How Guns Work: Striker Fired Pistols

by 51 Comments

Due to their lack of protruding hammer, many striker fired pistol designs have flooded the concealed carry market. Manufacturers such as Glock, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory all have popular models of striker fired pistols. But, how does striker fire actually work?

Photo courtesy of contributor Arker via morguefile.com
Photo courtesy of contributor Arker via morguefile.com

To propel a bullet from its cartridge, the gun powder within the casing must be ignited. Centerfire and rimfire rounds have two slightly different means to accomplish this. Both feature primers on the back end of the casing. Centerfire ammo features primer only in the center of the back of the cartridge, whereas the primer covers the entire base of the casing of rimfire rounds.
With either type of ammunition, the rear of the casing must be struck with enough force to ignite the primer, which catalyzes the gunpowder explosion that ultimately propels the bullet from the cartridge through the gun barrel.

How Guns Work: Striker Fired Pistols - TheArmsGuide.com
Lightning Strike’s titanium [captured] Glock striker. Image courtesy of lspi.com
In striker fired pistols, the striker is the component that strikes the casing, dimpling it and igniting the primer within. Glock calls their striker fired system “safe action.” As the trigger is pulled, the three inline safety mechanisms are disengaged, and the striker is moved rearward within the pistol. This increases the tension on the firing pin spring. When the trigger bar releases the firing pin lug, the striker moves forward as the firing pin spring relaxes. This motion causes the striker to impact the base of the round in the chamber, which fires the round.

Manufacturers such as Kahr Arms, Beretta, and Springfield Armory all utilize similar variations of this function. For example, Springfield’s XD series fully tensions the firing pin spring upon chambering a round, compared to Glock’s partial tension until the trigger pulls and increases the spring tension.

Striker firing seems somewhat complex, but, in fact, it involves fewer parts than the older hammer fired system (which will be the subject of future posts). There are a couple of benefits to striker fired pistols in the area of concealed carry. Firstly, there is no external hammer, allowing for a more snag-free design. It also ensures that each trigger pull, from the first through the final round of the magazine, has the same weight of pull. Some consider the lack of external safety on striker fired guns to be an advantage in self defense situations because it allows the operator to fire upon their assailant(s) with fewer steps (no need to disengage a manual safety before firing). But, there are others who feel that it presents a safety risk to carry a pistol without external safeties. The preference for the more traditional hammer fired or the more efficient striker fired systems is still a subject of much debate. What is your opinion of striker fired guns?

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  • peter3101

    For me it’s down to personal preference, my favorite gun is my 229 but it does take a bit of getting used to the different trigger pulls. That’s where the striker fire guns have an advantage ever pull is the same. I understand people’s hesitancy with carrying condition one, especially with a Glock but feel proper training and practice makes carrying these guns no less safe than any other gun. The problem with the theory of only allowing experienced shooters to have access to these guns is how do we define experience, registration, that would identify new shooters and suit the gun grabbers as would the theory that some guns are intrinsically unsafe.
    As for my preference of carrying a Glock or Sig in condition one, well I feel we carry to protect ourselves and loved ones, so when doing so I think of the risks and do a mental assessment. It’s great if we could always see the threat coming it would first and foremost allow us to avoid the situation altogether, and secondly if we had to engage allow us time to chamber a round and remove safeties once we had acquired and verified the target.
     
    But what if we are going to our car, or walking along and the threat blindsides us grabbing one arm? Our ability to chamber a round is now severely limited, and drawing your weapon might just escalate the situation. That’s the type of scenario where I like to know my weapon is ready to go, yes it brings additional concerns regarding holstering and carry, but should these concerns not remain regardless of gun type, are we not told all guns are loaded, on target on trigger etc.
     
    Just my opinion and choice but the control of threat though a risk assessment of probability X impact brings me to the conclusion of carrying condition one.

  • ksdad2two

    I like the striker fire on my XD.45 service model.

