Id advise to be very careful about CZ pistols outside the USA. They're so focused on the US market that even here, in the Czech Republic, we get second-rate crap. I own a 25yrs old Norinco NC226 and my friend's brand new CZ Shadow has worse finish...If you liked the Beretta why not just get a full-size? Especially if you have a sales rep in your country. That said, Id stay away from aluminium-framed pistols and get either a steel or polymer one. Strikers arent as bad as they sound, but if you say they're so expensive where you are, get a normal pistol.
New to guns and I don’t like striker fired handguns...should I?
- Thread starter Bachá
- Start date
FrankenMauser
New member
Strikers are fine ... I guess.
The only one that I've owned, that I actually shot quite a bit (a Taurus), suffered light strikes due to a low mass striker and weak spring. It was just a bad design.
Others are better.
...But I still don't trust them like I do a hammer.
Right now, I count ... I think ... almost ten semi-auto handguns in the safes.
Only one is striker-fired. (And I haven't even fired it yet!
)
All of the others, dating from the 1940s to 2016, have hammers. They range from SA-only to DA-only, to SA/DA. Some have safeties. Some have decockers. Some have nothing. But they all have hammers.
(I omitted a Ruger LCP from either category, as its 'pre-stressed' / 'semi-cocked', minuscule hammer doesn't really fit either category; and it functions almost like a single-action DAO pistol. [Must rack the slide to be able to pull the trigger, like cocking a SA-only hammer; but the trigger pull still cocks the hammer like a DA ... even after the first shot.] It's a strange hybrid in no-man's-land.)
The only one that I've owned, that I actually shot quite a bit (a Taurus), suffered light strikes due to a low mass striker and weak spring. It was just a bad design.
Others are better.
...But I still don't trust them like I do a hammer.
Right now, I count ... I think ... almost ten semi-auto handguns in the safes.
Only one is striker-fired. (And I haven't even fired it yet!
)All of the others, dating from the 1940s to 2016, have hammers. They range from SA-only to DA-only, to SA/DA. Some have safeties. Some have decockers. Some have nothing. But they all have hammers.
(I omitted a Ruger LCP from either category, as its 'pre-stressed' / 'semi-cocked', minuscule hammer doesn't really fit either category; and it functions almost like a single-action DAO pistol. [Must rack the slide to be able to pull the trigger, like cocking a SA-only hammer; but the trigger pull still cocks the hammer like a DA ... even after the first shot.] It's a strange hybrid in no-man's-land.)
stephen426
New member
If striker fired guns are so expensive in your country, I'd stay with hammer fired guns. I have been carrying striker fired guns since I switched from my Sig P228. While the P228 was a great gun, I don't like DA/SA for carry. The long and heavy DA pull makes it difficult to make a fast accurate shot. The single action trigger was great, but sometimes cocking back the hammer is not an option. I went to a Glock 26, then to the Kahr PM9, and now the Glock 43. If I were to a go with a hammer fired gun, it would have to be a single action trigger or a DA/SA that could be carried cocked and locked.
Bacha, I do not understand your compulsion to obtain a striker fired polymer pistol unless of course you have looked at several, fired several and overwhelmingly determined that action was so much better than anything else you could own. Otherwise I would obtain the best handgun available to you at a price you can afford, purchase a bunch of ammo and shoot it until you are quite proficient.
I carried a Glock for years in LE but today I am just as comfortable dropping a .38 Chief’s Special revolver in my pocket as a Glock 42, i am quite proficient with both.
I carried a Glock for years in LE but today I am just as comfortable dropping a .38 Chief’s Special revolver in my pocket as a Glock 42, i am quite proficient with both.
redlightrich
New member
Hi Bacha. Having read some of your previous threads, I understand your issues. I too was in your place, which being guns are easier to obtain here ( Yes, even New Jersey is easy compared to your plight) I purchased a HK VP9. I almost felt "obligated" to add a polymer striker to the collection.
As a result, it lives in the safe. I may shoot it once every 6 months out of feeling obligated to get use from it. It works fine. I just don't like it.
Due to Cheapshooters rule, I still have it.
That being said, when I buy a pistol these days, I actually make a list of the guns I am considering, along with what I expect to use it for, then I write down the pro's and cons of each. I usually wind up with a clear winner, and make a better purchase.
BTW when you say minimum wage is 300 dollars, is that USD? What period of time is that for?
Good luck, and don't feel that you need a striker!! If you really want a striker, buy a Luger!!! :-0)
Rich
As a result, it lives in the safe. I may shoot it once every 6 months out of feeling obligated to get use from it. It works fine. I just don't like it.
Due to Cheapshooters rule, I still have it.
That being said, when I buy a pistol these days, I actually make a list of the guns I am considering, along with what I expect to use it for, then I write down the pro's and cons of each. I usually wind up with a clear winner, and make a better purchase.
BTW when you say minimum wage is 300 dollars, is that USD? What period of time is that for?
