Hammer or not?

Vic1951 · February 25, 2017, 11:33 AM

I like guns with hammers. I have exactly 16 handguns and only my HK VP9 has does not have a hammer. All other guns have hammers but are all DAO only. I grew up on 1911s and revolvers. I like the safety of holstering my gun with my thumb on the hammer so I can feel if it moves. I like the feel of a hammer when I fire rather than the sproing of a striker. I am also an oldtimer so I am used to guns with hammers. How about you? Do you prefer a hammer or not? Most of the younger generation was brought up on polymer striker fired guns and rarely shoot anything else.

jr24 · February 25, 2017, 11:58 AM

I like both, but if it has a hammer it's gotta be SAO for me.

MrBorland · February 25, 2017, 12:13 PM

I mostly shoot DA revolvers, so they've got to have hammers (my semi-autos are striker-fired).

As far as DAO, though, I can go either way. A strong case can be made for going DAO for certain applications. I like the classic look and versatility of a SA/DA revolver, but I very rarely shoot SA, and lightening the hammer by lobbing off the hammer can allow a revolver's action to be tuned a bit more aggressively, so all my match revolvers have bobbed hammers (see video in the link). One has to like shooting or be willing to shoot DA, of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmy5mkjpUNI

Jim Watson · February 25, 2017, 01:34 PM

I have gotten past dogma.
Pull trigger (after disengaging safety, if provided) gun goes off. I'm happy.

My usual guns are SAO and DA/SA autos and DA/SA revolvers, with a sprinkling of tricky trigger autos and SAO sixguns.

My Kahr is striker fired, but it is full stroke DAO to shoot. I do wish it felt more like a revolver. It is so handy, both flat and comfortable in the hand, that I am willing to put up with its peculiarity.

TruthTellers · February 25, 2017, 02:20 PM

I like my revolvers to be hammered for the DA/SA, but my pistols to have strikers for as close to SA as possible.

Even further out, I like double barrel shotguns to have exposed hammers too because it makes the opening so smooth and easy and not a pain to cock a pair of internal hammers.

CDW4ME · February 25, 2017, 02:28 PM

My 1911's have hammers, my Glocks don't; I like both.

FrankenMauser · February 25, 2017, 03:03 PM

I prefer a hammer on a revolver, but have owned a couple examples that were DAO (still have one).

On autos... it depends on the purpose.
DA striker, pre-loaded striker, hammer, DA/SA, DAO... just depends on what it's for, and how well it does the job.

tipoc · February 25, 2017, 03:26 PM

I tend to prefer a hammer on a semi, I prefer the versatility. But I have had and will again have guns without them.

The same is true of revolvers regarding the hammer. I've had dao revolvers but have never preferred them other than the Centennial version. I do a good deal of da shooting, most shot that way likely, but again the versatility.

tipoc

Shimpy · February 25, 2017, 04:17 PM

I really enjoy looking at mechanical things and prefer a hammer. There is no better sound than a SAO hammer being pulled back.

tallball · February 25, 2017, 04:57 PM

CCW, hammerless or shrouded.

Everything else, hammer.

reddog81 · February 25, 2017, 05:16 PM

Anything with a smooth trigger pull is fine with me. I prefer my Glock trigger over the hammer on my CZ 75 b, but prefer my 1911's over the Glock.

I really couldn't care less as long as it works well. The smoother ther better and the lighter the better until you get to 2 lbs trigger pulls then that's too light.

pblanc · February 25, 2017, 05:34 PM

I have two striker-fired pistols, both SIG P320s. The rest of my handguns (10) are all hammer-fired and include a double action revolver, two DAO auto-loaders, two single action 1911s, and five DA/SA auto-loaders.

From a safety standpoint, I do tend to favor hammer-fired pistols since the hammer can be ridden with the thumb to assure no foreign object can depress the trigger unnoticed while holstering. Hammer-fired pistols also have second strike capability, which the majority of striker-action pistols do not.