  • hartcreek

    I carry striker fired weapons but I carry mine with the tension off the fireing pins by snapcaps simply because mine were made by Deutsche Werkfrurt  (also known as Ortgies) in the 1920s in Nazi Germany.  They work very well but the safties are  grip safties and some of the parts seem a bit frail after 90 some years.  Newer stiker syle weapons I would have no problem carring with one in the pipe except I would wonder about spring fatigue.
    One thing that everyone needs to consider is dryfireing a striker fired weapon should only be done with snapcaps.  Sooner or later if you do not use snapcaps you will break the tip off your fireing pin and you might not see it and then your weapon is useless and you may not know it and need it.
    I am not concerned about the time it takes to work the action.  I am not concerned about someone coming up from behind because I am constatantly checking my surroundings so that someone can not come up on me from behind.  This is something that every person should be doing reguardless of being armed.

  • hartcreek

    Missed a name in the brand so I must be getting tired manufacturer was Deutsche Werke  Werkfrurt.

  • Tokenn

    I became a convert to striker-fire guns when my company issued us M&P40s.  I was vastly impressed [I had tried Glocks previously and was seriously UNimpressed] by the simplicity and great ergonomics.  There’s nothing wrong with hammer-fire autos or even revolvers in their proper application…but the M&P in .40, .357 Sig or .45ACP is the gun for me.

    • Gunner777

      Tokenn I sure agree with you’re statement. I hated having to carry a Glock. It was like pointing a two by four. The M&P is vastly better.

  • abmarkg

    “But, there are others who feel that it presents a safety risk to carry a pistol without external safeties.”
    Obviously they were not around when the double action revolver was the norm for LE to carry. No external safety there and they were carried for more years than semi-auto pistols have been the norm. I keep hearing that over and over from some who carry that they believe those guns without an external safety are “dangerous”. All guns are dangerous if not used properly. If you follow the four basic rules of gun safety, this is not an issue. If my pistol was not “dangerous”, I wouldn’t carry it and it wouldn’t be of much use to me as a defensive tool. Bottom line, if you are scared of carrying a pistol, you need to train more with it, until it becomes second nature. You must know your weapon and respect it, but you have no business carrying it if you are scared of it. Far too many who carry train far too little.

  • NateGranzow

    abmarkg Not really an apples to apples comparison there. DA revolvers historically have very heavy trigger pulls (12-15 pounds, commonly), whereas striker-fired pistols can often have as little as a five-pound-or-less trigger pull from the factory. Much easier to accidentally discharge a round from the striker-fired pistol.
    I agree that trigger discipline is crucial, but that doesn’t mean that amateur shooters aren’t still going to have a higher percentage of NDs with striker-fired pistols.

  • DeweyBrooks

    i carry a peacemaker. don’t accidentally shoot me with your high tech crap.

  • Hyok Kim

    hartcreek

    “Newer stiker syle weapons I would have no problem carring with one in the pipe except I would wonder about spring fatigue.”

    Me, too.   I read that the spring fatigue for hammer fired guns does not come from the hammer being cocked, but in the process of hammer being cocked.    Once cocked, there is not spring fatigue.

    I  read that  Glock used to have a big problem with spring fatigue to the point NY State police request ultra heavy trigger for durability.

  • Hyok Kim

    NateGranzow

    “……ie. not under tension (1911s carried stage three”

    I read that one could have 1911 hammer cocked with no spring fatigue.    So long as one does not keep cocking the hammer, there is no spring fatigue.

  • NateGranzow

    Hyok Kim Not really the spring fatigue I’m worried about. It’s the idea that there’s a mechanical safety under perpetual pressure holding the hammer/striker in place. No matter how robust the safety, parts do fail. With modern metallurgy and quality design, it’s really not a huge issue, but it’s more of a peace-of-mind sort of thing for me.

  • Hyok Kim

    Thanks for the response.

