Striker vs Hammer Fired Polymer Frame Pistols

[INMY01TA]

Striker


Hammer

lmao.

 

[JohnKSa]

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.

I can't see myself making a purchasing decision based on that factor alone.

 

[wunderkind]

Striker. No moving parts to distract while trigger is being pulled, about an extra 1/2 inch of barrel, consistent shot-to-shot trigger pull.

 

[christcorp]

It depends if it's a single action striker fire, double action, or hybrid (Glock). I've owned/fired all 3 types. I won't keep a single action striker fire loaded with one in the chamber. The firing pin is held back under constant spring tension, and I don't trust it. (I'm not here to debate it, I've done my research and that's my conclusion. I'm not changing my mind). But they are fine guns for truck and garage type guns or just to plink with. I do have a small pocket 380 that is SAO Striker fire that I sometimes carry, but I don't keep a round in the chamber.

True double action striker fired is fine. Hybrids like the glock are OK, but except for the glock, I don't know too many hybrids. And I'm not a glock fan. Don't like the trigger, grip, or overall feel/balance of the gun.

Personally, I simply prefer SA/DA pistols with either a decocker, like my Sig P220; PA-63, Walther, etc... or one that allows me to manually (safely) lower the hammer. Such as the CZ-82. The external hammer and SA/DA pistols allow for more options. I like options.

 

[Khyron]

I MUCH prefer hammer fired, then you have that single action trigger that a striker can't match

Unless its a H&K P7. It's sorta in its own league though. Not even sure if this pistol is considered to have a striker or internal hammer if there is even a difference. Does have a great single action trigger pull though.

 

[Echo9]

With the exception of a well broken-in Kahr, I hate striker triggers. They just feel gritty to me. Or spongey. Or mushy, or whatever -- pick an adjective.

I like the options you get with a traditional double action.

 

[NMGonzo]

My HK LEM was fine.

My Glock was fine.

My 1911's are fine.

Even the PT145 Taurus was fine.

 

[kokapelli]

I won't keep a single action striker fire loaded with one in the chamber. The firing pin is held back under constant spring tension, and I don't trust it. (I'm not here to debate it, I've done my research and that's my conclusion. .

You didn't do you research very well because in single action hammer fired pistols the hammer is also "held back under constant spring tension" as well!

As for me, both are ok but I lean toward the Kahr type of striker for it's mechanical simplicity.

 

[Echo9]

You didn't do you research very well because in single action hammer fired pistols the hammer is also "held back under constant spring tension" as well!

As for me, both are ok but I lean toward the Kahr type of striker for it's mechanical simplicity.

How is a Kahr striker different from any other?

 

[Ky Larry]

All my carry pistols have hammers. I don't really care but I don't like the triggers on striker-fired pistols like Glocks, SDs,etc. Thats just a personal thing. In the end, it's just another Coke-Pepsi thing.

 

[tescrex]

Agreed on the Coke-Pepsi analogy. I don't like striker pistols because of the trigger, mostly because I learned on a Ruger P90 and kept it going with a Witness P. Now all my handguns are polymer DA/SA hammers. I love the single action trigger pull, and am much more accurate with it.

 

[sniper5]

OK, I'm a traditionalist. I like wood and milled steel. Learned to shoot on 1911's. I am thoroughly convinced that nothing else matters but fit. The gun has to feel, align, and shoot like an extension of your finger. Nothing else is as important. Browning HiPower fits my hand ever so slightly better than the 1911, although I prefer the big frame and do well with it.

So, I'm at the range with my wife and she decides to rent an M&P9 and try out. She doesn't like it, doesn't fit her hand, doesn't like the trigger and hands it to me. So I empty a couple of magazines out of it chewing up the 10 ring and it just feels like I'm pointing my finger. I'm staring at it for a long time and my wife says: "Well?" And I reply: "I'm trying to tell myself why I don't like it . . ."

 

[kokapelli]

How is a Kahr striker different from any other?

It's not the striker, but rather the entire firing mechanism.

 

[Echo9]

Is there any way you could describe it for me?

I'm always trying to learn internal design details about different pistols. And i like the Kahr trigger.

 

[kokapelli]

Is there any way you could describe it for me?

I'm always trying to learn internal design details about different pistols. And i like the Kahr trigger.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

PS I just remembered this description of the Kahr P9 trigger I kept from an article I read some time back. Can't remember where I read it but I thought it was a pretty accurate description.

"When shooting a DAO semi-automatic for the first time, one always wonders what the trigger will be like. Will it stack up? Will it be rough and jerky? Will it be too heavy for little or even big hands?
The quality of the trigger and its linkage to the firing mechanism either makes or breaks a DAO semi-auto.
Moon got it right on the P9. The trigger is like a ball bearing on glass -- rolling smooth. It's light, short and consistent at 7 lbs. The trigger face itself is smoothly finished so that your finger glides over it as your pull progresses to a clean breaking let-off point.

We've done our share of serious double action work with tuned revolvers, and always found it a real challenge. The P9 puts revolvers to shame. The trigger action on the P9 is so good it's simply in another league entirely -- and so are the tight groups it helps generate."

 

[christcorp]

You didn't do you research very well because in single action hammer fired pistols the hammer is also "held back under constant spring tension" as well!

As for me, both are ok but I lean toward the Kahr type of striker for it's mechanical simplicity.

