Why do people not like striker fired pistols?

[wyosasquatch]

I don't understand why people talk about how they don't like striker fired pistols. I have read guys saying that they will only shoot guns with a hammer and others swear they will never like a striker fired gun.

I have shot rifles for years and (unless I am mistaken) most bolt rifles would technically be striker fired. I have had no problems with rifles and so I don't see the drawback of a striker fired handgun.

Could some of you please enlighten me?

 

[GRIZ22]

The safety on a lot of striker fired pistols just locks the trigger and a hard blow can knock the striker off the sear.

Bolt action rifles usually lock the firing pin (striker) and disconnect or lock the trigger.

 

[mljdeckard]

Old habits die hard. I think it's a combination of things that don't agree with the sensibilities of traditionalists, like plastic frames, designs that are more functional than aesthetic, stuff like that.

It's ok with me. I would think that the odds of a striker accidentally firing WITHOUT the trigger are at least as remote as any other mechanical failure. But I tell everyone, carry what you shoot best and feel comfortable with. If you don't like it, it gives you the willies, reminds you of a bad childhood experience, whatever. Doesn't matter whether you dislike a Glock or a condition 1 1911.

 

[TAB]

For me... for the most part its either bad ergos, bad trigger or both...

 

[GRIZ22]

I was referring to striker pistols like a baby Browning in my first response. If you're talking Glocks, S&W M&P, or autos of that nature I have no problem with them. Those pistols have the striker in a half cock position and internal safeties to take care of drops.

 

[chris in va]

I'm not a big fan of the mushy trigger pulls on most striker guns I've fired.

And I really don't think you can equate a bolt action with a SF pistol. The rifle just trips a sear, a pistol actually pulls the striker back with the trigger pull.

 

[makarovnik]

1. I like to see mechanically from the outside exactly what condition my pistol is in.

2. It's easier to see that it's cocked and easier to remember to uncock it.

3. I trust hammer block safeties.

 

[LUPUS]

Striker fired pistols have a definite compromise in igniting the hard primed ammo.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have been a little nervous about old style striker fired guns ever since I saw the dealer with a crate of Ortgies to sell, silver soldering a sear lug back on a broken striker.

Then there was gunsmith John Lawson who said he was in the habit of leaving a striker fired pistol in his jacket pocket until one night he was awakened by a Bang! The lug had broken off just from being carried cocked and locked and the gun had gone off in the closet. He said that he bought a new jacket and a Walther the next day.

The cheap Raven .25 had the sturdiest striker I ever saw. It seared up against a flange all the way around the striker body instead of a protruding square lug. No sharp corners and a buttress shape on the back side. THAT striker was not going to break. I cannot speak as to the quality of the sear and the safety engagement, though.

 

[Deanimator]

I like the looks of a semi-auto where you can't SEE the hammer, like a Browning M1903 or a Walther Armee Pistol (HP/P-38 type without external hammer).

Recently, one of the gun magazines had pictures of a project gun that turned an M1911 into a concealed hammer gun. They compared it to a Colt .32/.380, but it looked more like a Browning M1903 9mm Browning Long. It looked good. I wouldn't mind having something like that in 9x19mm or .38 Super.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Another reason might be that striker fired pistols tend to have problems firing the harder cup primers. Hand loading solves that problem as you can use primers that are a little softer cup and therefore easier to set off. The rest is ergonomics and personal preference...

 

[Hawk]

I've heard very few state that they didn't like striker-fired semis and, of that number, most would make an exception for something like a P7M8.

That would lead me to surmise that they didn't like a specific pistol that just happened to be striker-fired.

Instances of light strikes and sear lug failure certainly sound plausible but I can't offhand recall having heard of such cases before. Then again, the only striker-fired examples I own are P7s and a Baby Browning. If something happened outside that limited scope it probably wouldn't have registered on my radar - doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

 

[Prepster]

I think that modern striker fired pistols are perfectly safe. However, as others have said, the trigger pull tends to be terrible, at least on all the ones I've tried.

 

[foghornl]

Not anything againmst the 'striker-fired' design, but the few I have tried, the guns did not "fit' me well..

Glock& Springfield XD are ones I don't like because of the 'don't-fit-me' issue. Havent tried the Ruger SR-9 yet.

 

[sheephearder]

The biggest reason that some people do not like striker fired handguns is a personal preference (IMHO). If properly designed and constructed they are as safe, accurate and reliable as a hammer fired, in fact some think that a concealed hammer (such as a woodsman) are striker fired. I like to shoot hammer fired guns but usually will carry a Glock (it is lighter and I trust it). hell I just like them both. ---Bill

 

[Deanimator]

Glock& Springfield XD are ones I don't like because of the 'don't-fit-me' issue.

You might want to consider the S&W M&P. I don't own one and have never fired one, so I don't have a dog in that fight. The grip however is entirely different from the Glock and the XD, so it's at least something different for you to try. The first one I picked up, I hated. I recently picked up another one and it felt very different. It probably had a different backstrap installed.

 

[BlindJustice]

Simple with my CZ 75B a DA/SA platform, if I get a dud primer I can pull the trigger for another try at igniting the probable dud primer, as my
left hand is going into position to rack the slide, with a striker fired action
it's no use pulling the trigger you HAVE to rack the slide...

As well as the fact that most striker fired pistols since they are pre-cocked
to a degree it means the trigger pull is lighter and it may lead to
premature discharge of the pistol with the adrenaline pump kicking in

ANother factor is some people just don't care for polymer framed platforms.

R-

 

[rdrancher]

Quote:
Glock& Springfield XD are ones I don't like because of the 'don't-fit-me' issue.
You might want to consider the S&W M&P. I don't own one and have never fired one, so I don't have a dog in that fight. The grip however is entirely different from the Glock and the XD, so it's at least something different for you to try. The first one I picked up, I hated. I recently picked up another one and it felt very different. It probably had a different backstrap installed.

+1 to that. I picked up an M&P compact for the first time yesterday, and was similarly impressed.

rd

 

[rcmodel]

in fact some think that a concealed hammer (such as a colt 1910 or woodsman) are striker fired.

Nope.
Internal hammers on both of them, with very positive safeties to lock things down.

 

[kle]

it's not so much the "striker fired" part, for me, as it is the plastic frame--I just don't like plastic-framed pistols. I've got a H&K P7M10--striker-fired, steel-frame--and I just love it.

 

[oneounceload]

Simple with my CZ 75B a DA/SA platform, if I get a dud primer I can pull the trigger for another try at igniting the probable dud primer, as my
left hand is going into position to rack the slide, with a striker fired action
it's no use pulling the trigger you HAVE to rack the slide..

As you would also have to do with any basic SA 1911 - if that is a major concern, get a revolver

 

[possum]

Why do people not like striker fired pistols?

i don't know, but i love em.

 

[hemiram]

I don't like them much, every striker fired gun I ever owned was a dog. I haven't owned one of the plastic guns yet, and have no plans to.

 

[Eyesac]

In my opinion, safety wise there's nothing good or bad about striker fired pistols. I'll admit that there isn't a striker fired pistol that has a nice single action trigger...

 

[wyosasquatch]

I was just curious about this.

I would agree that the triggers tend to be mushy on these. I can live with the mush to some extent. I would say that some are better than others. I like the trigger on the XD better than the Glock (I have shot both before anyone questions this). It is simply my preference.

I would also agree that if I were shooting bullseye, I would want an exposed hammer as it seems to give a crisper setup (as others have pointed out).