I Don't Like Polymer Guns Because....

Um, I dont like polymer guns because they ah, hmmmm

NEVER JAM! Or mine never have.

be safe

I dislike them for a couple reasons, not because they are polymer. Every poly frame I have had was a very inaccurate gun and had feed problems. That's no fault of the polymer. The second, worse point is that glock refuses to make a gun that I can shoot confortably. When I grip a glock the knuckle on my thumb is tight against the frame along the hump where the slide extends rearward from the grip. Same on every glock product from the 17 to the 42.

I have to admit, I have enjoyed changing grip panels on old steel guns. It gives you a chance to dress up a gun, kinda like a new set of tires on your car. You can't do that with a polymer frame. I guess you could look for multi colored slip on grips, but it's just not quite the same. I have steel pistols and two polymer pistols. Mine are hammer fired, sa/da, not striker fired. They work and I like them.

I was repulsed by "plastic" guns until last Summer when my Wife and I went on a search to find our "Soul Mate" and inherently accurate/personally friendly CCL pistols. I shot everything I could rent, borrow, or buy and that ended up being virtually *every* pistol and revolver commonly available.

The most accurate pistol in my hands after a 30 year shooting hiatus, right 'out the box, no practice/no muss/no fuss was a Glock model 19. I was shocked----I hate 'em. They rock. Picked up a G26 right after that and shot rapid fire 4" groups at 21' the first go. I bought one. Then I shot a Beretta Px4 SC and experienced the same phenomenon.

We bought 5 hand guns last year and 4 of them were polymer framed. The 5th was a Colt 1903 made in 1930.

I like polymer guns to the point I now could care less - I actually prefer polymer as it's less worry some about rust or finish issues.

VooDoo

I didn't like polymer guns until I bought my LCR. Even then, I figured it was a one-off. Then I discovered H&K. Two USPs and a VP9 later, it's just another material with its own set of properties that comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, no different than steel or aluminum or anything else.

Got no inherent problem with them. I do tend to prefer steel, but have owned and enjoyed several polymer pistols (P97, Glock 19) as well. Probably the best word for my attitude is "meh".

As mentioned above, all materials come with pluses and minuses. At the moment I'm enjoying an all steel RIA 1911. Tomorrow? I don't know and I really don't care. If it does it's job it can be made out of silly putty for all I care.

I like traditional blue steel and wood grips on any number of semi-autos but I also like the lighter weight and innovative technology that polymer pistols bring to the marketplace.

Basically I would have to say that all guns are welcome in my collection no matter what they're made of.

I've never had an issue with a polymer gun that was brought on due to the gun being made of polymer. They are easy to care for, they function, and some companies have even managed to make some nice looking ones.

The traditionalist in me says all metal guns are better, but maybe that's just because I'm mostly a revolver guy. The LCR is hard for me to take.

I started out liking and owning polymer guns. I have had the Glock 26, 19 and 17. S&W M&P Shield, full sized M&P 9, Ruger SR9c. Also shot an H&K USP and XD line guns as well as an M&P 45.

After a while and some experience working on them, I found them to be a solution in search of a problem. No inherent value or reason for the polymer frame or striker fire system.

I liked Glock's, initially, because I could mod them as much as I wanted. I did, used them in a couple contests and did well. But, I could also get a 1911 and mod it until the cows came home. And do better at whatever game I wanted.

I searched for a long time to get the right sub compact 9mm for CC. I had the G26 for some time, liked it, shot it well, but then opted for the slimmer, lighter Shield.

But, then found the SIG 938 and found it liked it much better. It had a better profile than the Shield, was lighter, carried the same 7 rounds in the extended mag and shot as well.

I shot an H&K USP and liked it very much. But, to me, it balanced as well, felt as good and shot as well as a SIG 226 and 1911. It was as expensive or more, than some of these and harder to find accessories for it. So, no advantage.

I have nothing against polymer framed guns. They are durable and they work. They are used by some militaries around the world. I just find that there are better arms out there. Sometimes at a bit more cost, but well worth it.

I will add one thing and please do not judge...just my opinion...when I finally inspected and understood the Glock firing system...essentially a stamped trigger bar ...slipping off ...of the post on the striker pin....I RAN to sell it and get another 1911.

Hope this helps

I don't think you'll see many problems with the polymer guns -- at least none attributable to the use of polymer frames. They've been around for decades for now, and have become so prevalent that almost all new designs use them. This is because they work. They're durable; they're rust proof; they're light; and if they're well designed, they can be ergonomic as hell. My Walther PPQ has a grip that feels as though it was designed specifically for my hand. It's as naturally pointing and comfortable as any gun I've ever owned, and that includes my 1911s, and my Hi Power with Spegel grips. My Steyr runs a close second in that department.

