It has taken almost 20 years, but officers at the St. Joseph County Police Department are geting an upgrade of their handguns.

Officers will transition from a Sigsauer 40 cal to a 9 millimeter Smith & Wesson.

The men and women who carry them say the upgrades are important, according to 95.3 MNC’s reporting partners at ABC 57.

They say the new weapons are more comfortable and will make the difference in critical moments, ABC 57 reported.

Only about 30 percent of shots fired in the line of duty actually hit suspects or vehicles on the run with the current weapons.

That also results in higher ammunition expense.