Polymer pistol
- Thread starter tdstout
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Chuck R.
Member
I’ve been a 1911 guy since I was issued my 1st one as an MP in “78”, even before then I always wanted one. Other than a brief affair with SIGs, I’ve stuck with 1911s pretty much since then and have owned 12 different ones, including the 2 Les Baers I currently own. I’ve tried Glocks, XDs, and an M&P, but just couldn’t warm up to a polymer gun, mostly due to the trigger.
I’ve been carrying my Les Baer “Stinger” (steel CCO) and when I couldn’t fit that a SIG 230SL. Three weeks ago I bought my 1st plastic gun which was a Walther PPS. Awesome gun, decent trigger, didn’t pull my pants down, didn’t have to add ballast to the other side of my pants and I left my suspenders at home. I then went to our local gunshow and had the chance to check out a Walther PPQ.
All I can say is “WOW” either polymer guns have changed, or I’ve grown more open minded. The ergonomics on the PPQ were fantastic, and while the trigger didn’t come close to one of my Baers, it was pretty freakin good with a short 1911 like reset. Based on my recent experience with the PPS, my next pistol will be a Walther PPQ.
Chuck
I’ve been carrying my Les Baer “Stinger” (steel CCO) and when I couldn’t fit that a SIG 230SL. Three weeks ago I bought my 1st plastic gun which was a Walther PPS. Awesome gun, decent trigger, didn’t pull my pants down, didn’t have to add ballast to the other side of my pants and I left my suspenders at home. I then went to our local gunshow and had the chance to check out a Walther PPQ.
All I can say is “WOW” either polymer guns have changed, or I’ve grown more open minded. The ergonomics on the PPQ were fantastic, and while the trigger didn’t come close to one of my Baers, it was pretty freakin good with a short 1911 like reset. Based on my recent experience with the PPS, my next pistol will be a Walther PPQ.
Chuck
dirtengineer
Member
I wonder if the ergonomics on the new gen 4 glocks would suit better?
tdstout
Member
I don't know about that. The only ones that I've handled were gen 3 I do believe.
There's a lot of good suggestions here, and I appreciate the advice. I know that some people don't think that a ccw has to be very accurate, but I'm going to be shooting whatever I get a lot and I like to hit what I'm aiming at. It doesn't have to be a tack driver, but I want reasonable accuracy at MORE than 7 yards, which seems to be the distance at which a lot of people shoot. Does that make any difference to all of these great choices?
sigarms228
Member
IMO most if not all of the poly pistols mention should be mechanically accurate enough to shoot 5 shot groups in the 2 - 3 inch range at 25 yards. Some maybe even a bit better. The rest would be up to you which means with practice you should be able to pop a 2 liter beverage bottle at 25 yards all day long most of the time.
From experience my Walther PPQ and SIG SP2022 are extremely accurate.
I shot this target at 75 feet/25 yards offhand the first time out with my PPQ. The target is 5.5 inches. A few shots missed the target by a few inches but that was my fault. 10 of the shots are in a 3.75 inch group - offhand.
From experience my Walther PPQ and SIG SP2022 are extremely accurate.
I shot this target at 75 feet/25 yards offhand the first time out with my PPQ. The target is 5.5 inches. A few shots missed the target by a few inches but that was my fault. 10 of the shots are in a 3.75 inch group - offhand.
Wanderling
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For most people who have the problems with Glock grip it's either how wide it is, the angle, the groove spacing or the combination of above factors.
If it's the angle or the "hump" then unmodified Glock is not for you.
However, if it's the grip groove spacing, perhaps you just looked at the wrong model.
I tried G19 and the grooves were too tight. On G17, which is just a tad larger (about 12mm longer both in slide and grip), the grooves fit my hand like a glove.
If it's the angle or the "hump" then unmodified Glock is not for you.
However, if it's the grip groove spacing, perhaps you just looked at the wrong model.
I tried G19 and the grooves were too tight. On G17, which is just a tad larger (about 12mm longer both in slide and grip), the grooves fit my hand like a glove.
tdstout
Member
That's about the kind of accuracy that I'm looking for. Like I said, not a tack driver, but accurate enough. And it was mainly the angle that didn't suit me with the glock Wanderling.
WRGADog
Member
My suggestions for you are
The Beretta PX4 Storm or the Walther PPQ. Both are great guns. The Beretta has the best point and shoot ergonomics of any gun I have handled and the Walther has the best stock trigger of any pistol other than a 1911.
The Beretta PX4 Storm or the Walther PPQ. Both are great guns. The Beretta has the best point and shoot ergonomics of any gun I have handled and the Walther has the best stock trigger of any pistol other than a 1911.
easyg
Member
I like Glocks, but after trying quite a few other polymer framed pistols I'm liking the S&W M&P line more and more...
The Ruger SR9c is also an excellent pistol...
The Ruger SR9c is also an excellent pistol...
HoboCoastie
Member
x2 on that. I had a G22 (same as 17 but in .40) and the finger spacing was ideal.