  • zacfisher0419

    DeweyBrooks they have usually have longer triggers like double action revolvers, or have a smaller trigger on the main trigger that has to be depressed, its not that hi tech, they just dont have external safeties…

  • zacfisher0419

    DeweyBrooks its actually just as safe if not safer then your peacemaker, if you really even carry that..if you carry with no hammer down, and your hammer is bumped it can fire, because old revolver have no firing pin block, and you have to pull your hammer back and release it to decock it, something these new pistols dont have to do, and when they do, they have decocker switches…you should do your homework before spewing crap that would mislead people

  • zacfisher0419

    dont listen to people like deweybrooks who made the comment below this one, he doesnt know what hes talking about. striker fired pistols have internal safeties, just because they have no external safeties does not mean they are not safe. and they usually have longer trigger pulls. he claims he carries a “peacemaker”, a colt single action is what its actually called, but it is actually less safe, no firing pin block, so if the hammer is down and hit hard enough it can go off, or if he goes to cock the hammer and slips it can hit the firing pin firing it. if carried with hammer cocked and in single action, the trigger is extremely short and easier to set off and this is what gives him away as a fake all together it has no external safety either which he would know if he actually carried one. he clearly has no idea what hes talking about. the internal safeties on the new guns like glock are safe, they call it a safe action for a reason, the trigger is usually a decent length pull, with the smaller trigger safety on it that stops accidental firing and other brands have other methods that are proven to be safe to carry. people who actually carry single action revolvers carry only with 5 in the chamber, with the empty chamber in front of the hammer. i think deweybrooks is anti-gunner in disguise just talking crap, hes one of those idiots who would rather us carry a six shooter with absolutely no safeties because its not black and “scary” hes an ignorant fool whose comment should be removed before it misleads people actually trying to learn something.

  • zacfisher0419

    DeweyBrooks oh and i almost forgot, your talking about accidentally shooting people because of no external safety, when the colt single action has no safety either you idiot, which completely exposes you as a fake, your suppose to carry it with only 5 in the cylinder because of it, with the empty chamber in front of the hammer. these new pistols are much safer then a peace maker. dont make comments when you dont know what the hell your talking about

  • daveS52

    Gunner777 Tokenn I’m looking at purchasing one of these pistols and just looking for information and recommendations.  What exactly is it the you like about the M&P or don’t like about the Glock?

  • Tokenn

    Gunner777 
    1] Ergonomics:  The low bore axis, the angle and shape of the grip makes the M&P more natural to point, more comfortable to hold and  reduces muzzle flip.  The replaceable grip swells also serve to fit the gun to the hand better.

    2] The M&P trigger has the same basic function as the Glock SafeAction trigger, but does so without the weird and distracting lever.  The trigger feels more like a traditional trigger, which I greatly prefer.

    3] Better barrel support for chambered round of ammo.  I believe that the Gen 4 Glocks have improved in this area, so maybe not so significant any more.

    4] M&Ps have steel sights…Glock sights are plastic and somewhat easy to break [this may have changed as well].
    5] last but maybe not least…the M&P looks a lot nicer than the blocky, slab-sided Glock.  Smith and Wesson have been making guns for a long time, and they know what looks good. [yeah, that’s scraping the bottom of the barrel…but lots of people do care how a gun looks].

    None of this is to say that the M&P is better in any real objective sense…they are both fine pistols.  These are merely the reasons they work better for me.  Note too that the M&Ps have converted lots of Glock folks.  The best course of action is to try both guns and see what works best for you.

  • adcon2

    I prefer to carry hammer fired handguns only because it seems to me that if a striker fired handgun is in the “cocked” position, which it is when a round is chambered, that over time the springs will become relaxed. My hammer fired handguns have de-cocking levers. This is the same reason why I switch out magazines on a regular basis. I’m sure that all sounds stupid to someone more knowledgeable then I, but it’s almost impossible to find any actual data, not just personal opinion, on this topic.

  • zemelb

    I just bought my first handgun last week, striker fired S&W SD9VE.  Very happy with it.  Unfortunately, I live in NJ so until I move out of state I’ll never really be able to comment on how it feels to carry it, but for now I’m perfectly happy with the long trigger pull as my safety.

