How Do Striker Fired Pistols Work
Striker-fired pistols are some of the most popular handguns on the market. But how do they work? In short, striker-fired pistols have a spring-loaded firing pin that is released when the trigger is pulled.
This type of pistol does not have a hammer like traditional handguns. The advantage of this design is that it can be made with fewer moving parts, making it simpler and more reliable. Additionally, striker-fired pistols tend to have a lighter trigger pull than traditional handguns, making them easier to shoot accurately.
Striker fired pistols are becoming increasingly popular in the world of firearms. But how do they work?
A striker fired pistol is a type of handgun that uses a spring-loaded firing pin to strike the primer of a cartridge, causing the gun to discharge.
The big advantage of a striker fired pistol is that it does not have a hammer, making it much easier to conceal and carry.
When you pull the trigger on a striker fired pistol, the firing pin is released and strikes the primer, igniting the gunpowder and sending the bullet down the barrel. Striker fired pistols are simple to use and very reliable, making them an excellent choice for self-defense.
3D Animation: How a Striker Fired Pistol works
How Does a Striker Fired Pistol Operate?
A striker fired pistol is a type of firearm that uses a striker to discharge the cartridge. The striker is a metal pin that is held in place by a spring. When the trigger is pulled, the striker is released and strikes the primer, igniting the powder and firing the bullet.
Striker fired pistols are simple to operate and have many advantages over other types of firearms. They are less likely to misfire, because the firing mechanism is completely contained within the striker. Additionally, they do not have an external hammer that can snag on clothing or get caught in a holster.
What is the Advantage of a Striker Fired Pistol?
A striker fired pistol is a type of semi-automatic handgun that uses a striker instead of a hammer to ignite the primer. The main advantage of this design is that it does away with the need for a manual safety, making the gun easier and quicker to deploy in an emergency situation. Additionally, striker fired pistols tend to have shorter trigger pulls than hammer fired guns, which can improve accuracy for some shooters.
Are Striker Fired Pistols More Reliable?
There is a lot of debate in the gun world about striker fired pistols versus other types of handguns. The main argument for striker fired pistols is that they are more reliable. But what does that actually mean?
Reliability is defined as the ability of a firearm to perform its intended function correctly and consistently. So, when it comes to striker fired pistols, this means that they should be able to fire every time you pull the trigger and not jam or misfire.
So, are striker fired pistols more reliable than other types of handguns?
The answer seems to be yes. In general, striker fired pistols have fewer moving parts than other types of handguns which means there are less opportunities for something to go wrong. Additionally, striker fired pistols tend to have longer barrel lengths which can help improve accuracy.
Of course, no gun is 100% reliable and there will always be some factors beyond your control that can affect reliability (like ammunition quality). But overall, if you’re looking for a handgun that is more likely to fire when you need it, a striker fired pistol is probably your best bet.
Is It Safe to Carry a Striker Fired Pistol With a Round in the Chamber?
There is a lot of debate on whether or not it is safe to carry a striker fired pistol with a round in the chamber. The main argument against doing so is that if the gun is dropped, the striker could potentially discharge the round and cause an accidental discharge. However, there are several safeties built into most striker fired pistols that prevent this from happening.
Most importantly, the trigger must be pulled in order for the gun to fire. So, even if the gun is dropped and the striker hits the ground, it will not fire unless someone intentionally pulls the trigger.
Another safety feature found on many striker fired pistols is a manual safety switch.
This switch prevents the gun from firing even if someone pulls the trigger by mistake. So, if you have your finger on the trigger and accidentally drop your gun, it will not go off as long as the manual safety switch is engaged.
Overall, carrying a striker fired pistol with a round in the chamber is perfectly safe as long as you are following basic firearm safety rules and using common sense.
Be sure to keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot and always engage the manual safety switch when carrying or storing your gun.

Credit: lundestudio.com
How to Decock a Striker Fired Handgun
If you’ve ever shot a striker fired handgun, you know that the loudest noise it makes is when the striker hits the primer of the round in the chamber. This can be startling, and some people may want to decock their gun for safety reasons. Here’s how to do it:
With your finger off the trigger, point the muzzle in a safe direction. If you’re not sure what safe direction is, here’s a tip: if you can’t see anything past the front sight of your gun, that’s probably not a good direction to point it in!
Now, take your support hand and place it on top of the slide, holding it firmly in place.
With your shooting hand, grasp the back of the slide (above where your thumb would normally rest) and pull it all the way back until it locks open. At this point, there should be no round in the chamber and you can safely let go of the slide.
To release the slide and close the gun again, simply press down on the slide release with your thumb (or whatever finger you use to manipulate controls on your particular gun).
The slide will snap forward into battery and you’re ready to go again.
Disadvantages of Striker-Fired Pistols
There are a few disadvantages to striker-fired pistols that are worth mentioning. First, because the striker is always in contact with the firing pin, there is potential for accidental discharge if the gun is dropped or jostled around. Secondly, striker-fired pistols typically have a longer trigger pull than other types of handguns which can make them more difficult to shoot accurately.
Finally, some people find the lack of an external hammer on a striker-fired pistol to be aesthetically unappealing.
Best Striker Fired Pistol
There are a lot of striker fired pistols on the market, but which one is the best? It really depends on what you’re looking for in a pistol. Some people prefer a smaller gun, while others want something with more firepower.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what features are most important to you.
Here are some of the best striker fired pistols currently available:
1. Glock 19 – The Glock 19 is one of the most popular striker fired pistols out there.
It’s small enough to be concealable, but still has plenty of firepower with a 15-round magazine capacity. It’s also incredibly reliable, making it a great choice for self-defense or competition shooting.
2. Smith & Wesson M&P9 – The Smith & Wesson M&P9 is another great option if you’re looking for a striker fired pistol.
It has a slightly larger frame than the Glock 19, but still offers good concealability thanks to its slim design. It also comes with 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition in its standard magazine, giving you plenty of firepower when you need it most.
3. SIG Sauer P320 – The SIG Sauer P320 is a bit larger than either the Glock 19 or Smith & Wesson M&P9, but it offer significantly more firepower thanks to its 21-round magazine capacity (in 9mm).
Conclusion
In a striker fired pistol, the firing pin is actually part of the striker. The striker is what ignites the primer and sets off the round. Most striker fired pistols have a trigger safety, which means that the trigger must be fully depressed in order for the gun to fire.
This is a good safety feature, because it prevents the gun from firing if it’s dropped or if something catches on the trigger.