Semiautomatic pistols with 2nd strike abilty?

The Keltec P11 is 1" wide, which is 0.02" thinner than the single stack Glock 43. 12 bullets vs 6 and it's thinner... if only they were made a bit better. I had one and deeply regret selling it. That said, I had to do the "fluff and buff" and replace mag springs for it to be reliable, so they aren't for everyone.

Taurus PT111 G2. I've owned it and the P11, and while the P11 is a bit smaller, mine was a bit problematic. Meanwhile that Taurus PT111 was perfect with many different brands of ammo until I traded it to a pal who really wanted it. I plan to buy another PT111 G2. For $200, they are epic.

BTW, the reason the restrike capability hasn't been more common is the PT111 is a true single action pistol, unlike most strikers, which are a modified double action. The PT111 is single action, but if the slide doesn't move when the trigger is pulled (i.e. the gun misfires), the striker drops to a decocked position and trigger changes to a double action pull. It's pretty brilliant actually.

Cue the Taurus bashers... (paging Arik)
If you think I bash Taurus you should see my love for Keltec

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
The Taurus 709 has restrike capability as well. One of my favorite small 9mm guns.
 
Walther PP or PPK, 32 or 380acp. If 9mm para is your first choice, the H&K P7 is too large for the pocket, although it is a rather small in size for a 9mm para, and several holster makers provide holsters that will help conceal the pistol.
 
Seems like a nice feature but leads me to ask, what is the frequency/ratio of the second strike making the cartridge go boom?
I've only had a few FTF in my lifetime and on the occasion that I tried to "second strike" the cartridge it never fired.
 
As someone also mentioned the P-290rs. It comes in 9mm & 380. Also the P250sc 9mm but it's a double stack and not as easy to conceal. The one in the picture is the 380 I own. I also have a P250sc but don't have a picture of it yet since I just bought it and haven't cleaned it up yet.
 

Attachments

  • sig 002.jpg
    sig 002.jpg
    65.6 KB · Views: 15
Last edited:
OH THAT SECOND STRIKE ABILITY

I thought you meant the one you use when out of ammo & bash em over the head with the butt. For head bashing a 640 stainless has the wt & a nice sharp/hard edge. Just don't hit em in the mouth, you don't want teeth marks in your nice presentation rosewood grips. :D
 
The Keltec P11 is 1" wide, which is 0.02" thinner than the single stack Glock 43. 12 bullets vs 6 and it's thinner... if only they were made a bit better. I had one and deeply regret selling it. That said, I had to do the "fluff and buff" and replace mag springs for it to be reliable, so they aren't for everyone.

BTW, the reason the restrike capability hasn't been more common is the PT111 is a true single action pistol, unlike most strikers, which are a modified double action. The PT111 is single action, but if the slide doesn't move when the trigger is pulled (i.e. the gun misfires), the striker drops to a decocked position and trigger changes to a double action pull. It's pretty brilliant actually.

Cue the Taurus bashers... (paging Arik)

I bought my P11 second hand, out of curiousity--and great price.
It's been stone reliable with everything from Blazer aluminum, Tula steel,
9BP & XM9001, Gold Dot, etc...shoots about 8" low at 25 yards and that's
my only gripe with it.

I took a look at a gal's Taurus at range, a year or two back,
and saw that mechanism. Thought it was pretty darn slick!

Arik's a nice young fella. He just needs to get out more.
 
I don't know enough about sizing a semiautomatic pistol to furnish "numbers." My assumption is that those who own, use, and EDC-CW do know. For me "numbers" have less meaning than some sort of consensus among EDC-CW users, even if users prefer more cartridges at the cost of larger pistols. While they may sacrifice size for more capacity, they almost certainly know those smaller pistols that they chose not to use.

I further assume that any of those small, concealable 9x19 mm pistols will have a cartridge capacity of at least five - that is, the same or greater capacity than my revolvers. So I have no preference for double stack magazines over single stack.
There's some really good suggestions but everyone has a different understanding of thin and small. To me it means something like a Walther PPS, Shield, G43, Kahr CW 9, S&W 39 series, Ruger LC9. These are more often than not belt carried but can be pocket guns depending on how you dress. Then there are actual pocket guns like the Kahr PM9, Sig 938, G42, S&W Bodyguard 380, Ruger LCP 380. These guns are even smaller and can easily fit into most pockets. They all hold at least 5-6 rounds.

What many are listening are more of a compact derivative of the full size gun. They are essentially cut down versions. They are overall the same size as something like the Shield but have wider grips to hold more ammo, often at least 10 rounds. Gun like the M&Pc, G26, CZ Rami. They are a little heavier than their single stack counterparts and are rarely pocket carried

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
Among 9x19 mm semiautomatic pistols, which are the thinnest and smallest - that is, those most easily concealed in an IWB holster - that have the mechanism to second strike a chambered cartridge that does not fire upon firing pin's first impact?

