In a world where striker-fired guns are the new hotness, some people in the shooting community have come to view hammer-fired guns as obsolete and ancient tools of civilizations past.
The folks here at Pew Pew Tactical totally disagree.
While we like most types of guns, we definitely love our hammer-fired pistols, and we know many of you do, too.
Even though there are still a ton of great options, we know finding the perfect one for you can be tough.
With that in mind, we filmed a video and compiled a list of our favorite hammer-fired pistols (in no particular order) and why we love em’!
Keep reading to see what we recommend!
THE QUICK LIST
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Best for Competition
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Editor's Pick
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Most Reliable
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Best High-End Pick
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Most Affordable
Table of Contents
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Why You Should Trust Us
Input from this article came from our resident video content man, Sean Curtis, and our junior editor, Wyatt Sloan.
Sean had a law enforcement career of over two decades, where he received continued training for his roles in SWAT and as a POST-certified handgun instructor. He has been writing about guns since 2014, working for numerous outlets, including Police1.com, Guns.com, American Survival Guide, Gun World Magazine, and the Glock Annual.
Wyatt has been shooting for over two decades, and he is an avid hunter, competitor, recreational shooter, and an NRA-certified handgun instructor. He is also a bit of a collector, with over 200 firearms to his name.
Best Hammer-Fired Handguns
If you aren’t familiar with the differences between hammer-fired and striker-fired pistols, don’t worry; we have you covered with our complete breakdown here!
Fair warning — I am cheating the list a little bit by including a few “series” of pistols. There are so many great versions and derivatives of some of these guns that narrowing it down to a single model wouldn’t do them justice.
Now, on to our list!
1. CZ 75 Series
Pros
- Accuracy
- Reliability
- Great Ergonomics
Cons
- Rising price
The CZ 75 series is one of the most copied handguns of all time, and for good reason.
Its slide-in-frame design, outstanding ergonomics, and inherent accuracy have made these guns popular with law enforcement, concealed carriers, and competition shooters worldwide.
For concealed carry, I really dig the CZ 75 D PCR and the P-01.
These compact versions of the CZ 75 feature a decocker and an alloy frame to shave some weight while retaining a 14+1 standard capacity. They shoot like full-size pistols and will instill confidence to make those difficult shots.
Add in a trigger job from the folks over at Cajun Gun Works, and you have yourself one of the finest carry pistols you can get!
If competition is your thing, the Shadow 2 is your guy.
This gun changed the face of USPSA and competition shooting by offering an affordable gun that was truly ready for the big leagues right out of the box.
The Shadow 2 is heavy, extremely flat shooting, and soft-recoiling. It will make you feel like a superstar the first time you pick one up. Oh, and Shadow 2 prices are lower than ever!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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You can check out our full reviews of the P-01 and the Shadow 2!
2. Sig P22X Series
Pros
- Reliable
- Mild recoil
- Excellent trigger
Cons
- Bulky
- High bore axis
“P22X” refers to any number of guns from the Sig hammer-fired family, including, but not limited to, the P220, P226, P227, P228, and P229.
These guns have been around for a good while and have withstood the test of time.
The P226, in particular, has been adopted by numerous law enforcement and government agencies, and even the Navy Seals.
Although they are a bit bulkier and have a high bore axis compared to many of today’s slimline pistols, they have it where it counts.
Almost every gun from this series, whether in 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm, or .357 Sig, all shoot well. The weight of these guns and the design make them easier to manipulate and soft-shooting.
Combine that with the robust build quality, and you have a gun you can trust your life to.
I have four P22X guns, with my personal favorite being the P229 Legion. The phenomenal Grayguns trigger, reduced controls, and standard night sights work together to give me a gun that I just can’t miss with.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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We also have you covered with full reviews of the standard P226 and P226 Legion SAO!
3. HK USP
Pros
- Insanely reliable
- Combination safety/decocker
Cons
- Blocky grip
- Expensive magazines
You might be wondering, “Why the USP over the P2000 or the P30?” I’ll tell you why.
Even though the USP is the oldest hammer-fired gun in HK’s lineup, it is still around for a reason.
While the P30 is much more ergonomic than the boxy USP, the trigger on it is atrocious. And since it is HK, fixing that is gonna cost you a pretty penny even if you do it yourself.
The P2000 is a great gun, but the USP is even more durable and is also available in .45 ACP if that is your jam.
The USP is so durable that some people fire .45 Super out of it with no modifications.
Federal Ammunition even allegedly sent a USP back to HK for maintenance that had over 297,000 rounds put through it with no major parts replacements!
Aside from being one of the toughest guns on the planet, the USP is accurate, has an inherently ambidextrous paddle magazine release, and the V1 version has one of the most effective decocker/safety combination levers of any gun I’ve used.