Actually, my research is quite good. What I didn't do was elaborate because I didn't think it was necessary. But I will. With my single action hammer guns, such as my SA 1911A1, I have absolutely no problem lowering the hammer and putting it into Condition 2. Please don't tell me that it's dangerous to do that. That's not what this thread is about. Plus, I believe that I am smarter than the gun, and I trust me. So my mind will NOT be changed on that matter. But Back on subject; there is no decocking a single action striker fired pistol. That's why I won't leave it with one in the chamber. Hope that explains my position.

FWIW; I NEVER ask anyone to agree with me and change their mind or opinion. I don't need others to think like I do in order to gain confidence in my decisions. I simply state my opinion/positions and why.

 

[1SOW]

The triggers are VERY different. It's simply a matter of shooter choice.

I prefer the light crisp break on a good hammer fired gun, but that's just me.

 

[kokapelli]

Actually, my research is quite good. What I didn't do was elaborate because I didn't think it was necessary. But I will. With my single action hammer guns, such as my SA 1911A1, I have absolutely no problem lowering the hammer and putting it into Condition 2. Please don't tell me that it's dangerous to do that. That's not what this thread is about. Plus, I believe that I am smarter than the gun, and I trust me. So my mind will NOT be changed on that matter. But Back on subject; there is no decocking a single action striker fired pistol. That's why I won't leave it with one in the chamber. Hope that explains my position.

FWIW; I NEVER ask anyone to agree with me and change their mind or opinion. I don't need others to think like I do in order to gain confidence in my decisions. I simply state my opinion/positions and why.

I certainly don't expect or want to change your mind but just point out a few things.
You reference to single action striker fired pistols does not include the Kahr since it is DAO rather than single action and is always de cocked and does not require cocking to fire as does your 1911 when carried the way you carry.

If you don't mind having to cock your pistol first when you need to fire it that's you decision, but I want a gun that goes bang when I pull the trigger without having to carry it in single action fully cocked mode or having to cock it first to fire it.

In my opinion the 1911 has the best trigger out there but I prefer DAO for my CCW pistol and the striker fired DAO like the Kahr is my preferred carry.

That's my opinion but I like to think my mind is always open to legitimate reasons why I could be wrong.

 

[SIGLBER]

I have both hammer and striker fired pistols. The thing I like the most about the striker fired guns is that when I wear IMB I don't have a hammer jamming in my side everytime I move. The striker fired pistols on the other hand can usually be had with several different trigger systems. As others have said the most important thing is they go bang everytime. The rest is just personal preference.

 

[christcorp]

koka; you are mixing apples with oranges, and somehow trying to come up with beef stew. The question originally was about hammer vs striker fire. I simply mentioned that I WON'T carry a striker fire single action. And that I don't mind carrying a Hammer single action because I can manually decock the hammer. You're moving off into talking about double action only pistols. Me personally, I prefer a SA/DA pistol WITH a hammer. Such as my Sig P220, CZ-82, AP-MBP, walther, etc... Best of both worlds in my opinion.

Now, a double action striker fire is good too because the firing pin isn't being held back under tension. I mentioned that about the single action striker fire. Of course, the hammer version single action "1911A1" had to be brought up as an example that single action hammer has the same problem of being under tension as the striker fire. NO, IT DOES NOT!!! The hammer "1911A1" can be decocked.

Anyway; if were going to mix 20 different types of posts, then we should start another thread. For this one, it's real simple. Opinions are being asked about what people prefer; striker or hammer. Hammer has the advantage of flexibility in decocking it. Striker has the advantage of carrying so nothing can snag the hammer. My only concern is that with a hammer gun, you can have a single action or double action and you have the option of working around deficiencies. With an internal striker fire, you have no option. If you chamber it, the firing pin is under constant tension, and it CAN NOT be released except for pulling the trigger. The double action doesn't have this problem; and the hybrid "Glock", only slightly has this problem.

 

[kingsnake696]

anything is better then a beretta i have a khar cw45 which is striker fired but i fix beretta's a lot due to my job but baretta's i fix arn't polymers.

 

[GoodKat]

The only striker gun I really care for is the kahr. To me, if it's going to be cocked, I want to see it. I know that glocks and xd's are perfectly safe, but subconsciously they distress me to an extent, and a big deciding factor when I purchase a gun is how much I will enjoy it.

On a side note, the hk usp may have the most pleasant slide racking action of any gun I have ever handled.

 

[gc70]

I have a DA/SA hammer-fired SIG with a polymer frame.

I have a SA striker-fired HK with a steel frame.

The differences in design characteristics between those guns are less important than the fact that both are accurate, reliable, safe, and fulfill their purpose.

 

[brockgl]

I own 1911's, Sigs, some beautiful revolvers, and only 1 Glock.

However, I believe that a striker fired pistol is less complicated. It has fewer moving firing components to have go wrong and cause a problem.

Having a hammer is nice for having DA/SA available when shooting at the range.

However, since that interchangeability rarely (if ever) is necessary during a defense scenario. I find the striker fired pistols slightly (not by much) more advantageous as a carry gun.

 

[chicharrones]

Striker. No moving parts to distract while trigger is being pulled, about an extra 1/2 inch of barrel, consistent shot-to-shot trigger pull.

Real question here. Does the hammer being cocked by the trigger on a DA/SA pistol really distract shooters? Visually, or other?

I do understand the consistent shot-to-shot trigger pull statement.