New member, New P3AT

[Roscoe]

I'm new to the group. Glad to find you guys. I was taken by this little light weight handgun and hope to carry it on a regular basis. Recently purchased my P3AT and took it to the range today. Put 100 rnds through it and discovered that I was covering my trigger with too much of my finger. When I released the trigger after the first shot, my fat finger wasn't allowing the trigger to completely reset, so, on the next trigger pull I was getting feedback as if the hammer fell, but it didn't. So I had countless rounds of .380 with no print on the primer. Anyone else had this? Are there any discussions on improving the trigger on the P3AT? (other than me using just the tip of my fat finger) It does seem that there is a lot of travel on this trigger.

[Haugrdr]

The long travel is there for a reason, it's the only safety the pistol really has. You may be best served to learn to use the tip of your finger.

[TnRebel]

TRIGGER CONTROL
Chapter 3: Army Marksmanship Training Guide

Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

A. GENERAL.

Correct trigger control must be employed in conjunction with all other fundamentals of shooting. The physical act of applying pressure on the trigger to deliver an accurate shot may vary from individual to individual. Proper trigger control for each individual gradually assumes uniformity when the techniques of proper application are mastered. Many shooters, for example, maintain a degree of trigger control with a relatively light grip, while another shooter may use a very tight grip. Some shooters prefer to apply consistent trigger pressure at a rapid rate, while maintaining correct sight alignment. For another shooter, a slower, deliberate application may achieve the same results. An ever increasing number of shooters use the positive approach to trigger control, that is, once it is initiated, it becomes an uninterrupted, constantly increasing pressure until the weapon fires.

Trigger control is of very great importance in producing an accurate shot. When the shooter exerts pressure on the trigger, he must do so in a manner that does not alter the sight alignment, or position of the pistol. Consequently, the shooter must be able to exert smooth, even pressure to the trigger. Furthermore, the trigger must be pressed in conjunction with maximum concentration, peak visual perception of sight alignment and minimum arc of movement.

In order to produce an accurate shot, the shooter must carry out many diverse, but related, actions. Fulfilling this action is compounded by the fact that the pistol is in some degree of motion throughout the period of sighting and aiming. The movement varies according to the stability of the shooter's stance. Consequently, the sight alignment deviates from the aiming area. Often it will move through the aiming area, pausing only for a short period of time in perfect alignment with the target. It is impossible to determine when, and for how long the properly aligned sights will stay in the center of the aiming area. This difficulty is aggravated further by the fact that the shooter is trying to execute coordinated actions when reflex action seeks to contradict them. Such a situation requires the development of conditioned reflexes, and improvement of coordination.


Figure 3-1. Correct Placement of the Index Finger on the Trigger. (a) With Joint of Index Finger. (b) With First Bone Section of Index Finger .

[Roscoe]

Thanks TnRebel. The illustration # "b" was exactly what I ended up using. I learn something everyday.