Trigger locks etc.,

[Duach Laidir]

Down here on the real top of the world there have been a couple of assertions, on local forums, that some firearms can be fired with trigger locks in place and locked.

I've come to the conclusion that they are right. What thoughts?

Duach.

 

[Devonai]

I think said trigger locks are not installed properly or were too small for the trigger guard for that particular weapon. If you wish the device to work properly, test it first.

In any case I do not trust them, as I know from personal experience that they are all too easy to remove without damaging the firearm.

 

[whm1974]

In any case I do not trust them, as I know from personal experience that they are all too easy to remove without damaging the firearm.

Very true, which is why I prefer cables locks.

-Bill

 

[Hemicuda]

I have a small trigger lock (provided with a gun i bought) that sits over the trigger, and "locks" to the trigger guard...

it actually clamps to the trigger... on my Smitty Autos, it just rides along the guard...

Looks funny and draws a crowd at the range when i pull out the gun and proceed to fire a magazine full with the lock still in place...

 

[ctdonath]

Yup. I've looked into the issue, detailed here.
I have taken a common standard trigger lock, applied it correctly & firmly to a Glock, and with a little poking & prodding (without tools) persuaded it to fire (ok, I didn't actually load the thing, but it would have fired had a round been in the magazine; didn't want to risk killing myself in the process).

Upshot:
The problem with trigger locks is that SCREWING AROUND WITH THE TRIGGER OF A LOADED GUN IS DANGEROUS. Remember the rules:
#1 - All guns are loaded
#2 - Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy
#3 - Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on the target
#4 - Know your target & what's beyond

Trigger locks, at minimum, violate #1 and #3.

Of course you shouldn't put a trigger lock on a loaded gun ... yet that's exactly what many people do so they can keep it "safe" yet "ready". Even if "unloaded", considering the deadly seriousness of error, you NEVER do anything with a gun that you wouldn't do when you know it's loaded. The lock does nothing to prevent inserting a loaded mag & chambering a round.

As for keeping one's finger off the trigger, what difference is there whether 'tis your actual finger, or a metal post or other object placed right in front of the trigger? While trying to fumble with two halves of a trigger lock AND the gun at the same time - that's using 2 hands to manipulate 3 things, one lethally dangerous - the trigger may very well be pressed.

Once attached, what then? With the most common design, you've now got a metal post placed immediately in front of the trigger, held there by two side slabs. "Out of sight, out of mind" is the problem: not seeing the trigger or post, people don't think of the mechanical risk. Turns out that a firm rearward pressure can be enough to move the trigger enough to drop the hammer. BOOM! Some locks include little fingers intended to grab onto whatever they can (trigger guard) to prevent such motion; these are not reliable, and can easily be pressed out of the way.

The other problem with trigger locks: they do NOTHING to prevent someone walking off with the gun, and sawing/drilling the lock off at their liesure.

 

[ctdonath]