LCP vs. P-3AT trigger pull

My main question is how the two triggers compare. Ruger says that their design leaves the trigger halfway cocked for all shots - so it's not the full double-action pull. Is this BS or is there a significant difference between the two trigger pulls?

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Ruger's LCP (Little Copied Pistol) design is a copy of the Kel-Tec P3AT. Both pistols use the rearward travel of the slide to leave the hammer at about half cock. So, it's neither BS, nor anything different. They both tend to be very reliable. The trigger pulls are similar with the Ruger being a little more refined out of the box. The LCPs are typically a little better finished than the P3ATs as well. That said, P3ATs have always worked for me, and I still own & carry one.

I went through the same thing. I ended up with the Ruger as it felt better in my hand. Carry it a lot but havnent shot it much.

WB

Same same. I chose the LCP because it has better fit and finish and an external slide stop. I wish they offered it with a parkerized fininsh - advantage kel-tec.

I like the look and refinement of the lcp over the Keltec,but bought the keltec
over the lcp because Of the trigger.The Lcp breaks farther back than the
P3AT almost touching the front strap before breaking.MINE has run very well.
I dont carry it often but shoot it quite a bit.

Triggers are subjective, but personally I prefer the P3AT trigger over the LCP trigger.

Another vote for the LCP.

I own the Kel-Tec and have shot the Ruger. I liked the KT better. The trigger seemed slightly better to me but mostly it is just the way if fits my hand. Either one would be fine.

After my replacement Diamondback cratered I chose the LCP on fit and finish first and although some crank on that it's a copy of the P3AT at least Ruger had the good sense to put a manual slide lock back on it and that right there sold me as neither my Diamondback or the P3AT have this.
Also the P3AT had such a rough finish,at least two I handled, that I could foresee hand issues after a box of 50 rounds.
I will say the LCP trigger took some getting use to compared to the very smooth and nice design of the Diamondback(while it works)but after the first 20 rounds of shooting it I figured out a good technique.
And it's amazingly accurate for such mediocre sights.
In nearly two hundred rounds of multiple makes of ammo,both fmj and hollowpoints this little LCP has been trouble free.
Not one malfunction.

They both have really long trigger pulls as a safety. I went with the LCP because it felt more fit and finished in my hand. I swore up and down that I would never get a mouse gun, but work and dress attire dictate that it's generally either a slim .380 in my pocket or no pistol at all.

Honestly, I like the little bugger. She's snappy but accurate. Certainly not an heirloom, but if she makes it 10 years getting shot monthly and riding in my back pocket with nothing more than a spring change, I'll feel like I got my money's worth.

I've shot the Kel-Tec P32 and own a Taurus TCP. I personally prefer the TCP trigger over the Kel-Tec, but haven't shot the LCP.

Shot the LCP a lot and dry-fired the P3AT a lot before buying the LCP. I thought the LCP was a little smoother and crisper, and has a consistent break. It is long though they both are. The P3AT probably smoothes out over time and shooting it a lot.

Wife carries the LCP in her purse. It's definitely not a fun-gun. But it can throw seven rounds into a 6" paper plate at ten feet in two or three seconds. A face full of .380 should be enough to discourage any BG. She also has a Glock G26 with finger extension. The G26 is 21 oz (IIRC) and the LCP is less that 12, both loaded +1. Makes a huge difference in her comfort carrying the purse. The G26 is her desk/night stand/glove compartment gun.

I have KelTec P3AT over 2000 trouble free rounds and I like better than the Ruger copy . Ialso have 3 of the P-32 and a PF-9.

I've had both -- and now have neither.

The Ruger was a bit prettier, but the only difference I could really find between the two of them was that because of the trigger-guard shape on the P3AT, that gun hurt my trigger finger during recoil. (Gave the gun to my son, a cop, as a backup gun. He never had the problem.) I found both unpleasant to shoot until I added the KTADDONs recoil material to the grips. It works on the LCP, and they have a version for the PF-9 and LC9.

I've since moved on to a small 9mm as a concealed carry weapon. (The new gun is a Kel-Tec PF-9; I also had a Kahr P9, which I preferred, but somebody made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I'll probably eventually get a PM9 -- better triggers on the Kahr guns, and I find them far more pleasant to shoot.)

Here's a review of the LCP where he compares the trigger against the P-3AT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JWmBlmLTzQ
He compares the trigger at 12:40 in the video.

I have owned/carried both. I thought the LCP was a little better new, but just never could make it work.

I bought a used P3AT several months ago and it's been perfect.

I've had two P3ATs and two LCPs. I currently own an LCP.
To be honest, that decision was not based on the trigger, as I think they both suck.

abaddon said:

... In the event of a light primer strike you would presumably have lost the half-cock hammer position. Do you have to rack the slide again or can you pull the trigger to see if a second strike can fire the round?

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I don't know if "half-cocked" is the proper term, but the firing mechanism is partially loaded (hammer spring charged) by slide movement. There is no second-strike capability.

At the range, this is no big deal.

But, in a real-life situation, I'd think you'd arguably be best served by racking the slide to get a potentially bad round out of the way, and a good one in position as quickly as possible.

They both have really long trigger pulls as a safety.

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Well, I'd prefer LONGer. I prefer my P11's, no reset, double strike capable and long and safe pointing at my boys all day. I have a .380 version of it, an old Grendel P12, but it's not too much smaller and I prefer the 9.

Between P3AT and LCP, varies from gun to gun. Both are the same design. I've fired both, hard to say which is better. They both work fine and are safe to carry in a soft pocket holster. That matters a lot more in a pocket defense gun than does that crisp, glass rod 7 ounce target trigger many want on a target auto like a 41 Smith or something. Sorta cracks me up when someone gets picky about carry gun triggers, especially POCKET carries. It ain't about the 10 ring, ya know. That said, I can shoot 3.5" 25 yard groups all day with my P11 from a bench and 50 of 50 points on a CCW qualifier. Hell, I scored slow expert with the P11 a couple of times that I used it in IDPA matches and it's NOT a match gun. It's called PRACTICE and knowing the basics. Carry what's safe in a pocket gun. Quit scrutinizing triggers and go learn to shoot.

P3AT hands down (I hate to say this I love my full size rugers 38spc 357 45 and 44mag) BUT the trigger to me is better in the Kel, and it will use +P ammo if you read my other posts you will find that a biggie to me I like my Kel and have it with me all the time but it feels under powered Buffalo bore fixed that, the LCP "ate" my hand the Kel don't and with the extended mag fits my big hand better. and why get a copy when you can get the .? ooriginal Ok one some call a draw back the Kel don't lock open on the last round.

I don't care about the trigger when I dry fired the Kel it felt like it was bending in my hand the Ruger didn't, I own an LCP