Plastic Handguns
- Thread starter greg_r
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bannockburn
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greg_r
To each their own. The Kahr Mk.9 and the Kimber K6 are both fine choices for CCW and should certainly last a couple of lifetimes with proper care and maintenance. For myself though I like the lighter weight that polymer guns give you, like with my Kahr CM9. Same thing with a Colt Officer's Model ACP that I have. Great, all steel gun but would have preferred the alloy frame version for the weight savings (those alloy guns always seemed to be short supply whenever I went looking for them).
To each their own. The Kahr Mk.9 and the Kimber K6 are both fine choices for CCW and should certainly last a couple of lifetimes with proper care and maintenance. For myself though I like the lighter weight that polymer guns give you, like with my Kahr CM9. Same thing with a Colt Officer's Model ACP that I have. Great, all steel gun but would have preferred the alloy frame version for the weight savings (those alloy guns always seemed to be short supply whenever I went looking for them).
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.
I'm getting old. I grew up on steel. Just going back to my roots I guess.
bannockburn
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greg_r
Nothing wrong with that and of course there's not much anyone can do about getting old! I have always enjoyed both vintage steel and wood guns and more modern polymer (as well as those made with aluminum alloy), frame guns. Both serve their purpose very well and will always have a place in my gun collection.
Nothing wrong with that and of course there's not much anyone can do about getting old! I have always enjoyed both vintage steel and wood guns and more modern polymer (as well as those made with aluminum alloy), frame guns. Both serve their purpose very well and will always have a place in my gun collection.
MedWheeler
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I've always preferred steel, and stainless to boot.
But, I acknowledge the advantage beyond aesthetics and heft that a polymer-framed carry gun has for most people, though I personally have no issues at all carrying an all-steel weapon.
For me, it's the lower cost of polymer-framed guns that keeps them in my holsters (most of the time; I carried a Makarov pistol all day yesterday, starting in the morning while talking to my wife and daughter, who are over in Russia right now.)
But, I acknowledge the advantage beyond aesthetics and heft that a polymer-framed carry gun has for most people, though I personally have no issues at all carrying an all-steel weapon.
For me, it's the lower cost of polymer-framed guns that keeps them in my holsters (most of the time; I carried a Makarov pistol all day yesterday, starting in the morning while talking to my wife and daughter, who are over in Russia right now.)
CZ9shooter
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My first handgun purchase was of a plastic frame design. Idk why really. Affordable price and that just being sort of the norm at the time I guess. This was only six or seven years ago.
That gun is long gone now though. All metal CZs, 1911s and revolvers are about all I am intersted in nowadays. Not necessarily all steel, aluminum has its place in my book too. Its not that plastics are of poor quality, they just dont offer the same quality feel.
I've come to expect my hard earned purchases to have a substantial luxury feel I guess. My folding knife collecting hobby has gone in a similar direction. Almost all titanium and aluminum. Very little in the way of polymers anymore.
Yet, I do own a g42. It may very well replace the Jrame Ive been carrying for years. So for lightweight carry I will consider plastic. But for range time enjoyment? No thanks.
That gun is long gone now though. All metal CZs, 1911s and revolvers are about all I am intersted in nowadays. Not necessarily all steel, aluminum has its place in my book too. Its not that plastics are of poor quality, they just dont offer the same quality feel.
I've come to expect my hard earned purchases to have a substantial luxury feel I guess. My folding knife collecting hobby has gone in a similar direction. Almost all titanium and aluminum. Very little in the way of polymers anymore.
Yet, I do own a g42. It may very well replace the Jrame Ive been carrying for years. So for lightweight carry I will consider plastic. But for range time enjoyment? No thanks.
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AZAndy
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Polymer handguns aren't heavy enough to suit me. .357 from a plastic (or aluminum, for that matter) frame? No thanks. My hands are too old for that stuff.
Blue Feather
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I’ve gone back to carrying DA/SA hammer fired vs striker fired. HKP30S .40 instead of Glock 23.
Sistema1927
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I don't like plastic guns either, but I do have several polymer ones that serve me well.
You will really like that Kimber K6S. I have one in 3" and it carries very well.
You will really like that Kimber K6S. I have one in 3" and it carries very well.
Tallball
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I have no problem carrying polymer or aluminum-framed handguns. My half-dozen or so carry pieces are all polymer or aluminum. There's no use carrying a brick around all day long in your pocket or on your belt when something much lighter will do the job.
But I very much prefer to shoot steel handguns. They tend to look better, too.
