Despite the fact that a striker and a hammer serve the same purpose, they are actually a little bit different.
Striker Fired vs Hammer Fired
Ever wondered when a striker fired weapon may be better than a hammer fired weapon?
In this article, we will go over the differences between the two and a comparison about when each firing mechanism is better to have.
For starters, striker fired and hammer fired refer to how the firearm actually fires a bullet.
What's Hammer Fired Weapon?
A hammer fired weapon, as the name may imply, has a hammer.
A perfect example is a revolver and any 1911 semiautomatic pistol.
When you rack the slide of a hammer fired weapon, it cocks the hammer back.
When you pull the trigger, the hammer will fall, which strikes the firing pin. The firing pin then springs forward and punches the primer of the cartridge, which then initiates the propellant that sends the bullet down range.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that not all hammer fired weapons have external hammers. There are some weapons that have internal hammers that you will not be able to see.
What about Striker Fired Weapon?
Striker fired weapons are fired by an internal striker.
Think about any Glock firearm. These all work with an internal striker.
When you rack the slide of a striker fired weapon, the internal striker is cocked. When you pull the trigger, that internal striker is what rides forward to punch the primer. Most striker fired weapons can only be decocked by pulling the trigger.
What's the different between Striker Fired and Hammer Fired? Which's better?
One common thing that you hear is that hammer fired weapons are safer.
Skilled Amateur Stiker Fired and Hammer Fired Source: http://www.awwba.com
People say that because of the fact that you are able to decock the hammer, you are unlikely to accidentally discharge the weapon. Once you rack the slide and a round is chambered, you are able to decock the hammer, if you are not ready to shoot yet.
In a striker fired weapon or a weapon with an internal hammer, you are NOT able to decock the hammer or striker.
Usually, the only way to decock the hammer is to fire the weapon, although you can obviously pull the slide back and take the round of the chamber.
My opinion is that both firearms are definitely safe in the right hands, but the external hammer does add an additional degree of safety.
Another reason that I think hammer fired weapons with an external hammer are slightly safer, is that you can actually see the position of the hammer, so you will know exactly what position the firearm is in.
When to Use Each
In my opinion, hammer fired weapons with an external hammer are excellent for new shooters.
Being able to physically see the position of the hammer, and what pulling the trigger does to the hammer is a tremendous advantage to someone new to firearms. However, this is just my personal opinion. Safe handling of any firearm will make it easy for a new shooter to learn and shoot.
Striker fired weapons are more commonly used as concealed carry weapons.
The reason for this is that the striker fired weapons don’t have a hammer that can catch on the user’s holster or pocket. Since everything is internal, it makes for a sleeker weapon with no snags or catches.
For home defense purposes, I also prefer striker fired weapons. The reason for this is that I like the point and shoot use. In a high stress situation, there is nothing to worry about other than aiming and pulling the trigger.
For hunting and general shooting purposes, either type of weapon will work, and I don’t really have a preference. The important thing is to ensure that you are using the weapon safely, and are familiar with how it functions.
Related: Best shooting sticks for hunting are great accessories for hunters. Fine out it one is right for you.
Conclusion
Overall, both striker fired and hammer fired weapons systems are excellent options.
The primary difference is how the firearms is actually fired. In a striker fired weapon, an internal striker is cocked back and fired when you pull the trigger. In a hammer fired weapon, there is a physical hammer that does the same.
While both weapons have their pros and cons, they are both excellent choices.
Striker fired weapons generally are better in defense situations, but hammer fired weapons will also perform admirably.
New shooters may learn better from hammer fired weapons, and some old school shooters will prefer hammer fired weapons.
It comes down to personal preference, and whatever you can comfortably and safely use.
In my opinion with a hammer fired pistol You are more likely to fail to draw your gun in a critical situation.And You Can often find a lower bore axis in striker fired guns like the Steyr which result in less recoil.
I don’t get the “fail to draw” point you made. Please explain. Thx.
Honestly if you can only decock by pulling the trigger the the question is answered. No striker is as safe as a hammer fired weapon. I would be interested in a study to find the negligent discharge rate differences.
Regardless of what the study may or may not say the negligent discharge rate difference will be due to inexperience or haphazard use of a firearm. That would be my personal thought.
