hammer vs. striker fire

[fatcat4620]

You mean like how the 1911 didn't work in the mud in the trenches in WWI?
Or the sand on the beaches in WWII?
Or the snow and ice in Korea?
Or the rice paddys & jungle in Vietnam??

Like that kind of crud?

I SEE, said the blind man to his deaf daughter when he tripped over the stump.

rc

Well everyone knows jesus runs a glock

 

[Plan2Live]

^ Case in point.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Actually Glock safe action (striker fired) pistols first trigger pull is more like the DA pull of a DA/SA pistol, only better than most. The subsequent trigger pulls if you only release the trigger to reset, is more like a SA pistol, still better than most DA/SA pistols in SA.

This is a perfect example of how YMMV often applies to your experience with other triggers. I don't doubt the sincerity of your position. I would have when I was more naive, because I was under the mistaken belief that all people shared similar firearms experience.

This is especially fresh in my mind as I just spent the weekend with a Championship level Glock shooter and we discussed the different techniques needed between different striker fired pistols as opposed to DA/SA pistols. My recent experience left me with the impression that:

1. The Glock Safe Action trigger, I just can't bring myself, given it's history, to call it a DA, has a trigger stroke similar to a serviceable revolver trigger. The SIG DAK, Para-Ord LDA or Kahr triggers have trigger closer to a tuned revolver action.

2. When release only to reset, the Glock does away with the light takeup, but keeps it's hard/spongy final press. This is nothing like any factory SA I have felt, with the possible exception of the H&K USP and P2000 family, on a DA/SA pistol...mostly because they lack the travel needed with the Glock trigger.

3. The trigger of the S&W M&P or Springfield Armory XD/XDm can be tuned closer to a good SA trigger on a hammer fired pistol

 

[ny32182]

Do you want DA/SA, or do you want all your trigger pulls consistent?

That is the only real difference. Everything else is superfulous jabber. No offense to anyone in the thread.

 

[ATLDave]

The only thing I'd add is that some posters seem to assume that striker guns don't have external safeties and hammer guns do. It ain't necessarily so on either count. My M&P, for instance, has a thumb safety. If you like a thumb safety, you can get a striker-fired pistol with one; it just won't be a (factory) Glock.

 

[oneounceload]

All of what he said:

Plus:
1. Generally a much better SA trigger pull.
2. You can stuff it in your pants or pocket without it going off and shooting you.
3. It is never loaded & cocked unless you want it to be.

Check out the P7 then - proof a striker fired pistol can do all those things, and then some - want to decock? Ease off the grip

 

[showmebob]

It seems to me that many striker fired pistols have a lower bore axis than hammer fired pistols do. This may or may not be a factor in a purchase decision.

 

[Kiln]

I have lots of both types. Each have their drawbacks. Personally I prefer striker fired guns for close range protection because clothing or body parts can interfere with external hammers if you were wrestling with somebody who is trying to hurt you.

For range use either is great but there I have a preference for hammer fired guns because for me at least, the triggers are better.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Check out the P7 then - proof a striker fired pistol can do all those things, and then some - want to decock? Ease off the grip

Including the P7 is almost cheating. There really aren't any guns safer than the P7 that can be brought into action as simply

Striker pistols generally do have a lower bore axis over the grip, but bore height is often overblown in importance...FWIW, I have a P7, a G19, a CW9 and a M&P9...as well as several SIGs

 

[Jaymo]

Buy a few of each.
Try to counterpoint that, TimboKhan.

 

[TimboKhan]

Lol

Counter: go fully automatic.

 

[hentown]

Glock triggers are easy to make better, inexpensively. I use various brands of aftermarket connectors in my Glocks. I also polish all mating surfaces in the firing mechanisms. My Glocks' triggers pull from just over 3# to around 4#. Not like the trigger on my tuned 1911, but still not a bad trigger, compared to DA and many other striker-fired pistols.

 

[F-111 John]

I can instantly tell that the thing is cocked because it is very obvious with a hammer gun.

I think the striker fired Glock is also very obvious that the thing is cocked because the trigger is either reset or not reset.

 

[Fixed Sight Training]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is because of the geometry of the hammer and slide it is unlikely a hammer gun will discharge out of battery.

I've had both XDs and Glocks discharge out of battery. The glock blew up and the owner went to the hospital. The XD just blew out the side of the case and blew hot gasses down the mag well. No damage but we could reproduce the malfunction and it would drop the striker about 3/16" out of battery. Further experimentation shows it is not uncommon. Bring the slide back and pull the trigger. Lower the slide slowly and see when it clicks.

The trigger dingus is not really a safety, if something pulls (touches) the trigger it discharges. It does force you to use too much finger on the trigger and without practice a lot of people push the shots away from their shooting hand.

The "it's the same trigger pull every shot" argument is a marketing ploy. With a little practice it becomes second nature and ALL handguns require practice.