Are Polymer Pistols "Bulky" or "Ugly"?
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herrwalther
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Carry a Ruger P-series? That would count as bulky and a bit ugly. But they are pretty solid and they work. Glock are definitely ugly, but they work for most people.
Ironicaintit
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My FN/FNP45 is beautiful! Its my only poly pistol, and I love it.
I dont even think Glocks are unattractive. Not my style, but they have a mechanical sensibility about them that makes up for the blockiness.
I dont even think Glocks are unattractive. Not my style, but they have a mechanical sensibility about them that makes up for the blockiness.
gbran
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I didn't buy my Glocks for looks. Some of the Khars aren't too bad in the looks dept, but my steel handguns are generally better looking.
armoredman
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I'm a CZ guy, (if nobody knew that yet), and I do like CZ metal framed guns, but I also like the polymer ones.
You might think the P-09 is blocky and bulky but it fits quite well. Shown here with an alloy framed CZ 2075 RAMI BD, it feels very natural in the hand.
One that I really don't think qualifies as blocky or bulky is the sadly discontinued CZ SP-01 Phantom. It does look like it has extra material along the top of the frame along the rails, to be sure, which could be why separate Phantom holster molds had to be made for the guns. Other than that it fits and feels like any other fine CZ pistol.
Seen here with the P-09.
I've had some other poly pistols, but they have left me over the years.
The Glock, even though it is one of my least favorite sidearms, isn't blocky or bulky either.
The reason pistols look so blocky is they all HAVE to have a rail on the end.
You might think the P-09 is blocky and bulky but it fits quite well. Shown here with an alloy framed CZ 2075 RAMI BD, it feels very natural in the hand.
One that I really don't think qualifies as blocky or bulky is the sadly discontinued CZ SP-01 Phantom. It does look like it has extra material along the top of the frame along the rails, to be sure, which could be why separate Phantom holster molds had to be made for the guns. Other than that it fits and feels like any other fine CZ pistol.
Seen here with the P-09.
I've had some other poly pistols, but they have left me over the years.
The Glock, even though it is one of my least favorite sidearms, isn't blocky or bulky either. The reason pistols look so blocky is they all HAVE to have a rail on the end.
bannockburn
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My Glock feels bulky in my hand but my Steyr M9, Ruger SR9c, and Kahr CM9 all feel like the perfect combination of design and ergonomics.
doubleh
Member
I own two full sized poly handguns. Both are basically the same size as my 1911s except for width. Being wider that makes them bulky in my opinion.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder it's said. I consider some of the various poly handguns to be less ugly than others. Plastic ain't pretty when it comes to guns.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder it's said. I consider some of the various poly handguns to be less ugly than others. Plastic ain't pretty when it comes to guns.
mgmorden
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I actually find polymer pistols to be a lot sleeker looking. Some people end up calling that a "space gun" look, but realistically you can mold in a lot of complex surfaces into a polymer frame that would take a lot of machining operations to do on a forged steel frame.
Yes, the Glock is a bit blocky, and there are a few others (Ruger P95), but for the most part they're a lot sleeker.
Yes, the Glock is a bit blocky, and there are a few others (Ruger P95), but for the most part they're a lot sleeker.
huntsman
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I own two(LCP,P-11) and neither are "bulky", ugly yeah I guess. IMHO plastic shines in pocket guns and smallish pistols and that's the only way I'll own a plastic gun.
ColtPythonElite
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Yes and yes
A pistol, to you, has no other legitimate use? What about competition or target use? I have shot thousands of rounds through various pistols and have yet to kill anyone. Am I doing it wrong or are you just repeated the same tired things that anti gunners want us to believe, that guns are only made for kill and have no other legitimate use? Self defense is a very legitimate use. By you logic all cars should be ugly as more people are killed every year with cars...
Jackal
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Ugly yes. Bulky, no. The best pocket pistols made are polymer.
I would say it depends. I don't consider my little Taurus PT 111 G2 bulky. My XD is bulky though & so is my old alloy framed Ruger P-series. I think it does depend on the individual model of gun, whether it is double stack or single stack & the caliber even plays a part.
USAF_Vet
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Although I don't own one, the polymer Diamondback DB9 was at one point the smallest, slimmest most compact 9mm on the market.
My EDC, a Taurus 709 slim could not ever be considered bulky. It disappears in most of my pants pockets.
My S&W 469, an alloy frame, is quite bulky in the grip, much thicker than the polymer frame Kel-Tec P-11 which uses the same magazine.
My EDC, a Taurus 709 slim could not ever be considered bulky. It disappears in most of my pants pockets.
My S&W 469, an alloy frame, is quite bulky in the grip, much thicker than the polymer frame Kel-Tec P-11 which uses the same magazine.
Chuck R.
Member
Yes, and yes.
