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Purplehood wrote:How does all that apply to handguns like mine that have no hammer (external)?

Some double-action revolvers and pistols have a shrouded hammer, but they work the same as a regular double-action. The Kel-Tec P3AT would be an example of that.

Pistols like Glock don't have a hammer. The part that strikes the firing pin to ignite the primer is a called a striker. However, they function like a double-action. You don't have to (can't, actually) cock them manually.

People have been arguing forever about whether certain pieces are "really" double- or single-action.

You can find some excellent animated videos of the workings of a Glock and several other firearms online. I'm too lazy to search for them.

- Jim

It's simple:

In a double-action firearm, pulling the trigger raises the hammer from the decocked position and then releases the hammer to discharge the weapon.

In a single action, pulling the trigger drops the hammer only from the cocked position. The hammer must be cocked manually or, in the case of semi-automatic pistols, by the rearward movement of the slide.

This article is accurate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_(firearms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

- Jim