Mike38 · February 25, 2017, 06:07 PM

They now make handguns without hammers? LOL. I too am old school.

lee n. field · February 25, 2017, 06:19 PM

Quote:

I like guns with hammers. ... I like the safety of holstering my gun with my thumb on the hammer so I can feel if it moves. I like the feel of a hammer when I fire rather than the sproing of a striker. I am also an oldtimer so I am used to guns with hammers. How about you? Do you prefer a hammer or not?

Does not matter to me. Reliability is more important. Last couple years' purchases have been evenly spit.

Quote:

Most of the younger generation was brought up on polymer striker fired guns and rarely shoot anything else.

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what a striker fired vs. hammer fired system does for you, based on the sort of questions I see people ask.

Mastrogiacomo · February 25, 2017, 06:27 PM

I enjoy both and have both in my collection. For some reason, I'm not too bothered switching between guns; I enjoy the striker fire but to be honest, I lean more to single/double action.

Laura

BigJimP · February 25, 2017, 06:48 PM

Yes, I like 1911's ...and guns with hammers.../ I have no use for stryker fired guns ( but mostly its the triggers in them that aggravate me ).

My primary carry gun is - and will continue to be - a Wilson Combat 5" all stainless ( Protector model ) in 9mm... / until about 2 years ago, my primary carry gun was a Wilson Combat CQB model, a 5" gun, in .45 acp ....

but everyone should buy, shoot or carry whatever they like ...

tsillik · February 25, 2017, 07:06 PM

Count me in with Mike38 ! terry

FrankenMauser · February 25, 2017, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Most of the younger generation was brought up on polymer striker fired guns and rarely shoot anything else.

I don't know...
It may seem that way in some parts of the country, based on what people see being fired at the range.
It probably also has a lot to do with what you view as the "younger generation".

It's not really fitting for most of my friends.
I was born in what is now a dead zone - from about '79 to '84 - commonly referred to in other parts of the world (and, rarely, here) as the "lost generation" (not to be confused with the WWI Lost Generation), because we are too young for many Gen X influences, but old enough to have grown before being heavily-influenced by the Gen Y/Millennial technology saturation.
But, of course, most of our peers fall into any of the above.

Eliminating myself and fellow enthusiasts, I'd average things out and say my average gun-owning friend within my age group has:
A Glock, S&W M&P, or Springfield XD.
A 1911 or similar.
A .22 pistol. (Primarily Ruger, S&W, Browning, or Walther [

].)

For every 6-7 individuals, there's some one with an additional "video game" or "movie" gun, such as a Desert Eagle "point-five-oh", Python, "Dirty Harry" (S&W 29), or "Baller" .45 (AMT Hardballer - as featured in the Hitman video game series).

I can't think of a single one that owns a revolver, that doesn't fit into the 'enthusiast' category (excluding the Pythons and "Dirty Harrys").

But...
Even though most of them bought their striker-fired pistols first, and it would be easy to argue that nostalgia and movies have really helped get the 1911s into their hands... Nearly every one of them loves and fires the 1911 or "1911" just as much (if not more).

Sevens · February 26, 2017, 12:55 AM

When I read some of the opinions and tastes and rationales on these pages... sometimes I wonder if I'm the odd guy or if I am really quite average. I'll try to sum it up succinctly:

1) handguns are an absolute life long PASSION to me. Some are "tools", yes, but I am a handgunner because I totally love them, I ponder them, I have seemingly endless love for them and get pure joy from them

2) I don't care for tupperware (polymer, striker fire) guns. They seem to lack soul, I find almost all of them hideous to look at with bland features and a fake feel and just... no passion for them at all.

