Hammer-fired vs striker-fired
- Thread starter mrt949
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JTQ
Member
Though they are DA/SA.
Many variables, depends on the design. For example this one is hammer fired but SAO:
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I guess you aren't referring to SA hammer fired pistols like 1911s, Hi-Powers, certain CZs, etc.?
Then there are true Double Action Only hammer fired pistols, too.
My preference for a pocket autoloader is for true DAO, but the choices are somewhat limited.
.455_Hunter
Member
The P99AS is a DA/SA striker with decocker- very safe and very cool!
ApacheCoTodd
member
Preference?
Never been a striker-liker.
Hammers and manual safeties. Need not have SA capabilities for me.
No need for me to get into the whys and wherefores as that's the fodder of arguments.
But, I have and value the striker-weirdness from time to time.
All things being equal, if a manufacturer offered the same gun both ways - I'd likely never have a striker.
Todd.
Never been a striker-liker.
Hammers and manual safeties. Need not have SA capabilities for me.
No need for me to get into the whys and wherefores as that's the fodder of arguments.
But, I have and value the striker-weirdness from time to time.
All things being equal, if a manufacturer offered the same gun both ways - I'd likely never have a striker.
Todd.
JR24
Member
I like them both and they're both just fine.
And as noted, there are SAO or DAO hammer fired, even internal hammers, partial tensioned hammers that shoot like a striker (i.e. light LEM on HK or equivalent) and strikers that are DA/SA. SAO strikers too, like the XD, technically.
And as noted, there are SAO or DAO hammer fired, even internal hammers, partial tensioned hammers that shoot like a striker (i.e. light LEM on HK or equivalent) and strikers that are DA/SA. SAO strikers too, like the XD, technically.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I like both. My Canick's have excellent trigger pull for a striker fired gun.
I don't have all of them anymore but I have owned hammer fired DAO, DA/SA, SA. I have also owned strider fired SA//DA (seemed a bit weird to me), SA & partially tensioned DAO. In all honesty there are other features that I am probably more interested in than hammer or striker.
herrwalther
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I like any firearm that I can shoot well. I tend to avoid focusing on "classes" because just because something has a similar mechanism, doesn't mean they work the same for me. Example, Glocks are striker-fired. So are M&Ps. I don't shoot them well for several reasons that I have learned over the years. But my PPQ is also striker fired. And I can shoot it fine because it has a better trigger, better sear engagement etc.
jar
Contributing Member
Don't forget the "Hammerless" pistols that have a hammer.
bassjam
Member
I have a preference towards steel and aluminum framed handguns. There aren't a whole lot of options in that world with strikers.
Hangingrock
Member
With the 45ACP, I dwell in the house of the Hammer Fired. Started out in 1964 at MCRD Parris Island SC with the 1911A1.
WheelGunMan
Member
I have DA/SA's, SAO's and striker fired. I like 'em all. It's hard to pick a definitive winner.
Zerodefect
member
Striker, good. Hammer, good.
DA/SA, bad.
DA/SA, bad.
JR24
Member
Nah, all good.
.308 Norma
Member
Nope, we don't all "know" that.
I prefer my "hammer fired" single action ("SA") 1911 for my bedside gun. But I prefer my "striker" fired double action ("DA") Glock 19 for my CCW.
I also like my hammer fired, DA/SA, Sig M-11 A1 a lot, but I don't "prefer" it for carry or home defense.
If the gun is black, then the trigger and hammer type doesn’t matter. Here is a SAO with a hammer (1911), a DAO with a hammer (Bodyguard 380) and a Striker with a striker (XDs 45). This striker is half DAO because my finger always charges the second half. Or is that half SAO? I dunno.
Here is a SAO with a hammer (1911), a DAO with a hammer (Bodyguard 380) and a Striker with a striker (XDs 45). This striker is half DAO because my finger always charges the second half. Or is that half SAO? I dunno.
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JR24
Member
If the gun is black, then the trigger and hammer type doesn’t matter.
I had thought Springfield XDs were true SAO? Pretty sure that striker is fully cocked by working the slide.
But it's been a number of years (oh, geez over a decade!) since I owned an XD.
This is a XDs Mod 2 and it’s definitely not SAO, but something else. Maybe the Mod 1 was SAO? I dunno.
Heir Kommt Die Sonne
Member
I like Strikers when I really can't be having water, moisture, dirt enter the action, and for ease of concealment for preventing clothing from snagging my gun.
I like hammers for when I'm feeling more artistic and want to swap grips out, different hammers, etc.
For real, no preference here. I'd say hammer fired guns feel better in my hand on average than striker fired ones, which have low barrel axis points.
I like hammers for when I'm feeling more artistic and want to swap grips out, different hammers, etc.
For real, no preference here. I'd say hammer fired guns feel better in my hand on average than striker fired ones, which have low barrel axis points.
Most striker fired guns are technically classified as DAO. But most also have a trigger short and light enough that it feels more like SA. And there are some striker fired guns that are true SA. Unless they changed something recently XD's are SAO.
External hammers! Who need them? Shotguns and rifles moved away from exposed hammers over 100 years ago for a reason, yet they are still in use on many pistols. There are more advantages to not having an exposed hammer than disadvantages. And bolt guns with striker fired systems have proven to be the most reliable system. Even long guns with hammers have them enclosed inside the action to prevent issues.
What to I prefer? The best of everything are the new striker fired guns with plastic frames, very good triggers and the 1911 style safety. The new military M17 and M18 as well as the Smith M&P's equipped with that type of safety are examples. The new Rugers are another decent option at a budget price.
The DA/SA design is my least favorite. I can make a traditional DA/SA work, but don't want the backwards safety like on the classic Smith pistols or Beretta. If I'm going to use DA/SA make it a Sig with only a decocker. No reason for a safety with a 10-12 lb 1st shot trigger pull. I don't mind the traditional Glock style with no external safety, I just think the M17 style is better.
External hammers! Who need them? Shotguns and rifles moved away from exposed hammers over 100 years ago for a reason, yet they are still in use on many pistols. There are more advantages to not having an exposed hammer than disadvantages. And bolt guns with striker fired systems have proven to be the most reliable system. Even long guns with hammers have them enclosed inside the action to prevent issues.
What to I prefer? The best of everything are the new striker fired guns with plastic frames, very good triggers and the 1911 style safety. The new military M17 and M18 as well as the Smith M&P's equipped with that type of safety are examples. The new Rugers are another decent option at a budget price.
The DA/SA design is my least favorite. I can make a traditional DA/SA work, but don't want the backwards safety like on the classic Smith pistols or Beretta. If I'm going to use DA/SA make it a Sig with only a decocker. No reason for a safety with a 10-12 lb 1st shot trigger pull. I don't mind the traditional Glock style with no external safety, I just think the M17 style is better.
JTQ
Member
This is the equivalent of a guy saying he doesn't like strikers because he can't carry the gun with a round in the chamber.
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