  • 740snipe

    zacfisher0419 DeweyBrooks Calm Down Its not that big a deal. With a temper like yours maybe you should carry at all.

  • JasonMittelstet

    zacfisher0419 All New Ruger single action revolvers since 1973 have had transfer blocks and can be safely carried with all six rounds loaded.

  • merlin1106

    zacfisher0419 Well said!

  • kelteclover

    Looks like I found very gun knowlegded people to ask this. I hope I am not looked down on for asking these detail orianted questions. I only think I know how a “striker fired” gun works recent bought a kel tec p11 really like it. I would like to know. “Is it considered a hammer fire gun?”. It seems to me it has a hidden hammer and transfers to a fireing pin or would this be considered a striker. The tec has come a long way since my ole t18 6shooter. I hope some 1 way more up to date has some golden info for me. I do hope the answers find their way to me. To help it would be great to see it here or email me at [email protected] subject striker

  • Beavercreek53

    adcon2  And striker fired hand guns are more likely to have an accidental discharge, especially if one is wearing gloves.  NEVER,EVER try a quick draw with a striker fired hand gun; unless you have a grudge against your leg and foot.

  • vonheise

    I read and smile because I have been shooting for 58 years, retired from military with over 30 years, and have fired everything there is up to 50 cal. But I am not an expert as I don’t test anything.  I own one or two of every kind mentioned here.  I keep the Judge in my truck for close range defense.  Has no safety other than hard trigger pull.  My second favorite gun is the Springfield XD9, maybe the most dependable striker fired handgun.  My wife keeps it close to her.  My favorite carry weapon is the Rugger LC 9 hammer fired with a manual safety.  I mostly wear it on my ankle for a drop and roll or in car quick draw. My thumb is on the safety as I grab it so no slow down in action.  My Glock 20, 10 mm is a combo striker fired semi auto.  It is my home protector along with a Remington 870 express tactical shotgun.  I am a well rounded old man waiting to be taken advantage of, or have my home invaded, or even my truckjacked.  Hasn’t happened yet, but I am ready…  I smile because there is no best type of gun, they are all different and one has to find one that fits them best.  I happen to find a use for each and every one.  Go to a range, rent or borrow each type till you find “yours” and then do homework to find its reliability.  Every type is good but not all versions are created equal.  I never buy the cheapest, I “shoot” for the most dependable that is comfortable for my hand.

  • merlin1106

    Nuff said!

  • frogballs

    The four rules of safety do not eliminate accidental discharges but will prevent you from injuring someone or yourself.

  • frogballs

    I’ve carried a Glock 22 for 7 years because that’s what my department issued. I’ve never liked it or felt comfortable with it because of that humped backstrap and lack of an external safety lever. I’ve never had great accuracy with it. I still prefer hammer-fired pistols with external safeties like the 1911. I prefer the 1911’s straight backstrap and the ability to carry cocked & locked. The problem with the 1911 is a lack of capacity.
    Recently I discovered the solution to my problems. It’s called FN. FN makes striker-fired pistols (FNS) and hammer-fired pistols (FNX) in 9mm or .40 S&W. They also make their striker-fired pistols with or without manual safety levers. With interchangeable back straps, you can make it flat. To my own surprise, I bought the striker-fired FNS-9 without manual safety lever. I guess ive grown use to the striker-fired guns. It is so much more comfortable than the Glock, the trigger and reset are as good or better than Glock, and I’m much more accurate with it than the Glock. I highly recommend the FN pistols.

  • FelixPartagas

    abmarkg your point, while accurate, is narrow and doesn’t come close to considering the greater reason for safeties on a weapon.  Just because you are a self-proclaimed expert doesn’t mean each and every person (or child) who comes in contact with a weapon is.

  • abmarkg

    FelixPartagas abmarkg Nowhere in my reply did I self-proclaim that I was an expert. You seem
    to know “the greater reason for safeties on a weapon” so please expound
    on that subject “for every person (or child) who comes in contact with a
    weapon”.

