There were no striker fired 3rd gen pistols. Perhaps you are thinking of the DAO models where the hammer is partially obscured by the slide.

Anyways, the striker fired guns are plastic and cheaper to make. Unlike Sig and Beretta, the current company calling itself s&w has chosen not to offer a hammer fired semi auto pistol, other than their 1911 line.

As far as I can tell, the appeal of the striker fired guns - to some - is their light weight, cheap price and "same trigger pull for every shot". Even though the pull is spongy or gritty. Regards 18DAI

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