CCW - Action Type and reason(s) for the preference?

I use all action types, including DAO, SAO, and DA/SA. Probably do my best shooting with the SAO guns but feel equally right at home with the DAO models as well.

Baron_Null said:

My personal favorite is DA/SA that can be carried coniditon 1 in the form of the CZ82/83 and CZ75, but I also like carrying SAO in the form of the 1911, and more than likely BHP in the future.

Personally, I feel as though the best autoloader to carry would be a DAO striker fired design. It gives you the advantages of the second strike capability with the advantages of not having an external hammer. However, my comfort zone is with hammer fired guns with single-action triggers. That, however, is completely predicated by a lack of training with other actions as well as personal preference.

Click to expand...

What DAO striker fired pistol gives you second strike capability?

I usually carry a browning hi-power, but sometimes a sig p238. I like SAO's, and thats what I was taught as a kid, and what I practice with.
My lady has a ruger sp101, for simplicity's sake, and shes a very fine shot with it.

Baron_Null said:

Personally, I feel as though the best autoloader to carry would be a DAO striker fired design.

Click to expand...

Does such a gun exist? I've never heard of one.

I consider the Kahrs a double action striker fired pistol.

Hikingman said:

Sig (8+1 capacity)

--Decocker/No safety

Why are some bothered by (DA/SA) heavier trigger pull on first shot? Perhaps they've never seriously trained in combat shooting, and/or they think it will make a big difference in a high stress situation.

Get super comfortable with your handgun, and adopt/adapt to the trigger pull in DA, SA, or DA/SA as equipped. Use a reliable handgun, and practice, practice, practice in many shooting scenarios with live ammo.

Click to expand...

Here's my take on it.

I tried DA/SA for about 4 years (we were issued M9s for a lot longer than that), at one time I owned 5 SIGs. I currently still own 3 DA/SAs (2 SIGs, 1 HKP30L) that I use just for training/familiarization (the HK is about to get LEM'd)

The DA 1st shot never really bothered me, but the transition from DA to SA did. The vast majority of shooters don't use a timer when training (a large number don't really train anyway), but this is where I see the difference the most, in either time (I'm slower) or accuracy, because I'm trying to speed up.

This is strictly a training issue that can be overcome, and IF I strictly shot DA/SA it wouldn't be an issue.

My personal take on it is; "why bother????". What does the DA/SA trigger bring to the table that makes it worth the effort for me?? and I keep coming to the conclusion that in my case, it's just not worth it, when there are other consistent (1st shot to last) triggers available.

Just my take on it, others will have their own opinions.

Chuck

Either a Sig P245 or a SW457 with one in the chamber

Single-action auto in .40 or .45ACP:
*best compromise between recoil and stopping power
*Flatter than a revolver
*more rounds than a revolver
*faster reload
*what I have carried for 42-years

For over 45 Yrs I've been carrying a S&W J frame. the model 36 for most of my life and recently the model 637 airweight. In my pocket all of the time, since I've owned it has been a NAA .22 short revolver. I've taken the J frame off when entering locations I cannot carry in. The NAA only comes out of my pocket when changing pants or getting on an airplane.
What ever you choose to carry, practice so you are confident and comfortable with it.

jimbo555 said:

I consider the Kahrs a double action striker fired pistol.

Click to expand...

Huh, did some research and you're right. Pulling the trigger cocks and releases the striker. Tough to keep all the definitions straight these days. Lot of overlap of action types.

AlBaron said:

What is your preferred action type for CCW? Why do you prefer one over another?

I'm new to this (just got my CCW certificate a couple of weeks ago), but its never to early to start planning . Everything I"ve been reading so far was about the choices of the gun itself, but mostly driven by the comfort of handling and the ease of concealment.

I'd like to ask the fine members of this forum if the action type contributed to the decision what to carry.

Alex

Click to expand...

I prefer polymer frame striker fired pistols chambered in 9mm Luger with no manual safety.

Consistent trigger pull. Every single break of the trigger (when the round fires) is exactly the same, every time, and the pull is not overly long or heavy (like a true double action tends to be) nor is it too short or light.

No controls to work beyond what is absolutely necessary. For practical defensive carry purposes the trigger is the only control to be worked. No safety to have to remember to engage or disengage, no decocker, just pur Keep It Simple Stupid. Just like a double action revolver (which I also have).

The polymer and 9mm are due to price, wide selections, weight, durability, capacity, ammo cost, etc all the usual good stuff.

AlBaron said:

Would something like Walther PPQ be considered one as well?

Alex

Click to expand...

Absolutely. The "safe action" term itself is, I think, a Glock trademark, but there are a lot of striker fired semi auto polymer frame pistols on the market that, when it comes to discussing the action type, are the same as Glock. That includes the PPQ.

bearcreek said:

Does such a gun exist? I've never heard of one.

Click to expand...

Depends on if you consider a pre-cocked striker to fall under DAO. Glock, PPQ etc use pre-cocked strikers. As you pull the trigger the striker moves back and released.

My CCW preference is DA/SA. It is what I have carried the most and have the most range time with. I have carried DA striker fired guns and sold them all off for various reasons. The best combination I have found is the P99AS which is DA/SA striker fired.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo555 View Post
I consider the Kahrs a double action striker fired pistol.
Huh, did some research and you're right. Pulling the trigger cocks and releases the striker. Tough to keep all the definitions straight these days. Lot of overlap of action types.

Click to expand...