  • abmarkg

    frogballs Negilgent discharges?

  • hartcreek

    Nate   It would be interesting if a real study was ever done to see the actual stats of ND because what one see online is the propensity for officers to sucumb to this stupidity.  They are portrayed as to fat or lazy to keep the trigger area clear and are constantly blaming their uniforms.

  • hartcreek

    The problem is online any most of these NDs are being perpetuated by officers but then I have personally observed that being an officer does not mean that that person has any more then a smattering of experience with a firearm.

  • TxRiverRat68

    Best of both worlds for concealed carry: H&K USP
    Features:Corrosion proof fiber-reinforced polymer framePolygonal bore profile for increased velocity, easier cleaning, and longer barrel lifeCan be converted to any of nine trigger firing modesCorrosion resistant “Hostile Environment” blued finishOversized trigger guard for use with glovesOne piece machined slide made from nitro-carburized steelUniversal mounting grooves for installing accessoriesAmbidextrous magazine release leverExtended slide releasePatented Lock-Out Safety deviceUSP Variants:
    Variant 1: Double action/single action with “SAFE” position. Control lever (manual safety/decoking lever) on left side of frame. Variant 2: Double action/single action with “SAFE” position. Control lever (manual safety/decocking lever) on right side of frame. Variant 3: Double action/single action without “SAFE” position. Control lever (decocking lever) on left side of frame. Variant 4: Double action/single action without ”SAFE” position. Control lever (decocking lever) on right side of frame. Variant 5: Double action only with ”SAFE” position. Control lever (manual safety) on left side of frame. Variant 6: Double action only with ”SAFE” position. Control lever (manual safety) on right side of frame. Variant 7: Double action without control lever (no manual safety/decocking lever) Variant 8: Double action without control lever (no manual safety/decocking lever) SPECIAL VARIANT FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCY Variant 9: Double action/single action with control lever (manual safety/no decocking function) on left side of frame. Variant 10: Double action/single action with control lever (manual safety/no decocking function) on right side of frame.

  • bradrian

    Reading these comments and descriptions just makes me love my Beretta Px4 Storm even more.  I’ve got the Model G configuration, which means it’s  DA/SA, hammer-fired, and with a manual decocker.  Beside the fact that the PX4 has fit my hand PERFECTLY since the first moment, this configuration is ideal for me because it incorporates a lot of traditional functionality PLUS the decocker.  That way, I can confidently put “one in the pipe” and decock it, knowing that I can fire the weapon in a split-second if needed but still know that it’s safely decocked and can’t go off accidentally. 

    If you haven’t at least put your hand on a PX4, I encourage you to do so; you might just find that it fits you as well as it fits me.

  • dascoentertainment

    I prefer not to have a round in the chamber when its holsterd…to rack one up just takes a flash..and you can do that on the draw. ..and it beats fumbling around for saftys.  When your in a hurry. ..

    • hjc4604

      Manipulating a slide is easier than snapping a safety of with your thumb? You don’t fumble with a safety because they position it so you practically can’t miss it. I challenge you to try it both ways and see which is faster. And if your other hand/arm is injured or restrained? Yes, you can rack a slide with one hand but can you do it when your life is on the line. I’ll keep my chamber loaded and my safety on thanks.

  • dascoentertainment

    Beavercreek53 adcon2 never drag it out with a live one in the chamber….only takes a second to rack one up..ive got a nano..love it…slick as a whistle

  • ErSwnn

    dascoentertainment
    A chambered round isn’t unsafe unless an idiot is holding the gun.  As the carrier, therefore the one holding it…are you an idiot or not?  If so quit carrying, you’re unsafe.

    Part of the idea behind a striker is to eliminate the need for an externally operated safety.  You can literally hammer nails with a loaded and chambered striker fired pistol and it won’t fire, it’s impossible.  Yeah, I know….famous last words.  But the theory is, it can’t fire being dropped, smacked around, etc.

