Have striker fired autos taken over?

[Pistolay]

I don't collect guns, and I have no interest in guns that are just for the range. I only own guns that I'll carry. For me, that means a polymer frame, and nowadays, a striker or pre-cocked hammer. If I had my way, I'd have a hammer-fired true DAO polymer-frame pistol like the P290RS I used to own, but with 10+1 capacity. Unfortunately for me, nobody wants guns like that anymore. As far as not being a "gun enthusiast", maybe not, but I go to the range 2-3 times a month and shoot several thousand rounds a year, so I like to think that I'm a shooting enthusiast.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

Striker-fired plastic pistols are guns for people who don’t like guns; people who want a gun for HD or for carry, people who own only one gun, and people who rarely – if ever – go to a gun range, where the gun remains for years untouched on the top shelf of the hall closet.

I've got to disagree. I have NO dislike for guns. Shooting was fun when I was young. But life has priorities. For me it was music and electronics. I didn't have enough time or money for guns. I also wanted a pilot's license, but that was way more than I could afford. I got as far as taking ground school training in high school. If I have the choice of spending $5,000 on a guitar or a pistol, I'd rather buy the guitar, as long as I had something adequate for self defense.

Although I started shooting rifles at 12 years old, I had never felt the need for a pistol until the 2020 Minneapolis riots. I really had no predujices towards pistols or experience with them, so I was looking at them with a fresh eye. Having also spent 6 years troubleshooting new designs, performance testing, reliability testing, and performing UL safety testing, I had a viewpoint different than most. I wanted a pistol that was completely reliable under all adverse conditions. That of course required some compromises in performance.

Overall the Sig striker fired P365 series seemed to check more of the boxes than any other pistol. But it was not without some faults. But I corrected those perceived faults to the best of my ability. With a lot of research and testing, and a bit of elbow grease, I have a P365 and P365XL that I believe to be extremely reliable. I have two pistols only because you need a backup in case your primary pistol fails, and also if you are involved in a self defense shooting the police will likely take your pistol for evidence. If you just shot Tyrone, Ray Ray may be out to get you and you need a backup pistol for self defense IMMEDIATELY! FYI, I use the names Tyrone and Ray Ray because the black woman "Tree of Logic" on YouTube uses those names when she refers to ne'er do wells.

I am NOT a gun collector, or a gun enthusiast, and I do NOT consider myself a gun guy per se. But I do consider myself a Technogeek that wants to make every device that I use operate as well as humanly possible. I also consider myself to be a 2A absolutist. I only have 2 pistols to worry about so I can spend my time to make them as close to perfection as possible. Having more time than money I use a lot more elbow grease than money.

I just consider a striker fired pistol to be the most reliable and the most practical for self defense, hence my choice.

 

[hemiram]

I own a few striker guns, but I can't say I'm impressed with them, especially with the triggers. I'm not a "trigger snob", but the triggers on the 4 striker guns I have are all just, well, "odd", to me at least. I never understood the problems some people have with the first shot on a DA/SA gun. My first couple of semiautos were Beretta 84's and 92's, and their smooth DA trigger was simple to learn. I was NOT impressed with the triggers on the two 1911's I've owned. They were both plauged with problems and I soon sold them off, never to really be tempted to buy another 1911 again. Yeah, some are pretty, but that's not enough to tempt me. I like all steel CZ 75 type guns the best, heavy DA trigger on most of them doesn't bother me at all, even with my messed up hands. My latest purchase is a striker polymer gun, a Taurus TX22 Compact with a red dot on it from the factory. Just a play toy. If I want a little gun to carry, the two Taurus PT111 G2's work, as does my all steel Astra A75 (Now that gun has a fantastic trigger, especially in DA).

 

[sparkyv]

100% agree. If it weren't for better trigger pulls, faster reloads, and increased capacity, this would be my platform of choice for Noobies.

That's the same argument people have been making for medium frame revolvers for many years. Simple Manuel of arms, fits most hands well, and mild recoil in 38 special.

 

[FL-NC]

I'm happy with my Glocks and S&W shield. Both designs are proven to be extremely reliable in any conditions. I also like the idea that there is 1 trigger and not a transitional trigger like on a DA pistol, no decocking to re-holster, etc.

 

[Mosin77]

I prefer hammer fired… because Glock leg is a real thing and I appreciate how a hammer gives me absolute assurance that an errant flap of leather, jeans, whatever won’t result in an AD. I also like the heavier first shot of a DA/SA because I don’t trust myself with a light range-friendly trigger if I’m in a stressful “fight or flight” situation. If I draw my gun I’m prepared to use it but I don’t want to, and I don’t want my adrenaline-influenced finger muscles to make that decision before my brain does. Bonus that manually cocking or subsequent shots give me a great trigger pull if pinpoint accuracy is needed.

