Stiker vs Hammer Fired Handguns, Reliability

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I spent quite a bit of time at the range today with my G20 10mm and newer Sig P365x.

Of course hit rates were higher with the little 9 mm, despite the light weight & snappy recoil.
It made me decide to swap out the ill fitting G20 with a bit bigger Sig 9mm for carry in Brown Bear country.

Question is this. I'm looking at either something like the P320 X Compact or the P226 Mark 25.
Both are about the same size, but obviously it comes down to polymer vs metal and striker vs hammer fired.

Does anyone have any knowledgable advice regarding the differences in reliability in field conditions between the two?

 

[elkguide]

The US Navy Seals use the P226.

 

[jimh406]

The Seals use a lot of different pistols. The reliability for either type will be very good.

 

[FrankNess14]

I had a P320 X Carry that I really liked but decided to sell to stick with glocks due to investment in holsters and mags…

To further muddy the water, since you shoot the P365X well, why not look at the P365 Macro? I love mine and that’s after carrying a homemade P365X for years before Sig released the factory version. I shoot the Macro even better than the X. The wife has since stole the X…….


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[180ls1]

I am OK with a heavier hammer fired pistol. I shoot them that much better. Same with my heavy target bow, that I use for hunting.

 

[Marty]

The US Navy Seals use the P226.

about two decades ago... lol

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

@Marty What are your thoughts on it?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

@Formidilosus Is there any significant advantage to either style? I know you like 1911's.

 

[Marty]

@Marty What are your thoughts on it?

-my responses in bold-

Question is this. I'm looking at either something like the P320 X Compact or the P226 Mark 25.
Both are about the same size, but obviously it comes down to polymer vs metal and striker vs hammer fired.

-Go with the handgun that fits your hand best. Within the SIG 320 ecosystem, you can get dialed in with different frame sizes. I've got a couple small frames for the 320 in the gunsafe you're welcome to try out. With the 226 route, you're really only modifying the grip scales. One point to the 320 series, IMO.

-Go with the handgun you can shoot the best. There are real advantages to metal lowers/grips just like a heavier rifle compared to a lighter one. You'll have to sort out that tipping point of shoot-ability but still light enough to carry. The best gun is the one you have on you. Within the 320, you can get either. Another point to the 320 series.

-I do like the accessory line up that SIG is supporting their 320 series with. Get the FCU and you can build out from there.

Does anyone have any knowledgeable advice regarding the differences in reliability in field conditions between the two?

-Great question. I'll have to dig around for a statistically significant data set. My intuitive answer, pending hard data, is that the striker fired is less prone to malfunction when compared to a exposed, hammer fired pistol.

-I've trusted striker fired pistols with the lives of my team and I; Glocks and 320. I'll shoot you a PM with a side note not appropriate for a public forum.

 

[Clarktar]

@Formidilosus Is there any significant advantage to either style? I know you like 1911's.

Aka CheddarBob

 

[180ls1]

-my responses in bold-

Question is this. I'm looking at either something like the P320 X Compact or the P226 Mark 25.
Both are about the same size, but obviously it comes down to polymer vs metal and striker vs hammer fired.

-Go with the handgun that fits your hand best. Within the SIG 320 ecosystem, you can get dialed in with different frame sizes. I've got a couple small frames for the 320 in the gunsafe you're welcome to try out. With the 226 route, you're really only modifying the grip scales. One point to the 320 series, IMO.

-Go with the handgun you can shoot the best. There are real advantages to metal lowers/grips just like a heavier rifle compared to a lighter one. You'll have to sort out that tipping point of shoot-ability but still light enough to carry. The best gun is the one you have on you. Within the 320, you can get either. Another point to the 320 series.

-I do like the accessory line up that SIG is supporting their 320 series with. Get the FCU and you can build out from there.

Does anyone have any knowledgeable advice regarding the differences in reliability in field conditions between the two?

-Great question. I'll have to dig around for a statistically significant data set. My intuitive answer, pending hard data, is that the striker fired is less prone to malfunction when compared to a exposed, hammer fired pistol.

