Editing Sidearm (weapon) (section)

== Uses ==
[[File:Shooting backup pistol.jpg|thumb|A shooter, armed with a [[Remington Model 870]] shotgun as her primary weapon and firing a [[Glock]] pistol as her sidearm]]
In many contemporary armies, the issue of a sidearm in the form of a [[service pistol]] is a clear sign of authority and is the mark of a [[Officer (armed forces)|commissioned officer]] or [[Non-commissioned officer|senior NCO]]. In the protocol of [[courtesy]], 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 of [[Unity of command|command over their men]].

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 a [[long gun]] such as a [[rifle]] or [[submachine gun]] may also have a [[semi-automatic pistol]] as a sidearm. [[Personal defense weapon]]s are 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.