DA/SA or LEM/DAO, which is better for preventing NDs?

[HammerStriker]

I know the best safety is the one between my ears, but we all make mistakes. Is a DA/SA less prone to NDs when holstering/unholstering, or is a DAO trigger like HK's LEM a safer? Why? Would appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you!

[Sensei]

DA/SA will be marginally safer than the LEM. A 10lb DA trigger weight is significantly more difficult to pull than a 6lb LEM trigger if we are talking about objects entering the trigger guard during reholstering. The DA/SA has a more distinct hammer than the LEM if you are relying on hammer movement to let you know that something is amiss.

[beenalongtime]

Stupid question alert, but isn't the LEM also available on HK's striker guns? Are there any DA/SA guns with a concealed hammer that one couldn't put their thumb on?

[Sensei]

Stupid question alert, but isn't the LEM also available on HK's striker guns? Are there any DA/SA guns with a concealed hammer that one couldn't put their thumb on?

No, LEM is not available on the VP guns.

[beenalongtime]

No, LEM is not available on the VP guns.

Thank you (I think I was mixing up some models as some hammer appear bobbed by the photo's).

So either or even the C/D models of the Beretta's, shouldn't matter and just get into the thumb over the hammer habit.

[TheNewbie]

I know the best safety is the one between my ears, but we all make mistakes. Is a DA/SA less prone to NDs when holstering/unholstering, or is a DAO trigger like HK's LEM a safer? Why? Would appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you!

I think they are close enough in first shot safety as not to matter. There are other items I would consider in regard to which is the overall best for safety and ability to shoot well.

Hopefully someone will link Dagga Boy's post about this.


I put a NY1 trigger in both my G17 and G26. It's not a DA press or an LEM, but it does add a little extra take up and makes the SCD even more positive in function. The reason I will not get a Gen 5 is I find the trigger a little too easy to manipulate and there is no NY1 option for the Gen 5.

[HopetonBrown]

DA/SA will be marginally safer than the LEM. A 10lb DA trigger weight is significantly more difficult to pull than a 6lb LEM trigger if we are talking about objects entering the trigger guard during reholstering. The DA/SA has a more distinct hammer than the LEM if you are relying on hammer movement to let you know that something is amiss.

I thought the FBI or sumbody did a study and determined that trigger travel, not trigger weight was more instrumental in reducing NDs, which is why LEM and DAK exist?

[TheNewbie]

I thought the FBI or sumbody did a study and determined that trigger travel, not trigger weight was more instrumental in reducing NDs, which is why LEM and DAK exist?

I've heard that too. I think the DAK is a great trigger that should have been improved a bit and put into a polymer platform.

[Bucky]

DA/SA requires more training, and commitment. With DA/SA, you have to remember to decock. Also, you need to prevent Hollywood wannabes from manually decocking their pistols, which has been cause for more than a few mishaps.

[HCountyGuy]

Any firearm with a longer trigger travel will help in reducing NDs. When it comes to holstering, a firearm with an exposed hammer can help make an ND almost impossible when the user rides the hammer with their thumb.

There’s a good argument that not needing to de-cock with a DAO/LEM provides less margin for error compared to TDA.