There used to be a time when I shunned plastic guns and made the usual "have no soul" type comments. I was into 1911's and SIG P series (Still have the 1911's). I now own 7 Polymer pistols (2 PPQ-9s, 2 M&P-9 5" Pros, PPS, H&K VP9, H&K 45T)
After a few classes and shooting more defensive pistol type shooting I now appreciate them for what they are; reliable tools, lightweight, with good capacity. To be honest IF "the Walking Dead" erupted tomorrow, my 2K Les Baers are staying in the safe and I'll be carrying either one of my Walther PPQs or my H&K VP9.
Chuck
There used to be a time when I shunned plastic guns and made the usual "have no soul" type comments. I was into 1911's and SIG P series (Still have the 1911's). I now own 7 Polymer pistols (2 PPQ-9s, 2 M&P-9 5" Pros, PPS, H&K VP9, H&K 45T)
After a few classes and shooting more defensive pistol type shooting I now appreciate them for what they are; reliable tools, lightweight, with good capacity. To be honest IF "the Walking Dead" erupted tomorrow, my 2K Les Baers are staying in the safe and I'll be carrying either one of my Walther PPQs or my H&K VP9.
Chuck
huntsman
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^ then why own 2k guns? if I'm going down it's with the best guns I own blazing, the Kel-tec P-11 would be the last thing I'd grab.
375supermag
Member
Hi...
I only have one plastic handgun out of about 40 or so handguns that I own, a S&W M&P 40.
It is ugly as sin and kinda bulky...particularly when side by side with one of my 1911s.
It is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it fits my hand well and all the bullets seem to want to fly into really tiny groups when I fire it. It goes off every time I squeeze the trigger and after about 600 rounds has not yet jammed.
I am well pleased with my first plastic handgun and while I am not yet ready to trust it as a carry piece, I can see it getting to that point some day. As the level of street violence increases around this area, particularly the number of shootings involving multiple shooters (even in broad daylight), a couple of 15-round magazines of 180gr .40 cal cartridges is becoming more and more comforting, even to a dyed-in-the-wool .45ACP 1911 fan.
Our latest multiple shooting a week or so ago, involved five perps including the driver of the car involved in the drive-by shooting and two victims. They actually drove around the block and made another attempt at the victims..
I would hate to get killed by a group of gangbangers simply because I ran out of ammunition. That would be embarrassing.
I only have one plastic handgun out of about 40 or so handguns that I own, a S&W M&P 40.
It is ugly as sin and kinda bulky...particularly when side by side with one of my 1911s.
It is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but it fits my hand well and all the bullets seem to want to fly into really tiny groups when I fire it. It goes off every time I squeeze the trigger and after about 600 rounds has not yet jammed.
I am well pleased with my first plastic handgun and while I am not yet ready to trust it as a carry piece, I can see it getting to that point some day. As the level of street violence increases around this area, particularly the number of shootings involving multiple shooters (even in broad daylight), a couple of 15-round magazines of 180gr .40 cal cartridges is becoming more and more comforting, even to a dyed-in-the-wool .45ACP 1911 fan.
Our latest multiple shooting a week or so ago, involved five perps including the driver of the car involved in the drive-by shooting and two victims. They actually drove around the block and made another attempt at the victims..
I would hate to get killed by a group of gangbangers simply because I ran out of ammunition. That would be embarrassing.
Ibmikey
Member
Air force shooter summed up my opinion as well as i can. Think it is time to clean a couple of my High Powers!
Chuck R.
Member
Don't get me wrong I appreciate the qualities of a high dollar 1911, accuracy, the trigger, fit/finish etc. I do own 11 steel/aluminum handguns, they're fun to shoot, less fun to carry.
But I also appreciate a polymer gun for its "inner" beauty. When push comes to shove I can shoot my my plastic Walthers, HKs and S&Ws just as well. So IF the SHTF, the 40+ oz 9 shot 1911 is staying home.....IMHO it's benefits don't outweigh those of one of my polymers when it's "tool time".
I don't equate "best" with most expensive, it really depends on the task at hand.
Chuck
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mgmorden
Member
Different guns for different jobs - not everybody focuses on self defense being the sole reason for owning guns (I'm not dismissing it as a reason - it's just not the only one). Many more expensive guns aren't designed for carry, being more range or competition guns.
If the cheaper gun is proven reliable, is light, small, and accurate enough for the task, why worry about how much it costs? Some hard chrome, engraving, or shaving a half-inch off of your 25 yard group isn't going to be the deciding factor in saving your life.
huntsman
Member
Well I get the different tools for different jobs thing, but I thought Les Baer guns were guns for defensive use?
If I owned a Purdey 12 bore I'd sure as hell hunt with it and assuming it will handle heavy 1-1/4oz pressures I'd bug out with it and use it for buck and slug.
If I owned a Purdey 12 bore I'd sure as hell hunt with it and assuming it will handle heavy 1-1/4oz pressures I'd bug out with it and use it for buck and slug.
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