W.Va. State Police Moving to New Shadow Systems Pistols Next Year
What to know
• West Virginia State Police will begin phasing in Shadow Systems 9mm duty pistols in February 2026, replacing the Glock models troopers have carried since 2018, according to the agency.
• The rollout includes 700 XR920 duty pistols and 80 CR920X subcompact pistols, with troopers allowed to purchase their old firearms.
• Officials say the upgraded optics improve accuracy and speed for troopers, and more than 300 agencies nationwide use Shadow Systems firearms.
The West Virginia State Police will be phasing in new duty pistols next year. The Shadow Systems pistols, which fire 9mm rounds, will replace the Glock pistols troopers have been carrying since 2018.
The Smith & Wesson rifles and Remington shotguns the WVSP uses will not be replaced.
Sgt. William “Chip” Donohoe, master firearms instructor at the WVSP Academy, said the pistols will be phased in starting February 2026 as troopers come to the Academy for annual training.
Troopers will be given the option of purchasing their old duty firearms.
By the numbers
- 700: XR920 crossover pistols for duty weapons
- 80: CR920X high-subcompact pistols for the Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- 604: Troopers serving on the force, with 660 available positions
- 15: Weeks of in-service training to pass out the pistols
- 7-10 years: Lifespan of a duty pistol with annual maintenance
The WVSP did not release the cost of the guns, but base XR920 models retail for about $900. The Gazette-Mail plans to file a records request to get the contract details.
Features
Based in Plano, Texas, Shadow Systems was founded in 2016.
The main part of the handgun is based on a patent that Glock allowed to expire, Donohoe said.
The pistols say “West Virginia State Police” on the side and feature the state seal of West Virginia on the top. They are compatible with the magazines that troopers already use with their Glock pistols.
The Shadow Systems pistols also have an upgraded trigger system, and they are a bit lighter than the Glocks, Donohoe said. The pistols also have less recoil, which makes for better follow-up shots.
Donohoe has been impressed by the optics system that is mounted on the gun. Shadow Systems offers an optics option that shows troopers a green light where they are aiming rather than the normal iron sights — two bumps on top of the pistol. Donohoe said the system allows troopers to always keep their target focused with both eyes open.
According to Shadow Systems, more than 300 other law enforcement agencies use their guns nationwide. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office was the first West Virginia agency to use the guns in the state, Donohoe said. The BCSO announced the gun purchase in May.
What Donohoe said
- “Just by watching those students [with the optics system], how they advance more quickly than people [who] are using the standard sighting system, their accuracy typically is a little better as far as just immediate results.”
- “It just seemed like the perfect opportunity to try to take care of both at the same time. We’re due for a new pistol anyway and [wanted to] potentially upgrade to something with optics.”
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