Tupperware

[loop]

I was going to post this thought as a response to another thread, but then I thought it deserves its own.

I hate Tupperware guns. I do not respect them or have any desire to carry one. I do not like plastic Glocks, Smiths, SAs or HKs. I don’t care what it is, if it has a plastic frame I do not like it.

I love good old rock solid steel guns. My primary carry guns are 1911s and CZs. They are beefy, strong, accurate and reliable.

I also dislike striker-fired pistols. They don’t feel right.

But, I was thinking about it and the gun in my back pocket right now is a KelTec P32 – Tupperware. The gun under the front seat of my truck is an EAA Witness (Tanfoglio) compact with a poly frame. That makes two guns that go almost everywhere I go plastic. The only two plastic guns I own.

But, if I consciously strap on a gun for CCW or open carry it will have a steel frame and a nice trigger.

So philosophically I detest one type of gun, but I always have one of that type with me at all times. Only when I add to the mix do I throw in one of a different type.

Am I alone in this behavior – carry one thing that I don’t really like and at the same time reserve my favorite guns for other uses?

Even worse, I just dropped three times what I spent on a 1911 into upgrades and I’m just thrilled with it. But, it sits on a shelf except for practice or matches. And I wouldn’t dream of shooting Tupperware in a match.

I can’t argue that the plastic guns are cheapest or I don’t care about them because I have a CZ82 that has far more features than either and I paid a lot less for it.

I’d have to count semi-autos to know how many I have. So it seems odd that the only two I always have are the only two plastic guns I own.

 

[jocko]

no doubt

u just can't beat all steel guns, but i have 5 9mm and 4 are polymer. need I say more..:banghead:

 

[burningsquirrels]

you're not alone. many people who shop for auto loading carry guns end up with polymer frames for less weight.

nothing wrong with having personal preferences.

 

[littlelefty]

This is a funny read because I thought I was reading about myself, only with different guns.

My favorite is my Springfield 1911, but I find myself carrying my Kel Tec P11 most often. I even find myself longing over a P3AT on occasion.

 

[NG VI]

As of March of this year, I had one steel framed auto and three poly framed autos. Now I have four poly framed autos, one steel framed auto, two alloy framed autos, and am trying to sell one of my polys. Incidentally the rise of metal framed autos correlates exactly with the number of CZs I own.

 

[burningsquirrels]

that only means one thing: buy more CZs.

 

[kamagong]

Your hatred for Tupperware guns can't be all that virulent since you own two of them. I also prefer my guns to be made of wood and steel, but I understand the usefulness of the newer polymer designs.

 

[Black Majik]

Guns are tools, they serve a purpose: To launch bullets at your intended target. It's come to the point where we have a lot of different options to choose from in the gun industry. There are dozens of different makers, each having their own philosophies on constructing a handgun.

Glocks, HK's USPs, SIG Pros, XDs, M&Ps, etc all have their place in the gun world. They're light to carry, and they're dependable for the most part. Great service weapons, but not too much fun to shoot.

I'm similiar in your thinking, in that I prefer to shoot metal framed guns. My preference goes to all steel guns to soak up the recoil, and for the most part the triggers are usually better on all metal guns. However, I won't snub my nose at the polymer guns too. I have a pretty even 50/50 split on polymer to metal handguns right now. My polymer "combat accurate" guns will give my super tight all metal 1911s a run for its money when shooting steel. Whether it's metal, or polymer, they do their job just fine.

Can you imagine if there were 40 different makers of hammers, all with their new "ergo" grip. Some ergo grips hold high, some of the finger grooves are spaced too far apart, the handle is an inferior material to the traditional wood, it doesn't strike the nail light hammer B. Point being guns are tools just like hammers. But we've become spoiled by the vast number of options available that we've become too picky about the small things.

Poly guns, steel guns, alloy framed guns. They're all the same in the end.

 

[Bufford t. Justice]

I used to beat up on glocks all the time....untill i bought one. They may be fugly but they're darn near indestructable. I've been an avid 1911 guy all my life but now own several pieces of "tupperware" and plan on more still.

 

[NG VI]

I also prefer my guns to be made of wool and steel,

I really hope you don't carry or keep one of your wool and steel guns loaded for defense!

 

[kamagong]

Good one.

 

[florida1098]

I think of nice revolvers the same as watches and other fine jewelry, and items. They have their place, they feel nice, look great, and have an aura of workmanship. However, a Casio G shock watch charges itself, lights when you turn your wrist, and in my case is the watch I never take off. Relatively inexpensive, and indestructible. Old muscle cars, same thing, nice to look at, fun to play with on occasion, but Camry's and Civic's are number one for a reason. That being said I find my Glock's the most reliable weapon I ever owned.

 

[loop]

I actually gave this a lot of thought today as I drove around the Mojave Desert with broken AC in my pickup today - I had to think about something besides the heat.

I make no apologies for the KT .32 in my pocket. In the summer in my area it is really hard to hide anything. It's nearly impossible to carry a bigger gun and still dress like a businessman. It may just be a .32, but it's better than being empty handed.

The EAA poly Witness under the seat of the truck is there in part because it is surprisingly accurate and has never failed in any way. It is also there because it is a .45. And even further, because it is the cheapest .45 I own. I got it for $300.

