Convince me on the "Plastic Guns"

[ScubaSigGuy]

For everyone who disses the 1911 platform, let me remind you that IPSC Open Class run-and-guns are almost all 1911/2011 formats. There is a reason these professional shooters continue to use the Browning model in the 21st Century.

It works.

Ask Rob Leatham.

I own both and I much prefer my 1911's, especially for carry. As a CHL holder I can't think of a realistic situation when I would need to have a larger capacity pistol.

[HerbM]

I can plainly see that my 1911s and my Glocks have different grip angles but I always forget to list that as a difference or disadvantage because once you are comfortable with both -- at least for me -- transitioning it done on an unconscious level, must like transitioning from rifle to pistol, or revolver to semi and back.

I stand at the range and alternate for no particular reasons sometimes -- just because I can -- and never think about it.

And although I don't like the stock Glock trigger, the 3.5# connector switch back and forth to a true single action pretty comfortably too.

There is one other thing none of us have mentioned (I believe): Glocks are incredibly simply to disassembly, clean and reassemble. If you even feel that such is necessary with a Glock

I was hesitant to mention this since anyone who works with a 1911 regularly gets used to the small complications and tends to forget that they exist so it would be pretty easy for a 1911 owner to honestly say, "It's no trouble to disassemble and clean." But the Glock is about one third the effort. And with an accurized 1911 just getting the bushing on and off takes a tool and can get INTERESTING.

No problem, but the Glock isn't never a challenge for cleaning. Oh, and they are all really alike for all practical purposes while 1911s are merely very similar.

[G.A. Heath]

For those who like to point out that the 1911 is an antique platform and we should really move to a more modern technology I would like to point out that we have been using metallic cartridges for far too long. After all the metallic cartridge is a pre-civil war creation that continues to be used in some form even today. Also we really need to look into replacing conical or ball shaped projectiles launched by a chemical reaction started by an ignition source.

Now then I like my one and only plastic handgun, but I dearly love my 1911 clones, I enjoy my revolvers (all but one are single actions), I lenjoy shooting my lever guns, I love my bolt actions, and I often find myself shooting my semi-autos. What kind of gun do I like? I like the kind that have a trigger, a barrel, some kind of sight, some sort of grip/stock, and send bullets down range. I carry a plastic gun at the moment, tomorrow I may carry a 1911, but I always have a double action revolver on me when I carry.

[03Lightningrocks]

For self defense I think a person should choose the gun that feels the most natural in their hand. Maybe it's because I have owned them for so long, but for me it would be a Glock. I bought my first Glock 17 in 1986 and still own it. I could not even guess how many thousands of rounds have been through that gun. It has been camping, hunting, fishing with me. It has survived everything from dusty to humid environments. It's been rained on and lost in the woods one time for almost 3 weeks (I accidentally kicked it out of the floor board into the dirt road while deer hunting). With all that abuse not one sign of rust and It still shoots as accurate as it did when it was a new born. I did have to replace the magazine release a month or so back. It would allow the magazine to drop out randomly. Not a bad track record for a 21 year old pistol that has had the devil beat out of it. Glocks are also easy to get back up and running if a part does fail It took all of five minutes to replace the magazine release.

All that being said, I do love me some Sigs . IMHO..some of the prettiest darned guns ever made. They only travel first class...all wrapped up safe and cozy. I wouldn't dream of doing anything to them like I do to my Glocks...it would be downright disrespectful. .

My favorite carry weapon at this time has become my Kahr PM9. Small, light weight, dependable and accurate. I might even be feeling a bit partial to it over my Glocks. I have only owned it for about 7 months now, so I will have to wait and see how well it holds up to the abuse of daily carry.

I owned a Colt Gold Cup series 80 and liked it. Darned accurate hand gun. Fun to shoot....but it really wasn't for me. Sold it many years ago.

If you like the 1911 style guns and you shoot them well. Why would you want to switch to something you have to be convinced to switch to?

[Liberty]

If you like the 1911 style guns and you shoot them well. Why would you want to switch to something you have to be convinced to switch to?

Can anyone have to many guns or to many different types of guns. I like best SA/DA with manual safety. I can't envision wanting to carry anything else. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to own a Glock or a pretty 1911. They are different from my daily carry. That means they have advantages and disadvantages to my normal daily carry.

Besides there are some arguements that will never be resolved.

Plastic vs steel
OC good or bad.
Reasonable restrictions
45 ACP

This doesn't mean we don't like discussing these things.

[Liberty]

Then there are the guns that don't think of as being plastic but have a lot of plastic parts.

Beretta is good example of this. I was initially disappointed when the P92 I purchased last year had some plastic parts. The guide rod, trigger, and grips are plastic. While most of us don't mind a plastic side grip. I was concerned about plastic guide rod. Turns out that there haven't many problems with what looks like flimsy plastic and that it may actually make a more accurate and reliable gun because of the self lubricating nature.

I do know the handguns I own are not the same all steel junk that I was exposed to in the Military. Modern materials and modern designs mean better guns, more reliable more accurate, easier to maintain and easier to carry.

Its OK, JMB would approve of the newer plastic guns. He didn't stop designing guns after he invented the 1911, and he would have used plastic if it was available to him. JMB apreciated innovation, and had little patience with sticking to tradition designs.

