Striker Pistols?

I

Imnomathwiz

Inactive
Theres so many now on the market and I haven't the money nor time to buy and shoot all of them and find the likes and not likes. Heres my short list of the handguns I am looking at. I'd like to know the forums opinions of the firearms...Pros...Cons...No Go's...?

Glock 17
SW MP9
Walther PPQ M2
HK VP9
Sig 320 Carry
FNS9
Ruger SR9
Springfield XDM
 
I don't know why so many are nervous about striker fired pistols as they have been with us for at least 100 years !! Just like the hammer types !!
My HK P7 is as reliable or more reliable than any pistol made !:p
 
Not so much nervous just have heard some rumors about some of them and just wanted some outside advice or knowledge. I shoot glocks and trust them very much but that doesn't mean I wouldn't be up for something else like a HK VP9 or Walther PPQ M2, however I do not have any experience with HK or Walther which is why I asked for some advice. I have several 1911s and DA/SA guns as well. Just not much striker gun experience other than Glock. Who knows I may shoot other pistols even better than my Glocks lol.
 
I've tried Glock, Smith M&P and the Springfield XD. I kept the Glocks and sold the rest. I still like the Glock trigger best, it has some take up but after that a very crisp 5-6 lb trigger pull. About the same as an out of the box 1911. While it is often criticized for it's grip angle, Glocks actually comes closer to a 1911 grip angle than most other common handguns.

Other than that the other guns are actually close in performance. But I view Glock as a complete shooting system. I prefer the G19 to the G17, but have both as well as a G26. The 17 and 33 round magazines are interchangeable with all of the guns and I only carry spare G17 magazines regardless of which gun I have at the moment.

I also own a G29 in 10mm. Other than being slightly thicker it has almost the same size and feel as the G19. I can practice with the much cheaper 9mm and change to the very similar 10mm pistol very easily.

I'm not into range games all that much, but they also offer several long slide versions and many other caliber options including 10mm, 40 S&W, 357 Sig, 45 ACP and GAP as well as 9mm and 380. All in very similar feeling guns with exactly the same operating system. I think having all of your bases covered with the same operating system is a big plus.

All of the other options can claim they are "just as good as Glock". And I wouldn't argue that, but none can claim they are better, just different in some way. Glock wins for me because I can carry everything from a tiny 380 to a 33 round G17 and then on up to a powerful bear stopping 10mm and still have a gun that operates exactly the same. All in a package with proven reliability.
 
I currently carry either a Glock 19 or a Kahr CM9. I prefer the striker fired pistols for carry. I do have hammer guns but the striker gives a bit lower bore axis and a IMHO, safer pistol.
 
Of the list you've posted I have direct experience shooting Glocks (17, 19, 26), the Walther PPQ and the SR-9.

Glocks are a known standard. Their reputation for durability and reliability is the stuff of legend. If anybody makes parts and accessories for handguns that aren't 1911s, they probably make Glock parts. They are actually capable of greater accuracy than most generally give them credit for. Note: I've owned and shot Glocks as my primary centerfire semi-auto pistols for the last 14-15 years.

The Ruger SR-9 is merely OK in my book. They work, they're not expensive, and they're fairly trim, that's about all I have to say. If somebody on a budget was looking for a reliable, full-size 9mm striker gun, I'd suggest the SR-9E without losing any sleep.

Now, the Walther PPQ. Fair warning: Oh boy oh boy, do I LIKE this pistol! :D I describe the PPQ as a Glock that's been through finishing school. It's significantly easier to shoot accurately straight out of the box. The trigger truly is as good as all of the reviewers blather on about. The stock sights work better for me than the stock Glock sights (though neither are particularly stellar). I can make hits on smaller targets faster than with a Glock. As a bonus the Walther naturally indexes very well in my hands, making it much easier to hit things while on the move. My particular PPQ is an M1 and has been more reliable than my Gen 4 Glock 19. Glock 19: 570 rounds between stoppages. Walther: No stoppages to date, though the round count is fairly low, a little over 1000 so far.

(I just noticed how important that "much easier to hit things with" facet is for me after writing that.)

Cons to the Walther: parts and aftermarket support are not as plentiful as with the Glock or an HK. You can find sights, holsters and magazines relatively easily, but you won't have your choice of styles or manufacturers. You also have to be sure to get the correct magazines concerning the M1 versus M2 magazine releases. Some of the M2 buttons are reported to benefit from a stronger spring to prevent accidental magazine release.

Next up on the list, I would really like to get a VP9 to live side-by-side with the Walther.
 
I've tried most of the ones on your list.
For a combination of cost, a name brand manufacturer's support if needed, trigger action, grip angle, point-ability, size, and accuracy, my choice would be the Ruger SR9.
But it's nearly impossible to go by another person's preference.
Just try as many as you can and go with what you shoot the best.
In the end, it probably doesn't matter anyway.
We monkeys are very adaptable.
Use anything enough and it will become natural.
 
I have owned a glock and shot almost every model. I owned a S&W M&P 40 for a short time. I recently owned a Walther PPQ M2 in 40

The walther PPQ to me is the most superior. Its ergonomics and trigger cannot be matched. The quality is oustanding, it is extremely accurate and easy to shoot accurately. Very reliable.

Pick which one fits your hand the best, with the trigger you like the most. For me that was the walther. I had to sell mine unfortunately, but miss it dearly, and wish i hadnt.

The VP9 and the Sig 320 are the newest kids on the block and, unproven.
 
The competition for the striker-fired service pistol market has gotten a lot tougher these days. IMHO you can't overlook the Sig P320, the HK VP in 9mm or 40S&W, or the Walther PPQ M2, in an evaluation. And I think the Ruger American is a big improvement over the Ruger SR series of service pistols.
 
