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- CCIman
- Posts: 1823
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- Location: SW Ohio
Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
What's wrong with the striker guns??
They offer the advantage of consistant trigger feel and short reset (most), each and every shot. I love striker guns.
The problem with the Da/Sa hammer, american styled pistols (no condition 1 capability) is that first shot under stress with the "safe" long hard DA pull is invariably a miss, then the second shot under stress can be a miss too, since the trigger feel is entirely a surprise after that first shot goes off. Try shooting a bowling pin match with a DA/SA, with hammer in condition 2, and see what I mean.
European styled DA/SA with the condition one safety lever <-- I prefer those since I use a high thumb over lever grip, since they are in reality SA guns with the DA strike2 capability....But most do not have a way to safely let the trigger down back to the DA condtion 2 position, you really have to trust your thumb, and who really trusts strike 2?
Those that have a 3in1 "decocker/safety" (Taurus G2) have a "all things for all shooters" and none for one--- that pesky thumb can easily rest on the lever with a high hold and make that a DA with every 3rd recoil (or worse flip it into safe mode, if you put your thumb under it), which really throws off your trigger finger.
They offer the advantage of consistant trigger feel and short reset (most), each and every shot. I love striker guns.
The problem with the Da/Sa hammer, american styled pistols (no condition 1 capability) is that first shot under stress with the "safe" long hard DA pull is invariably a miss, then the second shot under stress can be a miss too, since the trigger feel is entirely a surprise after that first shot goes off. Try shooting a bowling pin match with a DA/SA, with hammer in condition 2, and see what I mean.
European styled DA/SA with the condition one safety lever <-- I prefer those since I use a high thumb over lever grip, since they are in reality SA guns with the DA strike2 capability....But most do not have a way to safely let the trigger down back to the DA condtion 2 position, you really have to trust your thumb, and who really trusts strike 2?
Those that have a 3in1 "decocker/safety" (Taurus G2) have a "all things for all shooters" and none for one--- that pesky thumb can easily rest on the lever with a high hold and make that a DA with every 3rd recoil (or worse flip it into safe mode, if you put your thumb under it), which really throws off your trigger finger.
'CAN' does not equal "SHOULD'.
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
CCIman wrote:What's wrong with the striker guns??
They offer the advantage of consistant trigger feel and short reset (most), each and every shot. I love striker guns.
The problem with the Da/Sa hammer, american styled pistols (no condition 1 capability) is that first shot under stress with the "safe" long hard DA pull is invariably a miss, then the second shot under stress can be a miss too, since the trigger feel is entirely a surprise after that first shot goes off. Try shooting a bowling pin match with a DA/SA, with hammer in condition 2, and see what I mean.
European styled DA/SA with the condition one safety lever <-- I prefer those since I use a high thumb over lever grip, since they are in reality SA guns with the DA strike2 capability....But most do not have a way to safely let the trigger down back to the DA condtion 2 position, you really have to trust your thumb, and who really trusts strike 2?
Those that have a 3in1 "decocker/safety" (Taurus G2) have a "all things for all shooters" and none for one--- that pesky thumb can easily rest on the lever with a high hold and make that a DA with every 3rd recoil (or worse flip it into safe mode, if you put your thumb under it), which really throws off your trigger finger.
I agree with striker guns having a consistent trigger pull. My Glock 19 was the first striker type gun I had ever owned or shot.. I got used to the trigger pretty quickly.. I like my Beretta 92A1. But I know when carrying it I will be starting in DA should I have to use it from a draw. Because I carry it decocked with the decocker off. My Glock or m&p are ready to go single action from the draw. And even though I have shot my Berretta from DA many times, under stress there is always a chance of pulling the trigger and anticipating the shot and throwing my first shot off some.
"Lord, make my hand fast and accurate.
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
- TSiWRX
- OFCC Patron Member
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
I think that, as with any other marksmanship consideration, depends entirely on how well trained the shooter is.CCIman wrote: The problem with the Da/Sa hammer, american styled pistols (no condition 1 capability) is that first shot under stress with the "safe" long hard DA pull is invariably a miss, then the second shot under stress can be a miss too, since the trigger feel is entirely a surprise after that first shot goes off. Try shooting a bowling pin match with a DA/SA, with hammer in condition 2, and see what I mean.
I've seen a lot of good shooters do very well with DA/SA.
I think that "invariably" is a way too strong word to use here.
