to see one of these new weapons before it hits the racks of your local gun store or gets locked into your agency's arsenal is a trade show.

But not everybody can go to a specific trade show. Some are open only to dealers and writers. Others are open to credentialed law enforcement personnel only. But even if you can get in the door, you have to travel to the site of the show.

So because every cop can't get a sneak peek at the latest police firearms on the floor of a major trade show, POLICE offers you this roundup of some of the latest in law enforcement tools.

Beretta
Px4 Storm Pistol

Available in 9mm and .40 S&W, Beretta's new Px4 Storm duty pistol may very well be the most flexible and adaptable law enforcement sidearm ever produced. Not only can the Px4 be adapted to fit almost any hand size with interchangeable backstraps, it can also be customized to four different trigger actions. The trigger mechanisms can be customized to the following actions: single action and double action with decocker and manual safety, double action only with spurless hammer, single action and double action with decocker and no manual safety, or constant action with spurless hammer. Currently available only to law enforcement.

Beretta
Px4 Storm Pistol
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17
Overall Length: 7.59 inches
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Weight (empty): 27.7 ounces
www.berettale.com

Barrett Firearms
Model M468 Rifle

Best known for its .50 caliber sniper rifles, Barrett Firearms is working to add more punch to the battleproven AR15 platform. Barrett's new Model M468, which can be bought as either a conversion kit or a full rifle, is a 6.8mm version of the select-fire AR15. Features include a muzzle break so that you can handle the big-bore weapon on full auto, a sound suppressor, a twostage trigger, and a 30-round magazine.

Barrett Firearms
Model 468 Rifle
Caliber: 6.8mm Remington
Capacity: 30
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 35.4 inches
Weight: 7.3 pounds
www.barrettrifles.com

Bushmaster
Carbon 15 Model 4 Carbine

The receiver on Bushmaster's latest Model 4 AR15 platform carbine is molded of Carbon 15, a lightweight composite material. This construction reduces the weight of the Carbon 15 Model 4 carbine by almost one pound compared to typical AR15s with forged aluminum receivers. The remainder of this weapon is pretty much AR15 standard. Because it's a carbine, the Bushmaster Carbon 15 model sports a 14.5-inch barrel. For law enforcement, it's available with a select-fire system that offers semi- and full-automatic operation with a threeshot burst mode.

Bushmaster
Carbon 15 Model 4 Carbine
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem.)
Capacity: 30
Overall Length: 34.75 inches
Barrel Length: 14.5 inches
Weight (empty): 4.95 pounds
www.bushmaster.com

Ceska Zbrojovka
CZ-75 Compact

Once the favorite sidearms of Eastern European military forces, pistols from the Czech Republic's Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) have proven popular with some American police. The company's new CZ 75 in .40 S&W is designed for plain-clothes officers and others who need a comfortable and concealable single-action/doubleaction pistol with excellent capacity and plenty of stopping power. An M3 accessory rail on the CZ-75 can accept lasers and lights.

Ceska Zbrojovka
CZ-75 Compact
Caliber: .40 S&W
Capacity: 10+1
Overall Length: 7.32 inches
Barrel Length: 3.87 inches
Weight (empty): 37.8 ounces
www.cz-usa.com

FN Herstal
FNP 40 Pistol

Expanding its line of FNP polymer-framed duty pistols, FN Herstal has introduced the FNP 40 in .40 S&W. Earlier FNP pistols were only available in 9mm. Like the FNP 9, the FNP 40 is a single action, double-action, hammer-fired pistol. Its features include an ambidextrous manual decocking lever, a firing pin safety, interchangeable backstraps that allow a shooter to easily customize the gun to his or her hand, and a rail system for lights and lasers.

FN Herstal
FNP 40 Pistol
Caliber: .40 S&W
Capacity: 14
Overall Length: 7.9 inches
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Weight (empty): 26.9 ounces
www.fnhusa.com

Glock
Model G37

Although it has been on the market for a while, Glock officials say the company is expecting increased acceptance of its Model G37 in 2005. The G37 fires Glock's new, powerful .45 Glock Auto Pistol (G.A.P.) ammo, which is now being produced by a variety of manufacturers.

