Squared trigger guards

[Wonder9]

I've always liked the look of squared trigger guards(on autos) but it seems quite often the gun press scorns them. What your "opinions"?

[Wonder9]

....and who started the trend??

[lee n. field]

What your "opinions"?

Are they there for some purpose other than to look cool?

I know some people grip with a the index finger of their weak hand up there, but that wasn't how I was taught.

[HSMITH]

I like to think it doesn't matter to me, but I have used the front of the trigger guard for my weak hand index finger for years and years. I think I started the first time I saw an article on Rob Leatham with pictures of him doing it.

That said, I am experimenting with NOT hanging a finger on the trigger guard with my weak hand. Virtually all of the current action shooting gurus say it is better not to use it, so I giving it a try.

[otomik]

Rounded trigger guards look so classy, I can't resist.

[MCgunner]

I really don't care, but sorta prefer looking at a round trigger guard. I never put my fingers up around the front of the cylinder (revolver)/forcing cone gap. You could get blistered that way. My revolver habits extend to autos. Just don't feel right not having all my fingers of my off hand clamping my shooting hand under the trigger guard.

[TexasRifleman]

....and who started the trend??

This is a French Army invention, to make their soldiers feel like they actually have their fingers on a trigger (which as we know is against their policy).

I think they look goofy myself.

[mete]

The trend was started by custom gunsmiths in the '70's. By the time factories added it , it was determined to be worthless. Using the index finger on the trigger guard just meant one more muscle that had to be dealt with.

[JoeHatley]

....and who started the trend??

I don't know where it started, but it seems to come back around every few years.

Back in the late 1970's or early 1980's(IIRC) a company called Devel was chopping/customizing S&W model 39s. These were in the pre 3913 days.

One of the modifications they did was popular was the hooked/squared trigger guard. It was very popular.

After a few years of watching Devel customize their guns, S&W incorported a few of their modifictions into some of their 2nd generation guns. (I don't think S&W would admit that)

This 639 of mine would be an example:

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/639_l.jpg

Stick around... they will probably be back in style again.

Joe

[Chipperman]

I personally don't care if it's square, round, or dodecahedral.

It's purpose it to protect the trigger, not to rest a finger.

[MCgunner]

One thing to consider about having your finger up on that squared off trigger guard, you have one less finger to apply pressure on the shooting grip. In proper Weaver (or even if you shoot isoceles, it helps) you grip the gun with both hands as if wringing a towel dry. You apply pressure with both hands. This helps control and to fight muzzle climb/recoil. It's especially important when shooting magnum revolvers.

Having a finger up on the trigger guard just feels stupid to me, anyway. It adds nothing for control, actually COSTS you control.

[Old Dog]

I regard hooked or squared trigger guards as being just as useful as front cocking serrations ... that is to say, they're not useful at all.

It's simply a cosmetic detail. That said, I always thought the squared trigger guards looked cool on S&W semiautos and SIGs ... They're nothing to worry about on a full-size duty pistol, but for a compact carry piece, especially if to be carried IWB, I'll pass ...

[Pilot]

I regard hooked or squared trigger guards as being just as useful as front cocking serrations ... that is to say, they're not useful at all.
I'll pass ...

I don't like either of these cosmetic fads either. However, its hard to find new pistols that don't have them. If I like a gun I will overlook these details as it doesn't effect how it shoots, its just cosmetic.

[Iggy]

[QUOTE=Old Dog]I regard hooked or squared trigger guards as being just as useful as front cocking serrations ... that is to say, they're not useful at all.

Amen!!

[rockstar.esq]

Personally, the aesthetics the square trigger guard are relative. There are some autos that look good with them and others that look a little funny with them.

[waterhouse]

I don't care what they look like, but I tried using one once by putting my left index finder on it and my groups got really bad and I was pulling everything to the left (This was using a SIG 229).

Some of my guns have them, and it doesn't bother me one bit, but now I know that I don't shoot well when I put my finger there, so I don't. Given the choice, my guns wouldn't have them, but it will never be a deal breaker on me buying a gun that I otherwise like.

[Standing Wolf]

To my eye, squared trigger guards make a gun look unfinished.

