Milwaukee just announced the Striker (model 3771-20), an M18 FUEL cordless hammer chisel that the company is calling the world’s first battery-powered replacement for the long-barrel pneumatic air hammers that have ruled automotive and suspension shops for decades. No compressor, no air hose, no frozen fittings at the worst possible time. It ships in September 2026 at $599 bare tool, with a 5-piece chisel bit set at $130 and a $49 protective boot as accessories.
What the Striker Actually Does
A hammer chisel is the tool you grab when an impact wrench, breaker bar, and a torch have all failed. Rusted seized fasteners, frozen exhaust manifolds, suspension components that haven’t moved since the Clinton administration. Pneumatic hammers like the Chicago Pneumatic CP711 and the Sioux 8202L have done this job for 50-plus years. They work, but they need a 145 PSI shop air supply and a 6-foot hose dragging behind you.
Milwaukee specs the Striker at 7 joules of impact energy and 0-3,000 BPM with a variable-speed trigger. Three BPM range settings plus a ramp-up mode for controlled starts. The chuck is twist-style and takes standard 0.401-inch round shank bits, the same form factor pneumatic hammers use, so shops don’t have to re-buy a chisel set.
Key Specs
- Platform: M18 FUEL (18V brushless)
- Impact energy: 7 joules (claimed equivalent to leading pneumatic hammers at 145 PSI)
- BPM: 0 to 3,000, variable-speed trigger
- Settings: 3 BPM range modes plus ramp-up start
- Chuck: Twist-style, 0.401″ round shank
- Weight: 7.2 lbs bare
- Dimensions: 12.2″ L x 9.2″ H x 3.3″ W
- Extras: LED work light, M18 5Ah oil-resistant pack pictured
Specs vs the Pneumatic Status Quo
Milwaukee’s 7-joule claim puts the Striker in the same neighborhood as the Chicago Pneumatic CP711 (rated around 6.4 joules at 90 PSI) and the Sioux 8202L (about 6.6 joules at 90 PSI). Both of those tools have been shop staples for decades. The trade-off: pneumatic hammers get faster cycle rates at higher CFM input, and they never run out of battery. The Striker’s pitch is that on M18 you give up a little peak BPM and gain the freedom to work anywhere a battery goes. Roadside calls, parking lots, mobile service trucks, and bay work that doesn’t have an air line plumbed in.
At 7.2 lbs bare, the Striker is heavier than a CP711 (5.5 lbs) but lighter than a 27-lb MX FUEL SDS-Max demo hammer. It sits in a middle niche: more aggressive than a half-inch impact, more controlled than a full demolition hammer.
Who Actually Needs This
Auto techs doing suspension and brake work are the primary audience. Truck fleet mechanics, mobile diesel techs, and tow operators who can’t count on shop air are second. Construction crews pulling formwork or breaking light tile and mortar have the same problem Milwaukee’s MX FUEL demo hammer (now shipping) was built to solve, but the Striker is smaller, lighter, and cheaper. At $599 bare it’s still real money, but compared to setting up a portable compressor and 50 feet of hose for a one-hour job, the math works.
Pricing and Availability
Milwaukee launches the Striker in September 2026 at $599 for the bare tool (3771-20). The 5-piece chisel bit set (49-16-3776) runs $130, and a protective boot (49-16-3772) is $49. It will be sold through Home Depot, Acme Tools, Ohio Power Tool, and other authorized Milwaukee dealers. M18 battery and charger are sold separately if you don’t already have them.
For a full look at where this fits in Milwaukee’s expanding M18 FUEL demolition and metalworking lineup, see our coverage of the M18 FUEL SDS-Max demo hammer shipping in June and the next-gen 1/2-inch high torque impact wrenches for context. Auto techs building out a Milwaukee M18 shop should also check our cordless impact wrench roundup.
Sources: ToolGuyd (June 1, 2026), Milwaukee Tool. Prices and release dates are subject to change.
