Striker fired handguns in self defense

[Merc1138]

Well I guess it's really just about the usual... being aware and practice for the tools we choose. I have a hard time calling it a "flaw".
Advantages and disadvantages will always be the case with differing designs.

Oh yeah, it's definitely not a "flaw"(the thread title is laughable). Limitation would be a more appropriate word to use.

[billofrights]

Doesn't the Sig 320 have restrike ability?

Yep, it sure does.

[tophatjones]

Whether the gun is hammer or striker fired, the disconnector separates the trigger mechanism from the release mechanism (e.g. sear) when the slide is out of battery. This is a good safety feature that prevents out of battery kabooms. Unfortunately, not all disconnector designs are equally effective, some activate at a larger distance than others (larger margin for out of battery firing.)

[tophatjones]

If someone grabs your hammer-fired handgun and manages to block the hammer from dropping, that won't happen with a striker fired handgun.

While theoretically true, who would try for that tiny hammer when they could just grab the whole slide and activate the disconnector?

[not-fishing]

This is why you learn to shoot from retention.

[Flyin Brian]

I was cringing while he was shooting the revolver. With the shooter's index finger up by the crane it looked like he wasn't going to need to tissue paper to show what happens!!

[arrix]

I suppose the mag release is a huge design flaw too?

[TKM]

I suppose the mag release is a huge design flaw too?

Let's face facts here. In OPs opinion everything between the front sight and the lanyard loop is as useful as the little red string in the Bandaids.

[TeddyBallgame]

NOBODY's grabbing my carry gun...it does go through holsters rather quickly though

[Twystd1]

The heading of this link is terribly misleading.

That is all.

-T

[mif_slim]

I was holding my breath when the guy shooting the revolver had his finger pointed forward past the cylinder gap. Haha.

[Jimi Jah]

While theoretically true, who would try for that tiny hammer when they could just grab the whole slide and activate the disconnector?

How about that guy that stopped Squeaky? LEO's are trained to do that and it wouldn't work with a striker.

[oddjob]

Wilson did have the Sig 229. If you push the decocker down on the gun and pull the trigger the gun does not fire. Just goes "click" as stated.

Remember when/if you are "confronted" by a suspect(s) its probably going to be real close and without warning. There will be a firearm withing the suspect's reach even if he/she doesn't have one and thats yours. If your dealing with a semi-auto platform just assume its going to fire while wrestling with it and the suspect. Just grab the slide and point it away from you. You won't have time to do anything else.

[tophatjones]

How about that guy that stopped Squeaky? LEO's are trained to do that and it wouldn't work with a striker.

She had a 1911 in condition 3. She thumb cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger on an empty chamber. Later she claimed that she had emptied her chamber on purpose, although we know racking the slide just chambers the next round. If she had it in condition 1 and could aim, Ford would have been shot, SS agent or not.

LEO are trained to try this with revolvers with external hammers, but for pistols they are taught to pull the slide back. It would be illogical to train for the move with smaller % of success (hammer) over the one with larger % of success (slide).

[Springfield45]

I was cringing while he was shooting the revolver. With the shooter's index finger up by the crane it looked like he wasn't going to need to tissue paper to show what happens!!

I was holding my breath when the guy shooting the revolver had his finger pointed forward past the cylinder gap. Haha.

All the shooter would get is some burnt powder on his finger. I do this all the time. His finger is not exposed because the frame and cylinder pin is between him and the forcing cone. Put your hand were the paper is and you will bleed from direct gases and bullet shavings.