There are also a couple of other factors. One I call the "wife factor." I also have a Para P12-45 that is almost the exact same size and weight specs. Since both are strictly carry guns she is always on me to sell the EAA whenever she sees it. But, I've tricked out the Para and it will never be a "toss under the seat of the truck" gun. Out of sight, out of mind.

Then there is the accuracy/reliability factor. It's never failed from the day I got it. I've actually shot the best group in the past few years from a .45 from this gun. It was a three-shot group that was dead center and formed a clover leaf that was shot at 10 yards. It measured 5/8 of an inch center-to-center at the widest point. How can I give that up?

It is uncomfortable to shoot. It's cheap. If the police take it away because I have to use it, I won't miss it. But, it is one hell of an under-the-seat-of-the-truck gun.

Final part is "What else would I toss under the seat?"

1911s are too sensitive to dirt. The tiniest pebble between the firing pin stop plate and the hammer would neutralize one. All my other larger bore autos are either competition guns or concealment guns. My stainless Kahr MK40 would work, but it only holds six in the mag. After that we get into minor calibers.

I do, sometimes, carry my 1917 Smith with a Fitzgerald job done to it as a beater gun. But it is really just a belly gun. At 15 yards it takes a while to squeeze off a shot that will hit a pie plate. But oh what a belly gun!

Given 24 hours to think about it, I'm really only doing what makes sense. It just bothers me that I am such a die-hard 1911/CZ addict and here I am toting two Tupperware guns everywhere I go.

OTOH, I customized three .45s this summer. None of them will ever be under the seat of a pickup truck, well, maybe if they are inside of a well-padded, lockable, metal case.

 

[kwelz]

I refuse to fall into the Steel Vs. Polymer argument. I look at guns like I look at anything else in life. I use the tool or tools that work the best for what I need. If a Polymer based gun works then I will use it. If a Steel or Aluminum framed gun works best then I use it.

I really don't understand the hate for Polymer. I think it has to do with the Change = bad attitude that a lot of people seem to have, but I just dont' know.

 

[Happiness Is A Warm Gun]

I think attitudes like this simply are change = bad.

Saw this a while ago when cars when from all metal bodies to plastic parts.
Can you imagine how much extra a car would cost today is made 100% out of steel.
How much worse gas mileage?

I don't buy guns to be pretty. I buy them to get the job done. When polymers first started hitting the market I was skeptical. A decade + later they have proven to be reliable, and get the job done.

I now own mostly polymer guns simply because I see no reason for carry a heavier gun just because it is made out of steel.

Now if polymer guns had short lifespan, or broke easily, or routinely cracked, or needed a lot of maintenance I could see people not liking them.

Good news is there are plenty of choices both metal and polymer.

 

[benderx4]

The first 12 guns I purchased over the years have all been constructed out of steel and wood. I still own 10 of those guns. Of the next 12 guns I purchased, 2 were made of steel and wood, and 10 were either HKs or XDs. Go figure.

 

[Samuel Adams]

I have owned 9 different handguns in my life. The only one with plastic was a Sig Pro 2022. It was OK but I sold it and bought a CZ. I prefer the weight, even when carrying.

 

[possum]

you hate poly guns and that is totally fine, i love my poly guns, all three of em, my xd service model has served me well and i am at my best when i have that gun. I can shoot it better than any other gun that i have ever used/owned or shot. i love my 1911, fine trigger and all but i still can out shoot the 1911 and every other gun that i have used with the xd.

 

[gc70]

Steel, aluminum, polymer - I buy guns because they best meet my particular needs. It would be a bit silly to buy an inferior gun just because it was made of a certain material.

 

[DawgFvr]

Skillfully said gc70.

I love my Ruger GP100 and my M1 Garand...but

I found that the M16A2 worked mighty fine for me during my 22 year stint....and

I also found that a Glock was the most accurate side arm in my collection...and damn lightweight for comfortable carry.

Bottom line...keep an open mind and experiment with all weapons. I've found that as I age (and grow with each new experience)...I just do not have all those narrow minded predjudices I had in my youth.

 

[Don357]

I believe that both have their place, and I've even looked into finding a polymer covered steel frame revolver. But the REX went into hiding in Europe in the 80's. The main thing that I don't like about polymer guns now is that you can't get one without a stupid accessory rail, and even the metal framed guns are getting that way. Thank God for older guns!

 

[skinewmexico]

Use the best tool for the job. And change your attitude to reflect your reality. It won't leave any scars.

 

[weisse52]

I gave poly guns a try with a string of Glocks.
Maybe it was my mis-spent youth. Try as I might I could never obtain the level of accuracy and comfort I have with my 1911's. I love the new little 642-1 I am packing around.

Tupperware guns are just fine. Great tools.
But, I purchase guns for reasons other than "throwing under my truck seat" I have a locking case for that.
I do not find the weight of a steel frame gun to be a problem. I guess I wonder why SOME poly supporters feel the need to tell me how wrong my choice is when I can support their choice, just not for me.

 

[jdc1244]

I refuse to fall into the Steel Vs. Polymer argument.

I agree, it’s pointless – it comes down to subjective preference.

My preference is no plastic – the CZ 82 with its leather holster is perfect for the car; the CZ 83 is comfortable for me to carry.