Originally posted by jeffsmith:
I have owned & shot a 3rd generation DA/SA 3914 for several years
Lately, after shooting my new (to me) SW9M and a few DAO pistols rented at the range
(including an M&P9C)
What I've found is I actually prefer DAO
Anyone else have a similar (or different) experience?
Advantages vs Disadvantages of DAO ?
Talk about confusing terminology:
DA should be where the pull of the trigger actually raises the hammer or pushes the firing pin (striker) from complete rest to full cock and then releases it to fire the piece.
SA should be where the trigger merely moves a sear or similar device out of the way allowing the already fully cocked hammer or firing pin (striker) to fly forward to fire the piece.
DAO should be where you have DA on every shot.
Unfortunately, everyone wants their action to be a DAO, because that is what police chiefs (who usually know very little about guns, as do armorers, for that matter) want. Thus, some designs have partially pre-cocked hammers, firing pins (strikers), etc., and call themselves DAO even though the trigger stroke does not start the hammer or striker back from a fully rested position.
S&W DAOs and the M&P are like this, as is Glock, Springfield XD and others. Para-Ordnance and HK each use a two-piece hammer leaving the visible part down, while the rotating drum is nearly fully cocked, but invisible and inside the weapon. The trigger raises the visible part of the hammer which then catches and releases the rotating drum, and since the drum is the part under spring tension, it is the part driving the visible hammer to the firing pin at full speed.
The HK and Para system, as well as the Cylinder and Slide kit for the High Power and 1911 are all based on the Browning Fast Action of the 1980s US Military trials, which in turn was first used commercially by the South Koreans on the Daewoo.
The advantage of the pre-cocked system of S&W, Glock, Para and HK is the light trigger pull to fire the gun.
The disadvantage is the necessity to have the slide operate to re-set the mechanism.
If you like the DAO, more power to you. Many like it and say it reminds them of a DA revolver, which gives a "surprise break" enhancing accurate shooting. It does not really do it for me, and I suspect that many who use it like it because they think it is "safer" than a cocked 1911. I doubt that it is, and the Australian SAS for years carried their High Powers cocked and unlocked (Condition Zero) and never were known for alot of accidental discharges. Cocked and locked works fine. Don't believe me? Unload your 1911, put it in condition one and carry for a week. Count how many times the nammer falls on its own. I will bet the answer is zero.
