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Transitioning from 1911 to striker fired

1280 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  nralifer4570
I have not shot my new PPQ 40 as much as I want yet and besides some disappointing malfunctions discussed in an earlier thread I have noticed something else that concerns me. I have several times not released the trigger far enough back for it to reset. I then find myself squeezing the trigger with nothing happening. Due to the FTF's I have had I then think it has not fed properly but when I look it has so I release and squeeze again and back in business. I have shot nothing but 1911's for many years and absolutely love the platform and of course the trigger. I am concerned that I may never get to where I could switch back and forth from my Kimber and my PPQ and be positive that I would handle the trigger correctly in a defensive situation. I purchased the gun because I wanted something with a higher capacity and had heard that the PPQ had a really nice trigger. Also just wanted another gun who doesn't.

I am curious if others have had any problems with this transition. Also if so how did you resolve it? Thanks for your feedback.
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I did have this same issue, sold the XDS and bought a Colt Defender.
Problem solved... ;-)
I started on the 1911 and have acquired a host of other sidearms over the years, including striker-fired (Glock, Taurus, Kahr) and revolvers as well. I never had the problem you're reporting.

I think a lot of shooting instructors would consider yours to be a "happy" problem, since so few (it seems) shooters know anything about shooting from trigger reset. Seeing that you're aware it, I think it's easier to 'fix' your problem than to instill a sense of trigger reset into one who's been shooting unaware of it for years.

My suggestion is to do a bunch of drills that include 2-3 quick shots. Not double taps, but controlled shots at a defined target. Don't concentrate on the trigger, but instead about getting hits on target quickly, as if your life depended on it. It would be great if you had a shot timer, so that you have the simultaneous challenge of accurate shots in the least amount of time. Absent a shot timer, a friend with a stopwatch or just your own good internal clock will suffice. From either the draw or from low ready, at the signal (just say "go" to yourself) get the gun on target and shoot a controlled pair. Even better, search out the "dot torture" target and shoot your controlled pair at 2 targets several inches away. Work at it until you can score accurate hits in say, 2 seconds at 7 yards. Keep the time bogey the same, but push the target further out as you get better.

The intent here is diverting your attention from the trigger to results on target. Give it a try (even dry firing is good) and see if it makes a difference.
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I don't have any problems transitioning from hammer to striker to DA/SA to revolver or whatever, so I can't help you out other than suggest practicing.
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As a shooter who has been shooting for over 4 decades I can say that good shooters shoot anything good. As to your question, it will depend on whether you are a good shooter or just a shooter who can shoot one type of gun good. These days we have lots of people who can shoot one type of gun good but hand them a different gun and they have to learn all over again. Others have good trigger control and can shoot any gun well by applying their trigger control technique to the gun in hand. A DA gun is less forgiving of less than perfect trigger control than a SA gun is. All I can suggest is that you try it and see for yourself which type of shooter you are. No shame if you have problems with striker fired because you never shot them before but if you want to be a shootist rather than a one gun pony, you will invest the time to learn to shoot all kinds of kinds well. Think of it like golf. Some guys are great putters but cannot drive the ball well due to the use of a different club. It is the same way in shooting. To be well rounded you need to master all the clubs. :) BTW, striker fired guns are easy. Get yourself a revolver and shoot that until you master it and everything else will seem easy to you.
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Thanks gasmitty. I am going to shoot it some more tomorrow so I will try your suggestion. I may just need to shoot it some more I only have about 150 rounds through it. I have been having FTF's probably three in 50 rounds last time out. Also kind of hangs up a couple times like it is going to not feed then goes on in. All this has me trying to talk myself into not liking this gun. If I have more function problems tomorrow I will be contacting Walther and see what they have to say. I wish I could find and afford 300-400 more rounds of ammo. I hate to use up my stock function checking and trying to get my trigger finger to work right. I would rather be working on speed and accuracy without having to worry about those things.
As a shooter who has been shooting for over 4 decades I can say that good shooters shoot anything good. As to your question, it will depend on whether you are a good shooter or just a shooter who can shoot one type of gun good. These days we have lots of people who can shoot one type of gun good but hand them a different gun and they have to learn all over again. Others have good trigger control and can shoot any gun well by applying their trigger control technique to the gun in hand. A DA gun is less forgiving of less than perfect trigger control than a SA gun is. All I can suggest is that you try it and see for yourself which type of shooter you are. No shame if you have problems with striker fired because you never shot them before but if you want to be a shootist rather than a one gun pony, you will invest the time to learn to shoot all kinds of kinds well. Think of it like golf. Some guys are great putters but cannot drive the ball well due to the use of a different club. It is the same way in shooting. To be well rounded you need to master all the clubs. :) BTW, striker fired guns are easy. Get yourself a revolver and shoot that until you master it and everything else will seem easy to you.
That is also why I was interested in getting the PPQ. I thought it would be good to learn something new. I have only shot 1911's over the last 15 years and over a period of 10 in the middle of that I did not shot much at all. I feel I am more than competent with the 1911 but will admit that I will never be a "shootist". Like golf I like to think that if I could practice enough I could get pretty good but I probably don't have the god given talent to be great. I just want to keep improving.
I agree with gasmitty and others that say “practice is the key”.

I’m primarily (or was) a 1911 guy, owned 16 over the years, and until recently was carrying a Les Baer “Stinger” and using a Baer Concept V for matches/range use. Started shooting/carrying a Walther PPS about a year ago then bought a couple PPQs. The 34 ounce Stinger was getting to be less fun to carry and was staying at home too often, so now I’ve become a black Tupperware sort of guy.

This wasn’t the 1st time I’ve strayed from 1911s, I also had a brief affair with DA/Sa SIGs, so I went through the same training process. I primarily worked on drawing, and controlled pairs, double taps, or failure to stop drills after doing some initial accuracy work. I usually do the same routine when doing my seasonal CCW gun transition also.

Chuck
As others have said, practice, practice and practice more. If however the gun continues to give you issues, look at a hammer fired DA/SA gun. Depending on the caliber the CZ P-01 (9mm) or P-06 (.40) alloy frames would fill your needs, or if you are looking for polymer frame the P-07 is available in both calibers.
I don't have any problems transitioning from hammer to striker to DA/SA to revolver or whatever, so I can't help you out other than suggest practicing.
This^^^^ The only problem I ever had was with my m&p compact. But with regular practice I became better with said gun. Practice practice practice. Youll do fine.
I have not cc'd the full size 1911 I own. All I carry is Glocks. Specifically a Gen4 G26. However, I never had an issue with a transition from the 1911 to my other 45-
XD45 Service model at the range. Practice and drills are the key.
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