Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Prodigy vs. Echelon: Hammer vs. Striker?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/striker-fired-vs-hammer-fired-pistols/.
Do hammers really beat strikers?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Onewolf426
Hellcat
I agree with most of what he said. To me, it depends on what you are comfortable with and can shoot better and more reliably under stress. Also, as we get older, our hand/grip strength starts to deteriorate, so that is another consideration. And, depending on where you reside, are you okay with losing your expensive firearm to a self-defense investigation? I have a couple of DA/SA firearms that I do carry from time to time, usually if attending family functions where young children are involved. My EDC for the most part, especially when traveling, I will take one of my less expensive striker fired firearms due to cost, carry comfort and simplicity. This is my own personal preference, especially since I have not been carrying for as long as most of you have and I don't have the firearm experience under my belt as many of you do. I pray that I don't have to, but if I do, I want to make sure I give my loved ones and myself the best possible chance.
Strikers (like 1911’s) are great for fighting. A DA/SA is better for those (really most personal protection scenarios) for that deliberate trigger pull where you don’t outrun your brain and for LEOs that take criminals into custody.
But somewhere the go fast fairy has people believing cyclic split times and sub second draws are a necessary thing!
But somewhere the go fast fairy has people believing cyclic split times and sub second draws are a necessary thing!
SimonRL
Ronin
The only thing I agree on is the cost factor. No one is tucking a temperamental, high-end competition 2011 like an Atlas and using it for their EDC. But a Staccato C, 2K11 Pro, Sig P211 GT4, or an Sig P226 XCarry (hammer gun, but not a 2011) you can do that all day long because they are great duty guns. And as mentioned in the article, accurate to a fault. I run striker fired and a myriad number of hammer-fired guns and I’ve never limp wristed a 2011, or got caught out by the safety. Why? Because I train with them all the time. I’m just as likely to carry my Staccato C2 as I am my Shield Plus. There are quite a few well built 2011s that are cheaper than the Prodigy and I expect that trend to continue. Girsan has just brought out a 2011 that is effectively a clone of the Staccato CS for $500. Bottom line, shoot what you can afford.
HayesGreener
SAINT
I trust the physics
Jsimon78
Professional
powerboatr
Hellcat
i am on the fence
my s/A xds are all striker
my 1911s are hammer
my bersa thunder is hammer( little)
they work perfect for me.
truthfully i never thought about it striker, vs hammer . i guess it matters somewhere, i can see striker for a pocket carry so the hammer is not caught on a pocket, but all mine go in a holster.
my s/A xds are all striker
my 1911s are hammer
my bersa thunder is hammer( little)
they work perfect for me.
truthfully i never thought about it striker, vs hammer . i guess it matters somewhere, i can see striker for a pocket carry so the hammer is not caught on a pocket, but all mine go in a holster.
ddeuce22
Professional
I don't think there is a right and wrong, but when I look at my safe, There is (1) striker fired pistol in it and that was the first firearm I ever purchased (P365 XL). Everything else is hammer fired. Mostly DA/SA but I do have two that are SAO.
It's just preference. I like the controls, and I feel that I shoot them better.
It's just preference. I like the controls, and I feel that I shoot them better.
RedGoat
Custom
1911s are ALL hammer fired, not striker fired, and is SA only. Others, such as the metal framed SIGs and the now-discontinued Smith&Wessons, were generally DA/SA, hammer fired and utilized a firing pin very similar to that of the 1911s. The SIGs were also available with either DA only and (I think, I've never actually handled one) SA only.
DA/SA pistols (or revolvers) are hammer fired. With current technology, striker fired pistols (not revolvers) can be classified as either DA or SA. For example, Glocks are classified as DA. Other striker fired pistols are classified as SA. The distinction hinges upon whether there is additional rearward compression of the striker spring actuated by the trigger pull. Additional striker spring compression = DA classification, minimal additional striker spring compression = SA classification. From a pure technical viewpoint, all SAFE and MECHANICALLY SOUND fire control mechanisms will involve a minuscule compression of a spring due to the requisite slight rearward camming action of a properly set up sear engagement needed to disengage the sear and allow the hammer or striker to release.
Somewhere in there some solid hits have to be made. One cannot miss fast enough to win an armed confrontation.
My own opinion: I'm not certain that combo DA/SA is superior over either a DA only or a SA only. That was the dogma put forth back when DA/SA pistols were entering the marketplace. Firearm safety rules apply even when defending one's own person or home, OR when taking people into custody as a LEO. One should NEVER allow yourself to "outrun your brain" when handling a firearm. To do so is a recipe for tragedy.
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Respectfully, Reread my post. I never said 1911’s were strikers I put them (1911’s) in the same category as strikers as they are great for fighting, not so much for deliberate trigger pulls. Aka when you know you are shootings vs when you don’t know know 100% that you ARE shooting.
That whole Cognitive decision making.
My point on DA/SA (I omitted DAO but they are there too as well as my Beloved HK LEM trigger) are in fact superior for LR use. I say this for a few reasons. 1 experience, I cut my teeth in and started LE in the revolver days then DA/SA the poor shokters had to get with the program and become better or they actually failed oyt of the police academy and if they failed wual they rode a fest and passed or found another job before this no cop left behind BS took over.
And while you mentioned the safety rules and cops yes true however refer to above. Cops are yhe worst for pointing guns at things they are not legally justified because of “Officer safety I am scared or I am a cop and every safety rule applies EXCEPT FOR IS” is why cops shoot people by accident more than private citizens do .
2 as Ernst Langdon said and I witnessed the longer travel not the weight is what saved fokks from getting into trouble, The easy to shoot strikers are great for a course but when you add crisis management and the fact coppers are not trained when you have shootings (several BWC shootings show this) if the shooting goes more than 6-7 rounds it’s a mag dump and the perp isn’t hit. If it goes less then it’s deliberate trigger pulls with 1/2 second splits and the perp is put down
In the DA revolvwr, DA/SA (or DAO days) OIS didn’t involve 12-15 rounds dumped with the perp of hit at all was hit in the elbow.
So while strikers are good if you want to run fast whem you have to worry about rule 4 issues and making deliberate hits (the sooner the better) and make decisions of what does this person need shot for (remember you don’t go off a buzzer in real life and fire a prescribed number of rounds you know beforehand)
And is that first, second or whatever shot justified OA it effective whem so I need to stop shooting (and mag dumping the threat into the ground isn’t a great optic) apparently for Ernst Langdon, Darryl Bolke and myself hammer fired with a little longer overall travel is better.
Whem you have been Mirandized for use of force and cross examined you learn it’s not about split times!
Hertervillian
Elite
I prefer the DA/SA , I especially like riding the hammer when reholstering. The striker gives me pause at that time.
RedGoat
Custom
I apologize if my post came across to you as "you're wrong... " I attempted to elaborate and clarify for the benefit of anyone not familiar with the various handgun platforms and how they actually function. I believe that I'm on the same page as you regarding what you've posted.