What is the grooved area on the front of the pistol trigger guard used for?

[leadcounsel]

It appears that the grooved concave or flat surface on the forward portion of the trigger guard is for the off hand pointing finger, but I have never seen anyone shoot like that nor have I ever been instructed to shoot with my off hand finger anywhere near the trigger. Seems like a recipe for disaster to put your pointing finger on the front of the trigger guard.

Anyone have any insight?

 

[Brian Williams]

I have seen very few people use a squared off trigger guard, and those who did either had a very forward grip for their off hand or they had real long fingers.
Try it if it works great, if not ignore it.

 

[wildehond]

It is used as a rest for the first finger of the support hand. It is not a way to control mussle flip as it was preached at some point. It is usually more comfortable for people with large hand to rest thsi finger on the guard. People with smaller hands might find it uncomfortable.

Like it is was said in the previous post. If it works use it. Just watchout that yout finger does not come across an the other side and drag on the slide.

I hope this explains some of your question.

wildehond

 

[bestseller92]

That's the way I shoot, with my offhand index finger wrapped around the trigger guard, if the shape of the guard allows. I pull back with this hand and finger while pushing forward with the gun hand, for a rock solid hold. No, it's not unsafe, and it works for me.

 

[Trebor]

If you think putting your finger in front of the trigger guard gives you a rock solid hold, have someone videotape you shotting sometime. Play the tape back slowly and odds are that you'll see that finger actually leave the gun during the recoil cycle. It does not offer as much support as hand-on-hand.

 

[bestseller92]

With all due respect, the holes in my targets tell me more than any videotape could. What works, works. To each his (or her) own.

 

[Steve in PA]

If it works for you, great.

But the concensus is that you will get an inconsistant grip by having your finger out there, and have a tendency to pull your shots off target. Standing at a range punching holes in paper is not the true test either.

Also, I know of no instructors that teach putting your finger there.

 

[Dr.Rob]

HK's P9S front end looked more like a knuckle duster than a finger rest.

 

[JoeHatley]

The squared/hooked trigger gaurd was popular in the late '70s and '80s.



Used to be the hot setup in the early days of "combat" shooting sports.

Joe

 

[Shipwreck]

I have been putting the 1st finger of my left hand there for many years. I tried it in the late 90s, and I found that for me, I hold the gun steadier and my point of impact is better. Recently, I've tried to not do it a few times, and my aim is not as good. So, I have continued to do this. And, I also have very small hands. But, I have no problems doing this.

 

[Plink]

I never did figure out why the "Euro Nipple" trigger guards became popular. On a belt gun it's no big deal I guess, but corners and edges on a concealed gun sorta defeats the purpose.

 

[bestseller92]

This style of shooting is called "Isometric Contraction". All the fingers of my left hand wrap around the corresponding fingers of the shooting hand except the index finger, which of course goes around the trigger guard. My left hand pulls back while the right one pushes forward. As I said, it works for me.

 

[wardog]

I feel that I get a better grip on the gun with my support hand higher, therefore I use the squared trigger guard for my index finger. Works for me. YMMV

 

[Dienekes]

Same purpose as tail fins on late 50s cars served. Sort of in the same category as wearing a baseball hat backwards or holding your pistol sideways when shooting...

 

[Clipper]

I use it as an aid to muscle memory...It's one more locating point that helps maintain a consistent grip shot-to-shot. Yes, your finger bounces off in recoil, then it recovers for the next shot. I do not wrap my finger around the guard, as my fingers are too short, and I partially cup my grip. I lay my finger at the turn of the guard as a reference point...And yeah, it makes a difference once you get used to it. I have never failed to get a substantial accuracy improvement out of anyone I have taught this method to.

 

[Chipperman]

"What is the grooved area on the front of the pistol trigger guard used for?"

The real answer is that it is used for selling guns, just like front slide serrations.

 

[XavierBreath]

What also made the Socius controllable was the famous "Devel hook" triggerguard. The finger-forward hold, while useful, can be problematic: even squared triggerguards tend to leave your finger somewhere south during recoil. The design of the Devel hook, however, was aggressive enough to work every time. Although an option on all Devels, it was probably most effective with the increased recoil of the little .45.

Some pretty heavy hitting custom jobs of the Seventies had drastic hooks on the triggerguards.

One must remember that this was a time of transition from one handed to two handed shooting in competition and police training. Many different two hand grips were being explored to find the best way of holding the gun. It was only natural for some method to be developed to help control muzzle flip. Some serrated and checkered the triggerguards, others hooked them. The present day incarnations of the triggerguards are remnants of those times. They are there if you need them, not necessary if you do not.

For my money, the trigger guard grip does not work as well as getting enough of the weak hand around the strong to control the gun. Thus, it never really mattered to me.

 

[ID_shooting]

"Same purpose as tail fins on late 50s cars served."

I respectfully disagree.

I think they are more of a personal preferance. I have small hands and when I was trained to shoot an M9 in the Army, I was tought to use the "first finger of the off hand on the trigger guard" technique.

Fast forward 15 years later and I can not get a side arm to point properly unless I do. I find it very comfortable to have my off hand higher up on the grip. I tried to stop doing it but I deffinatly noticed less front sight drift if I use my finger to help secure the gun.

I have no comment about it controlling recoil but it sure helps my aiming. I even use this grip on my single and double action revolvers.

 

[nitesite]

I use it. Works better for me, even on DA revolvers.

 

[JohnBT]

"What is the grooved area on the front of the pistol trigger guard used for?"

I thought it was for soldiers with large hands in very cold places wearing thick gloves.

John

 

[BevrFevr]

read a book... ayoob i think

This area is to be used nor for fingers so much as on cover and baracades in reality and game shooting. The instinct is for people to put the finger up there but images from the book show its use to create an exceptionaly stable platform while shooting behind walls, door frames, etc.

You minimize your exposed profile. Basically the only thing the BG would see is your barrel and your eye and maybe a shoulder.

I do not advocate this but I've seen it in print so it has to be true right?

-bevr