Went outside my comfort zone... Bought a polymer pistol

[anothernewb]

Not that I'm a gun snob - too new to having firearms to develop that particular quirk, lol.

I acquired pistols - they ended up being all steel ones. Just naturally gravitated towards them. From my 1911 to my hi power, and all the revolvers in between. I still believe the all metal guns have a beauty all their own.

However, after over more than a thousand rounds of frustration with my Argentine made hi power - It's driving me bat poo crazy. some days I would have been more consistent to just throw the gun at the target than to actually shoot at it. Of course - I have others shoot it and they blast the black out of the paper with no issue at all. How I can shoot my practical so well and this one so poorly is turning me prematurely gray....I've changed grips several times, played all over with loads and bullets... Grrrr....

So the other day I'm at Scheels and I see a XDm 5.25 in 9. It followed me home, and went to the range last night.


Aaaaand.... darn it all to crap anyhow - I actually shot the crap out of it. 80 rounds later I ended up with a set of targets that I was actually happy to look at.

I think I'm going to keep it, but she sure won't win any points with me for style. Not to bash it, but i find it to be the quazimodo of my collection. it's got a good heart, but it's going to take some time to get used to it.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Those were my thoughts for a long time too, and then I picked up an XDs. I like it tremendously, and plan to pick up a 5.25 at some point in .45 acp. I find a striker, or single action trigger system like a 1911 works best for me in semiautos.

 

[GJSchulze]

I have that gun and use it for IDPA and USPSA competitions. I love it. If you're saying you were inaccurate with it, that's not the gun's fault.

What didn't you like? Is it just the recoil because it's lighter than your other steel guns?

 

[9 fingers]

I can't go there yet. I have a CZ 75B, a Rem R1 Enhanced 1911, a variety of .380s from Mauser, CZ and Beretta, 22lr pistols brom Browning and Beretta, all steel or alloy and steel. Everytime I TRY and shoot my buddies Glock I can't get over the feel, the rattles (do they all do that?) and how ugly it is. Went to Gander Mountain and tried out a Beretta PX4 Storm and HATED the feel of it. Still trying. Going to check out a Steyr M9-A1 if can find one but as of the other day looks like the Remington R51 is going to be next, unless I hate something about it.
9 fingers

 

[WRGADog]

Nothing wrong with polymer guns. I own many and they all go bang when you pull the trigger. XDM's are great guns.

 

[spazzymcgee]

I can't hit anything with any Hi Powers. I'm pretty good with Glocks and revolvers though.

 

[anothernewb]

GJSchulze, I was inacurate with the Hi-power clone I have, despite several "fixes" and attempts to get it to fit me better. Thus the decision to try something completely different. The XDm proved to be a great shooter for me.

In general with polymer guns - I've just not found much in the way of appealing asthetics to most of them. I consider my XDm to be my ugly duckling. I'm sure it will grow on me with time. But I will eventually have to find some sort of rubberized grip material or something to add friction. I find the plastic a good fit, but very slippery.

 

[chris in va]

I've always felt the polymer center fires to be more geared toward 'combat' roles, not slow fire target shooting. Factory triggers are usually squishy but have the necessary short reset for quick follow up shots.

I've had a couple, neither we're particularly friendly for longer 50yd slow fire. I'd probably rather have one for a 'firefight' at 5 yards.

I shoot targets at the range and shoot IDPA. If you notice, the whole line of range users will be aiming carefully at a target and firing a shot every couple seconds. We don't do that at competitions because accuracy and speed are critical. Most of the better folks have done something radical to their plastic guns to help clean up those vague combat triggers.

 

[GJSchulze]

But I will eventually have to find some sort of rubberized grip material or something to add friction

Try this: http://shop.powderriverprecision.net/product.sc?productId=17

I'm on my second one of the black sand grip. it works very well, but does wear out after a year or so. Price is $16.95. They also have this in a rubberized grip. If you compete in USPSA you can't use the whole kit because only the grip can be covered or stippled. There's a piece to put on the underside of the trigger guard. You can try it, but I recommend against it. I didn't find it helped, but it did rub on my finger like sandpaper. They suggest using a hairdryer or heat gun to warm it as you fit it around curved surfaces. That works pretty well. They fit well, right down to the XDm logo that is cut out.

 

[Notoast]

My Glock rattles when the trigger is "to the rear" (i.e. after pulling the trigger on an empty chamber). It's a good check that the striker channel is clean. When the trigger is forward, the striker is half cocked and should not rattle. I like either to cut my own skate board deck tape or just purchase Talon grips for my polymer frame handguns; both take 4-5 hundred rounds of break-in before I'd carry them with the grip against my skin in an IWB rig though!

 

[Nom de Forum]

Welcome to Plastic Fantastic World! Great choice of pistol. I hope you have many great times with your XD. Don't feel bad about your BHP experience that kind of thing can happen to anyone.

 

[hentown]

I don't like the feel of nekked plastic in my grip, but I also wouldn't want sandpaper, either. I use either Agrip, or, more recently and quite satisfactorily, Wilson tennis racket grip tape. It's actually not just a tape, but a leather-like synthetic that feels good and doesn't slip when wet.

Here's one version:

http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Sporti...072&sr=8-4&keywords=wilson+tennis+racket+grip

 

[owlhoot]

Hentown, does the racket tape you referenced have a good adhesive backing? Is it a spool tape or is it a sleeve that pulls over the racket handle? Thanks for your help. I was just getting ready to try skate board tape, but it is a little more abrasive than I would prefer.

 

[GJSchulze]

If it's like the racket tape I used years ago, it is not adhesive. You tape it at the top of the handle and then tack it or tape it at the bottom.

The sandpaper-like grip I use is called Xtreme grip. There is a rubberized version also. It gives a very firm, unmovable grip. If you're worried that it will abrade your skin, it doesn't do that to me. I really like it.

 

[anothernewb]

hmmm... the black textured rubber might be just the ticket. Thanks for the info.

As far as USPSA - I don't compete in anything - except against myself and that darn ten ring, lol.


Discovered yesterday that they make 1911's in 9mm too. going to have to look at them as well. I've shot alot of 45, but lately I just seem to be developing this thing about shooting 9mm just as well as I shoot 45. I will beat it!

 

[Mike J]

I guess I'm weird I like plastic guns. I also like steel ones. I understand what you are saying about not liking the aesthetics of a plastic gun. To me the prettiest guns are 1911's & revolvers but the majority of the time I carry a XD. The way it works for me is if a gun shoots & handles well it instantly becomes better looking to me.

 

[Nom de Forum]

I guess I'm weird I like plastic guns. I also like steel ones. I understand what you are saying about not liking the aesthetics of a plastic gun. To me the prettiest guns are 1911's & revolvers but the majority of the time I carry a XD. The way it works for me is if a gun shoots & handles well it instantly becomes better looking to me.

My sentiments are similar. I don' think I am weird for liking plastic guns; I am pragmatic. I also like some guns in steel exclusively and have more of those than any other. To me the prettiest guns are BHPs, early Colt 1903, and S&W K frame revolvers, but the majority of the time I carry plastic fantastics in .32, 9mm, .40 or 10mm depending on the occasion. The way it works for me is if a gun handles well, has acceptable accuracy, and is not over-priced for its purpose, it instantly becomes better looking to me too. What better reason can you have for abandoning the 1911 for the Glock?