HK also offers excellent Expert and Elite target versions of the USP for people who want tack drivers with good triggers from the factory.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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4. Staccato P/C Series
Pros
- Extremely accurate
- Excellent trigger
- Low recoil
Cons
- High MSRP
- Magazines are spendy
2011s have been dominating the competition scene for a while now.
But in the last decade, magazine technology has come a long way, and we now have double-stack 1911s and 2011s that are truly duty-capable.
Staccato has been largely leading the way in this regard and has been focusing on procuring law enforcement and other agency contracts for their P and C series pistols.
The Staccato P gives you those classic 1911 ergonomics but with a wider grip and 17-20 rounds of 9mm instead of 8-10 rounds of .45 ACP.
These pistols are made to exacting tolerances and are built for both durability and speed. You rarely see the same exact gun on the hip of a police officer as you would a competitive shooter, but that is the case with the Staccato P.
Their C2 and CS models cater to the concealed carry market. These guns feature shorter barrels and grips but still maintain the outstanding accuracy that Staccato pistols are known for. Some lovingly refer to the C2 as a “pocket sniper rifle.”
Great ergonomics, fantastic 1911-style single-action triggers, extreme accuracy? What’s not to love?
Well…the price. All that shootability comes at a steep cost, ranging from $2000 to $2800, depending on the options.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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However, the price of admission might be worth it to some, so check out our reviews on the Staccato P, the C2, and the CS!
5. Beretta 92/M9 Series
Pros
- Competition ready
- DA/SA
- Brigadier-style slide
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Pricey
No hammer-fired guns list would be complete without the venerable Beretta 92 series of pistols.
The Beretta 92 has garnered many fans on looks alone with its distinctive open-top slide design.
It is an iconic pistol that has found its place in the hands of military, police, civilians, and film stars worldwide.
Like the Sig, they are a bit bulky and large by today’s standards, but that isn’t a bad thing. I know I have used the term soft-shooting a bunch already, but these things shoot particularly soft.
Most versions are extremely easy to rack, and the reduced slide mass moving rearward makes for a gentle shooting experience. My significant other fell in love with her compact M9A1 for this exact reason.
I’d go as far as to say these characteristics are what make the 92 an enduring and popular platform even today.
Beretta produces numerous models, from compact carry versions to full-blown competition models with their 92X Performance.
While one might tend to assume an Italian gun from the world’s oldest firearms manufacturer would be expensive, the 92 series is more affordable than many of its hammer-fired competitors.
Those looking for a fun shooting experience will find that the 92 series delivers that for a fair price, all while looking good doing it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Be sure to check out our review of the standard Beretta 92 to learn more!
Honorable Mention – the 1911
Pros
- Forged frame and slide
- Affordable
Cons
- Small GI sights
Half of you would want our head on a stake for including this, and the other half would want the same for leaving it off.
Love or hate it, there is no denying the polarizing popularity of the 1911.
Heavy, low capacity, elegant, ergonomic, beautiful, classic, outdated — so many words describe this gun.
But at the end of the day, there is a reason why so many of them are made and why so many other guns take design cues like the grip angle and safety design of these guns.
Sure, they are outdated and only hold 8-10 rounds, but they feel good and look good. Not to mention, a good 1911 trigger is nearly unbeatable.
In today’s market, there are so many excellent options for 1911s. Even for a modest $350, you can get a forged, well-put-together GI-style 1911 from Tisas. Want a $5,000 custom gun from Cabot? You got it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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If you like the 1911 platform, which I certainly do, there is one out there for you, regardless of your budget.
Final Thoughts
Despite the notion that they are older tech, hammer-fired pistols have continued to endure, improve, and even prosper.
We are in the midst of a metal-framed hammer-fired resurgence, and I am here for it. There are so many good options that it is almost impossible to keep a list to just five.
If you don’t see your favorite gun here, be sure to check out our other articles; we might just have what you are looking for.
What’s your favorite hammer-fired handgun? Let us know in the comments below! Interested in other types of pistols? Check out our article and video on the 5 Best Striker-Fired Pistols!
43 Leave a Reply
1911 because of trigger followed by the 92fs and the P226 for me.
It would be nice to have a 9mm metal hammer fired pistol designed around a single stack magazine. Haven't looked in a while (this article came up in a Google search today) but doesn't seem like anyone makes one. Beretta used to make these in the past. My current 9mm is a Girsan Regard, a great value with all the features I'm looking for but a beast in my tiny hands.
Even though they are getting less popular, there are still some single-stack hammer-fired options on the market. The Sig P220, Sig P210, numerous 1911s, Springfield XD-E, and the Sig P238/938 are still in current production and readily available. I am not sure exactly what you are looking for, but those might be a decent place to start.
