What are your guns made of?

What are your guns made of, and which do you like the most.

  • Steel

    Votes: 73 47.4%
  • Aluminum

    Votes: 42 27.3%
  • Plastic

    Votes: 39 25.3%
  • Only have one type

    Votes: 3 1.9%
  • Have two types

    Votes: 16 10.4%
  • I’ve got all three

    Votes: 97 63.0%
  • Space age metal

    Votes: 13 8.4%

  • Total voters
    154
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Would a laminate be better than some sort of exotic hardwood that grows in a desert 12000 feet above sea level?
Where do I get a chunk?

I'm no wood expert, but laminated gun stocks are fairly hard and heavy due to all the glue holding everything together.

Be sure that I'm not talking about laminated flooring or construction grade plywood. I'm talking about gun stocks which are supposedly less prone to cracking due to recoil or other hard use than pretty "wood lottery" gun stocks.
 
I'm no wood expert, but laminated gun stocks are fairly hard and heavy due to all the glue holding everything together.

Be sure that I'm not talking about laminated flooring or construction grade plywood. I'm talking about gun stocks which are supposedly less prone to cracking due to recoil or other hard use than pretty "wood lottery" gun stocks.

Right. Historically in the USA we've used quite a bit of walnut, which of course varies based on where it was grown. A tree growing in harsh conditions tends to be stronger than a cottonwood that grows in a creek bed. Like a desert 12000 feet above sea level. So, if you know about my mythical hardwood, let me know.

Also, concerning laminates... I know where to get laminate flooring and plywood, but I don't think a suitable wood for a receiver/frame can be had at Lowe's. And I'm not cutting up my Boyd's stock to make a frame! So, where do the stock makers get their wood?

To keep the thread on track... I like and even prefer steel framed guns, but plastic ("polymer" basically just means a thorough mixture of something, which basically renders the word useless when actually defining a construction material) has become my carry method of choice... It just won't rust! Being lighter isn't that great of an advantage for me at this point in my life, but it can't hurt. I'm okay with "pot metal" (zink alloys) in the right places either. Aluminum is great too, most of the time! I had a professor once who earned my interest when he wore a tie with a bunch of guns on it to class. His assessment of his firearm interest was this: "If it shoots, I like it". I think I fit somewhere similar. If it shoots reliably I'll probably find a use for it. And if a wooden gun works... What about an AR upper receiver? I haven't looked at it in this light... I'll have to take a gander at it! I'll bet a lower could be done...
 
AHA!!!!

A niche gun industry is launched, reportedly as a response to a forum post about wood framed guns...


Okay, a little out there. But I wanna try! I actually think it could be done with a good hard wood with a single shot .22 build. Otherwise... I might need to do wood instead of plastic on otherwise already perfected ideas with "modular trigger packs".

Wasn't there some fella who made an AR-15 lower out of wood? I seem to recall seeing an article about it a few years back.
 
... I have one of my gunsafes filled with wood+steel firearms. The majority of those 48 longguns sport oil finishes that I have, at least, refreshed with Tung and/or BLO. Whenever I open that gunsafe I always have to pause to inhale & enjoy the wonderful aroma. :)

-I have one safe filled with old Finn rifles and gear. When I open it I am transported to a snowed-in cabin, warming my hands over an arctic birch fire... .

Beats the smell of oily plastic.
 
RedlegRick

Wasn't there some fella who made an AR-15 lower out of wood? I seem to recall seeing an article about it a few years back.

Don't recall anything about an AR15 lower made from wood. The closest thing I can find in regards to wood and an AR15 is when Springfield Armory offered walnut butt stocks and triangular handguards on their XM-15.

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RedlegRick



Don't recall anything about an AR15 lower made from wood. The closest thing I can find in regards to wood and an AR15 is when Springfield Armory offered walnut butt stocks and triangular handguards on their XM-15.

View attachment 779128


Cant remember the company off the top of my head but it may be Turnbull Restoration(?) They do all the metal in color-case hardening bone/charcoal and the plastic is all done in exotic wood. It is unique and expensive.
 
I suspect the question is mostly aimed at handguns. Seeing as I only have rifles I am swapping "frame" for "receiver/action".

Steel
One type

All of my rifles have steel receivers, preference for forged steel then cast steel. I think my M1 carbine is the only gun I have which has a cast receiver.
 
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