Best DAO hammer fired autoloaders

I would recommend the S&W 3914DAO (NYPD special), 3953 and 3954. Unfortunately, these are all out of print, but available on the used market with a bit searching.

I have carried a sig P229 R DAK
very nice weapon but it’s not a pocket gun , it’s smaller than a full size but maybe larger than you are looking for,
Nonetheless it’s an excellent DAO type

I have two but both are out of production. My first DAO pistol was/is a Beretta mini-Cougar 8000D. It is an all-metal pistol and is a bit heavy and chunky for EDC. The trigger action is quite good.

The second is a SIG Sauer P250 subcompact in 9mm. These are still available in the used market and some new, old stock may be around. The trigger pull is smooth and reasonably light, but long as for any DAO hammer-fired pistol.

NAA Guardians of any chambering. They are DAO hammer fired blowback little snots that are hard to shoot well and only useful for belly shooting. I have one in .32 ACP.

The Seecamps that NAA took the design from are also DAO hammer fired blowback guns.

EDIT: I didn't realize you were looking for the best. Sorry about that. The Guardian isn't up for consideration of best, IMO.

In .380 are the S&W BG380, and the Remington RM380. Most of the other, hammer-fired micro-.380s have a "hybrid" DAO system, where the hammer, after the slide is cycled, is neither fully cocked nor fully at rest. A dry-fire (or misfire) lands the hammer fully at rest and it must be re-positioned by a partial re-rack to properly reset it.

The only true DAO guns I happen to own are the Taurus PT-22 and the PT-25. I actually like them, and they shoot well and reliably. Polymer-framed versions, dubbed PLY instead of PT, are the current versions (mine have aluminum frames.)

MedWheeler said:

Remington RM380.

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That gun is a much better gun overall than a Guardian. The RM380 is much easier to shoot, less sensitive to limp wrist, easy recoil for a pocket gun, easy to rack the slide, etc.

The best ones are those that have a looooong trigger pull ...just like wheel guns.

Another vote for the SIG P250. I currently own three. They are all super reliable and have great DAO triggers.

Sig 250 and the SCCY cpx series.

Full sized guns with a labeled DAO but not really a DAO that's really good is the Walther PPX/Creed.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2018/01/jon-wayne-taylor/gun-review-bond-arms-bullpup-9mm/

I can't say enough good things about mine. It is a hammer-fired DAO. Factory trigger is easily on par with a tuned S&W revolver. No creep, no stack, no grit, just consistent pull until it snaps.

It's tiny. Shorter than an LCP. Shoots like a much larger gun. Unlike any other micro 9, I can shoot 200 rounds in a range trip and want to shoot more.

Build quality is exceptional, and Bond has some of the best customer service in the business.

It's not cheap, but you did say best...

I've owned several of the most popular DAO pocket guns like the S&W bodyguard, little Seecamps, the Kahr p380 and several others. I have come to the conclusion that the gen 2 original Ruger LCP and the Kel-tec p32 are the best ones made as far as reliability goes. Pocket guns aren't meant for shooting competitions, and tiny rounds out of tiny guns don't pack a big punch, so reliability is really all you have with these guns.

I really don't see the point to a DAO subcompact unless you plan on pocket carrying it. I suppose if one is going to pocket carry a subcompact pistol, it's hard to beat the Karh PM9 or the Kel-tec pf9 due to their sized.

Another vote for the Sig P250.

For some reason SIG P229 never did it for me, but I'd give P290 a good look. Its biggest disadvantage in my view is that it's a bit chunky, so you get 6+1 (8+1 with factory extended magazines) in the same space where SCCY packs 10+1. Also it, together with P250, is a champion of all long trigger pulls. But since we started on the premise that such a pull is okay, here it is.

If size is not a problem, I'd also consider HK USP with a LEM trigger (I think it may be called "Variant IV"). It is a true DAO. That gun is stupidly reliable and can digest a variety of ammunition. Well, you pay HK prices for it.

I thought about the DAK on SIGs too, but never warmed up to its kinks, like the oddball fake reset.

The Boberg/Bond? Yes, please. It's the only true pocket 9mm in existence that is a good shooter. Mind that it's a little controversial with the sensitivity to the ammunition. Also, the lack of last-round hold is irritating.

Sccy might not be the "best" but it feels good in my hand, has a long but smooth trigger and packs 10 +1. Also cost under $200 so is very affordable.

The new Taurus Spectrum .380 is a true DAO. Hammer starts at rest for every trigger pull. This design has never been popular in semiautos because most cannot shoot them accurately because of the heavy and long trigger pull. Most of the guns that claim to be DAO have pre-cocked hammers.

I like the new Ruger Security-9
https://ruger.com/products/security9/models.html

My favorites of my defense guns:

- SIG P250 (full, compact & subcompact - home guns & OWB carry), true DAO
- Kahr CM9 (pocket 9mm) & CW9 (vehicle gun, IWB & OWB carry), striker fired, but with a smooth DAO type trigger
- RM380 (pocket .380), true DAO

I know it's bigger than desired but I really like my P30SK with a LEM trigger.

I really like the DAO trigger on the Kahr CM9; to me it feels very much like a S&W revolver. For something larger in a compact design I would start looking for one of S&W's Third Generation all metal pistols, like the Model 6905.

My primary EDC is the Rohrbaugh R9. I also picked up a Kahr CM9 because the trigger feels similar. The Kahr isn't hammer fired though, if the slide doesn't cycle after you pull the trigger, you have a dead trigger.

Sig p250

The Sccy has "double strike" capability. If the primer fails you can just pull the trigger again an the hammer will be activated and fall. Very rarely occurs but could happen.

ScarLata said:

I like the new Ruger Security-9
https://ruger.com/products/security9/models.html

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The Ruger Security 9 is Single Action Only. See page 10 of the owners manual.
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/security9.pdf