What exactly does 'Striker Fired' mean?

[RANash]

Occasionally I have heard a gun described as "Striker fired". What is that? Is that opposed to "hammer fired", in that some other mechanism is hitting the firing pin, pushing it into the primer? Or does it mean a different kind of firing pin?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Bolt-action rifles, Kahr, Glock, HK P7s are all examples of weapons using a striker to ignite the round. No hammer is present to strike the firing pin and drive it forward. Essentially, a striker is a firing pin that's being driven forward by a spring. Hope this helps.

Best.

 

[9x19]

To expand on Stephens explanation:

In the Glock, pulling the trigger to the rear draws the "striker" back against a spring and then releases it to allow the spring to impel it forward into the primer.