What is Striker Fire?

[RichardF]

I was on S&W website shopping for M&P40 and noticed on sku:178036 Pro Series model had striker fire double action. Can someone explain what this is please?

 

[robinfly]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/81851-m-p-striker-firing-system.html

 

[armorer951]

This is a description of the firing mechanism. Instead of a firing pin inside the slide that is struck by a hammer, the striker is a spring loaded pin inside the slide that is pushed rearward by movement of the trigger and a trigger bar. When the trigger is cycled back, the striker cams off of the trigger bar and moves forward, striking the primer. There is no traditional hammer or "single action" mode available, so it is referred to as "double action". I hope this makes sense.....others on the forum will be able to provide a better more complete explanation of the mechanism/action.

 

[RichardF]

Thanks 951