But I very much prefer to shoot steel handguns. They tend to look better, too.
farm23
Member
I have never had a polymer gun until recently. I thought I needed a larger capacity EDC for church security and bought a Glcok 30s [I am still partial to big bores]. The gun performs well and will last a lifetime but I still prefer one of my 1911's.
gunnerh
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I feel your pain, I love my .45 S&W Shield but polymer guns just don't have the soul of wood and metal.
RA40
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The subject title caught my eye. Had me literally thinking of the first "plastic" handgun purchased. Definitely not one to use in real encounters. 
Didn't really function well and the pellets would jam every couple shots. 
Didn't really function well and the pellets would jam every couple shots.
Nice looking holster. I have one ordered from MTR Custom Leather that looks remarkably similar.
I gotta get me some of those walnut handles!
NIGHTLORD40K
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Ive only ever owned 2 poly-framed pistols- a SIG P250 and (now) the Beretta Pico. Both guns are hammer fired and used all steel for the internal bits, with interchangeable fire control modules and steel guide rails.
I've come to look on poly frames the same way as grip panels- keep a spare one around if it gets damaged, and there are certainly some metal framed pistols I own and love which don't function well (or at all) without the grips; 3rd Gen Smith autos and classic P-series SIGs for example.
What I can't abide are plastic triggers, sights, rails, or guide rods. In fact, I have spent quite a bit of $$ purging plastic small parts from even my metal-framed pistols and rifles.
So, for me, plastic has its place, such as grip modules and stocks, but leave it out of the guts, please.....
I've come to look on poly frames the same way as grip panels- keep a spare one around if it gets damaged, and there are certainly some metal framed pistols I own and love which don't function well (or at all) without the grips; 3rd Gen Smith autos and classic P-series SIGs for example.
What I can't abide are plastic triggers, sights, rails, or guide rods. In fact, I have spent quite a bit of $$ purging plastic small parts from even my metal-framed pistols and rifles.
So, for me, plastic has its place, such as grip modules and stocks, but leave it out of the guts, please.....
Well, I still have my LCRX's. I didn't even try to haggle. They had a LCR in the case for $309. I didn't even ask.
I do like that Kimber, just dont know if I like the price. Its remarkably similar to the Ruger SP101 Wiley Clapp model. The ruger is a bit over $100 cheaper. They did have a used SP101 Wiley Clapp last week in the case for $530. I really should of jumped on it. I hesitated because I liked the Kimber. It's gone. You snooze you lose.
I do like that Kimber, just dont know if I like the price. Its remarkably similar to the Ruger SP101 Wiley Clapp model. The ruger is a bit over $100 cheaper. They did have a used SP101 Wiley Clapp last week in the case for $530. I really should of jumped on it. I hesitated because I liked the Kimber. It's gone. You snooze you lose.
JR24
Member
Everyone is naturally different. I only like my wheelguns to be shiny stainless and I have come to prefer lighter weight plastic or composites for carry as I age.
Riomouse911
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I will certainly say that my poly frame handguns aren’t ones destined for heirloom status, but they carry and operate exactly as I expect them to.
Now the blued steel (or stainless) and walnut handguns? Those are ones that can be cherished and handed down again and again...
Now the blued steel (or stainless) and walnut handguns? Those are ones that can be cherished and handed down again and again...
This is probably what spurs me the most. I will get to hand down something worth a little bit of something to my children.
Chuck R.
Member
I've got quite a few all steel semis and revolvers, but only carry Tupperware now. The defensive guns are tools and get treated as such. For that use, I appreciate polymer.
Swifty Morgan
member
I have never liked plastic handguns, but that's what I carry.
The other day I watched Humphrey Bogart pull a parkerized 1911 out of his suit pocket. So much nicer than a Glock. But the Glock works better.
How do you carry a 1911 government model in a suit pocket? So many guys in old movies did that. If I put anything that heavy in a suit pocket, I would expect it to rip the lining out of the jacket after about two hours. I guess it helps if you only carry it while filming scenes and then you get to hand it to the prop girl.
The other day I watched Humphrey Bogart pull a parkerized 1911 out of his suit pocket. So much nicer than a Glock. But the Glock works better.
How do you carry a 1911 government model in a suit pocket? So many guys in old movies did that. If I put anything that heavy in a suit pocket, I would expect it to rip the lining out of the jacket after about two hours. I guess it helps if you only carry it while filming scenes and then you get to hand it to the prop girl.
Nah, Bogart just has a lot of suits to wear
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