Best DAO hammer fired autoloaders

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DJW writes:

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.
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Yep. This is true with any true DAO pistol. The SCCY is essentially a more-refined Kel-Tec P11. Kel-Tec's other defensive handguns (P32, P3-AT, and PF9) use a hybrid-DA system, in which the hammer is partially cocked; pulling the trigger takes it the rest of the way to the rear, then releases it. If the gun does not fire, the hammer is left "stuck" at the full-rest position and must be re-positioned by at least a partial re-rack of the slide.

The Taurus TCP and the Ruger LCP (G1 and G2) also use this setup.

As an aside, a DA/SA pistol also has "re-strike" capability.
 
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1KPerDay said:
Look at the beretta px4 compact. They make a C model DAO in full size. Not sure if they offer a compact or not.
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Well, one can find a compact Px4 at Gunbrocker, even a subcompact. I have a question for you though: do you find dealing with its "ears" a problem? The first time I grabbed the slide of Px4 it was "owww owww owww". Apparently "ambidextrous" means "hurts both sides equally".
 
Thanks for the suggestions gents. I wish more of these were current production so I could test the triggers on them. I guess shooting DA is not very popular these days, as accuracy is more easily achieved with a striker or SA design.
 
zaitcev said:
Well, one can find a compact Px4 at Gunbrocker, even a subcompact. I have a question for you though: do you find dealing with its "ears" a problem? The first time I grabbed the slide of Px4 it was "owww owww owww". Apparently "ambidextrous" means "hurts both sides equally".
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I think his point is Beretta makes a "C" model (constant action) and a "D" model (double action only) that don't have the "ears" (safety/decocker). They have no controls on the slide, a slick slide, if you will, like a Glock. However, as he mentioned, the "Compact" model and "Sub-Compact" model don't appear to be available as "C" or "D" models, just the full size guns.

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-full/

Beretta also offers low profile "Stealth" levers for the PX4.

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/px4-safety-low-prof-type-g-mfg/c89169/
 
zaitcev said:
Well, one can find a compact Px4 at Gunbrocker, even a subcompact. I have a question for you though: do you find dealing with its "ears" a problem? The first time I grabbed the slide of Px4 it was "owww owww owww". Apparently "ambidextrous" means "hurts both sides equally".
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Yeah. They offer flat levers for the standard DA/SA model if they bother you. However as this is a DAO thread I was speaking about the C model, which is a true DAO variant without any levers on the slide.

CORRECTION: THE C Model is a "constant action" hammer fired pistol but with no second-strike capability, like the Kel-tecs and ruger LCP. You have to cycle the slide to reset the hammer. the beretta D variant is the true DAO
 
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JTQ said:
I think his point is Beretta makes a "C" model (constant action) and a "D" model (double action only) that don't have the "ears" (safety/decocker). They have no controls on the slide, a slick slide, if you will, like a Glock. However, as he mentioned, the "Compact" model and "Sub-Compact" model don't appear to be available as "C" or "D" models, just the full size guns.

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/px4-storm-full/

Beretta also offers low profile "Stealth" levers for the PX4.

http://www.berettausa.com/en-us/px4-safety-low-prof-type-g-mfg/c89169/
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Thanks for clarifying the difference between C and D variants
 
You think the Sig P250 is part of a building trend? I hate to inform you that last year Sig stopped making the P250 because of poor sales.
 
gc70 said:
What did you dislike about the P250?

Which LEM variant do you use?
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On the particular example I handled the action felt gritty when cycled. That might have been due to factory crud gumming it up, but something felt wrong. The texturing was nothing special in my eyes. The bore axis to frame weight ratio seemed off, which gave the gun an odd balance for me, but that's sort of true of all Sig polymer guns. They just feel like I'm holding a hammer with all the weight too high above my hand. I prefer their all metal, and especially their all steal guns. The trigger was just so so on the one I handled, feeling a bit heavy and gritty. Again, might be factory crud, or it may have needed smoothing out in a break in period. Maybe the trigger pull was part of the safety, but I don't believe a heavy trigger pull is the answer to a gun without an external safety. I believe a proper holster, a solid safety attitude, and proper gun handling is all that's needed. It just really didn't do it for me given what I perceived to be a lot better options on the market. That's just my opinion and may not represent the rest of the 250s out there.

My P30SK has the lite LEM trigger with no external safety. The take up is lite, the break is crisp, and it's an easy trigger to run to reset. But again, it requires a proper holster, good safety practices, and care while holstering just like a striker fired gun.
 
It is certainly understandable to not be enthusiastic about a gun when the example you tried was crummy.
460Shooter said:
My P30SK has the lite LEM trigger with no external safety. The take up is lite, the break is crisp, and it's an easy trigger to run to reset. But again, it requires a proper holster, good safety practices, and care while holstering just like a striker fired gun.
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Have you tried a V4 LEM in comparison to your V1 LEM? Here is an interesting discussion of the different LEM versions and running the trigger at speed.
 
Its not hammer fired, but IMHO the Kahr pistols have the most DA revolver-like trigger on any autoloader. Its also the only one available as a sub-compact in calibers stronger than .380ACP, but it has no second strike capability.

Sig P250 and HK LEM variant would be my second and third choices.

Haven't tried the Walther Creed.

The original Taurus PT-xxx Millennium (pre PRO models) were pretty good imitations of a DA revolver trigger and had second strike ability, but have been the subject of a class action lawsuit recall (fire when dropped, fire with safety engaged)
 
JO JO beat me to it, about the DAO Sig P229.. My Sigs are a pair of ('94) P228s and a ('01) P6. The DA triggers are decent, and my only possible wish would be to have slightly thinner grips on the 228s, but after all, they are double-stacks.

Months ago an LEO let me try out his DAO Sig P229 at our private club. Had he not described the action, I would not have known that it's a DAO.
Really liked that Sig's ultra smooth trigger, my first DAO handgun, contrary to expectation!
 
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I have carried double action only service guns for 20 years. First the BERETTA 96D Brigadier, then the H&K P2000. Both were in .40 S&W. Both are quite accurate, reliable and have good trigger pulls. I personally prefer the BERETTA, I have never warmed up to the H&K. I have also purchased BERETTA 92D and BERETTA 92D Compact pistols and use them as house guns. BERETTA really delivered a nice, usable double action only trigger.

If I decided to carry a full or medium size pistol when off duty, the BERETTA 92D models would be my choice based on my experience with them.

Recently, I shot the SIG 320 pistol and was quite impressed by the trigger, but it was a rental, so my experience was limited.

Jim
 
For a very small (though a bit heavier) true DAO 9mm, I’m a bit surprised no one has mentioned the, IMO, under-rated Sig P290rs. It’s a bit quirky to take down and is not modular like the P250 but it is much smaller, a true pocket-sized gun, though most consider it a bit too heavy. Also out of production but I rather like mine quite well.
 
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.455_Hunter said:
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.
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Actually three new ones passed through local Cabelas this year. Was told they were part of police contract over run. All SS tritium night sights DAO.
 
C0untZer0 said:
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.
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My R9 trigger is very smooth. Great gun.
 
HK P2000SK 9mm DAO. Great trigger. Reliable
Kahr P380 - smooth and accurate but picky w ammo. Go-to pocket carry w Desantis holster
 
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