Polymer vs Metal "for dummies"...?

[streetstang67]

I put "for dummies" b/c what I'm asking may be obvious to anyone with experience...

I'm simply wanting to know the major differences in a polymer framed gun and a metal/alloy frames gun. Mainly how they shoot differently?

By handling them, the only difference I can feel is that metal is generally heavier, while polymer is top heavy...but I've only shot a few pistols, all revolvers.

 

[fineredmist]

Congratulations, you have answered the question. They will shoot equally well with sufficient practice and it is a matter of how the gun feels in your hand. The questions you must ask yourself, does it feel comfortable in my hand, can I operate the controls with little or no difficulty? Steel frames will tend to reduce the felt recoil a bit due to their weight but this can be overcome with proper shooting skills and practice.
Some men perfer blonds and some perfer redheads, the choice is yours.

 

[Odnar]

Also less metal surface area to corrode on a polymer piece.

"Steel frames will tend to reduce the felt recoil a bit due to their weight"

That's why every Glock should make up for it by coming with a 100 round mag.

(Ok, bring on the comments about how us Glock shooters need 100 rounds, etc)

 

[shooter58]

Polymer guns tend to be considerably lighter and polymer tends to flex a certain amount under recoil thereby absorbing some of the snap. This does not seem to be true on all of the polymer guns possibly due to differences in the polymer compounds used. The frame will not rust on a polymer gun making it a better (?) candidate for everyday carry, especially in warm climate. It's all in what you prefer.

 

[10-Ring]

The biggest advantage is the weight. I also think polyguns tend to lack the asthetic qualities steel guns tend to possess.

 

[mpmarty]

Poly guns are cheaper to manufacture. Poly guns are more difficult to maintain as disassembly of the receiver is usually more difficult and each time you tear one down you induce wear that is not a factor with all steel guns. I own both and each have their good and not so good points. Pick one you like and later add another of another type.

One factor I am aware of on just one manufacturer who makes both polymer and all steel pistols, EAA is the importer and Tanfoglio is the maker in Italy. The pistols are known as Witness pistols in this country and are improvments over the old CZ75s imported by CZ-USA. The all steel Witness guns are fabulous and the polymer framed ones tend to have a lot of problems.

 

[streetstang67]

So even with the current coating technology, rusting can still be an issue with metal framed pistols?

 

[mjrodney]

One of my favorite colors is oiled blue.

No rust.

 

[miko]

As mentioned, the extra weight of the steel-framed guns causes reduction of felt recoil.

Much more importantly, in my view, steel-frameg guns are much, much more forgiving with regard to the proper grip than the light-weight ones. The cycling is operated by recoil. If you do not hold the light-framed gun firmly enough, the frame might come back too much and the slide will not recoil far enough or fast enough on the frame to properly eject a round and feed the next one - the dreaded "limp-wristing" syndrome.

If you are tired, wounded, inexperienced, distracted or have to shoot at an unusual angle (around the corner, up, down, behing, etc.), your fist shot migh well be your last. That is much less likely to happen with a steel-framed gun and not an issue at all with a revolver.

miko

 

[Coronach]

The 'topheavy' thing in regards to polymer is also only felt with an empty gun. Well, regardless, the poly gun will have more of its weight up top, but it really only feels topheavy when empty.

Mike

 

[XDKingslayer]

I got into it with a 1911 snob at the range a while back. He was so anti-plastic it wasn't funny. To the point where he didn't want to stand next to me because he was positive my XD would explode at any time and kill us both.

I finally talked him into shooting it and after a few mags he was shooting it just as well if not better than his 1911.

I had another guy that wouldn't shoot it because it HAD to be to top heavy to be accurate and the recoil HAD to be too much and because of recoil flex it HAD to be a jam-o-matic even though he watched me shoot it pretty well for the past 100 rounds.

It really solidified in me that there are to type of people that can't accept polymer pistols. Those that think too much and those that don't think enough.

 

[obxned]

I currently shoot a polymer framed .45 that is about the same weight and size as an aluminum framed Colt Commander. Both have about the same balance, and I've really not noticed any magic recoil reduction with the polymer. I am happy with either because of the lighter weight.

 

[pakmcc]

I've got one polymer pistol and it's a very accurate witness in 9mm. I've had two different compact witness .45's and neither one would feed or extract reliablely.
But, What's scaring me off the polymer pistols is that I just saw a picture of an H&K that had a round in the chamber come apart and it blew the gun in half. Then I've heard about a couple of glocks and XD's that had the same thing happen to them.
I've had one shell explode in a CZ 9mm (a champion) and I got a face full of crap from the explodion. HOw??(I don't know where It came from) It took me 30 minutes to get the pistol apart and the slide off the frame.
I couldn't fine anything wrong with the pistol and I've been firing it for the last year since then.(yes, I've still got the case and it was a reloaded winchester case.) I've heard the winchester cases are a little thin.
I like my all metal frame pistols
Pat

 

[Lonestar49]

...

Speaking from my own experience with a polymer gun, my Beretta Px4, I never felt it to be top heavy, and as mentioned, when empty, very balanced IMO. And with a full mag, it feels bottom heavy, if anything, but it really doesn't enter the picture, while shooting.

It's just a new school issue versus an old school thought, that all metal makes for a more stable platform, and I would agree with that. But on the other hand, the lighter guns make for more comfy CCW long days, along with time spent at the range to get the feel and accuracy of how they react when shot.

Otherwise, just another small learning curve to experience, and overcome with satisfaction.

I might add also, there is a half-way, middle-ground one can explore, as well, and that is the Aluminum Frames, such as 2 of the Sigs I own. No complaints there, either.


LS

 

[Zor Omega]

go with what feels best for you. My personal choice is the poly.

 

[eastwood44mag]

Odnar-

Why is it only Glock owners need 100 round mags? If I could find a drum for my P90........ooooohhhh. Um, I need to go call Numrich. NOW.