Glock
Model G37 Pistol
Caliber: .45 G.A.P.
Capacity: 10
Overall Length: 7.32 inches
Barrel Length: 4.49 inches
Weight (empty): 25.95 ounces
www.glock.com

Heckler & Koch
P2000 SK Subcompact Pistol

HK's latest subcompact pistol is a concealed carry version of its P2000 US duty pistol. Like the full-size P2000, the subcompact is available in 9mm and .40 S&W and features HK's Law Enforcement Modification (LEM) trigger action. The precocked LEM action is a double-action hammer system that offers short trigger travel and consistent trigger pull. Easy-to-install backstraps allow the shooter to modify the P2000 SK's grip to fit his or her hand.

Heckler & Koch
P2000 SK Subcompact Pistol
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10
Overall Length: 6.42 inches
Barrel Length: 2.48 inches
Weight (empty): 1.49 pounds
www.hk-usa.com

Kahr Arms
P45 Compact

Kahr Arms is known for its small but rugged and powerful pistols. The new Kahr P45 is no exception. This compact semi-auto weighs just 17 ounces and its grip width is only 1 inch, but it packs six rounds of .45 ACP punch. Constructed of polymer and steel, the P45 is designed to be an easy-to-carry concealment, backup, or off-duty weapon. It comes standard with low-profile, white bar-dot combat sights, and three-dot tritium sights are available as an option.

Kahr Arms
P45 Compact Pistol
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 6
Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Barrel Length: 3.54 inches
Weight (empty): 17 ounces
www.kahr.com

Kel-Tec
SU-16D Rifle

Designed for urban combat operations and available in a folding stock version that's 20 inches long when folded, Kel-Tec's SU-16D is being marketed to SWAT teams as a close-quarter-battle weapon. The SU-16D fires 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem.) cartridges, and the company says it is accurate out to 300 meters. Except for barrel, bolt, sights, and mechanism, the weapon is made of glass fiber-reinforced polymer. Picatinny rails on the SU-16D accept a variety of accessories, including lights and lasers.[PAGEBREAK]

Kel-Tec
SU-16D9 Rifle
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem.)
Capacity: 30
Length Open: 29.9 inches
Length Closed: 19.9 inches
Barrel Length: 9.2 inches
Weight (empty): 3.7 pounds
www.kel-tec.com

Para Ordnance
LDA Colonel High-Capacity Pistol

The latest duty pistol from Para, the LDA Colonel, is a 14-shot .45 ACP that features the company's new Power Extractor system. This double-stack fighting pistol is a powerful sidearm for cops with big hands, and it incorporates Para's Light Double Action system (LDA). LDA pistols have three safety features: a thumb safety that disengages the trigger, a grip safety that locks the hammer assembly, and an internal firing pin block that's designed to prevent accidental discharges.

Para Ordnance
LDA Colonel Pistol
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 14+1
Overall Length: 7.75 inches
Barrel: 4.25 inches
Weight (empty): 37 ounces
www.paraord.com

Remington
Model 870 Max Police Shotgun

The Remington 870 is the world's most popular law enforcement shotgun. There's nothing new about that. What is new is the package of options assembled into the Model 870 Max. The Max is a full-size Model 870 with 18.25-inch barrel and IC choke that also features a SpeedFeed IV-s pistol grip buttstock. Other features on the Max include a Remington R3 recoil pad to take some of the kick out of full loads, a two-round extension tube that gives the shooter seven shots instead of five, a Wilson Combat/Scattergun ghost ring rear sight, an XS front bead sight, and a SureFire tactical flashlight that is mounted on the forend.

Remington
Model 870 Max Police Shotgun
Gauge: 12
Capacity: 7
Finish: Parkerized
Stock: Synthetic black
Sights: Ghost ring, bead
www.remingtonle.com

Rock River Arms
Government Model AR15

Rock River Arms' new Government Model AR15 is the latest in its line of fully equipped law enforcement rifles. Like the company's popular DEA Rifle, the Government Model AR15 comes with an EOTech holographic sight and a SureFire weaponmounted light. It also comes with a Viking sling and an Eagle Industry carry case. And now that the assault weapon ban is no longer in effect, both law enforcement and civilians can buy the Government Model AR15 with a telescoping stock and an A2 flash hider.

