When it comes to owning a firearm, safety should never be ignored under any circumstances. Everyone is aware of the consequences that can result from failing to properly secure a firearm kept at home. As a direct consequence of this, those who own firearms are obligated to take additional safety precautions anytime they store one.
A trigger guard is an easy solution to the problem of providing this protection. The use of the firearm or the ability to shoot it will be prevented. But how can a customer choose which trigger guard would work best with their specific firearm? What constitutes the best choice for you is going to depend on how you balance a number of important criteria. To choose a trigger guard that is suited for your handgun, you will need to have a solid understanding of each of these factors. The following is a brief breakdown of a few factors that will provide you a glimpse into what you should anticipate happening.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Trigger Guard
The best trigger guard for your needs depends on how you intend to use it and a few other factors. Before deciding which is right for you, think about these important shopping considerations.
Material
- Kydex or carbon fiber – The majority of gun triggers are made from Kydex (polyvinyl chloride) or Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). These materials have been around since the invention of firearms, and they’re proven to be reliable and durable over time.
- Magnesium – While not as old as Kydex or CFRP, magnesium has nevertheless seen plenty of action in the field. It’s lightweight, affordable, and offers excellent protection against moisture, impact damage, and rusting. However, this material isn’t particularly strong and can easily snap if dropped on hard surfaces.
- Aluminum – This is another common metal used in firearm triggers because aluminum is easy to work with and provides good strength and corrosion resistance. Like magnesium, however, aluminum isn’t very tough and may bend or fold under pressure.
Size/Shape
A pistol grip is one of the most effective ways to protect your hand when handling a firearm because it prevents friction between your hands and the barrel while also preventing accidental firing. Most trigger guards come in two main shapes: straight and curved.
- Straight trigger guards consist of a long piece of plastic that runs parallel to the handle of the gun. To operate the trigger, simply push back toward the front of the gun until you feel something give way and then release the trigger.
- Curved trigger guards add more length to the weapon but do so at the expense of comfort. Instead of pushing back toward the front of the gun, you now twist your wrist forward to pull the trigger. Though this adds an extra step to shooting, many shooters prefer this style because it reduces muscle fatigue caused by pressing the tip of your thumb down onto the top of the gun.
Installation Method
There are several different methods of installing a trigger guard, each with their own benefits and downsides:
- Push-button installation uses adhesive to attach the guard to the gun. This method is quick and easy, though the added thickness and weight of the guard could cause issues during rapid fire.
- Similar to how a car seat fits into a car, friction fitment entails sliding the guard over the trigger mechanism. Although it involves some dexterity and takes slightly longer than a push-button installation, this method does allow for customization to meet the preferences of specific shooters.
- Locking bolt installation employs a locking bolt that extends through both the guard and the gun to secure the two together. This method allows for precision tuning, but it can be difficult to quickly lock and unlock the guard without practice.
Firearm Type
When selecting a new firearm, there are several characteristics that will affect its overall performance, including the type of ammunition fired, the number of rounds loaded, the size of the magazine, and whether it features safety.
- Ammunition Type. In addition to traditional rifle ammo like .30 caliber and .50 caliber, handguns also take cartridges of various sizes. Smaller calibers hold less ammunition, so they’ll need reloading more often. Larger ones tend to have higher velocity bullets, making them harder to stop once they’ve begun firing.
- Number of Rounds Loaded. How much ammunition a gun holds determines how long you can shoot before having to reload. Large magazines (20+ round) let you fire off multiple shots without stopping to reload. Smaller 10-round mags require manual reloading after every shot.
- Magazine Size. The standard magazine size for pistols is 9mm, but there are variations within that range. Some guns accept larger magazines, such as .44 magnum, while others don’t. If you plan to stick with what works, make sure yours accepts 9mm. However, even if your gun accepts 9mm, it doesn’t necessarily follow that all of its parts are designed to accommodate that specific diameter. In fact, quite the opposite is true; many manufacturers design their products specifically for smaller 8mm and 4mm guns. So if you find yourself struggling to get the magazine out of your Glock 19, it might be worth checking into an alternative product that uses 8mm or 4mm shells instead.
Weight
If you’d rather not press your thumb into the hot side of the gun, adding weight to the trigger guard makes sense. After all, heavier objects tend to drop faster, right? Well, almost. But there are limits to how heavy you can go before things start to break. You should still consider how heavy a trigger guard you would want to see in your hand, especially if you intend to use it for long periods of time.
For instance, if you’re someone who shoots 3-D targets with your AR-15, you’ll probably want a light trigger guard that won’t impede your ability to manipulate the controls. On the other hand, if you regularly compete in tactical events with your handgun, a heavier trigger guard might help improve your aim.
Types Of Trigger Guards
Trigger guards come in all different sizes, shapes and materials. Each has its place in the shooting sports, but you need to know what you’re getting into before making a purchase.
Metal detectors
Some people prefer metal detectors because they think it’s going to be more reliable than other options. Others don’t like them because they find the sound annoying or distracting when using a metal detector. The truth is that there isn’t any one type of trigger guard that works best for everyone. It comes down to personal preference. The good news is that most options can be customized to fit your individual preferences.
Electronic devices
There are some trigger guards out there that incorporate electronics into their design. These trigger guards often have an accelerometer built right into their construction. This allows these trigger guards to react differently depending on whether or not something is detected. For instance, if someone tries to open a drawer while wearing gloves, this kind of trigger guard will make sure the person doesn’t accidentally fire his weapon due to poor grip.
Electronic trigger guards aren’t as common as other kinds, so keep in mind that you may have to pay extra for one. These types of triggers also tend to be bulkier and harder to conceal under normal circumstances. If you wear your gun on your hip, where electronic trigger guards won’t interfere with your draw, then you should be fine.
Safety switches
A safety switch is just like a standard electrical switch except instead of turning a circuit breaker, you use it to deactivate a firearm. There are two main categories for safety switches: those that require batteries and those that don’t. The former includes the popular combination lock/keychain variety found at gas stations and car washes. You simply insert a key or turn a dial to arm the trigger. Disabling the feature is as simple as removing the key or twisting the dial again.
Most modern firearms rely heavily on electronics to function properly, so having a backup such as a traditional mechanical locking mechanism is critical. The latter category includes everything from emergency manual keys (which are essentially large-sized combination locks) to keychains that include a small plastic pistol that fits snugly against the bottom end of the barrel. Some even have clever features like a chambered round indicator.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
We began by looking for the most well-liked and well-reviewed products on Amazon, specialized websites, and other online stores. We focused our search on items made especially for concealable holsters by businesses that have a track record of creating premium concealed carry items.
After that, we focused our emphasis on trigger guards that were created from long-lasting material in order to ensure that we could provide you with a list of trigger guards that are designed to last a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trigger Guards
What is the purpose of a trigger guard?
A trigger guard serves as a mechanical barrier between your firearm and your finger. It keeps you from accidentally firing while in motion or while adjusting the weapon.
How do I install a trigger guard?
Most manufacturers publish detailed instructions for installing their products. However, most are very similar in concept and require you to remove the barrel assembly from the stock of the gun, then replace it with the new one, and finally install the trigger guard cover plate over the front sight.