Are Polymer Pistols "Bulky" or "Ugly"?

Some are bulky, but not ugly.
Some are not bulky, but a certainly ugly.
Some are bulky and ugly.
Some are neither bulky nor ugly.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and bulky is in the grip of the gun holder. All are variable depending on the individual.

Bulky – I’d say yes, but since I only have one, it’s just my impression. But it works as a truck gun.

Ugly – Absolutely! But it works as a truck gun.

Yes

I own but one polymer gun, a Kahr CM9. It isn't bulky at all. Smallest, lightest 9mm I've ever had.

I don't find my XDs or my Hk45 to be ugly or bulky.

I guess I don't agree with the premis here. Polymer guns keep getting smaller and smaller, so "bulky" makes little sense to me.

If they all looked like Hi-Points, if see the reasoning here.

If I compare my Kahr CM9 to my Rohrbaugh R9 I have to say the R9 is less bulky.

I picked up a SAR B6P and it is bulky. They use 3/8" of polymer in places on the frame and they lay on extra polymer around the steel inserts where the rails ride.

If I try to get a high grip on the gun the squarish polymer block in the back irritates the inside of my thumb of my shooting hand and the block of extra polymer just forward of the slide stop makes it hard to really snug the thumb of my non-shooting hand up against the frame for a thumbs-forward position.

I guess it depends how you define bulky. For instance there are not many 15-rd 9mms that are as compact as a Glock 19. I know some magazines cram in extra rounds these days, but compare that to a Hi-Power, Sig 226, Beretta 92 or CZ75 all of which typically have carried 15 rds or less, and the Glock looks pretty compact. But the Glock slide obviously does not have the trim slide of a Hi Power but they also aren't as chunky as a Beretta or even a Sig with its double-decker bus slide and sky-high bore axis.

And beauty is subjective and changes. I once thought Glocks were ugly but after putting around 4000rds through my G19, I've grown an appreciation for it and its appearance.

Some are sure. Glock models 21 and 20 certainly are but then they're double stack for somewhat larger cartridges. Glock models 42 and 43 don't seem to be bulky at all. Perception is reality methinks here. Given the size hands of Hickock45 (and other shooters I know) I'd wager nothing feels bulky to him.

Our LC9s guns feel quite slim whereas the all steel Browning Hi-Powers feel "bulky" with the OEM wood grip panels. Put a set of VZ Pro Slims on them and they just slim right down.

The Glock slides mentioned, from a manufacturing view point why do more machining operations than necessary other than for esthetics. The other point is double column magazines do require a certain amount of width. Functionality has a beauty all of its own.

What metal framed guns are small or slim? I have both polymer and steel framed firearms, and the only thing I notice is weight difference, but a Glock 36 or my Taurus Pt145 is nothing close to bulky or ugly.

Polymer guns are ugly and many look bulky. That doesn't make them bad or even actually bulky. Just the appearance there of. No polymer firearms in my cabinet.

Sorry Yo Momma, your Glock 36 and Taurus Pt145 are excellent pistols. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My eyes did not have a pleasant experience when beholding them. And yes I would consider owning either. Functionality beats beauty anytime.

My kahr pm9 is neither bulky or ugly in my opinion.

Yes.

The other point is double column magazines do require a certain amount of width.

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No not really... a double stack 1911 (2011) has the same slide thickness as its single stack brethren. Aforementioned Hi-Power also has the same slide thickness, which happens to be the same thickness as my XDs9.

HK's Poly guns are the worst offenders thou as far as slide thickness is concerned.

Bulky?

Maybe, but no more than other guns of the same size, right?

Ugly?

Yep. but we love them for their functionality, not their looks.

That's what revolvers are for.

Ok just my 2 cents.

All plastic pistols are butt ugly.
All are bulky
All are top heavy resulting in the infamous Hi Hold.

God bless the 1911 and Hi-Power

AFS

My 4 year old Drahthaar, while not overweight, is bulky and ugly as sin. But man can she find the birds and she will hunt them all day till the cows come home. Kinda why I got her, for the way she performs, not how pretty she is in a picture. Kinda they same way I feel about my firearms. Truth be told tho, I own no Polymer pistols............

My polymer guns are not bulky at all and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I like polymer for its light weight, its affordability over options like titanium, its STRENGTH believe it or not (at least strength of the design in some guns), and its holster wear resistance.

Also, pretty is as pretty does....

I actually think a Glock 42 looks cute. Most Glocks are ugly but they are not bulky compared to other double stacks. In fact anything with an equal ammo capacity is almost always far bulkier.

AirForceShooter said:

All are top heavy resulting in the infamous Hi Hold.

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??? Gripping high on any semi-automatic pistol is good, regardless of whether it is "top heavy." The high grip with thumbs forward was invented by competition shooters running 1911's and double-stack 2011's and other steel-framed guns.

Or maybe you were saying something different.

Lost me too??? High grip is proper form.

The only nice ones are high grade engraved and polished ones like Odin's Eye, for example. All mass produced pistols are equally ugly. A tool designed for killing should be ugly.

Glock sounds like the noise my dog makes when he coughs up a hairball.