[TommyGlock]

Currenly I own 3 1911 handguns. I'm a big fan of the 1911 platform. With another gun show coming next weekend I've been thinking about picking up another toy, and this time I am considering something else besides a 1911. Lately I've been thinking of something that I previously thought was blasphemy.... owning one of them "plastic guns". I've handled the guns at the gun show, but personally they just feel like toys to me. I know they sell well, as they tend to be much cheaper than the 1911's. I travel in my job, and the thought of one of my $1k Kimbers being stolen in my luggage at the airport gives me the shivers. I want a less expensive alternative to pack with me when I'm gone.

So, I need some convincing. What are the advantages for these polymer framed guns over the 1911 platform aside from price? Assuming money was not an issue, tell me why you would go with an XD, or Glock or H&K over a Kimber, Springfield Armory, Sig Sauer gun. I'm not trying to be a 1911 snob. I just want to understand the major selling points for these type of guns.

For sake of the argument, let's leave out the 3" 1911 clones, and the small frame revolvers.

The selling point is the reason you buy something. In your case, it is a less expensive alternative.

[longtooth]

Then there are the guns that don't think of as being plastic but have a lot of plastic parts.

Beretta is good example of this. I was initially disappointed when the P92 I purchased last year had some plastic parts. The guide rod, trigger, and grips are plastic. While most of us don't mind a plastic side grip. I was concerned about plastic guide rod. Turns out that there haven't many problems with what looks like flimsy plastic and that it may actually make a more accurate and reliable gun because of the self lubricating nature.

I do know the handguns I own are not the same all steel junk that I was exposed to in the Military. Modern materials and modern designs mean better guns, more reliable more accurate, easier to maintain and easier to carry.

Its OK, JMB would approve of the newer plastic guns. He didn't stop designing guns after he invented the 1911, and he would have used plastic if it was available to him. JMB apreciated innovation, and had little patience with sticking to tradition designs.

Very good conclusion sir.
I believe that of JMB also. We who are his followeers my be less inclined to experiment than he.

Being the simple minded Redneck that I am though, there is still much to be said for
"If it aint broke dont fix it." The improvements since WWl & through the days of WWll there have been VAST improvements.

Good post.

[bigolbigun]

Because she is soooo beautiful,and after all she is a Springfield.

[Charles L. Cotton]

. . . There is one other thing none of us have mentioned (I believe): Glocks are incredibly simply to disassembly, clean and reassemble. If you even feel that such is necessary with a Glock

I was hesitant to mention this since anyone who works with a 1911 regularly gets used to the small complications and tends to forget that they exist so it would be pretty easy for a 1911 owner to honestly say, "It's no trouble to disassemble and clean." . . .

This is exactly what I was thinking. I'm very partial to my 1911s and that's what I carry every day. But my Glocks and Springfields can be cleaned in 5 minutes, while the 1911s take between 30 and 45 minutes, if I completely strip them down and scrub every part. That's why I have a couple of dedicated "range" 1911s (.45 ACP & 38 Super) that don't get cleaned after every trip the range. I wouldn't do that with one of my carry guns. But to be fair, we don't remove every part from Glocks or Springfields, at least that's what the factories recommend.

Chas.

[03Lightningrocks]

If you like the 1911 style guns and you shoot them well. Why would you want to switch to something you have to be convinced to switch to?

Can anyone have to many guns or to many different types of guns. I like best SA/DA with manual safety. I can't envision wanting to carry anything else. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to own a Glock or a pretty 1911. They are different from my daily carry. That means they have advantages and disadvantages to my normal daily carry.

Besides there are some arguements that will never be resolved.

Plastic vs steel
OC good or bad.
Reasonable restrictions
45 ACP

This doesn't mean we don't like discussing these things.

Too many Guns???? It just can't happen.

[LedJedi]

Beretta is good example of this. I was initially disappointed when the P92 I purchased last year had some plastic parts. The guide rod, trigger, and grips are plastic. While most of us don't mind a plastic side grip. I was concerned about plastic guide rod. Turns out that there haven't many problems with what looks like flimsy plastic and that it may actually make a more accurate and reliable gun because of the self lubricating nature.

I honestly had the same experience with with my 24/7 Pro. I bought it partially because it had a polymer body and thus lighter, more durable and more ergonomic, but i was less than thrilled that the guide rod was plastic. Since that time I've never encountered a single problem due to the guide rod being plastic.

[longhorn_92]

If you like the 1911 style guns and you shoot them well. Why would you want to switch to something you have to be convinced to switch to?

Can anyone have to many guns or to many different types of guns. I like best SA/DA with manual safety. I can't envision wanting to carry anything else. That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to own a Glock or a pretty 1911. They are different from my daily carry. That means they have advantages and disadvantages to my normal daily carry.

Besides there are some arguements that will never be resolved.

Plastic vs steel
OC good or bad.
Reasonable restrictions
45 ACP

This doesn't mean we don't like discussing these things.

Too many Guns???? It just can't happen.

What?? What?....Too many guns?......how dare you! No such thing...

[boomerang]

What?? What?....Too many guns?......how dare you! No such thing...

Sounds like a country song...

Too many guns? What's that mean?
It's like too much money. There's no such thing.
It's like a girl too pretty with too much class.
Being too lucky. A car too fast.

[carnaco]

I have two plastic guns a G26 & G33, they are just tools. I don't really want anymore.