Striker fired advantages?

[hillbillydelux]

Just curious as to everyones thoughts on striker fired pistols. Advantages and disadvantages. I have never owned a striker fired pistol. Everything I own has a hammer. The current trend seems to be toward strikers though and I cant figure out why the same people who swear I shouldnt carry my 1911 cocked and locked will carry a striker fired pistol.

 

[dgray64]

The number one advantage is at all shots have the same physical experience. That is, the first shot is exactly the same as followups as far as trigger pull. This puts you on target faster for both the first shot and the follow up shots. I practice with a CZ40B which can be carried locked and loaded, half cock or hammer full down for a long trigger pull on the first shot. I practice with it because I own it. I further practice with my XD40 for expertise. It fits my hand better, has better sights, has reduced recoil due to the way the pistol is designed and it snaps back on target quicker for the followup shot. The CZ is more accurate for standing there and sighting in, but I can put more shots on target quicker with the XD.

Dave

 

[Quoheleth]

Practically speaking, striker fired pistols are akin to DA pistols - the trigger pull isn't as whispery as a SA 1911. In the 80s, lawyers got on the gravy train, suing the pants off of police depts that carried cocked & locked single-actions. Some manufacturers moved to hammer-fired DA-SA actions. Problem was/is the differing trigger pulls and the exposed hammer - another lawyer magnet - which left the questionof how to decock the weapon without touching the trigger? SOme did the decocker thing.

It led to the search for a spring-operated firing mechanism. Glock, Springfield XD, S&W Sigma and M&P, and Taurus Millenium Pro and 24/7 series are among the popular models. Different guns operate slightly different... I believe the Glock and M&P actually have the striker where the trigger pull has to "finish" cocking the gun - basically, a true DA gun. The XD is fully cocked - basically, a true SA gun.

This is what I've been led to believe. It might be rather simplistic. The fact is people - inventors - are always looking for something new with weapons. Striker-fired pistols are the latest technology.

Q

 

[Just One Shot]

I like my striker fired pistols (XD 9 HC & XD .40 Tactical) because the trigger is consistant and smooth as butter.

It's cocked and ready to fire as soon as the round is chambered.

My XD's have both a trigger safety and a grip safety that are passive and disengage with the natural gripping of the handgun.

I still own a hammer gun but the striker fired ones are my favorites.

 

[Pizzagunner]

They are glorified zip guns with lower firing pin energy made for reasons that have more to do with lawsuits than with actual shooting deficiencies in what came before.

Oddly enough, every striker fired rifle I have ever encountered had a safety on it. That a manual safety equipped pistol is somehow life threatening to its owner says more about the zip gunners' psychological projections than about anything else.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

The biggest advantage is cheap practice. With the cost of ammo, range time can be expensive, and dry firing can only get you so far. However, owners of striker-fired guns can practice as much as they want in their own homes for little or no money, just by buying a Nerf gun. You never have to buy new ammo; the guns come with darts, its easy to retrieve them after shooting, and the trigger will feel identical to your striker-fired handgun!

 

[Schofield3]

However, owners of striker-fired guns can practice as much as they want in their own homes for little or no money, just by buying a Nerf gun. You never have to buy new ammo; the guns come with darts, its easy to retrieve them after shooting, and the trigger will feel identical to your striker-fired handgun!

Hahahaha

 

[easyg]

There's less chance of debris and crud fouling a striker.
Carrying a hammer-fired pistol cocked and locked allows a chance for dirt and debris to get between the hammer and the firing pin.

Strikers also never get caught on clothing when drawing from concealment.

And there's no such thing as "striker bite", but many shooters are all too familiar with the "hammer bite"!

 

[ZO6Vettever]

I carry a striker fired Sigma 9mm. The trigger is longer and harder than most. S&W did a trigger job on it and it is very smooth and predictable. I found if I "pull" instead of "squeeezzze" the trigger my accuracy is very much improved. It's a very safe pistol with the long and hard trigger pull without a safety and totally reliable. If the SHTF we will all be "pulling", not "squeeezzzing" the trigger and will never notice the 10# pull. That being said, a Glock 30SF is on my wish list and I would like to move up to a 45ACP. If S&W made a Sigma in 45, I would rather carry it than a 4.5# glock (think Plaxico discharge). I think you can order a "LE" glock with a 9# trigger but not sure about that. Anyway I have a friend with one in Pa. and when I get up there I'll shoot it and decide.

 

[hillbillydelux]

I appreciate all the feedback. From what I gather though I think I will stick with the hammers for now.

- Consistant trigger pull, 1911 definatly has that.

- Safer, maby the DAO's described would be safer.

- Better target aquisition, I dont understand how a striker vs. hammer would accomplish that?

- 9 to 10 lb trigger pull doesnt sound very appealing.

- Less chance of crud getting between hammer, Now that may be an advantage.

Maby I will buy one anyhow just to see. I have been hearing alot of good things about the XD.

BTW now there will be a mass shortage of nerf darts. THANKS ALOT

 

[Dobe]

P7M8 - a great striker gun.

 

[usp9]

Advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

* There is no hammer and accompanying mechanism. A cleaner exterior
* The grip is free of struts, springs, etc.

Disadvantages

* There is no hammer or firing pin, more chances for light strikes.
* Most are not made with second strike ability.
* Decocking a striker makes me nervous, decocking a hammer is less nerve racking personally.

