Starfleet Special Forces Type 2 Phaser Pistol

Seeking a more rugged and reliable hand phaser, Starfleet Special Forces commissioned Starfleet R&D and the Daystrom Institute to design a new hand phaser for it's operators working behind the lines and in the field. 

First fielded in limited numbers in 2371 and fully deployed in 2373, the SF Type 2 hearkens back to a traditional design and ruggedness. 

Starfleet Special Forces desired a model that would operate under any condition be easier to carry and wield than the traditional "Dolphin" style phasers which had the tendency to be fragile in intense situations. This new model was comfortable to hold, more ergonomic and was not easily knocked out of the hands of operators during hand to hand actions.

After the end of the Dominion War, Commodore McEntyre, then Captain, ordered any ships under his command to carry this model as standard issue.