Good luck, and don't feel that you need a striker!! If you really want a striker, buy a Luger!!! :-0)
Rich
(from your other thread....
Imagine it's late at night on one of those lonesome roads you spoke of.
Out of nowhere comes another car and runs you off the road.
Thinking he has "easy pickings", a great big giant of a guy, carrying an axe starts chopping his way into your car.
He tears a big hole in the roof with his axe, looks down and swings the axe high up over his head to split your skull in two - -when - - the last thing on Earth he sees is the fireball come out of that big N frame Smith.
Local law enforcement shows up....they take your beautiful 627,,,to hold as evidence......and judging by the way they toss it around, if/when it comes back to you,,,,,it might not be so pretty anymore.....
THAT's why you get a Glock - or any other poly-wonder-uglyier-than-a-liberal gun. One that's just so ugly and so---souless...you don't really care about what happens to it.
My big bore pus ugly poly-wonder is a .45acp S&W Shield.
I just love that gun to pieces - - even though I don't really like it....
.(I just couldn't see myself going all poly-striker-perfection-crazy and getting a Glock ...
There is certainly nothing wrong with the hammer fired metal frame guns. And it's OK not to like the poly ones just because. I don't care for the poly striker fired ones myself. I have a couple of striker fired .22's and they perform fine as a target pistol. I have one poly gun (stll hammer fited) and I'm not fond of it I just don't like the feel. It's not as accurate either, probably because it doesn't feel great. Too light in the grip IMO. The metal guns just feel better and seem to have better balance. To the good compromise is the alloy framed guns ... Lighter than steel, but not too light. My favorites are the Beretta 92, the CZ75 compact, and the Beretta/Stoger Cougar.
As with all things in life, what you like and dislike is what YOU like and dislike.
No one can tell you to like and dislike something and have it make sense from an emotional foundation. Facts matter, but there are 1000 opinions out there for every fact. What we can tell you is the facts. Be careful that statements said to be "facts" may be nothing more then opinions.
Example:
It's a FACT that a 44 magnum is a more powerful round than a 38 special.
It's a FACT that a 44 magnum handgun is going to be larger than a small frame 38 special.
Is it a FACT that the 44 is a better choice for concealed carry to defend yourself with?
See---that can be an opinion held in opposition, one gun compared to another.
If you can carry and hide the 38 without discomfort and if you cannot hide the 44, you will probably not have the 44 when you need it, and therefore your "better gun" is not better for a fight, because you don't have it with you. If it's "close by" and you think you can go get it, why would you not go get a shotgun or rifle?
The FACT that the 44 will make a bigger deeper hole is not a good argument that it's "better" for day to day carry. Deadlier may not be better! It may be better for a large man, but no where near as good a choice for a small man.
Striker fire as compared to hammer fire.......... ??????????
The only FACT I can tell you is that you need a gun that is RELIABLE and has good accuracy.
After those 2 goals are achieved, the next thing you can know if that you'll probably be better armed with a gun you shoot a lot, and you'll shoot the gun you like a lot more then the one you don't like. Shooting a lot will make you a better marksman and marksmanship under pressure is what wins the day, in hunting, defensive shooting and target shooting.
It's about YOU, more than the gun. Get the one you LIKE. But if it's not reliable or accurate, you will not like it long.
No one can tell you to like and dislike something and have it make sense from an emotional foundation. Facts matter, but there are 1000 opinions out there for every fact. What we can tell you is the facts. Be careful that statements said to be "facts" may be nothing more then opinions.
Example:
It's a FACT that a 44 magnum is a more powerful round than a 38 special.
It's a FACT that a 44 magnum handgun is going to be larger than a small frame 38 special.
Is it a FACT that the 44 is a better choice for concealed carry to defend yourself with?
See---that can be an opinion held in opposition, one gun compared to another.
If you can carry and hide the 38 without discomfort and if you cannot hide the 44, you will probably not have the 44 when you need it, and therefore your "better gun" is not better for a fight, because you don't have it with you. If it's "close by" and you think you can go get it, why would you not go get a shotgun or rifle?
The FACT that the 44 will make a bigger deeper hole is not a good argument that it's "better" for day to day carry. Deadlier may not be better! It may be better for a large man, but no where near as good a choice for a small man.
Striker fire as compared to hammer fire.......... ??????????
The only FACT I can tell you is that you need a gun that is RELIABLE and has good accuracy.
After those 2 goals are achieved, the next thing you can know if that you'll probably be better armed with a gun you shoot a lot, and you'll shoot the gun you like a lot more then the one you don't like. Shooting a lot will make you a better marksman and marksmanship under pressure is what wins the day, in hunting, defensive shooting and target shooting.
It's about YOU, more than the gun. Get the one you LIKE. But if it's not reliable or accurate, you will not like it long.
