Plastic Handguns

Indeed, Hollywood sure makes handguns (well, ALL guns) do things that none of us can ever recreate...

You need a Walther P99.

Might change your mind.

Panzerschwein said:

You need a Walther P99.

Might change your mind.

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Never shot a P99, but I was impressed by my buddy's PPS. Once again, not crazy about plastic, two-piece triggers, but it was a very slim, ergonomic carry gun.

Glocks and me just don't gel- no hate for those who like them, though. They go bang every time and are surprisingly accurate.

I can't stand that little plastic screwed-on "hatch" on the side of most Kahrs......every one Ive seen is bowed out a tiny bit and flexes when you touch it. Creepy.

I refuse to touch the new Ruger PCC just cuz plastic hammers are plain wrong. Just wrong. I don't care if millions of Steyr AUGs have used them without problems for decades. Wrong, I say!

I actually sold my Ruger P90 because it had a plastic mainspring plug. The only plastic bit on the whole dang gun (aside from the grips). Looking back I should have had a machine shop make me one from stainless billet.....oh well.

It isn’t so much about material as it is weight.

all metal is fine when you pull it out of the safe and shoot the plate in the back yard, even ok with a leather belt and flap holster walking in the woods.

But day in day out carry without causing extra fatigue it’s plastic, 10 years ago I didn’t think that way but 9 years of daily carry opens the eyes to the truth.

huntsman said:

It isn’t so much about material as it is weight.

all metal is fine when you pull it out of the safe and shoot the plate in the back yard, even ok with a leather belt and flap holster walking in the woods.

But day in day out carry without causing extra fatigue it’s plastic, 10 years ago I didn’t think that way but 9 years of daily carry opens the eyes to the truth.

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Yes and no. I find steel guns more cumbersome all day in the woods over something plastic, especially when I'm also carrying a rifle or shotgun.

Flip side EDC something like a commander 1911 is only a few oz less than a fully loaded Glock 17 or 19, even less if the 1911 is aluminum framed.

The S&W M&P 1.0 9mm has proved to be ideal for The Lady. Being able to shoot comfortable and accurately with full powered ammunition is a big confidence builder (and 17 rounds of firepower gives even more confidence).

As I believe in "2 is 1" I have another one stashed in the vault. It is waiting for me to install an APEX Duty Trigger kit so it will give her a matched pair. I have a concern that my daughters will each want one set up the same way.

Gee being the Gun Santa in the family can be expensive.

bannockburn said:

For myself though I like the lighter weight that polymer guns give you, like with my Kahr CM9.

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I switched from a Colt Government .380 (stainless) to a Kahr CW9... and got reduced weight and greater power in the 9mm, while maintaining the same round count. There are also other considerations, like corrosion (not necessarily with stainless, of course) and the, uh... thriftiness... of the CW line. In the back of my mind, knowing I would lose something like my Kimber or Colt .380 after a shoot, drove me to pick something like the CW9. If I lose a CW9 for some reason... it's OK... I have 2 more and a CM9 back at the house.

I said for many years I would never own a poly pistol. Of course, I said I would never own another 9mm, again, either (after I sold my BHP.) Never say never.

Charlie98

I said for many years I would never own a poly pistol. Of course, I said I would never own another 9mm, again, either (after I sold my BHP.) Never say never.

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True, true! I never thought about getting any polymer framed gun as I was a dyed in the wool all steel and wood grips sort of guy. But I have always been interested in new innovations and often allowed myself to deviate from the traditional path on more than one occasion. First was an HK P9 .45 which had some very unique design features and made use of a polymer grip frame. Next was a Browning BDA .45 and it's aluminum alloy frame. This was followed by the iconic polymer pistol of our time: a very early Glock 17, which I still have.

I still have my steel and wood guns too and along with my polymer/aluminum alloy framed guns, I feel I have the best of both worlds with my collection.

I actually bought my first CW9... intending to NOT like it. True story. I was looking for a new carry pistol, my FFL had a used CW9 at a good price, and I figured it would be as good a pistol as any to disprove my consideration of a poly pistol. No way, right? Fantasy Disco. Then I picked it up and shot it. Now, that doesn't mean I'm trading in my 'hard' ware for 'soft' ware, but poly pistols certainly have a place.

JR24

Flip side EDC something like a commander 1911 is only a few oz less than a fully loaded Glock 17 or 19, even less if the 1911 is aluminum framed.

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Got that covered too with a Colt Lightweight Goverment .45 and a Colt Commander in .38 Super/9mm. Both are easy enough to conceal with the right holster and belt and are very comfortable to carry with their aluminum alloy frames.

I don't know a thing about Kahrs. But I have a K6. I would be surprised if you don't like it. The only downside to a K6
is the price, IMO.

Well, for me, I just have never shot my best with striker fired pistols (which of course tend to be polymer). The best I have ever shot one was in the P250 series.

