Fabulously-popular polymer pistols

Since weapons have come up as a subject in a few threads here is another one . LOL


Fabulously-popular polymer pistols Photo by RICH SIMPSON




There was a time - not all that long ago - when plastic items were considered to be "cheap" substitutes for the "real" thing. Slowly our prejudices subsided and few people nowadays would dispute how much plastics have actually molded (sorry about that) our modern way of life.

Plastics - as the Industry is quick to point out - are everywhere. They're in our kitchens, living rooms, schools, offices, automobiles and planes. And as grandpa can testify, they have even found a home in our bodies. Where would the ole boy be without those marvelous artificial hips or heart parts?

But for the longest time, the use of plastics in firearms was Verboten! Real guns, it was agreed, could only be fashioned of steel or aluminum alloy and walnut. For many handgun enthusiasts, this ideological nut was cracked in 1982. In that year, the Austrian military and police forces replaced their World War II-era service pistol, the Walther P38, with a unique plastic-framed (polymer) pistol - the Glock 17.

The Glock 17 (coined because it was the 17th patent awarded to the Austrian firm of the same name) was a polymer-framed semi-automatic pistol, using a modified version of John Browning's locked breech short recoil operating system … aka Colt 1911. Interestingly, the gun's designer, Gaston Glock, was not a firearms enthusiast at all, but an innovative manufacturer of high strength synthetic and steel industrial components.

Chambered initially in the NATO-standardized 9mm Parabellum, Model 17 was soon adopted by the Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish armed forces. In just 10 years, more than 350,000 Glock 17s had been sold in more than 45 countries worldwide - 250,000 in the United States alone. At last count, the military and police forces of 30 nations (from Afghanistan to Sri Lanka) marshal some version of the prolific Glock line.

Glock pistols currently chamber most modern pistol cartridges, including the 9mm Parabellum, 10mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .380 ACP, .357 SIG, and the proprietary .45 GAP (Glock Automatic Pistol). So adaptable is the basic design, there is little doubt that some variation of this fine handgun will be with us until we start packing lasers for our defensive needs.

To say that Gaston Glock revolutionized not only our way of thinking, but the entire handgun industry with the application of synthetic materials would be an understatement. So complete has this paradigm shift become that practically all the major players in the handgun industry today market a polymer model or two. You can go to a local dealer and purchase polymer-framed guns by Springfield Armory (XD pictured), Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, H&K, Sig-Sauer, Kahr, Taurus and E.E.A.

So what features do poly-pistols possess to fuel this amazing market demand? One is simply economy. It is much cheaper to mold a detailed polymer frame than it is to precision cast and/or machine steel or aluminum components. An executive of a major handgun company was once derided for making cheap plastic guns. His quoted reply, "Ours guns are polymer - it's plastic only when it costs less than $200. Not surprisingly, all of his guns retailed well beyond the two century mark.

High strength and durability are also hallmarks of these "Tupperware pistols." Contrary to the dire predictions of skeptics, the poly-framed guns were not invisible to airport security measures and didn't melt or dissolve in real-world environments. In fact, the rust/corrosion-proof plastic guns have proven to be steel-tough and can shake off abuse that would cripple lesser weapons.

Additionally, synthetic frames can be molded into a variety of ergonomic shapes to fit almost any size hand, and most include Picatinny rails for mounting tactical lights and lasers. Polymer is also much lighter than steel or alloy and since you always carry a gun more than you shoot it, this can be a big plus at the end of the day.

Perhaps the benefits of polymer pistols can best be voiced by Fairfield resident and former Army paratrooper, weapons specialist and sniper, WW Knox II. "In the 80s, Dr. Gaston Glock introduced the polymer (plastic) pistol to the American market. We ole steel shooters looked at it with a jaundiced eye to say the least; however, we gave it a try. After many tests, both fair and unfair, the Glock earned the right to be in my military gear and gun safe. It took more abuse than any steel gun and never failed to operate flawlessly. The Glock set the standard for the pistols of today and tomorrow. Most pistol manufacturers have a polymer gun in their inventory to compete; however, why buy an 'also ran' when you can get the 'Real Deal.' A Glock is better and they're inexpensive. Which would you bet your life on?"

Times-News: Magicvalley.com, Twin Falls, ID

 

I love the term "Tupperware pistols" this is excellent!

 

Not a Glock that's for damned sure!

Guess I'm still old fashioned. I've fired Glocks, and even owned one for a short period, but I never got to the point where I was comfortable with it, or liked shooting it. I know numerous police departments and some militaries use the things so I have to concede that they must be durable, but I just don't like them, or any plastic pistol for that matter.

 

I'm one of the ones that will be sticking with the good old metal and wood weapons LOL.

 

JC, that goes double dittos for me. I absolutely hate anykind of plastic used as part of the make-up of a weapon. I too am sticking with the old-fashioned metal and wood guns. The only exception to my rule is for Walther P-38's. I now only have one (thanks to a thief who stole it from me on Jan 6th 2000) All Walther P-38's I have ever pwned and or personally seen, have either a reddish brown or black Bakelite grips. For those who are from Kalifornia ;-)) that's a fancy word for "Plastic." However, there was one P-38 that I saw that did have Walnut grips-only because they were custom made and not original to the gun. Needless to say, and IMO, they did not "go" with the gun.

 

Yeppers. Im of the old breed I guess. The closest for me are my rubber grips on my Makarov LOL

 

LOL!

I even went so far as to remove the Hogue wrap-around rubber grips that came with my Springfield Arsenal V-10 Ultra Compact (Officer's Model) .45 ACP and replace them with a nice set of Ironwood grips. I think they look a lot nicer on the piece and fit my hands better.

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Old timer here, blued steel and wooden stocks for me. Evidently others are nostalgic for the same, since Smith & Wesson is offering a line of "Classic" revolvers in carbon steel (as opposed to stainless) and walnut stocks. Kudos for Smith.

Category - Classics


JT

I'm waiting for the .38-.44 Outdoorsman to be added to the line (I hope, I hope).

 

Pffft.......there's a lot of "plastic" in M-16s, too. I like my Glock .40 just fine.