But I know I’m in the minority. Most police use strikers because the manual of arms is revolver-simple. Pull trigger to make gun go bang. (Doesn’t hurt that the price is good too.) And so most civilians follow suit because if it’s good enough for the FBI/LAPD/etc it’s good enough for them. And the striker fired guns ARE very good. They’re just not my cup of tea.

 

[JR24]

Better? Nah. More popular? Absolutely.

Strikers offer consistent triggers in lightweight and often higher capacity. Can be good surely, I know I shoot some of my Glocks every bit as well as even some of my 1911s.

No long DA pull or DA/SA switch, short resets and often no safeties mean they can be very easy and simple to shoot (which can also be a bad thing).

That said it’s a “what works best for you” kinda thing, which can only be figured out by trying (and giving them an honest try).

 

[JR24]

I see those Stickers on Subaru’s and Prius all the Time in Seattle. Never knew it ment CZ & Glock Coexist together!

View attachment 1169562

Lol, I think I’ve actually seen that car

 

[LaneP]

All anyone has to do is walk into any gun store and look at the displays to see what ignition design now predominates the auto pistol market. I do enjoy hammer designs such as my P220 and 1911's, but striker's completely own the compact and subcompact CCW realm.

However, "second strike" capability has never been a valid reason for me to choose a DA/SA hammer design over a good striker design. If a primer fails, I instinctively clear the cartridge. In fact outside of a new reloader (years ago) that showed up to the range one day with a bunch of high primers that constantly failed to ignite on the first trigger pull, I can't remember the last time I had an incident in which quality factory ammo or my own handloads have ever failed to go bang, unless it was an issue with the handgun itself.

 

[Spats McGee]

I'm a semiauto guy, more than a revolver guy. And I've got both hammer and striker-fired pistols. And based on my (limited) experience, I consider a nice 1911 trigger second to none. With that said, I carry a striker fired pistol. Taken as a whole, I just could not beat the combination of cost, caliber, capacity, ergonomics, reliability, ease of maintenance, etc., in a hammer-fired pistol. I don't think striker fired autos have "taken over," as there are still plenty of perfectly suitable hammer-fired pistols out there. I do think they've carved out a well-earned share of the market.

 

[Overkill870]

I prefer hammer fired… because Glock leg is a real thing and I appreciate how a hammer gives me absolute assurance that an errant flap of leather, jeans, whatever won’t result in an AD. I also like the heavier first shot of a DA/SA because I don’t trust myself with a light range-friendly trigger if I’m in a stressful “fight or flight” situation. If I draw my gun I’m prepared to use it but I don’t want to, and I don’t want my adrenaline-influenced finger muscles to make that decision before my brain does. Bonus that manually cocking or subsequent shots give me a great trigger pull if pinpoint accuracy is needed.

But I know I’m in the minority. Most police use strikers because the manual of arms is revolver-simple. Pull trigger to make gun go bang. (Doesn’t hurt that the price is good too.) And so most civilians follow suit because if it’s good enough for the FBI/LAPD/etc it’s good enough for them. And the striker fired guns ARE very good. They’re just not my cup of tea.

I agree with DA/SA. I prefer it for carry for the additional safety factor.

I do carry Glocks and I trust them. A Glock cannot release the striker unless the trigger is pulled. Which is better than some of the newer designs. Still when adrenaline is high I prefer a DA trigger and I definitely wouldn't want anything lighter than a standard Glock trigger.

I really like the Walther P99. DA/SA striker fired. It's a shame they are discontinuing it. So I'm in the minority as well since the market seems to want striker fired with the lightest trigger possible.

 

[JR24]

I agree with DA/SA. I prefer it for carry for the additional safety factor.

I do carry Glocks and I trust them. A Glock cannot release the striker unless the trigger is pulled. Which is better than some of the newer designs. Still when adrenaline is high I prefer a DA trigger and I definitely wouldn't want anything lighter than a standard Glock trigger.

I really like the Walther P99. DA/SA striker fired. It's a shame they are discontinuing it. So I'm in the minority as well since the market seems to want striker fired with the lightest trigger possible.

The P99 is a wonderful gun

 

[CCSIG]

To answer the OP's question- not around my house.

 

[Mosin77]

I agree with DA/SA. I prefer it for carry for the additional safety factor.