3) ^totally believe that with all my heart! HOWEVER, they are the best for the carry/defense role and for that reason, I own and carry them exclusively! 7 years carrying a Glock, nearly 3 now on a Walther PPQ. I shoot these two very well and absolutely want to carry them and have no desire to carry the OTHER guns that I totally love and dream about

4) the guns I love most almost always have hammers and they can be DA/SA or SA but I am only ever going to shoot them SA, and a DAO hammer equipped pistol is just not for me. Fine for carry I bet... except I only carry tupperware. Heartless, soulless tupperware.

hemiram · February 26, 2017, 04:13 AM

I prefer hammered guns over strikers, if I have a choice. I have several striker guns that work ok, but I have no desire for Glocks, XD's, M&P's, etc. The striker guns I do own are all on the "budget side". I have a Canik TP9V2 that I really like, a pair of Taurus PT111 G2's, and an FNH FNS-40 that will soon be gone, I bought it simply because it was so cheap. It's a decent gun, but I'm getting out of the .40, and will be sticking with 9mm and .45 calibers.

What I'm going to get after I sell the FNS-40 is probably a SIG P226 9mm DAK. I really like my new to me P220 DAK police trade in. I really wonder what they traded them in for, as mine and a friend's look almost brand new, and shoot great.

75218ron · February 26, 2017, 08:05 AM

I love ALL of them...lol.

SaxonPig · February 26, 2017, 08:51 AM

Hammerless design makes sense on a concealed carry piece. Very embarrassing to have the spur catch on clothing while drawing. For most recreational or sport shooting I prefer to have a hammer. Two favorite carry pieces are the Taurus 738 380 auto and the S&W M40 Centennial. Both lack external hammers.

mavracer · February 26, 2017, 09:14 AM

Hammer or striker really makes no difference to me. Manual of arms does and I do avoid certain things the safety( if equipped) must be down to fire. I prefer on a duty size strong side weapon that there be some way of reholstering where a foreign object can't cause a ND, so my duty strikers all have safeties other than the one on the trigger.
Although I don't adhere to this with pocket guns.

Nathan · February 26, 2017, 09:40 AM

I'm more about can I do the intended purpose or not. I view the trigger as a switch to make the bullet go. If I can pull that trigger and get to an appropriate group size for the gu, basically, I'm ok. Then there is the safety aspect. I need to be able to "get on" the trigger without moving it. I also need appropriate take up.

For example: my CCW Glock 23 has about 2.5 lbs pretty long take up and a 5 lb release. That is ok, but the release could be more crisp. Over travel could be a bit better, reduced sproing and it would be nice to have a thumb safety.

If it were hammer fired, it might be easier to make crisp, but who knows....they are all just a slightly different to get a piece of high potential energy metal released by sliding metal away from it. DA is more challenging because you have to put the energy into it and release it.

Hammer fired guns have better tolerance stack up usually, because all parts are in one frame. Striker fired guns always have striker to sear variation that will make one pull 5 lbs and the next 5.5!

Lohman446 · February 26, 2017, 01:51 PM

One of my gun rules is that guns have hammers. That is just part of how they work

One of my exceptions to the gun rule is everyone should own and be familiar with at least one striker fired gun.

February 25, 2017, 11:33 AM	#1
Vic1951 Member Join Date: January 30, 2017 Location: I am in the South Posts: 30	Hammer or not? I like guns with hammers. I have exactly 16 handguns and only my HK VP9 has does not have a hammer. All other guns have hammers but are all DAO only. I grew up on 1911s and revolvers. I like the safety of holstering my gun with my thumb on the hammer so I can feel if it moves. I like the feel of a hammer when I fire rather than the sproing of a striker. I am also an oldtimer so I am used to guns with hammers. How about you? Do you prefer a hammer or not? Most of the younger generation was brought up on polymer striker fired guns and rarely shoot anything else.

February 25, 2017, 02:28 PM	#6
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 1,321	My 1911's have hammers, my Glocks don't; I like both. __________________ Strive to carry the handgun you would want anywhere, everywhere; forget that good area bullcrap. "Wouldn't want to / Nobody volunteer to" get shot by _____ is not indicative of quickly incapacitating.