Thanks for your comment. Want a full size. The .45s don't interest me and I wonder if their grip size is any smaller than the double stack 9mm's (my understanding is the 9mm 1911s have the same grip size as the .45s). I remember now one pistol that was perfect in my hand a number of years ago - the Springfield EMP Conceal Carry that was built around the 9mm. Unfortunately it was beyond my budget then and now discontinued.
The EMPs are nice guns. Springfield did a slight re-name, and they are now known as the EMP Ronin, but they are still very much available. If you want something in the same vein but a little smaller and a little cheaper, I recommend checking out the Sig P938 that I mentioned.
Funny, I went straight to the Springfield site after writing that reply and saw the Ronin EMP - will be a Christmas present to myself.
Springfield Armory and Kimber offer 1911's, with single-stack magazines, in 9mm, 10mm and 45 ACP.
I agree with your picks I have a SigP220 compact and the USP45 which was built in 2003. But for backup I've got a Colt 1911 Defender Lightweight and a Springfield Garrion. Yrs ago I bought a Browning BDA45 in 1978.
Thanks! The P220 in the video is my P220 carry, which I love. The USP 45 is also mine, haha. You are also in great shape if you have a Garrison as a backup, those guns are amazing for the price. I am also jealous of your BDA 45; those are so cool. I wish I could get my hands on an older BDA 45 or a .38 Super model, but they are pretty spendy these days.
Finally, a list I can agree with! I’ve owned or shot everything on this list except the Staccato. 1911s are hit or miss, with some being super smooth with great triggers, while others being jam-o-matics with shitty triggers.
1911s can definitely be hit or miss, but I do feel like they have come a long way even in the last 5-10 years. Glad you like our list, though!
Hi-Power
Nuff said.....
Hi-Powers…meh.
I have a Hi-Power that I love. The ergonomics are amazing and for me, it is just an iconic piece. However the magazine disconnect is a big turn off, I removed that on mine but that is past what most people are willing to do. We were also trying to keep it to current production pistols, and none of the current production Hi-Powers really match the old ones in long-term reliability. I wish Browning would spin them up again; a man can wish, right?
By FAR, the best value in the hammer market is the Taurus TH9 or TH40 with the 4.25" bbl ! Holds 17 and 15 in the mag, hammer, dual safeties', solid as a rock, easy takedown, not picky on ammo.
They make a compact version if desired.
Guys, you can get em for $300 !!! A few sites have them in colors if that's what you like. And....... it has one of the nicest grips on the market, even for my large hands, but according to my friends it also feels great in their normal size hands. Win-Win.
Stunning to me how many gun snobs with cash to burn and their nose in the air won't consider Taurus given their OC failures were 3 plus decades ago, AND they come with a lifetime warranty. I had a minor imperfection in one a year ago, got a free shipping label sent to me before I even got off the phone with Taurus, shipped it back and it was BACK HOME, perfect, in 14 days, including transit time. Their repair facility is in Georgia I believe. Anyone who says ANY gun can't have a failure when brand new, is not honest. My Glock did.
If a guy wants to spend double or more over a very similar featured Taurus that shoots great and is reliable, have at it. I'll use my saved money for ammo or a couple full ribeye sides.
I agree that Taurus has come a long way since 2012 or so. A couple of their guns have made it on some other lists, including our best budget pistols. While I do think the TH9 is a great value, I would have the personally say that the best value still goes the the Bersa TPR9. It made our best budget handgun list because the trigger is just insane on that thing considering it is an all-metal handgun for $400 or less. If you like value guns, I highly recommend checking it out!
Im confused?? To me all the best high end hand guns are all hammer-fired right? So why would they be seen by anyone as obsolete other than the grossly misinformed. I mean glocks are great and all but they don't stand up to the hand guns listed here IMHO.. kimber night hawk staccato sig 226 series(all of them). If all those guns had the same price tag it would be real hard to buy a striker fired gun. Considering your list for "best striker fired" highest price tag is like 600 and you have a $2000 staccato on this one.
Josh, you aren't really wrong in a general sense. The big issue is that the vast majority of people don't shoot competition, so guns that expensive are usually out of the question and not even considered by most. You also have $5000 1911s, but that doesn't mean they aren't outdated. SAO does have its limits, but really good triggers win out in the end when it comes to high end guns most of the time. I love my hammer-fired guns, but I do realize that the vast majority of sales right now are striker-guns for the general user.
