Several hundred state sheriff’s deputies and prison guards will begin carrying brand-new Sig Sauer semi-automatic pistols under a nearly $300,000 contract to replace Smith & Wessons that have become too difficult to repair and maintain.

The state Department of Public Safety said Thursday it is changing the duty weapons issued to law enforcement and corrections division personnel after using Smith & Wesson revolvers for 31 years and Smith & Wesson 9 mm handguns for 16 years.

Some of the current weapons — Smith & Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic pistols and .38-caliber revolvers — are no longer supported for repair or replacement by the manufacturer, the department said.

Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz said the department has ordered Sig Sauer full-size semi-automatic 9 mm pistols and lighter Sig Sauer 9 mm semi-automatic pistols.

“It’s a better-quality weapon … lighter and stronger,” Schwartz said. “It fit our needs.”

Professional Police Supply, also doing business as California-based Adamson Police Products, submitted a winning bid of $295,500, including a trade-in credit of $161,750 for all the Smith & Wesson handguns turned in by the department. The department will be paying the company $133,750, which includes training, parts and maintenance.

“The department’s goal is to create efficiency by standardizing all firearms maintenance, training and ammunition requirements on one type of duty weapon for Law Enforcement and Corrections,” Schwartz said.

Under the contract, Professional Police Supply has agreed to provide a one-year parts warranty and training for Public Safety personnel.

Schwartz said department officers need to undergo training before using the new weapons.

Some 2,000 Honolulu Police Department officers are undergoing a similar transition, turning in their Smith & Wessons for Glock 17 semi-automatic handguns.

The Police Department has begun issuing the new weapons and estimates it will take at least another year before all officers are carrying a Glock in their holsters.

According to a city spokeswoman, the cost for replacing the firearms will be nearly $1 million.

Police said the Smith & Wessons were used by the department for 23 years.