February 25, 2017, 03:03 PM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I prefer a hammer on a revolver, but have owned a couple examples that were DAO (still have one). On autos... it depends on the purpose. DA striker, pre-loaded striker, hammer, DA/SA, DAO... just depends on what it's for, and how well it does the job. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

February 25, 2017, 04:17 PM	#9
Shimpy Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2015 Posts: 153	I really enjoy looking at mechanical things and prefer a hammer. There is no better sound than a SAO hammer being pulled back. __________________ The Villages, Florida.

February 25, 2017, 06:27 PM	#15
Mastrogiacomo Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,297	I enjoy both and have both in my collection. For some reason, I'm not too bothered switching between guns; I enjoy the striker fire but to be honest, I lean more to single/double action. Laura __________________ "Luctor et Emergo" - Struggle and Emerge

February 25, 2017, 11:58 AM	#2
jr24 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2011 Posts: 870	I like both, but if it has a hammer it's gotta be SAO for me.

February 25, 2017, 12:13 PM	#3
MrBorland Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 2,614	I mostly shoot DA revolvers, so they've got to have hammers (my semi-autos are striker-fired). As far as DAO, though, I can go either way. A strong case can be made for going DAO for certain applications. I like the classic look and versatility of a SA/DA revolver, but I very rarely shoot SA, and lightening the hammer by lobbing off the hammer can allow a revolver's action to be tuned a bit more aggressively, so all my match revolvers have bobbed hammers (see video in the link). One has to like shooting or be willing to shoot DA, of course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmy5mkjpUNI

February 25, 2017, 01:34 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I have gotten past dogma. Pull trigger (after disengaging safety, if provided) gun goes off. I'm happy. My usual guns are SAO and DA/SA autos and DA/SA revolvers, with a sprinkling of tricky trigger autos and SAO sixguns. My Kahr is striker fired, but it is full stroke DAO to shoot. I do wish it felt more like a revolver. It is so handy, both flat and comfortable in the hand, that I am willing to put up with its peculiarity.

February 25, 2017, 02:20 PM	#5
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	I like my revolvers to be hammered for the DA/SA, but my pistols to have strikers for as close to SA as possible. Even further out, I like double barrel shotguns to have exposed hammers too because it makes the opening so smooth and easy and not a pain to cock a pair of internal hammers.

February 25, 2017, 03:26 PM	#8
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	I tend to prefer a hammer on a semi, I prefer the versatility. But I have had and will again have guns without them. The same is true of revolvers regarding the hammer. I've had dao revolvers but have never preferred them other than the Centennial version. I do a good deal of da shooting, most shot that way likely, but again the versatility. tipoc

February 25, 2017, 04:57 PM	#10
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	CCW, hammerless or shrouded. Everything else, hammer.

February 25, 2017, 05:16 PM	#11
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Anything with a smooth trigger pull is fine with me. I prefer my Glock trigger over the hammer on my CZ 75 b, but prefer my 1911's over the Glock. I really couldn't care less as long as it works well. The smoother ther better and the lighter the better until you get to 2 lbs trigger pulls then that's too light.

February 25, 2017, 05:34 PM	#12
pblanc Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 697	I have two striker-fired pistols, both SIG P320s. The rest of my handguns (10) are all hammer-fired and include a double action revolver, two DAO auto-loaders, two single action 1911s, and five DA/SA auto-loaders. From a safety standpoint, I do tend to favor hammer-fired pistols since the hammer can be ridden with the thumb to assure no foreign object can depress the trigger unnoticed while holstering. Hammer-fired pistols also have second strike capability, which the majority of striker-action pistols do not.

February 25, 2017, 06:07 PM	#13
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	They now make handguns without hammers? LOL. I too am old school.

