A trigger guard is a protective loop surrounding the
trigger of a
firearm designed to prevent unwanted contact with the trigger, which may cause an
accidental discharge.
Other devices that use a trigger-like
actuator mechanism, such as
inhalers,
crossbow
A crossbow is a ranged weapon using an Elasticity (physics), elastic launching device consisting of a Bow and arrow, bow-like assembly called a ''prod'', mounted horizontally on a main frame called a ''tiller'', which is hand-held in a similar ...
s and
power tools, may also have trigger guards.
On
rifles with a
bottom metal, the trigger guard is often incorporated as part of the bottom metal.
Winter trigger guards
Some firearms may have their trigger guard removed or repositioned as not to impair use with large cold weather gloves on, especially those intended to be used in arctic conditions. Quite notably, the
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare line of rifles have enlarged trigger guards for use in cold climates, primarily northern Sweden.
Sources
Firearm components
Firearm safety
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