A Shooters Resource

Types of Handguns

Buying your first handgun can seem complicated, especially if you walk into a gun shop and become overwhelmed with the hundreds of choices available. Unfortunately, there is no one handgun that is right for everyone. The best way to find the right match is to pick them up and shoot them.

There are many types of handguns to choose from. Many look the same but how they operate varies.

REVOLVER

Uniquely identifiable by the round cylinder that holds the ammunition.

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TYPES of SEMI-AUTO

They all look the same!

Semi-auto handguns fire one shot per press of the trigger and automatically chamber the next round. They feature a ammunition magazine (erroneously called a clip) which is inserted into the grip of the gun. When a shot is fired, the recoil of the slide cocks the firing mechanism and pushes a fresh round into the chamber so it can be fired repeatedly.

There are 4 common variants of a semi-auto handgun. At first glance, they look the same, but each one operates differently. The main difference when you have them in your hand and shoot them is how the trigger and firing mechanism works and subsequently feels.

1911

A hammer fired, single action, pistol. Single action means that the trigger performs only one action and that is to release the hammer. The hammer is cocked by cycling the slide. The trigger has a short travel compared to the other two below.

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STRIKER FIRED

Hammer-less, single action pistol. There is no hammer that gets cocked, instead pressing the trigger of a striker fired handgun releases a spring-loaded plunger which slams into the firing pin.

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DOUBLE ACTION ONLY

A hammer fired, hammer may be exposed or internal. Double action handguns typically have noticeably longer trigger presses than a single action because the trigger must cock and releases the hammer.

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DOUBLE ACTION/SINGLE ACTION

A hammer fired, hammer may be exposed or internal, double action pistol. First trigger press is long. After the first shot, the trigger press is short.

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Striker Fired or 1911?

The debate will never end. Both platforms offer pluses and minuses. If you're a handgun fan, you'll own at least one of each and determine which is best for your circumstance.

HDW TV - Striker vs. 1911

Double-Action vs. Striker Fired

Here's a video with Ernie Langdon and John Chapman discussing the benefits and downsides to double action and striker fired pistols.
You have to submit your name and an email to view the video, but it's worth watching.

Ernie Langdon and John Chapman on DA and SA fired pistols.