SA/DA or Striker for learning

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DaSquariusGreen

Inactive
I am just about to get my first handgun. I did shoot a bit when I was younger, with my father, but only rifles and shotguns for target and skeet. I am looking for a pistol that I can shoot a lot, and build fundamentals/good skills that will later be transferrable to any handgun. I've heard some anecdotes each way: Simpler and more consistent/ better for beginners - Striker. More reliable/"if you master this everything else is easy"/striker habits are hard to break - SA/DA. Any consensus here?

FWIW I've tried a few different kinds of range rental, and none of them jumped out at me (of course this was not after any kind of long term use)
 
Welcome. Keep trying guns for the grip and feel / balance first.
They're all different but often similar.
SA / DA gives you more flexibility as some see it.
But SA / DA vs striker is less important than what feels right.

Go to a range, talk to people, many will let you squeeze a few off.
 
Try as many different types as possible and go with the one that feels right to you.

There are no practical advantages of one over the other, no matter what people will say.

With practice and time you will be able to shoot them all equally well.
 
I like the SA/DA for learning better because you can dry fire practice at home. Not so much with striker fired.
 
I personally can shoot a striker fired double action gun better than a SA/DA. In fact, I sold my Sig 626 for that reason, I never could shoot it very well. I've tried other DA/SA guns with the same result.

That's just me personally, others may have different results.
 
It seems most everyone wants to start with a conversation about "what should I buy."
They would be better off if they start with where they could learn to shoot a pistol.
Kind of like when you learned to drive a car or ride a motorcycle.
First learn how, then buy something.
The better you know how to shoot, the less the type of gun really matters.
 
All firearms involve tradeoffs. Striker fired handguns and DA/SA handguns are both widely popular, and many people find one or both of these designs very favorable. But to make a recommendation for you, I would need to know more about your intended uses for the pistol. Will this gun be for range use, carry, or home defense?

Generally, I recommend striker fired guns to most people for most purposes. But the best choice for you will really depend on your specific needs.

The advice to choose a gun that fits you well is also good advice.
 
I don't think it matters. As g.willikers said, learn how to shoot, get a little experience with both types, and then decide.

I like the SA/DA for learning better because you can dry fire practice at home. Not so much with striker fired.
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This is simply not true. I have dry fired my EDC striker fired pistol thousands of times. I think dry firing is a fine way of learning and maintaining trigger skills. Buy what you like best.
 
If you start with and master a DA/SA pistol, it's easy to then transition to another platform should you choose to do so in the future. This will really teach you good trigger discipline, hence it's my recommendation.
 
I agree more can be gained learning a DA/SA in general. But the striker fired system is simpler to learn with its consistent trigger pull and simplicity of operation.


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K_Mac maybe I should have stated it more clearly. Striker fired dry fire practice entails racking the slide, re-attain your grip, one click, release grip, rack slide, re-grip, one click, etc. -- Not very effective practice.
SA/DA you draw and set your grip. And begin clicking away at various targets, all the while pulling through the DA trigger pull for each. WAY better dry fire practice.
So yes I suppose you can dry fire practice a striker fired gun but you won't learn as quickly and might develop some bad habits too.
DA/SA dry fire gets you much more valuable dry fire practice.
 
^^^
The CZ 75 and other similar models are an excellent choice.
They can be used DA/SA or SA only, cocked and locked, which gives a trigger more like a striker.
Kind of the best of both in one gun.
They also have an excellent shape and point-ability.
Even 1911 gurus give them high marks.
 
I will preface this by saying this is a heavily subjective opinion: I started out in LE when we all used .357 magnum revolvers. I am of the opinion if you learn to shoot well with the heavy DA trigger of a revolver it is pretty easy to transition to any other platform of handgun. I recognize this is specific to my history, and I also acknowledge that a lot of young recruits today have also never handled firearms, so that's a big factor too.
 
The CZ 75 doesn't fit short hands. Been crying about that for 30 some years. They were in Canada long before they got Stateside.
As mentioned, the thing fitting your hand is more important than how it works.
However, the difference between types is kind of like the difference between a proper standard transmission and a girly automatic. Same thing but different. You have to adjust to how you make that particular type work. Otherwise, it doesn't make a lot of difference what you start with. Go try a bunch on for size and buy the one that speaks to you.
"...recruits today have also never handled firearms..." Most have never seen a real firearm prior to training. Lot of 'em don't like firearms and never practice either.
 
I see no real benefit of learning with a double action trigger if you don't like the long, heavier pull. If after trying DA/SA and striker fired, you decide to go with a strker fired pistol there is no need to deal with DA. Sure, there is merit in being proficient with both, but use what you like.
 
Thanks for the advice. Just out of curiosity, is a pure SA hammer fired considered a bad option for this (having to flip the safety on an eventual self-defense guns being a liability). I'm not just talking 1911s, I've seen P226s, M9/92s, CZs, etc in SAO.
 
Thanks for the advice. Just out of curiosity, is a pure SA hammer fired considered a bad option for this (having to flip the safety on an eventual self-defense guns being a liability). I'm not just talking 1911s, I've seen P226s, M9/92s, CZs, etc in SAO.
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Many still carry single actions.
They just aren't as popular as they once were.

Having to use a safety isn't a "liability" once you learn to do it without thinking about it.
 
Thanks for the advice. Just out of curiosity, is a pure SA hammer fired considered a bad option for this (having to flip the safety on an eventual self-defense guns being a liability). I'm not just talking 1911s, I've seen P226s, M9/92s, CZs, etc in SAO.
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It is not a bad option, with training, practice, and experience. Which is exactly the same answer I would give for DAO or striker fired guns. :)
 
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