Sidearm (weapon)

"Side arms" redirects here. For the video game, seeHyper Dyne Side Arms.For other uses, seeSidearm.

Arevolverand adagger,two examples of sidearms

Asidearmis an individual-servedweaponthat is kept at one's side and can be rapidly accessed if needed. A sidearm may be carried alone or as anancillary weaponto a more frequently-used primary weapon. The term historically referred toswords,daggers,and similar smallmelee weaponskept at one's side in asheath,and in modern combat dominated byranged weapons,sidearms are often defined ashandgunsthat are similarly kept in aholster.

A sidearm is typically required equipment formilitaryofficersand may be carried bylaw enforcementpersonnel. Usually, uniformed personnel of these services wear their weapons openly, whileplainclothespersonnel have their sidearms concealed under their clothes.

Uses

A shooter, armed with aRemington Model 870shotgun as her primary weapon and firing aGlockpistol as her sidearm

In many contemporary armies, the issue of a sidearm in the form of aservice pistolis a clear sign of authority and is the mark of acommissioned officerorsenior NCO.In the protocol ofcourtesy,the surrender of a commander's sidearm is the final act in the general surrender of a unit. If no ill will is meant, and a strict interpretation of military courtesy is applied, a surrendering commander may be allowed to keep their sidearm in order to exercise their right ofcommand over their men.Similarly, many commanders on a local level have been anecdotally citedas having used the threat of their sidearms to motivate troops, to varied effect.

An important purpose of the sidearm is to be used if the primary weapon is not available (damaged or lost), if it has run out of ammunition, or if it malfunctions. Many soldiers armed with along gunsuch as arifleorsubmachine gunmay also have asemi-automatic pistolas a sidearm.Personal defense weaponsare often issued as personal sidearms to combat personnel who operate in cramped spaces in which a rifle or carbine would be impractical, such as truck drivers, helicopter pilots, and vehicle crews.

See also

• Ancillary weapon
• Service pistol
• Wakizashi