Any preferences of Striker-fired vs. Hammer? Polymer or Steel? And why?

[NYMike]

I Am a newcomer to gun ownership, only within the last 5 years. Being new I see myself favoring polymer for it's lighter weight, excellent durability, and alleged recoil absorbing flex properties. As such many of these guns are striker fired such as my Glock and XD. when I compare them in store to hammer fired ones like the Sig 226 or HK USP among others I don't like the longer trigger pull. I don't know if it's cause they're SA/DA or even the DAO ones, they don't feel as good as striker ones.

Even some striker fired models feel cheap to me, so maybe it's model specific. But while the only pistol I own that is hammer fired is my KelTec 380, I can't see myself buying a hammer fired pistol unless it was a 1911, as those are seemingly the only pistol whose trigger pull is satisfactory to me, obviously due to the short SA pull, now if only they came in polymer... I know that's heresy, but why haven't any manufacturers gone that route?

 

[Supernois]

I have a Sig P254 as well as a Smith & Wesson M&P. I don't mind the DA\SA trigger at all. Only the first shot has a long trigger pull. I grew up shooting my dad's revolvers so maybe I'm just used to it.

 

[1911_Marine]

There are models of 1911 that are not all steel. Look into the Springfield Lightweight models (alloy frames) or Charles Daly makes a polymer 1911 (Government M5). I am sure there are other "hybrids" (double stack, etc.) out there that may interest you as well. Get your hands on as many as you can and actually feel them and shoot them.

I own all steel and lightweight models and highly recommend them both. I also own 45s from Glock and Sig and they all point and shoot differently but I personally don't feel poly 45s do that much for recoil cushion. Actually the lighter guns may feel like more because they are lighter. Either way, you have to get to know them personally of you are going to feel comfortable carrying or using them for defense.

 

[rffreq]

As a possibility check out Link Removed and PRP~ Perfecting Your XD/XDM! for their trigger kits for your XD, the shorter pull and reset works for me. On the minus side if you go to court any modification to the gun makes you look like you were wanting to kill and planning on it. Just hit the target.

 

[AWJ]

I love a glock. Then again I love a good 1911. But I also love the walther ppk. The 1911 in forged steel recoils the least. The glock definitely recoils the most. Especially near the end of the mag. Not sure how a lighter pistol would recoil less.

The 1911 has an extremely nice, short, light trigger pull. SA is always a short pull. It's the DA pull that is long. The walther ppk has a long heavy,long first shot in double action and the follow ups are short and light(er) with the single action. The glock is somewhere in between, lighter than say a walther in sa but longer pull. Lighter than a walther in double with a shorter pull. Heavier and longer than a SA 1911.

I can wear any of these on my side on any given day and rely on it.

 

[revjen45]

I like my Steyr S9. If guns evolved like living creatures, Steyr is what Glock would become.

 

[smokeeatr211]

I personally prefer striker fired models because of the consistency in trigger pull. with DA/SA your trigger pull is different for each. in a rushed or paniced situation consistency of the trigger pull could be a significant factor. either way you go train with whatever you use and make sure you are comfortable with it.
Also i prefer the polymer frame as well just for the weight as you stated.

 

[towboater]

I have a Taurus 24/7 pro DS in .45. Lot. Of people badmouth the brand, I've shot thousands of rounds through it with no hiccups related to the gun, had a bad mag that did some weird things. DA/SA decocker. 12 round mags. Heinie sights. A very accurate gun. I love it, take it to the range still, plus they are under $400.00 and yes they are Stryker fired.

 

[NYMike]

Thanks for the helpful answers. I guess I need to shoot more variety of guns to see the differences. The 226 I shot was NYPD so it had 12lbs pull.

 

[Glock Fan]

My Glock 23 has been good to me. Whatever you do decide on carrying, be sure to practice with it so you will have confidence in your pistol, as your life may depend on it.

 

[rdp357]

I like my Glock 19, I think the trigger pull is somewhere around 5.5, when I shoot it, I enjoy it. Its what you like that matters, try as many as you can and when you decide, practice a lot.

 

[The_Outlaw]

"Any preferences of Striker-fired vs. Hammer? Polymer or Steel? And why?"

I am no expert, but I do have some experience.
I have owned & carried both hammer fired & striker fired / Steel, Aluminum & Polymer framed sidearms both on and off duty throughout the years. And I have chosen Glock as my primary sidearm of choice for over 20 years now.

I just really like Glock's and I know them well enough to feel both very comfortable & confident with them. In my personal experience, Glock's are very reliable & accurate right out of the box. They are reasonably priced AND they are the 'Original' Polymer Framed Sidearm. Everything else is a copycat i.m.h.o.

I know that the M&P crowd and other Polymer framed crowds will probably get mad at me for saying that, but that's just my .02 cents. I'm sure that the M&P & other polymer framed sidearms are great weapons, but I have never felt the need to change to any of them for whatever reason.

At the end of the day it all depends on 'what works for you'. What are 'you' comfortable and confident with? There is really no right or wrong answer.

 

[Bigcarlover]

On the minus side if you go to court any modification to the gun makes you look like you were wanting to kill and planning on it.

I need a little more explaination on how the modifications you listed affect this perception.

 

[Glock Fan]

I need a little more explaination on how the modifications you listed affect this perception.

I've seen cases where the trigger pull was lowered and it became an issue. I've also seen cases where a threaded barrel and some other cosmetic "tactical" modifications were made to a pistol. This was brought up at trial by the prosecutor.

Be very careful when modifying your firearm. In some cases, improper modifications could result in a serious malfunction.

 

[Ringo]

I was raised on the Colt 1911. I love everything about the Colt except the weight when it comes to conceal carry. I've owned many striker-fired guns, tried to like them, but couldn't. However,I can't knock their quality or their performance. I ended up with what I consider a great 1911 for carry, the S&W Scandium. Only 28 oz, sweet trigger pull, accurate, quality built and dependable.
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