Otherwise I see no big deal. Strikers have been around for 100 years and have worked about as well as hammers. I prefer a hammer, but I'll take a striker so long as the pistol it's attached to has great redeeming qualities.

 

[Dobe]

Otherwise I see no big deal. Strikers have been around for 100 years and have worked about as well as hammers. I prefer a hammer, but I'll take a striker so long as the pistol it's attached to has great redeeming qualities.

Same here. Wow, I wonder what HK could do now-a-days with a polymer striker?

 

[oneounceload]

Decocking my P7 or G17 means letting go of either the cocking grip or the trigger....what could be simpler?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The slide is easier to rack because there is no additional tension of a hammer spring.

 

[Dougsboy]

Kahr CW9 or PM9 are excellent examples of striker fired weapons. I have the CW9 and am more than pleased with it.

 

[priler]

i have been reading this kind of hogwash on all types of different gun forums for many years now...that a hammer fired pistol has "more energy" or gives harder stikes to the primer.THAT IS COMPLETELY FALSE!


the fact of the matter is that a pistol can have weaker,equal or give harder strikes depending on the design and the parts used whether it's hammer or striker fired.they simply work differently.

the hammer fired uses a hammer combined with stored energy from a heavy spring to hit the firing pin so it then flys forward to strike the primer.the part that everyone seems to forget is that,there is some energy lose when the firing pin goes flying forward.the firing pin spring on this is usually small and weak and only to bring the pin back into position.

the striker fired works a little different.it tends to use a heavier firing pin and/or in combination with a relatively strong spring that "can" produce the same strike energy.it all depends on what the manufacturer had in mind or did.

everything being equal,in other words,if the manufacturer was to give the same strike force(on the primer)and designed two TDA of the same pistols but made one hammer fired(with standard practise,main spring along backstrap) and the other striker fired....you will more than likely find that the striker fired had a lighter trigger pull.(most of them out there are SA or semi-DAO) the reason for this is that you are compressing the striker spring by pulling the trigger on a striker fired BUT on a hammer fired you are compressing the main spring which tends to be much heavier.

of course,there are sooo many designs out there that it really depends.the fnp,for example,is hammer fired but does not use a regular main spring.also manufacturers tend to vary on what they do...not to mention modifications.

there's just too many variables when making a comparison.

you can also take your two pistols(one hammer,one stiker fired)to the range and study the strikes on the empty cases for yourself.if you don't see what i'm talking about,try a different pistol.

 

[EOD Guy in VA]

Every pull of the trigger is identical
Crisp release point (e.g., S&W M&P)
Short reset on most systems (e.g., Walther P99 & S&W M&P)
No external hammer to catch on clothing
Most don't allow for 2nd strike, but how often is that needed (exception = Walther P99)

 

[Ichiro]

Everyone already said it, and I will agree. A huge advantage of a striker-fire pistol is that the trigger pull is the same every single time.

My five-shot revolver has five different trigger pulls, my six-shot revolver has six, and my DA/SA semiauto has two.

I'm about done with this variable, personally. I prefer the same trigger each and every time.

 

[priler]

as far as them having the same trigger pull,that's also false.you can find striker fired pistols in SA,DAO,semi-quassi DAO,SA/DA but only one that is a true TDA(the walther p99AS or clone).

the same goes for hammer fired....there's just sooo much out there.

a striker fired can have less parts,less interfacing parts and be more compact in that area and allow less chance for debris or snag.

with a hammer fired,you can cock the hammer manually(athough,you can do that with a p99AS but with your other hand).

manufacturers will tend to produce what is popular or what people prefer so they can sell.alot of what people want many times has more to do with traditionalism.....just like many people prefer steel over polymer,sometimes because of lack of understanding,sometimes not.

 

[oneounceload]

with a hammer fired,you can cock the hammer manually(athough,you can do that with a p99AS but with your other hand).

with my P-7, I do that with my shooting hand....

 

[priler]

with my p7m8,i do that as well..thumbs-up....just too many variables to remember.

also,with most striker fired,it leaves the manufacturer free to make the grip thinner.(no main spring and levers.)

 

[easyg]

My five-shot revolver has five different trigger pulls, my six-shot revolver has six,....

What????

 

[Avenger29]

If S&W made a Sigma in 45, I would rather carry it than a 4.5# glock (think Plaxico discharge)

Don't blame the gun for the actions of an idiot. It is entirely Burress's fault that he shot himself. Don't Mexican carry a Glock. Use a holster. KEEP YOUR BOOGER HOOK OFF THE BANGSWITCH. It's that simple. Barring a complete mechanical failure, the only way you will shoot yourself with a factory Glock trigger is to actuate the trigger either with your finger or by catching an object in the trigger guard.

Choosing a heavier trigger like the Sigma's because "it's safer" is trying to use technology to make up for a deficiency in training.That's how we end up with horrible triggers from the factory. The Sigma has a pathetically heavy trigger pull from the factory compared to most other factory pistol triggers, which range from excellent 1911 triggers to decent striker and single action semiauto to heavier, creepier semiauto DA triggers. If you want a heavy trigger pull, I'd rather have a quality double action or DA/SA pistol like a CZ or Sig rather than trust the shoddy Sigma.

I'd much rather have the decent Glock standard trigger than a ****ty, heavy trigger pull that comes straight out of my nightmares.

Please note that I am not talking about very light target or home gunsmithed triggers that can be unsafe.

 

[xm21]

The bore is closer to the top of the hand.Less muzzle flip.