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Posted: 4/24/2005 12:43:31 PM EDT
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I was pissed when I got my BM and noticed the trigger guard was plastic. I found out later there was a good reason. It seams in actual combat and LE activities the gun can get banged around alot. There have been cases when the metal trigger guard got bent into the trigger. Not a good thing when you can't pull your trigger. I posted this because is seems metal trigger guards seem all the rage, plastic ones are there for a reason. 
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I doubt highly any of us are likely to do something that'd bend an aluminum trigger guard OR break a plastic one. For some odd reason my hand is usually in the way of anything that gets near the trigger guard. I have aluminum trigger guards. I have plastic trigger guards. I dont lose any sleep over it either way. |
You go on believing that if you want. M16 trigger guards were aircraft grade aluminum when I served in the 1980s and M16A2/A3/A4/M4 trigger guards are still made of aircraft grade aluminum today, whether the rifle is made by Colt or FN. Plastic trigger guards are there because the manufacturers (yes, even Bushmaster) cut corners to save dollars. They came up with "reasons" why plastic was better after the fact to justify it. When a plastic trigger guard shatters in subzero temperatures, it is finished. A high grade aluminum trigger guard that becomes bent (fairly rare occurence) can easily be bent back once it is opened. I see the idea that plastic trigger guards are better as the same sort of myth perpetuated by those who insist that "the Forward Assist is useless and not necessary". Most who claim this have never had to use the weapon under the conditions where those features were designed to function. Plastic trigger guards are cheap junk. Anyway that's my crusty opinion. As I said, believe what you want, and I will do the same.
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The plastic trigger guard, like the black plastic BB filled buffer, plastic delta ring, plastic mag release button, roll pins instead of tapered pins holding on the front sight base, etc, were the marks of cheap junky trashy kits that were common 15-20 years ago. I've never seen a bent aluminum trigger guard. If I have to have a cheap plastic substitute part on my AR, the trigger guard is the least objectionable of the bunch. The rest, no way, no how. I will not have a plastic delta ring on any of MY AR's. All BB filled buffers go in the trash. Sorry, they are crap. Ditto mag release buttons. With all the talk of "Bushmaster quality", that is one place I feel they have let the consumer down (plastic trigger guard). What would they say about a plastic mag release button? Won't get the shooter's index finger cold in the winter time? Sheesh! |
| When I was in the service we were pretty rough on the M16A1's we had. I have seen more than 1 break at the rear of the receiver where the buffer tube threads in. I have seen some of the aluminum trigger guards bend, a little. I have never seen one bend enough to even touch the trigger. That would require quite a bit of force if you think about it would have to bend and stretch some. |
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I have a Bushy and I replaced the plastic trigger guard with a Magpul. It's bent the other way so it lets me shoot with a glove without disabling the trigger guard and having it get in the way. Since it's bent the other way it will never bend inwards like you are worried about. It's wider so it gives the trigger more protection. It doesn't have the sharp edges like the plastic one that cut my finger during training. If you care about looks, it looks better. It's only about $20 delivered, can't hurt to try it. |
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If a metal trigger guard was somehow bent enough to block a trigger, swinging it down to the winter position to move it out of the way would solve the problem. That being said, in 14 years I've never heard about or seen an aluminum trigger guard bending enough to block a trigger. If someone has a pic please post it. Personally, a plastic trigger guard doesn't especially bother me, except that in subzero weather they get brittle and snap if you're too rough when you swing them to the winter position. Fortunately it's a cheap fix. Does Bushy still use plastic trigger guards in all of their new commercial grade ARs? The trigger guards in their LE weapons have always been aluminum, if memory serves. If plastic is considered better I would think that they'd want the superior part in their LEO weapons too. Maybe they think cops are more likely than civilians to break them-who knows. Edited to add: Last year I built my Father a patrol carbine and used an Oberland Arms trigger guard as one of the finishing touches: 
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Take a look at my trigger guards I put on. The guards came from www.mreguns.com I bought two at the last gun show. They were $15.00 each and fit like a glove. Just send him an e-mail as I don't think he has them listed on his website. Do you like it or do you think it looks dumb? These are not plastic 
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I've removed all my weapons from service until the status and construction materials and methodology of their trigger guards can be ascertained, and ASTM tech sheets obtained for them. I wouldn't want to shoot a home invader with a gun with a plastic trigger guard, that's for damn sure! Larry |
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I'm still trying to figure out how you'd break or bend one. And, as someone noted, if you bent it into the trigger, you fold it down out of the way. Problem solved. The pistol grip sticks down aft and protects it. The magazine sticks down forward and protects it. As Lumpy as said, my hand pretty much covers it up. If a rifle took a hit hard enought to bend or break the trigger guard, you'd have lots of other problems. And I'm not sure what would be "thin" enough to fit between all that stuff and actually strike the trigger guard. Sounds like much ado about nothing. |
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ok this is probably a stupid question but why coudlnt they have the trigger guard be part of the forged lower? Like permanent how it is on most guns. ? Or that wouldnt work becuase in colder climates they need to have other options because of wearing gloves Because at the time the AR-15/M16 was being designed we were also facing the Russians and other Warsaw Pact countries in Europe. It was a design specification that it could be shot with gloves MITTENS if needed. And who knows, the damned Canadians might invade some day, you just never know... 
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Can you post a picture of your trigger finger?  I bet it is big.
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Don't you guys know the real reason to fear plastic trigger guards? Because AIRSOFT AR15s have plastic trigger guards! The AIRSOFT takeover has begun, plastic trigger guards and TacPoints are just the insidious beginning! Resist at all costs! Or THIS is what you will all become... 
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 Sorry, couldn't help myself. Any time I read Airsoft or turdpoint I have to post "the pic." C4 |
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