-I've trusted striker fired pistols with the lives of my team and I; Glocks and 320. I'll shoot you a PM with a side note not appropriate for a public forum.

This is excellent advice.

Ive been through the pistol buying process several times with several different people of different experience levels. Funny enough no one has shot the best and subsequently purchased the pistol they thought they would like based on research or even handling it at the counter of the gun store.

I cant recommend enough spending the $10/per rental to shoot them at the range.

 

[SamsonMan22]

Aside from ammo problems both have been about the same reliability for me quality for quality. I have had a couple of sig p229s that were horrible but that was always feeding, or extraction. They were the newer long extractor version, my dad has an older with the short extractor like the one on my 320 or the mk25 and it has been flawless. The only true malfunction I have had related to the hammer itself is while carrying cutting firewood a chip off the saw got wedged in behind the hammer and it would not cock on a DA trigger pull.

My hkp2000 has just north of 12k rounds through it without a single malfunction….ever. It digests any ammo I feed it and has been very neglected on maintenance. My 320 had some teething issues when I first got it but I attribute that to light handloads, with factory defensive ammo I have never had a hiccup. I’m around 2k through it so far with minimal issue on lighter ammo and no issue with hotter loaded ammo. All of the glocks I have had were very reliable although I had 2 g19s that had some pretty erratic ejection.

To me you just prefer one platform or the other. I like DA/SA hammer fired pistols just fine and can shoot the system well. Up until buying my p320-m18 I always was more comfortable carrying a hammer fired pistol but the safety on the m18 has changed my mind about carrying a striker fired setup now.

 

[FrankNess14]

Had another thought…buy the X Macro grip module and put it on your P365. Would have to cut/grind the front of the slide off to match the P365 shorter barrel but I’ve seen this done very cleanly on the University of YouTube. Or leave it for a tacticool standoff when pushing against the bears chest while firing (LMBO). Would also have to thin the rail and trigger guard to get it to fit in P365 holsters or would have to use macro holsters. Cheaper than a new gun and none of the concerns with P320 unintended discharges or detonations…

And I’ll also second renting guns on a range or shooting a buddy’s before buying!


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[texag10]

If you like the P365, I'd agree with others here to either buy a macro grip module and some 17rd mags, or get a 2nd pistol (you'll have a longer slide if you do this).

Be aware holster compatibility between p365/x/XL and Macros is not a given due to different frame and trigger guard dimensions.

I don't think you need to worry about what "fits your hand best" or even what you shoot best right now within reason. Your abilities will mirror the effort put in with consistent practice. I tried the HK P30 3 different times with different trigger options because it fit my hand so well and felt so comfortable, only to immediately and consistently shoot better with a gen 4 Glock 17 with nothing but new sights.

Get something with good support and a good reputation for reliability.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

I spent quite a bit of time at the range today with my G20 10mm and newer Sig P365x.

Of course hit rates were higher with the little 9 mm, despite the light weight & snappy recoil.
It made me decide to swap out the ill fitting G20 with a bit bigger Sig 9mm for carry in Brown Bear country.

Question is this. I'm looking at either something like the P320 X Compact or the P226 Mark 25.
Both are about the same size, but obviously it comes down to polymer vs metal and striker vs hammer fired.

Does anyone have any knowledgable advice regarding the differences in reliability in field conditions between the two?

The internet has been pushing me news about accidental discharges of P320's. I have no direct knowledge of any validity to these concerns but it may be worth looking into.

 

[Marbles]

I like hammers because I can put my thumb on it while holdtering and if the trigger snagged I would feel the hammer move prior to discharge.

I doubt there is much difference in reliability so long as they are well designed.

A strike lets the bore sit a touch lower, which reduces muzzle rise and can give faster follow-up shots.

 

[jonpall]

I like hammers because I can put my thumb on it while holdtering and if the trigger snagged I would feel the hammer move prior to discharge.

Same. As well as improved trigger with the single action if you can get used to the heavier double action on the first shot (assuming DA/SA).