Why Striker?

M

Model12Win

Moderator
Why are striker-fired pistols slowly but surely replacing hammer fired double action/single action pistols?

Seems all the newest guns are strikers. Even the US military is ditching their hammer fired M9 for a striker fired gun, and this has been happening for many years with the adoption of Glocks etc. with many police departments.

It seems most "experts" are leaning to strikers as the wave of the future. Hammer fired guns are out, strikers in.

Why?
 
Well it's not like strikers are new. Shoot the Borchardt pistol is striker fired. To me they can be simpler in design and imo are easier to maintain proficiency with than say a DA/SA pistol.
 
There is another thread hammer vs striker that's been active recently you might look in there for pro's con's.


why is it taking over? could be several reasons.
but I believe the biggest is cost reduction.


If you look at new designs almost all of them follow the glock formula.
polymer frame, striker, split "safe action" style trigger.

The classic metal/hammer guns will never die, the 1911 is still going strong over 100 years later.. but.. like it or not the strikers are taking over mainstream.

.. Actually let me correct my self, The take over is complete.
 
I agree with CalmerThanYou. Simplicity of design (which leads to lower manufacturing costs, I suspect) and operation are big factors.
 
The lower cost of striker designs versus hammer designs is the main driver. A lower bore axis is possible with a striker design as well, which also contributes to less "height". Whether these attributes offer an advantage over hammer fired designs is a matter of personal preference.
 
Strikers are fine unless you really like having a hammer. I happen to and have slowly sold off the few striker designs I owned and replaced them with gun that have a hammer. Matter of personal choice as I see it. But, gotta agree a large percentage of the new offerings in handguns seem to be striker.
 
Simplicity and cost. Nowadays guns with hammers, different trigger pulls, and safety mechanisms are seen as more advanced guns to get proficient with. Experts want consistent trigger pull, predictable triggers, basically a revolver with higher capacity.
 
Striker guns work, are reliable and they are cheap to make. The trigger pull is consistent and "good enough" for cops and army men.
 
You can make a hammer fired pistol with a consistent trigger pull. HK LEM, SIG DAK, S&W 3rd Gen DAO, and other examples too. But it won't be as short of a trigger press.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
As mentioned, consistent trigger pull, not DA/SA (heavy/light); I dislike DA/SA triggers.

Another factor: public perception of pistol visible in holster of uniformed police, the uneducated might view a "cocked & locked" pistol with apprehension.
 
Simple is always better, striker fired guns are more reliable. Exposed hammers are in a position to be damaged, clothing or other debris can get between the hammer and firing pin preventing the gun from firing, etc.

There hasn't been a new rifle or shotgun designed with an exposed hammer in well over 100 years. The better question is why did it take so long for handguns to catch up.
 
Hopefully I'm about to replace 2 of my CC guns with a SA/DA hammer gun.

Of course being able to manufacture gun cheap is one of the biggest advantages strikers have. The next thing is the "cops only shoot glocks, and you should too" idea sold by most gun counter folks. People also don't understand hammer fired guns. They can't figure out how to cock the hammer then rack the slide. They don't understand what happens when you use a decocker, and sure aren't comfortable with a scary hammer cocked and a little lever keeping it from firing. They can't figure out why there's not hinges or little flippy things on the triggers. There's no trendy "safe action" marketing to a Sig or CZ.

Because most of the new gun buyers aren't willing to learn how to shoot their gun they'd rather have a simple striker and blow holes in walmarts bathroom floor while adjusting their latest kydex AIWB holster, than learn how to shoot a SA/DA. After all "mu safety is between mu eers ya know"


Not to mention slab sided autos are easier to color fill, and take a soldering iron to. :p
 
^ As someone that started with DA/SA and stayed with that for a few years and now shoots striker fired pistols mostly, that's pretty funny.
 
Simple is always better, striker fired guns are more reliable. Exposed hammers are in a position to be damaged, clothing or other debris can get between the hammer and firing pin preventing the gun from firing, etc.

There hasn't been a new rifle or shotgun designed with an exposed hammer in well over 100 years. The better question is why did it take so long for handguns to catch up.
Click to expand...

jmr40 I like the way you think. I'm not sure I completely agree, but your explanation is far more compelling than the notion that most of us who carry striker fired pistols are too stupid to know better. Now please excuse me while I adjust my appendix carried striker fired pistol...
 
I think its because the cost to manufacture ...( especially in labor to fit and assemble )...is way less....and they are able to pass some of that savings on to consumers.....

The proliferation of new stryker fired guns is astounding...new models, new features, options for fit, etc...

And today among many shooters ...cost is the #1...and #2 ...and #3 thing....that affects their buying choice.... / ....and its a generational thing.../ ...and i'm not saying its good or bad ...but its different ....poly & stryker fired guns really dominate the market for most shooters under 50 today.../ ...not so much for shooters over 50, in my view.

Often higher cost guns...hammer fired, steel, etc...just do not make up a high percentage of sales in most shops today. I don't see the trend changing....
 
And today among many shooters ...cost is the #1...and #2 ...and #3 thing....that affects their buying choice.... / ....and its a generational thing.../ ...and i'm not saying its good or bad ...but its different ....poly & stryker fired guns really dominate the market for most shooters under 50 today.../ ...not so much for shooters over 50, in my view.
Click to expand...

BigJim I may be wrong, but I believe a very big percentage of pistols bought and used for concealed carry by all age groups are striker fired. That is certainly true of the guys in my shooting circle, and most of us are above​ 50.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top