February 25, 2017, 06:48 PM	#16
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Yes, I like 1911's ...and guns with hammers.../ I have no use for stryker fired guns ( but mostly its the triggers in them that aggravate me ). My primary carry gun is - and will continue to be - a Wilson Combat 5" all stainless ( Protector model ) in 9mm... / until about 2 years ago, my primary carry gun was a Wilson Combat CQB model, a 5" gun, in .45 acp .... but everyone should buy, shoot or carry whatever they like ...

February 25, 2017, 07:06 PM	#17
tsillik Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2011 Location: Carter Lake Ia. Posts: 237	Count me in with Mike38 ! terry

February 26, 2017, 12:55 AM	#19
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	When I read some of the opinions and tastes and rationales on these pages... sometimes I wonder if I'm the odd guy or if I am really quite average. I'll try to sum it up succinctly: 1) handguns are an absolute life long PASSION to me. Some are "tools", yes, but I am a handgunner because I totally love them, I ponder them, I have seemingly endless love for them and get pure joy from them 2) I don't care for tupperware (polymer, striker fire) guns. They seem to lack soul, I find almost all of them hideous to look at with bland features and a fake feel and just... no passion for them at all. 3) ^totally believe that with all my heart! HOWEVER, they are the best for the carry/defense role and for that reason, I own and carry them exclusively! 7 years carrying a Glock, nearly 3 now on a Walther PPQ. I shoot these two very well and absolutely want to carry them and have no desire to carry the OTHER guns that I totally love and dream about 4) the guns I love most almost always have hammers and they can be DA/SA or SA but I am only ever going to shoot them SA, and a DAO hammer equipped pistol is just not for me. Fine for carry I bet... except I only carry tupperware. Heartless, soulless tupperware. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 26, 2017, 04:13 AM	#20
hemiram Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: Toledo, ohio Posts: 762	I prefer hammered guns over strikers, if I have a choice. I have several striker guns that work ok, but I have no desire for Glocks, XD's, M&P's, etc. The striker guns I do own are all on the "budget side". I have a Canik TP9V2 that I really like, a pair of Taurus PT111 G2's, and an FNH FNS-40 that will soon be gone, I bought it simply because it was so cheap. It's a decent gun, but I'm getting out of the .40, and will be sticking with 9mm and .45 calibers. What I'm going to get after I sell the FNS-40 is probably a SIG P226 9mm DAK. I really like my new to me P220 DAK police trade in. I really wonder what they traded them in for, as mine and a friend's look almost brand new, and shoot great.

February 26, 2017, 08:05 AM	#21
75218ron Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 191	I love ALL of them...lol.

February 26, 2017, 08:51 AM	#22
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	Hammerless design makes sense on a concealed carry piece. Very embarrassing to have the spur catch on clothing while drawing. For most recreational or sport shooting I prefer to have a hammer. Two favorite carry pieces are the Taurus 738 380 auto and the S&W M40 Centennial. Both lack external hammers.

February 26, 2017, 09:40 AM	#24
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	I'm more about can I do the intended purpose or not. I view the trigger as a switch to make the bullet go. If I can pull that trigger and get to an appropriate group size for the gu, basically, I'm ok. Then there is the safety aspect. I need to be able to "get on" the trigger without moving it. I also need appropriate take up. For example: my CCW Glock 23 has about 2.5 lbs pretty long take up and a 5 lb release. That is ok, but the release could be more crisp. Over travel could be a bit better, reduced sproing and it would be nice to have a thumb safety. If it were hammer fired, it might be easier to make crisp, but who knows....they are all just a slightly different to get a piece of high potential energy metal released by sliding metal away from it. DA is more challenging because you have to put the energy into it and release it. Hammer fired guns have better tolerance stack up usually, because all parts are in one frame. Striker fired guns always have striker to sear variation that will make one pull 5 lbs and the next 5.5!

February 26, 2017, 01:51 PM	#25
Lohman446 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2016 Posts: 2,192	One of my gun rules is that guns have hammers. That is just part of how they work One of my exceptions to the gun rule is everyone should own and be familiar with at least one striker fired gun.