    Racking a round takes more than “a flash” when in relation to an immediate need for a working weapon.  It ain’t Hollywood.  You’re not going to have a half a second before the bad guy shows up, you’re not going to be slicing the pie trying to gain an advantage.  You’re also allowing an adversary an indication of your intentions.  Why send an early warning signal to someone who is a threat to your life?  Ideally you should be as close to firing as possible as soon as you deploy.  Having to take any additional steps during that deployment is risking more than the added time is worth, especially when that added time is under the flawed pretense that a chambered round in a striker fired gun is somehow unsafe. 

    But to each their own.  If you feel more confident having to chamber then that is what works best for you.  If it’s what you practice you’re going to rack a round no matter what….it’ll be instinct.  We all have to decide what works for us.  But it’s a good bet that if you and I have a friendly competition I’m hitting the target first.  All my muscle memory and rote movements are singular, draw and fire the weapon.  No other actions required.  No safety, no slide manipulation.  And in a real life event, if your weak side is disabled, you’re toast.

    • Roger Ewing

      Why I started with a revolver and still prefer it to a pistol. They are as close to idiot proof as you can get. Now that I am much older I can’t see well enough without glasses for accurate shooting. A shotgun is all I need now. Can’t miss.

    • Omer Woodruff

      You can also hammer your jewels if you have a striker fired handgun in your pocket without a holster and you accidently drop your keys in the same pocket . Humans are imperfect creatures . Have you ever had a Charlie horse in your leg ? Have you ever had your fingers move on their own ? Our nervous system owns us we don’t own it . Hope you never get a cramp in your trigger finger or accidentally have a big glove on your hand with a striker fired handgun . I saw an officer with 40 years in . Shot himself with one after dropping it into his sport coat . We also had one of our officers in the radio room shot himself in his hand .

    • That Guy Called Phil

      Whatever you say Mr. Bond

  • ErSwnn

    bradrian I remember the first time I safed a gun with a decocker.  Dropping the hammer forward just spooked the crap out of me.  I’ve never heard of one failing, but I still don’t trust a falling hammer like that.  But on the plus side, it caused me to take more consideration when loading, unloading, cocking, decocking.  If this fails, where is the round going?

  • ErSwnn

    zemelb This is basically a clone of a Glock.  I own both a Glock and the SW VE9.  I prefer the SW.  

    Bring it over to a range in PA and bring lots of ammo.  Enjoy the freedom of not reloading magazines so often.  But be sure to understand how to transport across state lines.  State laws in both states apply as well as federal laws.  FOPA will explain federal transportation laws.  PA will require you store the gun in the trunk (or away from easy reach in P/U trucks), in a box or range bag (I’d lock it in a hard case), unloaded, and the ammo transported in a separate case or bag.  There are debates over transporting ammo in the same range bag, it’s  considered legal to do so….but for the sake of not carrying a different bag/box in the trunk do you want to risk the potential of a cop who isn’t up on the laws? As for NJ transportation laws, that’s your job to figure out.

    Enjoy the gun!  While the gun snobs may look down on the VE, the real world has proven it’s a reliable tool.

  • petestud3

    I have a  Ruger SR40C in which I love for concealed carry. It is pretty much the same weight as the Smith & Wesson and Berretta. It does have a small “click up, click down” safety on the rail in the perfect reach of my thumb. This allows me to put the safety on when I am storing it. The safety is very flush to the gun itself that it won’t snag on anything to allow it to move. I always leave the safety off when I conceal anyways.

  • RuthAnitha

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    Recently I bought this Waterproof Firestarter, The Ferro rod and which are both included in 1 fire starting kit and that fits conveniently in your pocket. I found this discount code. http://patriotdeal.com/collections/all/products/flint-firestarter Use this code “PD10″and save 10%.

