Manual

12
SAFETY
To achieve highest operator safety, combined with ease of handling, the P-3AT is
"DOUBLE ACTION ONLY". It has no manual safety and the hammer is never
fully cocked.
The hammer is of a novel design. Compared to a conventional hammer, the P-3AT's
is very light and consequently, operates at high velocities. It is driven by a special
free floating extension spring.
In its ready position the hammer is securely held by the hammer block. Only by
deliberately pulling the trigger can the hammer block be disengaged. The tilting
action of the barrel excludes firing unless the breech is fully locked. A direct blow to
the hammer is impossible, as it is enclosed by the slide and grip. The hammer's
energy is transmitted to the primer through a low mass firing pin.
MALFUNCTIONING
Proper function of your P-3AT is directly related to maintenance and care, and to the
ammunition you use. Some of the more common types of malfunctions which may
occur are as follows:
Misfire: Failure of the cartridge to ignite when the hammer falls. Keep the firearm
pointed in a safe direction, wait 30 seconds, operate the slide manually and continue
shooting. If necessary, change the magazine. The most common causes are dirt or
foreign objects impeding the magazine. Improperly crimped cartridges are another
cause.
Failure to eject or extract: A fired case is not fully extracted from the chamber or
ejected from the P-3AT. Again, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, clear the
gun by operating the slide, remove the case and continue. If necessary change the
magazine. The most common causes are a damaged extractor, ejector or ammunition.
Improperly loaded or sized cartridges can cause this also. If any of the above
problems are not solved by cleaning or by use of other brands of ammunition, stop
firing, unload and return the P-3AT to our service department.