Origins of Squareback Trigger Guard

[oldwolf]

Did they provide a function other than looks?

Why were they discontinued in later models of the 1851 Navy (as an example)?

Thanks!

 

[curator]

The original idea was to have better control of the pistol/firearm because your middle finger would apply pressure to the back of the trigger guard. In practice the gun firing rapped the middle finger rather hard, discouraging sales. Still, the "square back" trigger guard was synominous with big-iron as in the Walker Colt and early Dragoon/Navy models. Sometimes tradition and "cool-ness" out-weighs comfort.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Back in the day the folks that carried Walkers, and Dragoons usually wore leather gloves and the large square back trigger guards worked pretty good. When they 51 was released with the square back guard it was very small, even for a un-gloved hand. It soon went to the larger round guard.

 

[oldwolf]

I did not realize the round trigger guard was "larger" than the squareback.

Basically then,the round trigger guard design is an evolution, i.e. an improvement over the squareback?

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I've never handled a square back Navy but I have modified several Remingtons into square backs as being the only way to get the guard off my second knuckle. It's a fairly easy mod and for me, it really improves the generally lousy handling of the Remington design. CASS shooters should know this is an illegal mod for that sport.

 

[poordevil]

so does a square back bang on your finger? I know my modern 38's and such with round guards do.

Do you who have the square back dragoons and etc get beat by the guard?

 

[oldwolf]

I have an 1848 Dragoon and it does not beat my knuckle. Neither does my Super Blackhawk. I like the looks of the design myself, they seem to fit my hand better. That is why I am wondering about the squareback style and why revolver evolution has mostly seen its demise.

 

[LRB]

My Super Blackhawk bangs my finger hard. I think it is good for some, not for others.

 

[goon]

The round triggerguard also bangs the hell out of my middle finger. I found that out with a standard Blackhawk and it's been true with my Uberti Remington .44 too. Instead of ever having to deal with it, I just slip my pinky around the bottom of the grip to keep the gun from firing. I'm pretty sure it's just due to the shape of the grip on an SA - I've never had this problem with any modern DA revolver.

 

[wulf]

My Remys banged my middle figger too so I filed
the frame out in more of a curve and cleaned up
the back of the guard as well. Solved that problem
real easy...I didn't care about the bluing I cared
more about the fit..

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Well that is the point of a square back guard, to gain some knuckle room. If the guard is resting on your knuckle when just holding the gun it certainly will rap the knuckle in recoil. I've never had any problem with any of the Colt or Ruger designs but the Remington grip shape forces the second finger up into a wedge between the grip and the guard.