Will We See a Full-Size Polymer Revolver?

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HGM22

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I've been wondering if we'll ever see a 4'' barrel Ruger LCR or S&W Bodyguard. Maybe even something from a smaller company like Kel-tec or IO.

I ask because I'd like to get a revolver but I just don't have the money for a $300+ used S&W .38 or the $400-550 for a .357. A decent 4'' bbl .38 for $220 or .357 for $270 from Kel-tec sounds just right.

I know most everyone will say just save up the extra money for a used Smith, and I probably will, but I think it is an interesting question (though I can already guess the answer).
 
I don't think being made of polymer makes the revolver cheaper. (but I can be wrong)

You can buy a used 4" S&W .38 Special revolver for under $300. (but $220 will be hard to find)
http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_211_431.html?stID=19&sort=3a

I have seen a few S&W Model 619's for $300-$350 at gun shows. They are a good .357 Magnum revolver that holds 7 rounds. I owned one a while back and should have never sold it. The adjustable sight M620's are more and the M686 is in the range you talked about, up to $550.
 
Russians made something like that in early 90s. It was .357 had polymer frame long barrel and size of S&W L frame. Not sure if it went into mass production or not.
 
I doubt if very many companies who don't currently make revolvers are going to tool up and make them, given the costs of said venture.

Further, the weight savings of a polymer frame only really matter in a carry gun, and the market for full-sized carry revolvers is relatively small.
 
I can't seen any benefit. Personally, I wouldn't want one regardless of the price. You'd never convince me a poly revolver would stand up to the loads a forged steel framed one will.
 
I see no benefit either
plastic has it's place, but it is a pretty limited space
selling points being less weight for carry and cheaper cost of manufacturing
Glock prices would jump noticeably if they were steel, don't kid yourself, as would LCPs and LCRs

I have an LCP (specifcally for a "limited space")
and would consider an LCR (for the trigger, really don't care about the lite)
but would not count on high round counts out of either... not what they are made for, IMO

in full size revolvers, CPE is sticking with Colts, and oldfool is sticking with S&W k-frames
somebody else is going to have to fund polyfull in what fully fills their hand
 
Ruger, Taurus and S&W are incorporating some polymer into their revolvers, but just in the handle/trigger guard area. This results in some weight reduction, but not much. The larger reason is cost savings. Notice that no one is making a pistol with a polymer slide, and they're not likely too.

I understand that in our present economy higher prices are a problem, but right now J&G Sales in Prescott, Az. (as well as some others) are offering used trade-in .38 Special Taurus revolvers with 4" barrels in the $250 range. Perhaps this offers a solution for HGM22 and others in the same boat.
 
My full polymer guns were made by Mattel. I was a kid.

I had a G21 - sold it 7/98. That was enough polymer for me. I like steel.

Stainz
 
Yes you may see a few full size a few polymers revolver in the future.
There is no question about the quality of polymers and they will only get better (stronger and lighter weight).
The question is would you want to shoot a very light weight revolver in larger caliber???
Just because we have the ability to make something does not mean that we would really want it.
There in lye’s the rub because we can make those guns in the 357 right now but not a lot of people like to shoot the 357 loads. I personally shoot the 38’s in my 357 for that reason.
Therefore we will run into the profitability issue for manufactures.
Bottom line is yes we can but will we, well that will be as always left up to bean counters.
 
I would imagine that the polymer framed full size revolver, if for no other reason, it can be a marketing advantage to be different
 
"My full polymer guns were made by Mattel"

not mine, Stainz
my Mattel Fanner 50s had some plastic in 'em, sure, but they were mostly metal (well, ok, pot metal), and they rode in real leather double holsters , not plastic, and tied down w/ leather

PS
and I could outdraw Wyatt and outshoot Hickock... when I was 7 years old
damn shame my gun skills went to hell at about age 10
but I just never did quite get over steel guns and leather holsters (leastways suede lined Cordura holsters)
 
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I understand that in our present economy higher prices are a problem, but right now J&G Sales in Prescott, Az. (as well as some others) are offering used trade-in .38 Special Taurus revolvers with 4" barrels in the $250 range.
Click to expand...

Be careful buying these online, some are pretty rough and loose.

Not a fan of polymer myself..
 
Taurus makes that polymer public defender. It is supposed to be "more compact" but I'd say it counts as a full size. That's if you considerit a revolver. I consider it a paper weight. ;)
 
That's if you considerit a revolver. I consider it a paper weight.
Click to expand...

A revolving paperweight?

Ugly too. :eek:



I did see Jerry Michulek using a Governor to shoot clays...looked like fun.

So I would consider it a toy.

Ugly toy that would be a good paperweight
 
well, Taurus claims that Public De-fender offers the same "devastating power" from 410 shot shell as all their devastating 410 shot shell snubbies.. and it probably do

(but then so does the plastic bumper on my vehicle, plus a bunch, and then some)
and we going to get chastised if we steer this thread into that quicksand, you know ;)
 
devastating power"
Click to expand...

As long as Jerry got them before they got 10 feet or so, the Governor was devastating to the clay targets.

If there is some sort of a laboratory experiment gone awry and clay targets get aggressive, I am going to get a .410 handgun.
 
The only thing that will get oldfool and Guillermo to buy a .410 handgun is when Colt releases one; it will be named the King Pythonaterconda and will be available in all plastic or rebar, lol.
 
nahhh.. G mebbe

me, I am holding out for a NEW model S&W made with MIM frame & MIM barrel & MIM cylinder, and polymer shot shotshells
ILS optional (no recoil issues in play)

PS
if Jerry M loaded his gun with spit wads, he would still be devastating on clays at 10 yards, much less feet
Annie Oakley devastated 'em with 22 rimfire shotshells at farther than that
(and could do it with with just lead bullets as well)
 
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automatic ILS built in for those wise enough to choose that option with model so described, G
locks itself if you ever attempt to load it
no key furnished, and none available from factory

fool proof ;)
 
"devastating power"
Click to expand...

I will never get the hype about the Judge/Governor/et al.

I still struggle to understand how the .410 can be regarded as a pea shooter from a shotgun barrel, but chambered in the 2" revolvers, it suddenly becomes a hand-held nuke..............:rolleyes:
 
I'm sure the eggheads at S&W are hard at work trying to get a poly frame to work. I think their time would be better spent making their aluminum frames cheaper and more commonplace. Really, Scandium was the metal they decided to use in their alloy?
 
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