Technically with a striker fired weapon it is only half cocked when you pull the slide and when you pull the trigger it cocks it the rest of the way and then releases striker. So if you drop the weapon there won’t be an accidental discharge. If that is what you were thinking about.
I have always preferred the trigger mechanism of the hammered pistols. I don’t know why the striker fired pistols can’t have the same crisp release. Never had been explained to me why it even feels different.
The first trigger pull on a hammer gun is going to be initially stiffer than the next. Once the hammer is already in the clock back position it’s just a matter of mechanical parts moving to release the hammer. Therefore the trigger pull is going to be a little lighter.
however in a striker gun you have to move the striker every single time it’s not set in the ready position. So that mechanical includes pulling the striker back every single time as with a hammer, the hammer is already cocked back after the first pull
That’s not true. The sticker is cocked back inside the firearm as well after the slide is racked. Same as a hammer.
I do prefer hammer fired pistols, however, it all comes down to pistol maturity and what you actually prefer. Hammer fired pistol just have a longer double action pull while for striker it is far less.
I am a mother and this helped me!
I am enjoying this striker vs hammer discussion. Please check Canik handguns. They are all striker fired but the make models with a manual decocker in both single action and a DA/SA model. All have an easy to see red striker indicator. I live mine.
I am new to handguns and I just purchased a Canik TP9 Elite SC and I love it. It has the “easy to see” red striker indicator and once you know how the firearm works, it’s obvious when it’s ready to fire. Just like any safety, when you see red, its ready to fire.
I love the de-cock feature on a hammer fired gun. But I could see how some people wouldn’t like two different trigger pulls. For instance, if I have a round chambered but the gun decocked, I still only need to pull the trigger to fire a round. However, the first round I shoot, the trigger will need to pull the hammer back and release it, let’s say about 7 lb trigger pull. Every subsequent shot after the first, will only take about a three and a half pound trigger pull. On a striker fired gun it’s the same trigger pull every time. You really have to mean to shoot your first round on a hammer fired gun, if it is decocked. Also if you get a light strike on a hammer fired gun you could always pull the trigger again before racking the slide and chambering a new round. On a hammer fired gun you only get the one trigger pull, if it strikes light on the primer just re-rack a new round. PS. also when holstering a hammer fired weapon you can place your thumb over the hammer when holstering it to prevent from possible misfire.
A Hammer Fired Weapon…is a 100 times SAFER than a Striker Fired Weapon….With a Striker Fired Weapon you only have a Firing Pin Block for a internal safety while a SA/DA Hammer Fired Weapon..has a Firing Pin Block… Hammer Block and you can carry it (1 n the pipe) with the hammer down or (uncocked) and…yes there’s more.. that first trigger pull will be about 11lbs and then 3lbs after so that’s 4 safety attributes compared the the strikers 1……When you carry a sticker fired Weapon it’s always cocked and on that lil sear with only a lil pin to stop it if it’s dropped or set off….. Also in your article you didn’t mention that a Striker Fires weapons is essentially a firing pin with a spring around it..so instead of a hammer hitting the pin…they pull back that Firing Pin with the spring around it and launches it toward…Now I will say . Hammer fired weapons are a little more violent action causing POA shifts then the Striker Fired guns ACTION…So striker fired weapons seem to be more forgiving when it comes to trigger control and a tight grip….So yeah….
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Is it correct to say that the “internal Hammer” action resets (pulls it back) the hammer when it is fired?
I do not like striker fired guns. I am old. They require more recoil spring pressure than a hammer fired simply because they don’t have a hammer that has to cocked by the slide. They require more recoil springs pressure because they have to also compress the striker spring on the way foward. If you are old or female or whatever may cause you to have trouble racking a slide , the hammer fired gun needs less spring. And you can cock the hammer before racking the slide which makes it even easier to rack. I have 7 pistols,, 6 1911’s and a Glock. The Glock I call it Glunk. Combining of Glock and junk. First time I racked it I had to grab the slide in a vise and pull the frame back. It has freed up some shooting it but occasionally I will rack it and it chambers a round but I don’t pull it all the way back and it doesn’t cock the striker or reset the trigger. In my humble opinion.