Rock River Arms
Government Model AR15
Caliber: .223 Remington
Capacity: 30
Overall Length: 36 inches
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Weight (empty): 8.4 pounds
www.rockriverarms.com

Ruger
P345 Duty Pistol

Sturm, Ruger & Co. is by some estimates the largest American firearms manufacturer but, recently, the company has not been that visible in the cop market. With its new P345 pistol, that may change. The Ruger P345 is an advanced polymer-framed, .45 ACP duty pistol that features a number of safety- and accuracy-enhancing features and a Picatinny rail for accessories. Each P345 is fitted with an internal lock, a loaded chamber indicator, and a magazine disconnect. On the accuracy side, the P345 features a camblock design that reduces recoil and fixed white-dot front and rear sights.

Ruger
P345 Duty Pistol
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Barrel Length: 4.2 inches
Weight (empty): 29 ounces
www.ruger.com

SIG
P229R DAK Compact Pistol

Featuring SIG's DAK, double-action-only trigger system, the new P229R DAK compact pistol has been selected as a preferred weapon of the Department of Homeland Security. The P229R DAK offers a consistent 6.5-pound trigger pull and a built-in Picatinny rail that can accommodate a variety of lights and lasers. Like all SIGArms pistols, the firing pin and hammer on the P229R DAK are internally locked and will not fire unless the trigger is pulled. In addition, the P229R DAK is easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance. Disassembly does not require you to pull the trigger, and the weapon can only be broken down when the magazine has been removed and the slide is locked back. The P229R DAK is available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 SIG.

SIG
P229R DAK Compact Pistol
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13
Overall Length: 7.1 inches
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Weight (empty): 28.1 ounces
www.sigarms.com

Smith & Wesson
Model 990L Duty Pistol

Smith & Wesson's latest duty pistol, the Model 990L, is an update of the company's popular Model SW99, which was based on the Walther P99. Designed specifically for law enforcement, the 990L features a short double-action-only firing system with a short, constant trigger pull of 6 to 8 pounds. Like the SW99, the 990L features interchangeable backstraps, so that it can be customized to fit any shooter's hand. It also has the same safety features as the SW99, including a loaded chamber indicator. The full-size 990L is available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, and the compact model, the 990L compact, is available in 9mm and .40 S&W.

Smith & Wesson
Model 990L Duty Pistol
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 9+1
Overall Length: 7.5 inches
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Weight (empty): 25.6 ounces
www.smith-wesson.com

Springfield Armory
XD9504 Service Pistol

Springfield Armory has added a .45 GAP model to its line of XD (Xtreme Duty) service pistols. Like the other models in the XD line, the new XD9504 in .45 GAP is a polymer-framed, strikerfired pistol that features Springfield's Ultra Safety Assurance action trigger system. The XD models also offer a trigger safety and a grip safety to help ensure that rounds are only discharged when you want them to be. Other safety features include a loaded chamber indicator and a firing pin block.

Springfield Armory
XD9504 Service Pistol
Caliber: .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol)
Capacity: 9+1
Overall Length: 7 inches
Barrel Length: 4.05 inches
Weight (empty): 27 ounces
www.springfieldarmory.com

Taurus
24/7 Duty Pistol

Introduced last year with the provocative slogan "Fill Your Hand," the Taurus 24/7 is a duty pistol that's designed to be comfortable in the shooter's hand. Not only does the 24/7 feature a grip with a rubber overmold that cushions the shooter's hand from recoil, it also has a svelte single-stack magazine design that makes it a great gun for people with small hands. The 24/7 is striker fired but it also has a manual safety. A molded- in Picatinny rail allows shooters to attach a variety of accessories to the 24/7's polymer frame. The 24/7 is available in 9mm and .40 S&W and with stainless steel or blue steel slides.

Taurus
24/7 Duty Pistol
Caliber: .40 S&W
Capacity: 10
Overall Length: 7.15 inches
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Weight (empty): 27.2 ounces
www.taurususa.com