It occurred to me that I only leave comments when I disagree with you. That's wrong. So I'm going to correct that. I go to PewPew several times a week. I like your articles, and their variety. I enjoyed this article. I especially like the CZ75's. They shoot very well. I don't agree with all of your choices here, but that doesn't make you wrong. We're just different people.
Please keep doing what you do- you do it so well!
It is tough to keep the lists to 5 and make everyone happy, but I figured there was at least one gun/series on here for most folks. Thanks for keeping up every week! Different opinions means more guns, and more guns is always good!
I have been a 1911 shooter since I first attended Jeff Cooper's Gunsite school in 1977 (with a steel Combat Commander). Then I bought a Series 70 Govt Model and learned what people were talking about - what a dream to shoot. When I got through grad school, I bought an Officer Model, and kinda re-made it into a Commander, found a fine gunsmith to fix the plunger design problem and put a single-port comp on it. That's my carry gun - absolutely reliable, fine trigger. It can be changed, but cannot be improved. Hammer guns are perfect for dry fire practice - a fact not mentioned in your great article.
Attending a Jeff Cooper class must have been absolutely amazing! On the 1911s, it is absolutely tough to beat those triggers. I already have six 1911s, but I suspect a few more will find their way into my gun room.
Beretta 92, Beretta 96, Beretta PX4 compact are outstanding. Long live hammer fired handguns. Over 100 years of proven reliability, performance, and safety is a record extremely difficult to beat.
Mark, I am also a huge fan of the PX4. I have the compact version in 9mm with a LTT trigger. It is a great do-all gun.
Dan Wesson V-Bob Valor, Atlas Athena, all HK including P30 et al.
Tim, the V-Bob is on deck for my next 1911. I love bobcut commander-length guns. Atlas puts out some amazing stuff; I'd love to get an Artemis, but those are absolutely out of my price range. I do have an HK P30L, and while I love the ergonomics, the stock trigger was just abysmal for me. I put a GrayGuns short reset kit and all the HKParts springs, but my stock USP trigger still feels better. I am not sure why HK dropped the ball on that gun specifically.
Springfield ronin 45acp or 9mm
Patrick, the Ronins are amazing guns. Between the Ronin and the Garrison, I think Springfield has the best 1911s in that $650-800 price range.
Yeah, if I could actually find 1 in stock out here on the Iowa prairies!(Maybe that's why?)And if Springfield would put an ambi safety on those models for us unfortunates that shoot left hand!
Gave up on the .45 for now. Stacatto P's are readily available, left hand friendly & within budget for me.
Curious to know why the prodigy wasn’t on this list? I’ve been considering getting one but waiting to make sure the kinks are ironed out. Maybe I should switch to staccato or the sig. What are your thoughts?
Tim, the Prodigy has had some teething issues. From what I understand it is mostly due to the magazines (Duramags), and the recoil springs. Reviews have been a bit across the spectrum, and 2011s are already known for being finicky as is. If you want pure reliability, Staccato is probably your best bet. If you still want to save some coin, I highly suggest checking out the offerings from BUL Armory.
USP's have dropped in price...
I'd still want a Mk.23, though
I actually have a Mark 23 along with my USP 45. The Mark 23 is absolutely a conversation starter and a cool gun, but I think the control scheme and overall handling on the USP 45 make it the better gun. Not to mention it is less than half the price.
I'm surprised not to see either the CZ P01 or P07 on here. They're both excellent and reliable DA/SA options that can be had for less than the M9 even when costs are up. The Omega variants also offer some better flexibility for left-handed shooters.
Martyn, we just included the entire CZ 75 series so guns like the P-01 wouldn't technically be left off. I have the PCR, which is essentially the same guns sans the front rail, and it is one of my favorite carry pistols. The P-07 was a tough cut, and they are absolutely excellent pistols. It would 100% be fitting of a list like this, I just wish we had more room and time!
Most of those utterly suck for left handed people. How hard is it to put an ambi slide and mag release? The ones that do, thank you
Ambi controls should be standard. I am ambi but prefer lefty. Just put controls on both sides. In a defensive situation I might require ambi. Who wants to step out to sight when all you have to do is change hands? Come on manufacturers, get with it
Amen!
Cross dominant vision, I do everything right handed except shoot long guns & my bow.
Semiauto pistols, I prefer left, but I love a Single Action Colt in my right.
You are not wrong here. Those closest one to true ambi would be the USP with the paddle release and configurable safety lever, but it is missing the slide release. I really wanted to put the HK P30 in its place, which is fully ambidextrous, but that trigger is just so bad I couldn't quite bring myself to do it.
1911 are wonderful but, DS/DA beats the hell out of me in preferences.
Al, I am a huge fan of both. I hate picking, haha!
I have the same sao 229 as well, along with the same problem.... I (it) can't miss.
Got to love em!