On the aesthetic side - I can not stand the cheese grater dust covers on almost all polymers in the mid to full size models. Hate it. And I like rounded trigger guards. JMO.

If you want purdy guns ya'll cannot beat steel with some really fancy grips. But from years of personal experience, those thar so-called plastic guns sure do the job when aimed in the right direction.
However, if it is a plastic weapon issued to you by a governing authority, just hope it works.
Been retired for many years, and I will remain carrying those plastic DA/SA guns people don't like.
A gun to me is a tool to be used in case of emergency.

The Glock G17 introduced in 1982 now in its thirty-sixth year currently Gen5 rendition. SIG - S&W amongst various/numerous other manufactures all produce their version of a polymer frame -striker fired high capacity semiautomatic pistol speaks volumes.

I have a few polymer framed guns, including a Shield, SR9c, SR22, LCP and an SD9VE. I consider them to be tools and they do their jobs well. That being said, I really like my 1911 and all of my S&W revolvers. The revolvers give me the most enjoyment but with the exception of a model 638 that I carry, the rest are range toys.

Most folks I know like steel. Most of the ones that actually carry daily, carry polymer.
Steel guns are very cool, mostly old proven designs, and are very fun to shoot.
Polymer is just practical, rugged and economical.

I have the problem that I look at every gun purchase as something I'll one day pass on to my kids, niece/nephew, extended family, or neighbor kid who helps around the house and shows real character. I just don't see poly guns being something I'd be excited to give or receive. With that being said I found my first spot of rust on my EDC last night right after I got done giving my step dad a hard time for being lax on his gun maintenance. I can see more stainless steel and polymer in my future if only for my EDC.

I would prefer wood and steel, 1911 commander, holding out for a Ruger Alaskan in 44 magnum. Yep I'd carry the 44 it.

But I had back surgery last year and anything to heavy on my belt causes problems.

So I carry a Ruger lcr 357 magnum or Sig 290rs.

Plastic frames seem, generally, to have passed the tests of longevity in the service pistol category. At least in the context of service pistols. Ultimately there may be limits to this, as opposed to steel/alloy which unless literally shot out, can outlast a generation or three.

The reduction of areas for corrosion to occur can be appreciated. These materials also allow for very ergonomic grip contours integral to the frame reducing costs in the process.

Reduced weight is a two edged sword. Lighter to carry, perhaps more difficult - or unpleasant - to shoot.

Excess weight of individual items, very small items, is often critical to reduce the overall weight factor. Soldiers, mountain climbers etc come to mind. Personally in regards to sidearms I am not driven by saving a few ounces at all. I carry a 4" S&W 64 daily on the belt in a regular old fashioned leather thumb break, and most of the time do not consciously feel it there at all.

Aesthetically, some plastic guns look better than others. But the service pistol, since it's inception, was never intended to look nice. There is a sort of functional beauty to some of them. Perfectly formed, contoured, textured, finished, steel/alloy parts likewise exhibiting similar qualities.

Steel guns have a feel and look of permanence, and can be finely fitted and beautifully finished, embellished etc. Hancrafted works of art even, coupled to superlative function. None of which is needed in a service arm. Which only needs to work within some specifications, and be reliable.

Both have attributes and appeals according to needs - and wants.

JR24 said:

Yes and no. I find steel guns more cumbersome all day in the woods over something plastic, especially when I'm also carrying a rifle or shotgun.

Flip side EDC something like a commander 1911 is only a few oz less than a fully loaded Glock 17 or 19, even less if the 1911 is aluminum framed.

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When I carry in the woods I carry a .45 as a sidearm because it’s the only gun I carry, when hunting either with a handgun or long gun I carry my LCP because state law doesn’t allow two gun for hunting but does allow a CCW so to carry a 45 then would be tiring.

I've got an MK9. Although it's very heavy, that also makes recoil pleasant enough that I can fire a few hundred rounds at the range without issue. Can't do that with a lot of subcompacts.

It's also incredibly accurate. Such a tiny pistol shouldn't shoot so well. But it does. That Lothar Walther barrel is some serious business.

greg_r said:

Honestly I dont know what's gotten into me. I started carrying polymer in the last 7 or 8 years. Only during the past year or so, I decided I really didn't like plastic guns. Honestly, I dont think I ever liked them, just that the light weight was a plus for carry.

I'm getting old. I grew up on steel. Just going back to my roots I guess.

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Are you still carrying day in and day out? I prefer 1911s for a bedside gun or for the few times I open carry on a heavy gunbelt holster rig, but not for concealed carry since the advent of plastic.

To me, they're tools.
Good old steel is like a classic micrometer. Functional, precise and solid, fitted by hand. Likely a masterwork.
Polymer is more akin to a socket wrench.
It doesn't have the soul or the air of craftsmanship to it, but I'm definitely using it more.

Deus Machina said:

Polymer is more akin to a socket wrench.

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Or maybe the best tools of all, Vice Grip, Crescent Wrench and a Hammer.