  • Omer Woodruff

    As a former deputy sheriff and firearm salesman I own a few striker fired handguns . If I was an officer today however I would not want to carry one . Due to adrenaline pumping and muscles flexing I would not want to carry a striker fired handgun on duty . I also find them due to the trigger pull to cause the gun to pull to the side and I have also caught myself thinking the weapon was about to fire and I jerked the weapon and I grew up in a gun shop and am now in my 60’s . I personally consider these firearms very dangerous and a second safety should be added to block the trigger from being pulled . I do shot my striker fired guns at the gun range but I prefer a snub nose revolver for a pocket pistol . I will carry my striker fired handguns in a holster but hesitant to having a round chambered . I have had 50 years experience with firearms . I consider striker fired handguns as the most dangerous handguns I have ever seen manufactured . I also saw recently the FBI will be carrying striker fired handguns . Also many police agencies have them . I ask myself are our police agencies bein militarized as striker fired handguns just seem to be the type of a weapon for war and not for officers in cities where bullets could penetrate people’s walls and windows of their homes . I know officers do not receive enough training due to budget cuts and officers today need but a high school diploma to be officers . It’s an accident that will happen without question .

  • gerald brennan

    My pistols are all 1911s and Hi-Powers — all single action.
    I’m buying a S&W Shield in 9mm today, WITH a safety.

  • miamimarine0302

    I’m digressing but almost 50 years ago, my TE weapon was the 1911A1 with its exposed hammer and two safeties – thumb and grip.
    I was impressed with it then and I am impressed with it now. Over the years, I purchased two of them, one a Colt Series 70 CC and the other with a full size 5″ barrel model, also set up like the Series 70 – no firing pin safety.
    With its full single action operation, I think that it’s a better shooter than the Sig, Beretta, H&K, etc all, with their DA/SA setup. Furthermore, the 1911’s safeties are more ergonomic than the others’.
    The 1911 is a cherished icon from a century ago.
    Love both of my 1911’s and use them just as I would a concourse condition 1955 Porsche 356A. I take it for a short ride down a country road on an Sunday afternoon,… and then back into the garage.
    But in my humble opinion, neither the 1911 nor the other modern pistols with hammers and active safeties can measure up to the modern striker-fired pistols in a combat, street fight or home defense scenario.
    1) the exposed hammer just gets in the way. I didn’t appreciate this fully until I bought my first Glock (19);
    2) pistols with the traditional hammer are all metal and generally have to be more precisely machined than the polymer frame internal strikers. Plus the metal guns are heavier. John Browning had only steel to work with when designing and building the 1911, and he did an outstanding job! Gaston Glock, 70 years later, had the benefit of modern day polymers in designing and building another ingenious pistol. The 1911 is an antique. The Glock, the M&P and others like it are the modern day combat pistols;
    3) safeties that have to be manipulated actively get in the way.. A pistol operator must observe Col. Cooper’s 3rd rule of gun safety, as well as rules #1, 2 and 4. Keep you finger off trigger and out of the trigger guard until you have acquired your target and have decided to engage. Having a safety mechanism to manipulate in a fight when adrenaline is high is going to lose precious time or worse. Glock’s trigger safety, firing pin safety (spring loaded plunger) and drop safety (trigger bar’s crucible linkage with the firing pin lug) are adequate;
    4) striker-fired mechanisms are much simpler, less parts, easier to understand operation, much easier to repair without the services of a competent gunsmith (who would be absolutely essential for a 1911 repair). My point being, should a problem of develop, just buy the Glock OEM or good aftermarket parts – trigger, trigger bar, connector, spring trigger housing with ejector, pins, slide catch, plunger and spring, striker / firing pin and spring, extractor, barrel, recoil spring, etc, and you have essentially a new gun;
    Bottom line, if you’re going to the range for some recreation, take your 1911 or your Sig226. They will most certainly defend you if need be in an emergency. But if you’re going to carry every day where the weapon will be subject to normal wear & tear abuse, reach for a reliable Glock, M&P, Springfield or another striker-fired pistol.

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Fighter Sweep
The Spec Ops Channel
The Arms Guide
SOFREP Radio
Wilkow Majority

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