Spats McGee
Administrator
We can't really tell you what you "should" like. The hammer vs. striker debate has good points on both sides. I carry striker fired, but I realize that doing so costs me the ability to manually cock the hammer, should I need to do so.Bachá said:
When it comes to EDC, I'm immensely practical (in my own opinion of myself . . . . ) However, I recognize that the gun market in the US offers an almost ridiculous number of choices to the average buyer, and that your market is significantly different*. If I had to pay $2K for a Glock, my idea of "practical" could shift pretty significantly.Bachá said:
I seem to recall that Beretta is local to you. Have you considered the PX4? I know you said you don't like paying more for plastic, but it's still hammer fired with a thumb safety, and might find more support in your country. I've never shot one, but every time I pick one up at a gun show, I like how it feels.
(*=While I'm thinking about it, let me just say: Good Lord! Those are absurdly high prices!)
Mike Irwin
Staff
You should like what you like and make no apologies for it.
While I have, and like, semi-autos, I generally prefer the company of revolvers.
My primary choice carry gun is a revolver. .
My secondary choice carry gun is a revolver.
My primary home defense handgun is a revolver.
When I go to the range I normally take more revolvers than I do semi-autos. In fact, it's not uncommon for me to go to the range with no semi-autos at all, just revolvers.
To many, that makes me a dinosaur, and has at various times made me the target of jibes and even ridicule.
I simply smile and, when it happens at the range, generally shoot rings around those people.
Use what you like, and never make apologies for it.
While I have, and like, semi-autos, I generally prefer the company of revolvers.
My primary choice carry gun is a revolver. .
My secondary choice carry gun is a revolver.
My primary home defense handgun is a revolver.
When I go to the range I normally take more revolvers than I do semi-autos. In fact, it's not uncommon for me to go to the range with no semi-autos at all, just revolvers.
To many, that makes me a dinosaur, and has at various times made me the target of jibes and even ridicule.
I simply smile and, when it happens at the range, generally shoot rings around those people.
Use what you like, and never make apologies for it.
stephen426
New member
Spats McGee said:
Hi Spats,
Could you please expand on why you would need to manually cock a hammer and what advantage it would provide over a striker fired gun? I know the single action trigger pulls on DA/SA guns are much shorter and lighter than the DA trigger pulls, but most striker fired guns have fairly light triggers once the slack has been taken up. This should obviously exclude striker fired guns that try to mimic DA trigger pulls like Kahr. I won't go as far as to say a nice SA trigger pull is not better than most striker fired gun triggers, but cocking back a hammer is rarely "practical" unless you are at the range.
Spats McGee
Administrator
It's a longshot, and not as good a solution as a DA/SA, but if my gun went click instead of bang, I might want to cock the hammer for a second strike.
For me, the advantages of a hammer is you can tell it's position at a glance, and you
have the option of either the DA or SA pull. When you are done shooting, you can de-cock the hammer, one way or another, on most DA/SA guns.
This is considerably more difficult, with most striker-fired guns.
have the option of either the DA or SA pull. When you are done shooting, you can de-cock the hammer, one way or another, on most DA/SA guns.
This is considerably more difficult, with most striker-fired guns.
Cosmodragoon
New member
It's not just that SA is shorter and lighter than the DA starting position. The striker guns in question may have easier triggers than the double-action mode but are they quite as nice as the single action? The way I view it, the DA/SA gun is ideally using double action as its safety.
In a circumstance that allows for thumb-cocking, longer or harder shots can be taken. This could be defensive but it could also be an emergency hunting scenario or just some challenge plinking. It's basically starting like a DA/SA revolver and that might have some additional value for people who like/carry them.
See many folks here in the States will go with a polymer striker-fired pistol BECAUSE OF PRICE. It is light-weight, and simple, and reliable... but price is a huge factor. No one here stateside will try to argue that Glock is drastically better than a good Sig. Even Glock fanboys will cede that Sig and H&K make fine, accurate, reliable firearms. The argument is "Sig or H&K is as good of a gun, but it's not really better and it's twice the price." In that aspect many of our polymer striker-fired options make perfect sense. They are economical here. Many here would not mind at all the ability to obtain a quality, all steel, DA/SA pistol for half the price of what you could get a Glock for.
Spats nailed a big one, it's rare, but I saw with a friend shooting my gun. Pulled the trigger and click, misfire. He looked at me, I said just pull the trigger again. Went bang on the second hit. No need to cock the hammer either. The gun simply reverts back to DA more for that shot, then right back to SA. Personally I love the DA/SA hammer guns.
stephen426
New member
I understand the idea of DA as a safety, but that is a safety of accidental discharge. I intentionally switched to a striker fired gun due to the consistent trigger pull. Even though the DA pull on a Sig P228 is pretty smooth, I still found it difficult to shoot accurately and quickly. For me, safety includes making sure I don't hit bystanders. I can shoot striker fired guns (Glock 26, Glock 43, Walther PPQ, Kahr PM9) better than I could shoot Sig's DA trigger