I'd like to know the forums opinions of the firearms...Pros...Cons...No Go's...?

Glock 17
SW MP9
Walther PPQ M2
HK VP9
Sig 320 Carry
FNS9
Ruger SR9
Springfield XDM
Click to expand...

All fine, I'm sure.

Why does it matter to you that if a gun is striker fired?
 
In the end, it's only your preferences that matter. I find my own opinions sometimes dovetail with the majority, and sometimes are diametrically opposed.

You don't have to buy to try. Most areas in this country have ranges that will allow you to rent. If you don't have any near you, it might be time for a relaxing gun-tourist road trip.

Over multiple years of trying out rentals, most brands of guns hold steady in my esteem. Sometimes my opinion changes. Rent guns closest to the model you are interested in, and see what you like.

Unless I'm doing a vast winnowing down, which doesn't happen these years, I limit my range session to three or four guns, and preferably two. Take notes if it helps. I do.
 
Of them all, I narrowed down to the VP, PPQ, and Sig P320.

I bought the VP first, but decided to sell it as the trigger trough irritated the crap out of my trigger finger. Good gun, but not pleasant for me to shoot.

The PPQ was next, but the shape of the grip just felt odd to me - not bad but not great. Good quality gun, but the feel in the hand didn't quite cut it for me. And while the trigger felt very good, I think it is just a bit too light for a carry gun.

In the end, it was the Sig P320 which ticked ALL of the boxes. Felt fantastic in the hand, excellent trigger, shoots like a tack driver with 100% reliability. I like the P320 so much that now I have four of them in various sizes and calibers. The modularity is a really nice feature as a bonus.

As for all of my Glocks - phasing them out. They were great for their time, but the new striker pistols have raised the bar considerably and they feel crude to me in comparison to my P320s and M&Ps.

And as for my M&P45C, M&P40 and M&P40C - I LOVE them. Fantastic pistols. And I'm keeping them active, right along with the P320s. You really need to include the M&Ps in your consideration!



Talon rubber grip wrap adds the perfect soft-textured grip traction.


 
Last edited:
I own a Glock 19, VP9, and XDm. I've shot the FNS 9.

VP9: trigger is very good and gets much better after about 1,000 rounds. Ergonomics are outstanding. If you can't get the grip to fit your hand - you're from outer-space with some kind of claw instead of fingers. 100% functional reliability - even shoots really crappy ammunition without a hiccup. However, as noted in a previous post, the trough in the bottom of the trigger guard can irritate your finger. Trough in the trigger guard is there so that you cannot get a glove caught between the bottom of the trigger and the trigger guard disabling the gun until you clear the glove from the trigger guard. Great idea in theory. In practice - I'd rather not have it there.

XDm: accurate, and the trigger can be made very good with a kit from Powder River or Springer Precision. Ergonomically better than the Glock, not a good as the VP9. Some people complain about the slightly higher bore axis. I really don't find it detracts from the pistol. Have had it for five years and it just runs whatever ammunition you want. Never fails to work.

FNS: I really like the FNS. Very good trigger, good ergonomic design and it just works. It's gives you a confident feeling of function and reliability - a Glock without being a Glock? I'll probably buy one.

Can't comment on the SIG 320 or Walther as I have never shot one.
 
I currently own everything on that list, except for the SR9 and XDm...

I did own an XD several years ago.


If I had to put them in an order I preferred most...

1) M&P (Pro with an Apex poly trigger, or a standard with an Apex kit) and the HK VP9... They tie.i really really like the ergonomics and mag release on the VP9, but the M&P is almost as good ergonomically, but the triggers are better if you put a little work into them.
2) Walter PPQ... I have the M2, but I wish I had the original paddle release version. That would put it at the top.
3) Sig 320 and XDm... The Sig may edge out the XD, but they are close.
4) FNS9 (I think of these as an improved Glock, similar partial tension striker mechanism, better grip angle and ergos)
5) Glock 17 in gen 4... I hate the finger grooves, but the 17 lines up best for me, the 19 is just a bit off. If there was no finger grooves, I would like the pistol much better.
6) Ruger SR9 (the ergos and trigger are not bad, but I donr like all the extra safeties they throw into it)

But that is just my preferences, they are all well made and reliable.
 
Walther PPQ! Best trigger on any striker fired pistol on the market! World class ergonomics and reliability. And what about accuracy? Nutnfancy called it a sniper's pistol and hickok45 said he would have to TRY to miss with it. German engineering at its best. And reasonably priced to boot!
 
Fishbed, I thought the P99AS and PPQ seemed the same for the actual sear release. But I like the DA/SA of the first so I sold the second.

But the PPQ felt better in my hand.

So how come a member named P990 didn't mention the P99AS or its Magnum Research cousin?

Bart Noir
 
Bart Noir said:
Fishbed, I thought the P99AS and PPQ seemed the same for the actual sear release. But I like the DA/SA of the first so I sold the second.

But the PPQ felt better in my hand.

So how come a member named P990 didn't mention the P99AS or its Magnum Research cousin?

Bart Noir
Click to expand...

Got me Bart. :o I've never owned/fired the AS version. I did own the DAO (a first generation P-990) and have dry-fired a QA (yuck). The -990 went away when I picked up my first Glock (Gen 3 G17) and the timer showed how much faster and more accurate I was with it.

Honestly, the earlier frame style doesn't stay put in my hand when firing. The PPQ is almost as sticky as the texture Glock uses for the Gen 4 frames. Also, there's a mold line in the bottom of the trigger guard on the ski jump (1st generation Walther frames) that I have to attack with sandpaper, lest it irritate my trigger finger.

Granted, I'm not a huge DA/SA fan, but I think if Walther gave us the AS trigger in the PPQ frame texture, it would be a viable alternative to the HK P-30.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top