Many manufacturers of striker-fired pistols want the ATF to classify their pistols as "DAO" because many law enforcement agencies mandate use of DAO pistols and prohibit use of SA pistols. But the term DAO when applied to many striker-fired pistols is very misleading because most of them have relatively short and light trigger pulls that much more closely resemble the trigger action of an SA pistol like the Browning High Power, or the model 1911 than they do the trigger action of a double action revolver.

The so-called DAO striker-fired pistols are often categorized that way because the striker is partially tensioned by the trigger pull. But the striker may be nearly completely tensioned by the slide action, leaving only a small bit of tensioning to be done by the trigger, so that the striker spring tension adds but little force and length to the trigger pull.

Kahr pistols are striker-fired but really do have a trigger pull length that is more akin to a double action only pistol or a double action revolver. The Kahr trigger is quite smooth and generally lighter than most double action revolvers, but has a much longer pull than a Glock, for example, and a much longer reset as well.

Relatively light. Respectfully accurate. What safety?

My choices . . .

Semi:
#1 DAO (double strike capable)
#2 DAO (partial reset required)
-no manual safety of any kind

Revolver:
#1 DAO - internal hammer
#2 DAO - bobbed hammer

Keep it as simple as possible for a carry piece.

Pblanc
Kahr pistols are striker-fired but really do have a trigger pull length that is more akin to a double action only pistol or a double action revolver. The Kahr trigger is quite smooth and generally lighter than most double action revolvers, but has a much longer pull than a Glock, for example, and a much longer reset as well.

Which is why it's hard to double tap but is always consistent. I practice moving and shooting so my heart rate is up and there's a little adrenalin rush now and then.

I carry a S&W “J” frame model 37. There was a time that I carried a model 19, but as my belly got bigger, my butt disappeared. Now I stick with what’s light and doesn’t pull my pants down, even with suspenders. And I don’t care if it’s a carry gun or a range toy, every handgun I own has an exposed hammer. They may not have a lot of rounds, but I’ve never had a malfunction in a revolver.

MachIVshooter

Double action, double action only or "safe action" type striker fired guns. I will not carry a defensive piece with a safety engaged, so single action is out.

Click to expand...

Agreed.

stchman

DAO - double action only is preferable
no light trigger (heavy is better)
safe action triggers are permissible
no safety
no grip safety
no magazine disconnect
the only control I will have is a slide stop/release

Click to expand...

Agreed, again.

I used to carry a full sized 1911 but was leery about "one in the chamber," so I carried it with just the loaded magazine --whatever the heck "condition" that is.

Finally, after deep introspection, meditation, self-evaluation, and burning a lot of incense and some candles, I realized the only reason I carried a 1911 was for romantic, not practical, reasons. Know thyself, Grasshopper.

I now carry a DAO revolver in .38, or a DAO auto in 9mm, depending. This, to my mind, is the best compromise between safety and speed.

DAO is the way to go. (Sounds like a mob-chant, doesn't it?)

I also strongly agree about magazine disconnects. I have stated before and I'll say it again: A mag disconnect is a design defect.

Sounds like another mob-chant, doesn't it?

Terry, 230RN

I may not be following the discussion right, but I see:

>>>What DAO striker fired pistol gives you second strike capability?
>>I consider the Kahrs a double action striker fired pistol.
>Huh, did some research and you're right. Pulling the trigger cocks and releases the striker.

One could read that as saying that Kahr's have a second strike capability. Unless Kahr has changed something, they don't - or anyway, mine doesn't. If the hammer (well, striker) falls and the round doesn't fire, you can only try again by cycling the slide.

OP....don't overthink this. Figure out what works best for you. Something that I consider; if something realistic happens that I need to use a weapon it will be at close range and a heavy trigger will not mean a thing while the adrenaline is pumping. There won't be 25 yard precision head shots in which a light trigger is warranted. I also want to make sure my trigger pull is purposeful and not the result of a nervous flinch, adrenaline dump, or other accidental inputs. For me, it is really a DA/SA or the 6lb trigger on the PPS. As mentioned, I do carry the 1911 on occasion, but it is rare these days.

Hi...

Carry a couple of different handguns for concealed carry.
A full-size 1911 in .45ACP, a Combat Commander in .45ACP, a DA Taurus .44Spl in stainless and once in a while in the winter a Colt Trooper in .357Mag.

Still getting used to an M&P .40S&W...like this gun a lot. First polymer and .40...quite accurate and no malfunctions with nearly 1000 rounds through it in .40S&W.
Stuck a 9mm barrel in it and had quite a few jams. Still working that out after a couple hundred rounds.

The Walther P99 is a striker-fired pistol with second strike capability.

"1911 or SA/DA revolver"

^This^

Because I have been doing it since the 70's.

I live in a fairly low-crime area and infrequently carry. An example of an instance in which I do would be walking my dogs at night in a sizable park.

I have felt most comfortable carrying one of two pistols, both Beretta mini-Cougars. One is a 9mm hammer-fired, double action only (without safety, of course). The other is a .40 caliber traditional double action (DA/SA) with a safety/decocker. The safety is taken off after the pistol is holstered. Both are carried with a round chambered.

I have considered buying a somewhat more compact polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol. I own a full-size SIG P320 and like it a lot, but I am reluctant to carry a pistol with a trigger pull that light without a safety.

Other pistols I have considered are a hammer-fired, double action only SIG P250, a striker-fired Kahr with its long, smooth trigger pull, a striker-fired Walther P99 AS with its decocker, longer and heavier first trigger pull (and double strike capability), possibly a "Gadget" equipped Glock 19, or another DA/SA pistol such as the Beretta PX4 Storm compact.

Still sitting on the fence as to what I consider the best compromise of safety and efficiency of use.