Allen - Shaker Heights, Ohio
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
You make a good point about the transition from DA first shot to SA second, third, etc. being difficult to get used to but imo you're coming a little too strong to the mike.When I spent lots of trigger time with a Beretta 92 in competition, shots were hitting where they were supposed to, on my good days anyhow. Pretty sure a couple overall national IDPA championships were won by somebody (can't recall the name) using a model 92. He beat out all the 1911s, Glocks, Sigs, CZs, etc.CCIman wrote:What's wrong with the striker guns??
They offer the advantage of consistant trigger feel and short reset (most), each and every shot. I love striker guns.
The problem with the Da/Sa hammer, american styled pistols (no condition 1 capability) is that first shot under stress with the "safe" long hard DA pull is invariably a miss, then the second shot under stress can be a miss too, since the trigger feel is entirely a surprise after that first shot goes off. Try shooting a bowling pin match with a DA/SA, with hammer in condition 2, and see what I mean.
As they say in non-PC circles, it's more about the Indian than the bow or arrow.
Having said all that I do my best shooting with handguns that have the same trigger pull for each shot.
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Darn you other guys for getting here first!

Quit worrying, hide your gun well, shut up, and CARRY that handgun!
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
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1911 and Browning Hi Power Enthusianado.
- schmieg
- OFCC Coordinator
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
I don't like the striker style because there is no difference between the first and the second shot. That easy trigger pull is an invitation to disaster IMHO.
The guns I fired while learning as a kid and since were single action firearms, including the 1911 and the SAA type. The double action firearms I learned on were the Colt Python and Anaconda, so I'm used to a heavy trigger on a first shot. The SA on the subsequent rounds is icing on the cake.
I either carry a Beretta DA/SA (with a safety if I do want to carry strictly SA) or a 1911. Having carried a Single Action Army type when I was young also has trained me to cock a hammer on the draw should I want to do that, but I have never felt the need on the DA/SA guns.
The guns I fired while learning as a kid and since were single action firearms, including the 1911 and the SAA type. The double action firearms I learned on were the Colt Python and Anaconda, so I'm used to a heavy trigger on a first shot. The SA on the subsequent rounds is icing on the cake.
I either carry a Beretta DA/SA (with a safety if I do want to carry strictly SA) or a 1911. Having carried a Single Action Army type when I was young also has trained me to cock a hammer on the draw should I want to do that, but I have never felt the need on the DA/SA guns.
-- Mike
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
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- Location: Warren county
Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
schmieg wrote:I don't like the striker style because there is no difference between the first and the second shot. That easy trigger pull is an invitation to disaster IMHO.
The guns I fired while learning as a kid and since were single action firearms, including the 1911 and the SAA type. The double action firearms I learned on were the Colt Python and Anaconda, so I'm used to a heavy trigger on a first shot. The SA on the subsequent rounds is icing on the cake.
I either carry a Beretta DA/SA (with a safety if I do want to carry strictly SA) or a 1911. Having carried a Single Action Army type when I was young also has trained me to cock a hammer on the draw should I want to do that, but I have never felt the need on the DA/SA guns.
So what you're really saying is that you're old!

"Lord, make my hand fast and accurate.
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
- schmieg
- OFCC Coordinator
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- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:11 pm
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
I'll be 69 in June and I've earned every pain in my body. Every time I hurt, I think of how much fun I had getting an injury, at least the fun I had until I injured myself doing something that I would never think of doing today.Bama.45 wrote:schmieg wrote:I don't like the striker style because there is no difference between the first and the second shot. That easy trigger pull is an invitation to disaster IMHO.
The guns I fired while learning as a kid and since were single action firearms, including the 1911 and the SAA type. The double action firearms I learned on were the Colt Python and Anaconda, so I'm used to a heavy trigger on a first shot. The SA on the subsequent rounds is icing on the cake.
I either carry a Beretta DA/SA (with a safety if I do want to carry strictly SA) or a 1911. Having carried a Single Action Army type when I was young also has trained me to cock a hammer on the draw should I want to do that, but I have never felt the need on the DA/SA guns.
So what you're really saying is that you're old!
-- Mike
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
I hope most can say they lived a full life... I so far wouldn't change anything that I have done in my life.
"Lord, make my hand fast and accurate.
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
- schmieg
- OFCC Coordinator
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- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 11:11 pm
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
There are things I would change - people I've hurt unintentionally, things like that, but I'm happy with most of it.Bama.45 wrote:I hope most can say they lived a full life... I so far wouldn't change anything that I have done in my life.