[gbran]

They're fine, but please don't put them on a 1911.

[Dienekes]

One of those things that you add to a gun when you've run out of ideas.

Remember when kids jacked up the rear ends of their cars? Same thing.

[otomik]

the M9 program required a squared trigger guard, no doubt this popularized this questionable feature a great deal and legitmized it in the eyes of many.

[Wonder9]

I don't know where it started, but it seems to come back around every few years.

Back in the late 1970's or early 1980's(IIRC) a company called Devel was chopping/customizing S&W model 39s. These were in the pre 3913 days.

One of the modifications they did was popular was the hooked/squared trigger guard. It was very popular.

After a few years of watching Devel customize their guns, S&W incorported a few of their modifictions into some of their 2nd generation guns. (I don't think S&W would admit that)

This 639 of mine would be an example:

http://www.iowatelecom.net/~hatley/639_l.jpg

Stick around... they will probably be back in style again.

Joe

I don't think it has ever gone away. Look at most Sigs, H&K's, glocks, etc.

Would Smith be considered the first commercial success with this feature?

[Smythe77]

I feel that Rob Leatham has changed his way of holding his gun. He now wraps his strong hand thumb OVER the safety while the weak-hand is just below the above & fully under the trigger guard with forefinger pointing into the direction of where he will be shooting (yes the weak hand thumb is now below the strong hand thumb) which he claims gives more traction of the weak hand to the grip.

I have adopted his style & while strange it is the one that will give you better groups. Saw it on another gun board with some video work. True all is backward to me with revolvers or other semi-autos but my groups with my 45 have vastly improved time after time.

This is also a good system for police as the strong hand thumb is over the safety & ready to press down the safety & at just about the same time the finger will go in to pull the trigger upon the subject he is about to shoot at.

[HSMITH]

It is a good thing Rob never listened when the experts told him he was an idiot for shooting the way he does, he is only the most accomplished action shooter of all time.

Rob doesn't advocate the finger on the trigger guard, he just proves that it can be done at the highest level possible.

The grip of the top shooters evolve regularly, mostly subtle changes but they are always looking for the best way. Not a bad philosophy IMO.

[nyresq]

as for who was the first or one of the first was a gunsmith by the name of swenson. The squared trigger guard was one of the recognizable things he did to his full custom jobs.

I think his first name was arnold or armond, but I'm not 100% sure. Any one remember?

Swenson custom jobs were very popular in the early 80's and late 70's. His guns were in most of the popular mags back then and they all had the squared trigger guards.

[45auto]

I remember reading one useful function of the squared triger guard even if you don't use your finger on it.

Someone with larger hands, two handed grip. Their support hand extends beyond the flat part of the trigger guard. The square guard has a longer flat portion to support that. Sounded reasonable to me. ;)

They look 'neat' also.

[Ala Dan]

+1 for recurved trigger guards

[Zach S]

They're fine, but please don't put them on a 1911.
+1. I dont think they look good or bad, I personally dont care. But the squared trggerguard on a 1911 screws me out of all of my holsters.

[nyresq]

I looked through some old back issue gun mags.... the mans name was Armand Swenson, and he was squaring trigger guards back in the early 70's... most writers I found seem to think he was the first to do so.

[Medusa]

Definitely a design element, otherwise no advantage over round one whatsoever (well, maybe a little more room for gloved finger?). Some guns do look better with rounded, and some with squared ones.
Both pistols of mine have rounded ones (CZ75B and FN)

[WarMachine]

For those of you who don't put the finger there, then sure, leave it off. I don't put my finger there either, but there are people who do, and they are damn good shots too. I recall seeing a video on the older show American Shooter where Bob Munden I believe was doing some exhibition shooting with a 1911 (something I don't see him do too often), and guess where the index finger on his support hand was :rolleyes:

I run into the same issue with people who tell others how much finger to use on the trigger. Different hands shapes and sizes mean that people must adjust accordingly. I for one have long fingers, and I use the first joint on all guns except for 1911's. People tell me I should be using the pad only; I tell them it doesn't work for me because the leverage changes and I can't get as smooth a trigger pull.

Once again I say: Just because it works for you, doesn't mean it works for the rest of humanity.

Rant mode off :neener: