Are metal framed pistols going the way of the Dodo?

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

KegCommando

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2008
Messages
179
In general, the newest pistol offerings from the major manufacturers are polymer.

Excluding 1911's, do you think think that we will see the end of new designs being produced with metal frames?
 
i don't think so. people like metal frames with wood grip panels and the ability to personalize their guns. revolvers in metal are here to stay and i just can't see everything else going plastic. look at the pictures in AMERICAN HANDGUNNER. we too appreciate art.
 
I think that there will be plenty of metal frames for me to lust after in the future.

So far as NEW designs, however, that's a bit of a thinker... you might be onto something.
 
Not as long as the beautiful 1911 is around and I won't forget about the classic look of the Beretta 92 and some folks even like those CZs I hear they are pretty goo and mostly made of metal.
 
I certainly hope not.

I plan to buy steel framed pistol as long as they are available. If you do too, then they will continue to be made.
 
There is no innovation.

All pistols are derivatives of designs that are more than 30 years old, at the newest. There is nothing new presently under the sun in handguns. There is no innovation nor has there been in a generation.

Ash
 
Polymer pistols serve a purpose. They are light and durable. No argument there. Modern plastics can be pretty damn good.

However, manufacturers have come to the obvious realization that they can make pistol frames for less than a dollar and people will pay the same price for them as guns that have frames that require investment casting, forging, or machining from billet and then numerous expensive finishing steps. The commonly held view among newer gun buyers that plastics are "modern" and "superior" (remember "better living through chemistry?") is truly a triumph of marketing.
 
Much obliged, Ballistic Mule. I don't mind plastic framed pistols one bit. But I sure as hell ain't going to pay top dollar for them.
 
Polymer is light, durable, deosn't show scratches, and can't rust.

I don't think polymer is a threat to steel guns, but it's going to own the CCW market.

Some of the newer guns IMO have some new advantages in size and reliability that the old chucky steel stuff can't match. Like the Kahr PM9, Walther PPS, Glock 19/23/32/38.
 
I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and ask ... what's better about a steel framed semi-auto handgun? Besides the aesthetic, what's a steel-framed handgun got going for it that a polymer framed gun does not? When compared to a quality polymer-framed gun, steel-framed handguns have these extra features ...

Heavier. Much heavier.
Hot when its hot
Cold when its cold
Have equal at best, or more likely shorter service lives
Rust.

And with a few exceptions (i.e. p226), steel-framed handguns are usually of older designs and of lesser capacity. The 1911 is the obvious example of this.

And then there're the alloy-framed guns, which don't suffer a significant weight disadvantage vs. polymer, but are generally more fragile and susceptible to catastrophic failure at high round counts than either polymer or steel.

I'm not saying metal-framed handguns aren't any good. I'm just interested to hear what the advantages are over polymer. Remember to stay oranges-oranges and discuss only materials. Striker-fired vs. hammer-fired isn't the issue here, as there are high quality steel-framed striker-fired pistols on the market, and high quality polymer-framed hammer-fired pistols on the market.


I'm interested to see where this thread goes, as I am currently hemming and hawing over the HK45c vs. a 1911 myself right now.
 
I guess the more I think about it, I just prefer metalcraft, the longer I'm around the easier it is to tell that most things these days are a lot more cheaply made. I'm not saying there's no innovation in gunmaking,but it seems that tech. items t.v.'s, and stereo's are the only things getting a whole lot better. Rember slamming the door on a 1970 anything automobile? Slam a door on anything these days. I guess I'm just old fashion.....Or maybe just gittn old.
 
I tried to highlight and emphasis new designs. When the universe is using phasers, I think someone somewhere will still be making a 1911.

At least for awhile I believe several makes will continue to be made, but despite so many people stating that they prefer "the feel" of a metal frame gun, the manufacturers are focusing on the CCW & LEO markets where polymers advantages are even more pronounced. That and the alluded to cost advantages for them.

Hanafuda said:
I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and ask ... what's better about a steel framed semi-auto handgun? .....[snip]......I'm just interested to hear what the advantages are over polymer.
Click to expand...

I didn't say it was better.

But I do know that I've never inherited a hundred year old polymer pistol that still worked.

Sorry my curiosity for this thread started the other week oddly enough.
I had 3 completely different people seek my advice ( that was the biggest oddity, lol ) for pistols, and each of them flat out said no plastic guns, which really really is starting to narrow the field.

Me personally, I have no sense of love for my polymer piece. I like it. But when I sit there and clean it, I feel like I am cleaning one of my 3 year olds toys. I don't enjoy it. When I take apart my metal framed pieces, I have a completely different experience, and I enjoy it.
I really don't know how to describe it, but with metal, I get more of a sense of timelessness. Craftsmanship. Durability. It is on a sub conscience level

We don't give our loved ones polymer jewelry, or polymer "silverware".
We don't go into Sears and buy a polymer hammer or wrenches.
Typically when we get something that is temporary, it is plastic. If we want it to last it is metal.

While my brain can understand the makers cranking out polymer, my heart hopes they will toss us a metal framed bone every now and then.
 
Understand I'm not trying to be contentious ... it just isn't a real conversation if everyone just chimes in and concurs with the last guy so I thought it'd be useful if the opposing viewpoint was submitted.

Like I said above, I'm on the verge of a purchase, and my mind isn't made up between the HK45c, the 1911, and yeah there are a few dark horses in 9mm. But my reasons for leaning to the HK45c have to do with that gun's function and versatility, while my reasons for leaning to the 1911 admittedly have more to do with, "a sense of timelessness. Craftsmanship. Durability." It's like trying to decide between a Honda ST1300 and a Harley.

Ironically, as far as durability and timelessness is concerned, I highly suspect that once we're all gone and the cockroaches reign supreme, they'll be curious about what all the pristine polymer gripframes laying about were for.
 
Poly or Metal?

Poly guns are here to stay, but there is just something about a really nice smooth blued revolver or auto as in an older Python or some of the older Smiths out there. You still like the feel of a really fine finished blue steel gun sometimes, and I think they won't go out of style any time soon.
 
IMO its a situation created by concealed carry.

A lighter platform was needed; composite metals were 1st then plastics.

The manufactures once the new tooling (molds) paid for themselves find they are making more money per unit vs the steel frame.

There is demand and profit!

I don't think all steel guns are going anywhere but I do see where the composite / plastic frame offerings have lots of room for new innovation.

Being an ex mold maker I can say that re-tooling an injection mold is way cheaper than re-tooling a poured or forged steel mold. This will help in the innovation department because cost to tool up a new design is so much more cost effective.

My experiences with "therom-plastics" is extensive. I use to make parts for NASA and the USAF and many others.

Plastic frame guns have a lot to be said for them but as stated by many others here, weight reduces felt recoil.

I prefer my metal composite frames over my plastic frames just because there is a slight weight advantage; but outside of that I still like plastic frames.

Anyway to each their own, you like what you like and like, because it suites you or your needs.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
The demise of metal
2 3 4
Replies
95
Views
4K
easyg
easyg
O
  • Locked
  • Poll
Do you like the new generation pistols with plastic furniture?
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
JohnBT
J
9
  • Locked
  • Poll
Metal framed 9mms
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
JN01
JN01
amprecon
  • Locked
Non-1911 All-Metal .45acp Options?
Replies
18
Views
6K
dave2
D
Orion8472
  • Locked
Is there any poly frame 9mm that recoils as soft as a Hi Power?
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
C0untZer0
C0untZer0
Back
Top