I do carry Glocks and I trust them. A Glock cannot release the striker unless the trigger is pulled. Which is better than some of the newer designs. Still when adrenaline is high I prefer a DA trigger and I definitely wouldn't want anything lighter than a standard Glock trigger.

I really like the Walther P99. DA/SA striker fired. It's a shame they are discontinuing it. So I'm in the minority as well since the market seems to want striker fired with the lightest trigger possible.

I agree, the P99 is a nice gun.

What would be sweet is a striker fired gun with a striker control device (I know the aftermarket makes these for Glocks but don’t have any personal experience with them… I’m assuming it’s a button that keeps the striker from releasing, achieving the same thing as a thumb on the hammer. Anyway… a striker control device and a trigger with two “modes.” A heavier “DAO” style mode for carry/service, and a light and crisp “target mode” for range fun. Of course people would rightfully complain that it’s extra things to go wrong on a duty gun…. But it would at least give the strikers the advantages enjoyed by the hammer guns. Solution in search of a problem though? Perhaps.

 

[Pistolay]

the market seems to want striker fired with the lightest trigger possible.

A lot of people want a 3lb trigger because it's easier to shoot accurately without having to put in the practice. That's their business, but I won't consider any pistol that doesn't have at least a 5-6lb trigger. I'm willing to do the work to become proficient with it.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

From an institutional perspective, Glocks and the like really are perfection.

-Dirt cheap
-Dead nuts reliable
-Minimal maintenance
-Only 2 controls to even use
-Wonder Nine capacity.

Those first four bullet points sold a zillion 4" 38s to cops, even after there were already better mousetraps around. Glock just took that same pitch and made it even better.

As a shooter, striker pistols leave me a little cold. I'm not a fan. But I'm also not the target customer... government agencies are. I care about things like spongy triggers, and they don't. Different priorities.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

A lot of people want a 3lb trigger because it's easier to shoot accurately without having to put in the practice. That's their business, but I won't consider any pistol that doesn't have at least a 5-6lb trigger. I'm willing to do the work to become proficient with it.

With the weakest combination of sear and trigger return springs, my P365 has a required trigger pull force of 3.5 at the tip of the trigger. With the strongest combination of springs it required 4.0 lbs to pull at the tip of the trigger. This translates to between 7 to 8 lbs where my finger pulls in the middle of the trigger. I don't have any issue with the trigger.

I noticed that ISMI was selling trigger return/reset springs with 10% more spring force. I ordered some to try out and they are supposed to arrive tomorrow. I will soon see if they make any noticeable difference for better or worse.

 

[MikeInOr]

I don't collect guns, and I have no interest in guns that are just for the range. I only own guns that I'll carry. For me, that means a polymer frame, and nowadays, a striker or pre-cocked hammer. If I had my way, I'd have a hammer-fired true DAO polymer-frame pistol like the P290RS I used to own, but with 10+1 capacity. Unfortunately for me, nobody wants guns like that anymore. As far as not being a "gun enthusiast", maybe not, but I go to the range 2-3 times a month and shoot several thousand rounds a year, so I like to think that I'm a shooting enthusiast.

There is nothing wrong with that! I frequently use a car but I am not a car enthusiast. I frequently use tools but I am... oh wait, I am a tool nut!

 

[tarosean]

Are strikers that much better

Striker fired has existed for well over 100 years. I wouldn't say its a better way to ignite a primer vs. other methods. Its just one of many.

 

[jar]

After looking at what I've purchased in new pistols over the last decade or so related to magazine capacity (see my post in the Why a Revolver thread) I decided to look at whether I've purchased more striker fired pistols than hammer fired and the answer turns out to be kinda sorta "Maybe". Of the thirteen new pistols purchased over the last decade or so nine have been hammer fired but five of those were 1911s. Four pistols were striker fired. So if I exclude the 1911s I end up with half of my new pistol purchases being striker fired.

Looking over all that's just a little more than the overall ratio of my accumulation over the last half century or so. It doesn't seem my tastes have chenged to the point where I might think striker fired pistols have taken over but they are cheaper and easier to make and sell.

 

[I6turbo]

I'm also not going to let a bunch of ne'er do wells drive me from my home. Someone needs to stand up to them.

Unfortunately, the voters and the politicians they’ve put in office over the past few decades are what has made your home unlivable for normal people. Scum, in the form of those who burn, loot, and murder, will take over and destroy decent society everywhere they are allowed. There is nothing I can think of that would compel me to willfully live amongst them, or their political enablers.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Back on topic, fellers. Striker vs Hammer...