How difficult is it to install a Magpul enhanced trigger guard? I was going to order one but read somewhere about breaking an ear off the receiver. I guess i’m asking about how likely one is to screw it up? Any suggestions? Mr. Murphy and I go way back so I usually expect the worst. Thanks in advance.
It’s an easy and straightforward swap for anyone with basic tools and skills.
Support the ears in a decent protected jaw vise.
Use the correct size pin punch.
Take it easy with the hammer.
You should be fine.
Disclaimer- If you’ve ever broken a perfectly good anvil, you might want to look for help.
Guys, here’s a tip you can use to save yourself a wee bit of work when installing these.
Drive the old pin out until it is past the guard but still in the receiver tang (or ear). Remember to support the frame tang; I used a block of wood with a hole in it for the pin to go through. Insert the Magpul guard and drive the same pin back in the rest of way from the other side (again, support the receiver tang).
Piece of cake.
I have two Magpul trigger guards that I installed in two different ways.
My first one I installed making sure I had some support behind the ear, I used a wood block and used masking tape around the hole to protect the finish.
Then I took my time and took extra care of being gentle with my hammer and pin punch.
On my second installation I used an adjustable large pliers with several layers of electrical tape on the jaws of the pliers, then I supported the back end again with a wood block and gently completed the pin installation with hammer and pin punch.
Good luck.
Brace it, and apply a little grease if Murphy is your partner, but its really not bad at all.
Which version are you going with?
I plan to go with the older, non-folding version. For some the folding one may be useful but I’ve never actually used the swiveling function of the standard trigger guard.
We’ve experienced a much colder than normal winter so far in our part of the country and the added room for a gloved hand has begun to lookr ather handy.
I didnt use a block or anything like that, just didnt even break the gun down, just layed it on the bench, drove out the old pin, put the trigger guard in, crimped the end of the roll pin just a smidge so that it would stand in the hole on its own, and used a proper roll pin punch to drive it in.
Its a part replacement, not something hard like opening up a gasport:confused:
I would recommend a little bit of blue loctite on the front screw as I shot mine out and its now lost. I’ve been meaning to contact magpul to see if I could purchase another screw without purchasing the trigger guard again.
The trigger guard came in the mail along with my Aimppoint M3 from Grant. I installed both and I should have loctited it then, but I got excited to go shooting and figured I would do it when I got home. Then I forgot. After a few more shooting trips, I noticed that it had worked its way out, and was now gone.
Live and learn I guess.
Hey Crash I wonder if you could get a replacement screw at lowes? Maybe you could take the remaining one you have to get the right size.
A trick I figured out was to install the screw-end FIRST, and then tap in the roll pin.
What Zak said.
If the lower is in-spec it should fit in very nicely with minimal persuasion. I fitted one to a well known/popular lower that needed considerable application of a file before it’d fit right. Wasn’t a problem for that customer, because he was refinishing it.
After installing no less than 20 Magpul triggerguards…my experience mirrors Zak’s advise. Screw-end FIRST, then tap in the roll pin.
I do this with MIAD’s as well…