I then had a G27 (.40 Sub-Compact) and found that I couldn't shoot for crap without a place to put my pinky. The Pearce magazine extension worked well, but I figured if I'm going to extend the height of the butt, why not have the extra capacity and move up to a G23 (.40 Compact (same size-wise as 19)).
I have medium sized hands I guess it's just the slightest bit crowded, but WELL within acceptable tolerance for me...still feels very comfortable...and I'm wicked accurate with it too. The barrel is only about a half inch longer than the 27 and I have no problems carrying it concealed on my hip with an un-tucked t-shirt. With large hands, the grip would be a bit too crowded for sure though.
I own the latest Walther P99 AS model and it is a superb pistol, very compact, accurate and ergonomic. Other polymer gun I always recommend is the HK P30 wich my father owns and I shot several times. Since you didn't like the Glock you tried, a similar pistol (I mean striker-fired with no second strike capability and no manual safeties) that impressed me very much was the S&W M&P9; I considered for a while to buy it. That one can really compete against the best european plastic guns on the market. Just my opinion.
The most popular LGS is a Glock dealer, all they really push. I did not like the feel and rake of the grip(Glock 21, don't know the generation, 3 probably). I am a big guy with good size hands, but I could not get a comfortable grip on it.
I went with a M&P .45 full size(I bought it untested because it wasn't available locally, net reports have been great on the M&P and that sold me). I can get a decent grip on it, it is still a big feeling gun but miles ahead of the Glock for me. I also have a M&P 9 full size, when I pull that out of my Safariland ALS it is sweet like butter and the same every time. It was like it is made for my hand.
There are no two people alike, good thing there are so many fine choices.
I went with a M&P .45 full size(I bought it untested because it wasn't available locally, net reports have been great on the M&P and that sold me). I can get a decent grip on it, it is still a big feeling gun but miles ahead of the Glock for me. I also have a M&P 9 full size, when I pull that out of my Safariland ALS it is sweet like butter and the same every time. It was like it is made for my hand.
There are no two people alike, good thing there are so many fine choices.
jwgml
Member
I like the S&W M&P platform too. It feels more comfortable in my hand than the glock.I like Glocks, but after trying quite a few other polymer framed pistols I'm liking the S&W M&P line more and more...
The Ruger SR9c is also an excellent pistol...
Dirty Bob
Member
Lots of good choices, but the gun that looks good in photos may not feel as good as you expect, once it's in your hands. Lots of us will let someone like you try a pistol that we own, or you could go to a range that rents.
You didn't mention a price range, so let me say this: lots of people who love the 1911 also seem to love the CZ line. Ergonomics are as good as it gets, and CZ makes at least one polymer pistol. Not the cheapest pistol out there, but I think you owe it to yourself to handle one before you make up your mind.
I, on the other hand, have always loved revolvers and have found the Ruger P95 to be a pistol that seems to fit me well. It also has been 100% reliable, and I recently found some inexpensive (ex-LEO, Ruger factory) mags that work very in the pistol.
Everybody's different. Don't let us decide for you. Go handle and/or shoot as many different pistols as possible.
All my best,
Dirty Bob
You didn't mention a price range, so let me say this: lots of people who love the 1911 also seem to love the CZ line. Ergonomics are as good as it gets, and CZ makes at least one polymer pistol. Not the cheapest pistol out there, but I think you owe it to yourself to handle one before you make up your mind.
I, on the other hand, have always loved revolvers and have found the Ruger P95 to be a pistol that seems to fit me well. It also has been 100% reliable, and I recently found some inexpensive (ex-LEO, Ruger factory) mags that work very in the pistol.
Everybody's different. Don't let us decide for you. Go handle and/or shoot as many different pistols as possible.
All my best,
Dirty Bob
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budman46
Member
tdstout,
i'm a steel 1911 kinda guy myself...no alloy sigs in my future, but i saw a cable show that tortured a 9mm xd(m)...they accuracy fired it at the start then abused it, firing for accuracy after each session. they fired 1500 rds as fast as they could, froze it, muddied it, threw it off a two-story roof, dragged it from a car over a gravel road for a mile and other abuses...each time it functioned and gave accuracy as good as it had at the beginning.
with 4-9mm's, 3-9x18 maks, and 2-45's i don't need another center-fire semi , but as an old polymer chemist i keep my eyes peeled for a 9mm xd(m) anyway.
budman
ignorance is fixable, stupidity is forever...
i'm a steel 1911 kinda guy myself...no alloy sigs in my future, but i saw a cable show that tortured a 9mm xd(m)...they accuracy fired it at the start then abused it, firing for accuracy after each session. they fired 1500 rds as fast as they could, froze it, muddied it, threw it off a two-story roof, dragged it from a car over a gravel road for a mile and other abuses...each time it functioned and gave accuracy as good as it had at the beginning.
with 4-9mm's, 3-9x18 maks, and 2-45's i don't need another center-fire semi , but as an old polymer chemist i keep my eyes peeled for a 9mm xd(m) anyway.
budman
ignorance is fixable, stupidity is forever...
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