[Joe Carola]

Can I use my Hitachi framing nailer for installing joist hangers, stud brackets and hurricane straps? They have holes in them, but I doubt I would hit the holes every time, will the gun shoot thru the galvanized metal? Will it damage or jam my nailer if I miss the hole?

To add to what has already been said, it's very dangerous to try and do that with a regular framing gun because when the nail misses the hole ait can slide off and ricochet back at your face. Trust me, I was dumb enough to try it once just to see and it hit me in the cheek.

I have two Positive Placement nailers and they work great. If it's just a one time thing and you're doing one project than buy or rent a palm mailer and buy a box of hanger nails. It doesn't pay to but a gun and then buy a full box of gun nails because they're not cheap.

If your framing alot, than without a doubt buy a PP nailer because it's ten times faster than a palm nailer.