Polymer-framed guns will never have the beauty of finely blued steel guns with walnut grips. No modern "combat tupperware" will ever compete in looks with pre-war handguns with their rich, highly-polished blueing, and finely checkered wood grips. But the fact is that practical benefits of polymer frames and modern, corrosion resistant finishes make for guns that are orders of magnitude better from a convenience and maintenance standpoint, and that's what matters to most people. And to be fair, even all steel guns can't compete with the ones from decades ago in the finish department; the labor costs are too high. Polymer is here to stay, and I have no problem with it. I love my Walther PPQ, and my PPS, and they've replaced the all steel guns I used to carry, because they're just as accurate, just as reliable, and easier to maintain, not to mention a bit lighter. From a functionality standpoint, there's no downside.

I can't vote because while me preference is metal (steel, or aluminum alloy) I have nothing against polymer guns, and think they have their place. I do not own any anymore, but am looking at a single stack, subcompact 9MM, and this is where polymer really shines (not pun) imho. A Shield or similar seems like the ideal carry gun for concealment. Also, with HK coming out with the VP9, I may be a convert to polymer/striker fired.

I don't like Polymer guns because...

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They complicated my life. I would have been happy with "metal" guns but not anymore.

I would like to see actual problems experienced with Polymer rather than personal biases based on unsubstantiated claims.

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They caused many problems in my life. I was happy with 1911/Sig 226. The first time I held a Glock 17 I went, "Are you kidding me? Who would make a gun out of plastic? It's gotta be a passing fad". But that introduction in late 80s got me curious about polymer guns and things got complicated since.

I was happy shooting matches with 1911/226 and when I got faster stage times from a Glock 17 that I never shot before, I tried to dislike it saying, "But it's got poor trigger, grip is blocky, etc." but I ended up changing my match pistols to Glocks.

When 40-9 conversion barrels came out so I could shoot 9mm out of my 40S&W Glocks, I ended up having to sell G17/G19/G26 and replace them with G22/G23/G27 along with conversion barrels for all of them.

When I whined about poor ergonomics of Glocks and how I have to shift my grip to release the magazine, M&P40/45 and PT145 SA/DA solved the ergonomics issue with grip inserts and shorter reach to controls. Of course, I had to buy more pistols.

Yeah, I hate them because now I HAVE to factor them in whenever I consider a new pistol purchase. When my wife wanted a pocket 380, I had to buy another polymer gun (TCP 738). When I was considering a 10mm pistol, I could not ignore the Glock 20SF with shorter reach to trigger and softer recoil from polymer frame. Dang, now it's the next gun purchase I am planning on. And since I can shoot 40S&W with a conversion barrel, I would have to buy another conversion barrel too.

I hate polymer guns because they complicate my life.

I don't like how light polymer guns are. Light weight is good for carry but in a gaming gun I want it heavy

I don't really care for them, I'm a bit of a traditionalist. Honestly the only advantage to poly that I have found is weight, which ironically is part of why I don't really care for them. Sure I want my CCW to be light so I sought out a poly gun, but for non-carry guns I'll go wood and steel every time.

One less thing to rust

You know now that I think about it, what I really like about polymer guns is that they are useful, but the fact that lots of plastic is involved makes it feel a little like a disposable item. Not that I don't value them, but they are easily replaced if damaged or lost. I feel next to no attachment to them. They get used and carried without much thought of holster wear or banging it n to something by accident.

It's like I have a nice car in the garage for the weekends, but a Subaru to get around and carry on everyday life with.

If you are involved in a self-defense shooting and they take your Polymer gun,
you just go out and buy another just like it...

If you are involved in a self-defense shooting and they take your 1911 or other steel gun,
you cry...a LOT...and can't replace it because you spent so much time pimping it...:banghead:
much like loosing a dog, you have lost your best friend...

Wait, I thought this thread was about why we DON'T LIKE polymer guns ...

I like the lightness, recoil absorption and corrosion resistance.

I don't like the need to buy a new gun if you have a case head failure.

I don't like the fact that my XD's hold 13 rds of .45, way too many. Or how easy they are to clean, to shoot and to carry.

Because John Moses Browning said to use steel!

I have often wished I could go back in time and put a Glock 17 in John Brownings hand and get his reaction.

amd6547 said:

I have often wished I could go back in time and put a Glock 17 in John Brownings hand and get his reaction.

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Really? Do you enjoy seeing people try to laugh and throw up at the same time?

Hurryin' Hoosier said:

Really? Do you enjoy seeing people try to laugh and throw up at the same time?

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Boy, I dunno....If JMB were designing the Colt 1903 Model M today he'd most certainly at least evaluate the possibilities of doing it with polymer I'd think. A polymer framed model M in .32 or .380 would put one more gun on my Bucket List.

I'd have to possess it.

VooDoo