[Slater]

A lot of shotguns on the maket today have plastic trigger guards. Some folks don't care for these at all, while others don't mind/don't care. Are these in fact durable enough to last for the life of the shotgun?

[Kingcreek]

Are these in fact durable enough to last for the life of the shotgun?
Probably yes, but that is not reason enough for me to accept them. I am more than a little old-fashioned and I think it just makes a gun look cheap.
(I even have walnut stock pieces on my AR15)
BTW the only trigger guard that ever failed me was a steel one on a browning double. snapped off when I was hunting late season pheasants at -10F degrees and browning replaced it at no charge.

[JNewell]

Heck, the truth is that a good "plastic" trigger guard is probably more durable than an aluminum one. Buy one of each, put it on a concrete floor, and strike it with a 3 pound hammer. Odds are the plastic one will be fine but the aluminum one will dent, possibly interfering with operation of the trigger.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like the plastic trigger guards -- but I think my dislike is probably irrational.

I was gonna say that steel would be better, but after Slater's post, I guess I won't... :eek:

[mnrivrat]

For the most part the answer is yes - they can last a long time and are generaly not problematic . They hold up as well as many other parts of a gun . I've fixed a lot more guns for broken wood stocks than for broken plastic trigger guards.

[sm]

Yes they do seem to hold up, only concerns I have is in really extended exposure to freezing temp. I know, I know we have great plastic and it's the wave of the future....etc..

I still prefer blue and wood, with metal trigger guards.

I mean somebody has to keep mnrivrat busy and provide job security. :)

I don't drink, I tripped out when I learned booze now comes in plastic instead of glass...ain't right...just ain't right...meddlin with stuff that way.

[C.R.Sam]

I think exposure to heat and/or UV over an extended periodof time will cause most of them to get brittle. The more heat, the quicker.

I find it interesting that the .22 target rifles offered by DCM with plastic guards, have broken plastic guards.

Even the plastic used by Glock has it's limits. A while back saw a paper stating that the Glock plastic will deterioriate if above 120deg F and exposed to moisture. Not a problem for most. But, in some circumstances that could become a problem for a user carrying IWB in the lower desert.

Lexan used in armored vehicle windows dehydrates and becomes brittle. Should be changed annually.

Assorted plastics used on high performance aircraft have a limited service life; again, embrittlement concerns.

But, strong and light.....and how long is the lifetime of today's guns.

Plastic trigger guard not likely to log a lot of time in direct sun or in extremes of heat.

Sam

[Dave McCracken]

Here and back on TFL I asked about whether anyone had a personal experience with any plastic parts on shotguns breaking. A few responses but no TGs.

[Badger Arms]

At 70 degrees, I'd go for plastic. At 20 below, I'd go for aluminum every day of the week. Plastic is extremely sensative to heat. It will change its strength and durability characteristics drastically within a 200 degree range of, say, 20 below to a reasonable hot-barrel proximety temperature of 180 degrees. Wood ain't gonna do this. Aluminum ain't gonna do this. Steel ain't gonna do this.