-- Mike
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
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- Joined: Wed May 21, 2014 4:32 pm
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
schmieg wrote:There are things I would change - people I've hurt unintentionally, things like that, but I'm happy with most of it.Bama.45 wrote:I hope most can say they lived a full life... I so far wouldn't change anything that I have done in my life.
I think all of us have those type things that we would change.
"Lord, make my hand fast and accurate.
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
Let my aim be true and my hand faster
than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those who wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be 'If I only had my gun."
And Lord, if today is truly the day you call me home
Let me die in a pile of empty brass."
Amen
U.S. Marines 01-07
~The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.~ Thomas Jefferson
- Morne
- OFCC Coordinator
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
Nothing.CCIman wrote:What's wrong with the striker guns??
The original post didn't say we were looking for the best non-striker fired 9mm.
Indeed, a couple striker-fired options were mentioned in the OP.
Just not Glocks.

Thus spoke Zarathustra.
Footsoldier in the Conservative Insurrection of the GOP.
Remember, only you can prevent big government!
Footsoldier in the Conservative Insurrection of the GOP.
Remember, only you can prevent big government!
- Mr. Glock
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
Schmieg
Although I appreciate the totality of your post, I'd say we have enough data now to declare the "long first trigger pull" not a safety feature. In fact, the NY trigger el al on striker-fired guns do not help accuracy or prevent idiots from pulling the trigger when they should not. Agreed a manual safety would prevent the latter (if engaged), but that's going about it back-buttsward.
Booger hook off the bang switch, so to say.
Although I appreciate the totality of your post, I'd say we have enough data now to declare the "long first trigger pull" not a safety feature. In fact, the NY trigger el al on striker-fired guns do not help accuracy or prevent idiots from pulling the trigger when they should not. Agreed a manual safety would prevent the latter (if engaged), but that's going about it back-buttsward.
Booger hook off the bang switch, so to say.
OFCC Patron, GOA, SAF, YouTube 2A Patreon, NRA Benefactor Life & Hot Stove League Member
- schmieg
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
I like manual safeties and things other than booger hooks can snag bang switches.Mr. Glock wrote:Schmieg
Although I appreciate the totality of your post, I'd say we have enough data now to declare the "long first trigger pull" not a safety feature. In fact, the NY trigger el al on striker-fired guns do not help accuracy or prevent idiots from pulling the trigger when they should not. Agreed a manual safety would prevent the latter (if engaged), but that's going about it back-buttsward.
Booger hook off the bang switch, so to say.
-- Mike
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
As a few LEO's have discovered.schmieg wrote:I like manual safeties and things other than booger hooks can snag bang switches.Mr. Glock wrote:Schmieg
Although I appreciate the totality of your post, I'd say we have enough data now to declare the "long first trigger pull" not a safety feature. In fact, the NY trigger el al on striker-fired guns do not help accuracy or prevent idiots from pulling the trigger when they should not. Agreed a manual safety would prevent the latter (if engaged), but that's going about it back-buttsward.
Booger hook off the bang switch, so to say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrJMQupYxaw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A friend of mine carries a Glock but he uses a plastic blocking type device that fits in snug behind the trigger. After he draws the gun he pushes it out with his finger. I don't know if that does anything detrimental to the trigger group long term or not, but it's working for him okay so far.
- Morne
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Re: Best non-Glock 9mm semi-auto
That's the reason I love the XD series so much. The 1911-esque grip safety both promotes reholstering safety and good grip positioning during practice. Still no thumb safety to forget, though. Just hold the gun correctly and squeeze the trigger and she'll work.schmieg wrote:I like manual safeties and things other than booger hooks can snag bang switches.Mr. Glock wrote:Schmieg
Although I appreciate the totality of your post, I'd say we have enough data now to declare the "long first trigger pull" not a safety feature. In fact, the NY trigger el al on striker-fired guns do not help accuracy or prevent idiots from pulling the trigger when they should not. Agreed a manual safety would prevent the latter (if engaged), but that's going about it back-buttsward.
Booger hook off the bang switch, so to say.
Then again, I cut my semi-auto teeth on 1911s so I was taught early on to reholster the right way. Fingertips only on grip panels so the hand arches away from the grip safety. That, and WATCH the gun go back into the holster SLOWLY and you'll do fine.
Thus spoke Zarathustra.
Footsoldier in the Conservative Insurrection of the GOP.
Remember, only you can prevent big government!
Footsoldier in the Conservative Insurrection of the GOP.
Remember, only you can prevent big government!