I don't like plastic pistols

[GunnyUSMC]

Attachment 107829When it comes to handguns, the 1911A1 is my favorite, but I do like polymer frame striker fire handguns. I also own a few. I have Glocks, S&W M&P’s, Beretta APX, Sig M17, FNS9, HK VP9, and I’ve built two Polymer80s.
I have found that most people that don’t like polymer frame handguns are older guys.
But when I show up at the range with my Colt 1911, dated August 1918, it catches the eyes of the young and old.

[usabaker]

I have found that most people that don’t like polymer frame handguns are older guys.

Hey Gunny, You might have a point as an older guy I can't argue. I have 4 adult kids (2 still 18 and under) of those four 2 dislike Polymar and 2 have no issue with them even though I'll bet if I laid a Glock 43 and a comparably priced 1911 next to each other, or even a Glock 43 and a CZ 75 BD. They will choose the 1911 or CZ 75 BD every time. The funny part is the two that dislike Polymar are the two that are military.

[GunnyUSMC]

Comparing a Glock 43 to a 1911 is like comparing a water pistol to a BB gun. Any kid would be crazy not to pick the BB gun.
But in today’s world you have to apply the choice of gun to the situation and environment it will be used in.
Now for the range, I’ll take a 1911 any day. But for patrolling the streets in a high crime area,a high capacity, polymer frame 9mm, or 40 S&W would be the better choice.

[Eaglelord17]

Honestly as much as I prefer steel guns myself (don't own a single plastic pistol, closest I have gotten to that is stamped metal a la Swiss P75), the modern polymer guns are lighter, more reliable, and honestly more durable. They require less maintenance overall, and long term they are here to stay. Simply put from most metrics they are better than steel guns, and the other metrics can be made just as good. Still doesn't make me want to own one.

[GeeRam]

But in today’s world you have to apply the choice of gun to the situation and environment it will be used in.
Now for the range, I’ll take a 1911 any day. But for patrolling the streets in a high crime area,a high capacity, polymer frame 9mm, or 40 S&W would be the better choice.

Exactly.

Just as you'd rather take a M4 Carbine or AUG etc into a modern combat scenario, rather than a Lee-Enfield or Garand etc.

[Ovidio]

Is a Stg 58 accepted?

[GunnyUSMC]

Exactly.

Just as you'd rather take a M4 Carbine or AUG etc into a modern combat scenario, rather than a Lee-Enfield or Garand etc.

I do love my Enfields and Garands, but they are past their time as a front line combat rifle.
But when the range is my battlefield and the enemy are paper targets, I’m taking the old toys out to play.
I still want to add another 1911A1 to my collection, you can never have enough.

[pocketshaver]

Honestly as much as I prefer steel guns myself (don't own a single plastic pistol, closest I have gotten to that is stamped metal a la Swiss P75), the modern polymer guns are lighter, more reliable, and honestly more durable. They require less maintenance overall, and long term they are here to stay. Simply put from most metrics they are better than steel guns, and the other metrics can be made just as good. Still doesn't make me want to own one.

MOST manufacturers of polymer guns have been using sheet steel stampings to reinforce the plastic grip frame to have DURABILTY. AND almost all of them have had to resort to at minimum, reinforcing critical recoil areas with metal plates and metal pins to keep the guns working.

---------- Post added at 11:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------

Exactly.

Just as you'd rather take a M4 Carbine or AUG etc into a modern combat scenario, rather than a Lee-Enfield or Garand etc.

Where do you get your idea on that a M4 or AUG, or any other 5.56 based gun is better then a SMLE or garand, or ANY battle rifle predating the 5.56?

IM sorry but I have known FAR to many veterans FIRST HAND that admit they would rather have a beretta then anything chambered in 5.56. EVERY first hand veteran I personally know after they get out have a massive disgust of that cartridge and associated weapons. And when we DO buy "the first gun back home" its also always chambered in a genuine battle rifle cartridge.308 family, etc.

[usabaker]

IM sorry but I have known FAR to many veterans FIRST HAND that admit they would rather have a beretta then anything chambered in 5.56. EVERY first hand veteran I personally know after they get out have a massive disgust of that cartridge and associated weapons. And when we DO buy "the first gun back home" its also always chambered in a genuine battle rifle cartridge.308 family, etc.

Bingo! I have never had the desire to own an M4 or any kind of AR type rifle. My friends always ask me if I have one or why I don't have one. My answer is always the same. I carried a 16' when I was active, why the heck would I want one as a civilian? Now my PIG, that's a whole other thing; only wish I could have one of them.

But let be real here, for most of us on this forum Police and Military work has past so we don't choose a handgun, for the most part, as a workhorse tool. So choosing a pistol now is not based on those parameters. We would not be on this forum if we were not in love with steel and wood.

[GeeRam]

MOST manufacturers of polymer guns have been using sheet steel stampings to reinforce the plastic grip frame to have DURABILTY. AND almost all of them have had to resort to at minimum, reinforcing critical recoil areas with metal plates and metal pins to keep the guns working.

---------- Post added at 11:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 PM ----------



Where do you get your idea on that a M4 or AUG, or any other 5.56 based gun is better then a SMLE or garand, or ANY battle rifle predating the 5.56?

IM sorry but I have known FAR to many veterans FIRST HAND that admit they would rather have a beretta then anything chambered in 5.56. EVERY first hand veteran I personally know after they get out have a massive disgust of that cartridge and associated weapons. And when we DO buy "the first gun back home" its also always chambered in a genuine battle rifle cartridge.308 family, etc.

I don't, 5.56 is crap, it was the generic rifle type/design rather than the specific calibre choice that I was talking about when I mentioned the Lee and Garand.

'The West' should have just adopted the 7.92x33 in 1945 for production of an updated MP44...... but politics always gets in the way of sensible practical decisions, but that wouldn't have met US approval just as the .280 British didn't....and yet 10 years later the USA enforce the 5.56 on everyone after saying the .280 isn't man enough and we need the 7.62x51.....which then got dropped.

75 years later we're still no better off, while 'the other side' have been using 7.62x39 for that length of time.