Top plastic pistols and why?

[OilyPablo]

I was about through with plastic.

Then I got a CZ P-09.

 

[jcwit]

So Hi-Point either could not or would not get yours to function properly?

No! It means that mine worked just fine out of the box no matter what type of ammo it was fed. However I did not try hollow points as I just purchased this on a whim and use it as a plinker at the range.

I did not need or have any desire to "tweak" the magazine feed tips or anything else. Only ammo problems I experienced was when I was working up a load and my charge got so light it would not operate the side correctly, a "tad" whatever that is, more powder solved that problem.

The only "mod" I did to the pistol was remove the grips and spray them with Rust-Oleum Black Texture paint giving a better grip.

 

[jcwit]

I'd be quite surprised if any significant proportion of even those who own Hi-Points would argue that the guns are winners in the looks department.

Really as far as the looks department, to me a pistol/handgun/firearm is a tool, has little to do with beauty. I guess it's something similar to the fact I've yet to see a beautiful screwdriver or 3/4" combo wrench.

Now then a Phillips Head Driver or 18 mm wrench, we're into a whole different area.LOL

 

[TestPilot]

To put it in short terms, every subtle design decision Ruger makes in a pistol just screams, "We're a sporting toy company at heart!" That's what makes it hesitant for me to buy a WEAPON from them.

There is no reason why Ruger SR9 cannot be used for personal security.

However, for whatever reason, it seems Ruger always makes decisions that misses the mark for fighting guns. It's not enough to make its use not feasible, but just enough for it to be graded lower.

For example, SR series comes with an adjustable sight with no cocking step on the rear sight. If they were serious about adjustability, they should have went with something like the rear sight of Springfield Range Officer.
However, rather than being serious about precision, it just appears like Ruger put a crude imitation of a Novak sight on it, then slapped an adjustment feature as an afterthought just to attract customers who don't know better.

That's something that bothers me about Ruger's guns. They just can't seem to resist the "Let's add a little bit of 'sporting toy' taste in there" urge that lowers their class. Sort of like, hypothetically, Colt making a great AR-15, but for whatever reason insist that the collapsible stock be make of walnut.

Same goes for them not offering a good protective finish on the SR series until recently. I've heard the black version is nitrided now, but it used to be just Blued which is substandard.

People may have different opinions about thumb switch type manual firing inhibitors, but the fact that Ruger refuses to make an SR series without one is also inline with that attitude.

If S&W can be pressured by consumer demand to make the Shield witout thumb switch (just look at how the S&W sells when they offered the non-thumb swith one) , you'd think there would be a demand for the same for SR series.

It's not because there is no demand for an SR without a thumb switch. It's purly because Ruger plugging their ears with their fingers with their eyes closed, and saying "Sporing gun, sporting gun, sporting gun for life!!!" It is that attitude that I feel a distaste.

 

[mavracer]

since when does popularity = best???

it started when Gore invented the internet.

 

[TestPilot]

One reason for Ruger's lack of popularity on the web is they don't market them to Military and LEO. LEO and Mil surplus put a lot of used specimens on the market.

True.

But, think about WHY they don't. There are two possibiites:

A) "We're a sporting toy company at heart. Our guns are sporting goods. Not arms."

B) "We don't think SR series are good enough for combat."

I don't buy a gun made with A) type philosophy which I suspect is the reason some of SR series pistols' feature is the way it is.
I certainly won't buy a gun that falls in B) category.

So, it's a fail either way.

 

[breakingcontact]

I like how the CZ plastic guns feel but haven't fired them.

 

[JH45]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261636430812

"Made with OEM parts. Never used.”

 

[rhinoh]

Walther P99 would be my most underrated even though they've been around a while.

THIS.^

The P99AS is one of the most reliable and durable polymer pistol designs out there. Although it has been around for over 15 years now, the the design handily beats many more recent pistols.

It also has what is easily the best trigger of any striker-fired pistol on the market today (including the PPQ and VP9).

Agree! I have two one 9 and one 40. Been flawless and just feel right, to me anyway.

 

[breakingcontact]

These Walthers are starting to interest me.

 

[ritepath]

CZ
M&P
Glock

For the money the Ruger SR's shouldn't be overlooked. Good triggers, reliable, and affordable.

I love my P-09....so much I need a P-07 to keep it company. Wish they made a 6" 10mm P-10mm

 

[Paul7]

I'll echo the notion that the Beretta PX4 is a badly underappreciated polymer pistol. It's top-notch in build quality, totally reliable, and super-accurate. It has the added advantage of being the softest-shooting poly pistol in its each of its respective calibers that I've ever shot, thanks to the rotating/non-tilting barrel's radial dissipation of felt recoil.

If the PX4 is good enough to be Bill Wilson's favorite poly pistol, it probably can't be too shabby.

I agree, and like the PX4 better than the three in the OP. Can't beat the price either, I just bought a new PX4 in .45 on GB for $429, the current $75 Beretta rebate brings it down to $350+.

 

[breakingcontact]

So how about them Walthers? HKs?

 

[5-SHOTS]

Who else out there makes an underrated plastic pistol?

The Walther P99 AS is a pretty underrated pistol in my opinion. As a DA/SA polimer pistol I think it's one of the best.

 

[moreducks]

The Walther P99 AS is a pretty underrated pistol in my opinion. As a DA/SA polimer pistol I think it's one of the best.

Agree!! Walther p99c AS is the most accurate pistol I have. The SA trigger is like a good 1911. completely reliable, easy to carry, same size as a glock 26

 

[JDR]

I don't worry about what's popular, looks pretty and cool in the gun rags or on those Sportsman's Channel programs, although I read and watch both. I don't like every Glock & HK, just the ones that work for me for personal defense and recreational range target shooting, in the configs and calibers I like and find useful.

I think the S&W M&P's are nice but I'm mad at the manufacturer. I can't get 'em to fill my 3 month old backorder for a 617 wheelgun. S&W only wants to build plastic striker guns and I think they should bring back those great 3rd Gen guns, and send me the revolver they promised me back before Xmas!

I think Springfield XD's are fine guns, but I think of 1911's when I think of Springfield! I saw a Range Officer Compact 9mm for the first time at an LGS the other day, way cool piece! IMHO, you would have to be nuts to take an XD over one of these!

And Ruger, I'm sorry, the only "SR" I want is a 9mm version of my SR1911 Commander! Frankly I don't like the "lawyered-up" thumb safety on a plastic striker gun!

 

[wild cat mccane]

#1 Walther P99

First polymer with ergo grip, first DA/SA decocking striker fired, first with backstraps, first with a mm measured reset in SA, and still fantastic.

#2 PPQ

First polymer gun from factory that isn't a "Pro" or "M" version costing 100's more for a trigger that is vastly superior to others on the market.

#3 Glock 19
Size and recoil management.

 

[OilyPablo]

CZ P-09 because it's just so comfortable and still holds 19 rounds. Never miss-feeds and shoots every type of 9x19 I feed it. Very accurate.

Glock 20SF Longslide. Because it's 10mm. And 357Sig, 40S&W and 9x25.