Hammer vs Striker-fired? whats the difference?

[JON KARGATHALON]

Not revolvers, just semi auto pistols. I've never fired one with a hammer, but I've fired a few strikers. I get to pick up my new PX4 in one day and it will be my first gun with a hammer. What I was wondering is what should I expect that will be different in shooting it as opposed to striker fired pistols? Softer trigger? Crisper trigger? Accuracy factors? Difference in recoil? (Its 9mm). Ect. Thanks in advance guys and girls.

[Travis590A1]

The only true difference between the 2 is just the way the firing pin strikes the primer. Pistols with a hammer require the hammer the be released to then strike the firing pin which then strikes the primer of the round. Where as a striker fired like glock, xd, m&p etc. The firing pin itself is spring loaded and when the gun is racked the firing pin is in held back under spring tention by some sort of retention sear in the frame of the pistol. (Depending on make and model). When the trigger is pulled the firing pin or striker is released and then under spring force it goes forward and strikes the primer of the round. Accuracy comes down to brand and make. Striker fired or hammer accuracy doesnt depend on that. Some say striker fired is more reliable since there are less moving parts to malfunction but that's easily debatable. I personally like the feel of a hammer and de-cocker, but my Sr9c striker fired has been flawless, I hope to go over the 5,000 round mark with her this weekend.

As far as trigger pull, your beretta in s/a mode (meaning hammer is cocked round in the chamber) will be very smooth and light compared to most striker fired. The beauty of it is every pull of the trigger will make it go into s/a causing a light trigger allowing you to minimize hand movement while pulling the trigger. Some people say that's where accuracy can come into play. You can also load a round into the chamber with a full mag (10+1) then use your de-cocker to safetly drop the hammer without firing the round. From there your trigger will be in double action mode. Where the trigger pull will be a few pounds heavier and longer but pulling it with a round I'm the chamber will fire the round and then from then on the gun will automaticly put itself into s/a mode until mag is empty or you de-cock it again. Hope that helps

[JON KARGATHALON]

Thanks for the reply Travis, I did read about the mechanical differences already, and i liked the fact that s/a is such a light trigger pull I also have an SR9, and i love it, Any personal preferences and why would be appreciated as far as which gun type you like more calgunners!

[gant]

All my guns have been full sized hammer guns , got my ccw so decided to get a glock 26 rented it and loved it , I like on striker fire every pull is the same no da to sa transition

[unusedusername]

Thanks for the reply Travis, I did read about the mechanical differences already, and i liked the fact that s/a is such a light trigger pull I also have an SR9, and i love it, Any personal preferences and why would be appreciated as far as which gun type you like more calgunners!

It's actually much more complex then you realize...

If you get an XD with thumb safety (striker fired) you could get the trigger reworked to a 2.5lb pull.

You can also find a 1911 (Single action, hammer fired) with a 4lb trigger pull.

The mechanism that whacks the primer is only a part of the larger system.

Personally I like SA/DA triggers because I get the benefits of a safety on the first pull without having to remember to turn it off, with the benefits of a nice short light pull on the follow up shots.

[SuperwomaN]

I like Hammer fired, SA/DA pistol.

[njineermike]

My gf's FNP9 has SA/DA. When in SA mode, the trigger pull is not only lighter, the throw is shorter, as the trigger moves closer to the break point with the hammer cocked back. My Taurus is DA only, and every single trigger pull is a long throw. Can't speak to most others, but I personally prefer the SA with shortened trigger travel on the FNP myself.

[IVC]

If you are going to carry (even if not immediately), make sure you practice the SA/DA as it would be used in such situations: heavy first pull of the DA (round chambered, decocked), followed by the light follow up of the SA (hammer cocked). This is not what you would normally do at the range, where you chamber a round and fire in SA mode. It also tends to be confusing in stressful situations when the trigger pull changes dramatically from the first shot.

Most (all?) striker fired pistols have a consistent pull since the striker is always under some tension, but cannot be locked back like a hammer and/or decocked. The constant tension is supposed to be insufficient to ignite the primer should the safeties fail, but I haven't heard about it happening.

[i3.C.]

I love how the SA on hammer fired guns are lighter in general. However I generally like the angle at which my finger is when the firing mechanism is actuated on striker fired guns.

[Old4eyes]

Hammer vs Striker?
It's like belly buttons, some like innies, some like outies.

[BlueVue]

I prefer the striker over the hammer for this reason: The hammer is exposed, and can therefore be blocked by foreign objects. This is a problem in a fight.

Exhibit A:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Buendorf#Assassination_attempt_on_U.S._President_Gerald_Ford

This is a documented case where Person A disabled Person B's gun with their hand. (Yes, I know the chamber happened to be empty in this particular case, but the point still stands.) Strikers can have their own issues, but the mechanism is fairly well shielded from any external interference.

[Dhena81]

I prefer the striker over the hammer for this reason: The hammer is exposed, and can therefore be blocked by foreign objects. This is a problem in a fight.

Exhibit A:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Buendorf#Assassination_attempt_on_U.S._President_Gerald_Ford

This is a documented case where Person A disabled Person B's gun with their hand. (Yes, I know the chamber happened to be empty in this particular case, but the point still stands.) Strikers can have their own issues, but the mechanism is fairly well shielded from any external interference.

That's just a ridiculous reason that just doesn't happen enough to even be a factor.


The whole DA first pull issue is blown way out of proportion. The fact is they are safer especially when re-holstering because you can thumb the hammer during re-holstering. The only reference I have is my P226 I can draw and first shot hit 40% torso's all day long at 25 yards. At the end of the day though I prefer my Glock 17 for other reasons.

[Kappy]

I prefer hammer fired pistols. They are easier to wok over. With striker-fired guns, you might be able to find a drop-in kit, but I've never fired a Glock or other striker-fired pistol with anywhere near the quality trigger of a hammer fired. You won't find a difference in recoil, but everything else about a hammer-fired trigger is better as far as I'm concerned.

Now... for action pistol, there's a reason why so many people carry Glocks and the like... but the one time I went out for an action pistol event, I scored very well for accuracy.

[ClarenceBoddicker]

Hammer fired uses a curved circular motion usually with an external hammer, like a Browning High Power.

Striker fired uses a straight line liner motion usually with an internal striker, like a Glock G-19.

[Kappy]

My understanding is that the OP gets how it works, he/she just wants to know the difference in how it feels and the logistics behind it?