Sig P6 or P225

S&W 539(?) or 39-2
 
Any hammer fired DAO should have second strike capability. Several have been mentioned.

BUT, WHY?

I can think of several reasons for a bottom feeder to fail to go bang. By category, broken gun parts put you out if action. Gun slightly OOB, taping may or may not work, why not clear. Defective ammo*, isn't it better to clear the offending round and try the next one.

A defensive encounter is not a place to be fooling around with your means of self-defence.

My J may only have half the rounds of a S*** or K***** but I know each time I squeeze a new charge hole with a fresh cartridge lines up ready to go.

* May be other reasons, but only scenario I could think of where second strike is meaningful is very rare with quality SD ammo, a less than fully seated primer.
 
While tap-rack-bang is the proper basic response to a malfunction, it's pretty common to see folks pull the trigger again a time or two after experiencing a failure during a rapid string of fire in Force-on-Force training. Restrike capability could potentially be a lifesaver in certain rare instances, but if you are using high quality 9mm defensive ammunition in a high quality modern firearm, I think a TRB is most likely necessary to correct the cause of the malfunction in the vast majority of cases. I myself would prefer to have restrike capability since I like true DAO handguns, but when I consider all factors and compare the various guns in 9mm, the best choices(IMO) do not have it. I want a proven and reliable weapon so that neither TRB nor restrike capability is likely to ever have to be utilized. For me, if I was looking for a small single-stack 9mm to carry IWB, I would be looking real hard at a Glock 43 or maybe even a Shield.
 
If you're looking at striker fired pistols you have described the Taurus 709 almost perfectly. The only thing is the low capacity but that sorta comes with the turf for small pistols. At only 1" wide it is thin but it only holds 7+1 rounds. Personally I prefer the PT-145 which is a .45 that holds 10+1 and is only 1.25" wide. That's small. Obviously the weight will be more when you add a few more rounds. The PT-145 is a double stack pistol. There's also the double stack 9 in the same series. And like many Taurus pistols these two guns both have second strike capability. The first strike is in single action mode and the second is double action. At least that's how it is on my PT-145. I have a G2 but I bought it for the wife (she never carries it) but it's fell back to me. I just haven't really learned the details about it because I carry other guns.

It should be said the older models in the PT series have a flaw that caused Taurus to offer to buy them back or replace them. Mine has never had the problem and it's one heck of a nice pistol (never failed to feed or eject and is crazy accurate) so I'm holding onto it. I just use it as a night stand pistol so I don't have to worry about dropping it (the problem is they sometimes fire even with the safety engaged when they are dropped). Again I don't see how a person could find a better pistol for any amount of money except for that problem. It just works like I want it to work. 5000 rounds with zero feeding issues and accuracy that has to be seen to be believed.
 
Last edited:
My 1911 has second strike capability. Just cock the hammer again.
 
SCCY..CPX2
That gun has been talking to me for a while. Hammer fired DAO, double stack, small, light, inexpensive, and gets a lot of great reviews. Last night my wife said she just ordered a new coat, so if I want the Sccy, go for it. Ain't love grand?

And if I don't like it, not much lost.
 
The only time double strike capability would matter to me is if I were being lowered into a pool teeming with robot zombie sharks and I only had one round left. I certainly wouldn't want it to drop into the water... ��

When it goes click it, goes airborne and another chance for greatness is ushered into its former abode.

Dry fire practice would be the only actual positive I could place on this ability.
 
The Sig 938 was mentioned. Even though it's a single action 1911 style, it's worthy of a look. I have one and carry iwb, and while a tad on the heavy side, the weight helps with recoil, and it's still a small package. So if cocking the hammer would fit your requirement of double strike, I'd suggest shooting one.
 
Compact frame with double-strike from CZ:
CZ75 Compact
CZ75 D PCR (my EDC)
CZ P-01
CZ P-01 (omega) Convertible
CZ P-01 (omega) Convertible, suppressor-ready
CZ Compact SDP

Sub-Compact frame with double-strike from CZ:
CZ 2075 RAMI
CZ 2075 RAMI BD

I am surprised no-one else has mentioned CZs. Seems like a good option unless the double stack is too thick. 1.25" width, 26 oz on the RAMI.
 
Last edited:
I am surprised no-one else has mentioned CZs. Seems like a good option unless the double stack is too thick. 1.25" width, 26 oz on the RAMI.
For perspective, my Ruger LCR 357 Magnum's widest point is 1.285 inches. This point, at the cylinder, is but a smidgeon larger than the widest point on the grip I use.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top