Bad news for Glocks, M&Ps?

[Outrider]

Yale researchers might have solved the question of "plastic" pistols for us...

Check this out -- and hang onto your metal guns...

Yale researchers find fungus that can break down plastic (video)- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

 

[OKFC05]

For those that went to the tropics, we know there are things in the rainforest that will eat your boots, clothes, metal, and feet long before the plastic canteen falls apart. Matter of fact, the plastic items were at the absolute bottom of the worry list for trying to keep things serviceable.

 

[g_conway]

Yale researchers might have solved the question of "plastic" pistols for us...

Check this out -- and hang onto your metal guns...

Yale researchers find fungus that can break down plastic (video)- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

I am not a chemist, so I do not speak with special knowledge here, but:

Polymerised gun bodies are genericly refered to as plastic, but are actually made of a VERY complex bond of "plastics," resins, carbons, and numerous other chemicals.

The video refers to polystyrine type very simple plastics.
While I wouldn't bet large sums of money on my theory being correct; I feel good enough to buy an M&P

 

[Duke426]

I'm not a fan of "plastic" or polymer weapons - purely based on the aesthetics. However, I think several decades of on duty use have proven them durable even for those that don't maintain their firearms very well or often. I'd be more worried about what a fungus might do to me personally.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I'm also more of a fan of steel and alloy frames, but can appreciate a quality polymer frame.

S&W, Walther, and Glocks all seem to use a similar Zytel (DuPonts brand name) nylon with glass-fiber reinforcing.

I know for sure that Walther does or at least did, as I've seen it on their web site.

 

[Outrider]

I WAS joking...

Guys,

I WAS joking...

Actually, I'm more worried about Dolly Parton -- and those poor reality-show stars who've had all those plastic procedures...

3rd Gen fans DO need some measure of hope, though, that their favorite models might make a comeback...

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

No no no... no 3rd Gen comeback. I think the polymer frame pistols will rule the world and last forever. All 3rd Gen fans can just send me their respective autos now before they become completely obsolete and I'll see that they get a good home.

 

[g_conway]

No no no... no 3rd Gen comeback. I think the polymer frame pistols will rule the world and last forever. All 3rd Gen fans can just send me their respective autos now before they become completely obsolete and I'll see that they get a good home.

You have to remember that the 3rd gens perform a VERY important function that the Plastics don't ( I have a 1006.)

If there are more of them than bullits, you can always club the **** out of them with it.

 

[SMSgt]

Fungus . . . rust . . . . nothing lasts forever.

 

[22lr]

I dont think there is any possibility that this fungus could escape the landfill and attack everything made of plastic, ending civilization as we know it. No danger at all........

*If you cant detect the sarcasm you need a reality check*

 

[Neumann]

Hmmh! I'm trying to remember who discovered rust - Al Gore maybe?

 

[gearchecker]

I work in the plastics molding industry. the pistols made with polymer frames are generally as well built as those made of steel. Polymer pistols are usually glass fibre reinforced and are made of highly chemical resistant compounds for certain. I have an XD-45 and it's been thru it's paces with nothing but good to be said about it.
One advantage of a well designed polymer framed pistol is thet the frame has flex designed into it so it will absorb some fo the reciol and return back to the original shape immediately after the cycle is completed. Glock and Springfield have designed the pistols accuracy with this fexion in mind. The fibers in these pistol are oriented in a specific direction thru the molding process. That way the strength of the fibre reinforcement is exactly where it's needed so it can take repeated cycling without splitting or disintegrating in your hands. If you read threads about polymer pistol failures you'll fing most of them fail in the barrels, chambers and slides cracking or snapping cleanly off. It's pretty much uncommon to read or hear about frame failure, unless the shooter is using overloaded or "HOT" ammunition on a regular basis. Hot ammo causes pre-mature wear on steel and aluminum framed pistols as well, so why would a person expect any less out of a polymer frame pistol.
Glock, Springfield, H&K Ruger and S&W have excellent track records with their pistols.
I'll have no hesitation buying a polymer pistol over a similar metal framed pistol. I don't anticipate shooting 10,000+ rounds thru most of my pistols, so it's really not an issue.

Well that's my $.02 for the day.
~gearchecker~

 

[luis]

The only real issue with plastic guns is UV exposure. I knew a detective that stored spare Glock mags on his desk next to a potted plant lite by a grow light. The UV light from the lamp did damage after a couple of years.

 

[GB]

And which of you will spread the Fungus Amungus

Sorry I couldn't resist.......

 

[27145]

Start using vagisil instead of gun grease.

 

[remat457]

Plastic guns are a fad anyway. They'll melt if you leave them in the car during the summer




JK!! But, remember when people said that though in the mid-80's when Glock first hit U.S. shores?

 

[clang444]

The plastic eating fungus isn't from the Amazon jungle, it's an extraterrestrial organism called the Andromeda Strain and came to earth on a military satellite.

It also coagulates blood and kills instantly. Melting Glocks are the least of our worries...

 

[ET.]

When the world ends due to the impending nuclear holocaust , the plastic guns will evaporate under the intense heat. The metal framed guns will survive, although they might turn molten, but survive never-the-less. They just might not quite be in a gun form any more. But look on the bright side, there will be nobody left to shoot them anyway. Life is good!!!!

 

[18DAI]

The real bad news for Glocks and M&P's is the Walther PPQ. A plastic striker fired gun with a superb trigger!

 

[Maximumbob54]

This thread makes me want to go see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I really do worry that scientists may one day kill us all.

 

[Shadow1006]

The biggest fear for any gun is not rust or plastic eating fungus ... it will be an out of control governmental that wants to control its subjects. That's right subjects ... subjected to what ever they decide will be best for mankind!

Keeping a very close eye on the recent U.N. treaties makers that are trying to work around and push for control in that direction to undermine and erode our rights as presented in the second amendment!

If you are not involved in the NRA you should consider this your call to duty if you value your rights to own and use a firearm!

 

[Outrider]

The plastic eating fungus isn't from the Amazon jungle, it's an extraterrestrial organism called the Andromeda Strain and came to earth on a military satellite.

It also coagulates blood and kills instantly. Melting Glocks are the least of our worries...

Of all the responses, I was most worried that someone else would have this exact same thought when I first posted this...My worst fears have been confirmed.

The solution? Cry a lot as a baby -- or drink Sterno...

If Crichton were still alive, I've sue him for damaging me so much after reading this book in the eighth grade...

Clang...get help...I was afraid there was another one like me out there...

 

[Fishslayer]

When the world ends due to the impending nuclear holocaust , the plastic guns will evaporate under the intense heat. The metal framed guns will survive, although they might turn molten, but survive never-the-less. They just might not quite be in a gun form any more. But look on the bright side, there will be nobody left to shoot them anyway. Life is good!!!!

The survivors will be cockroaches, Cher and Hi Points!

I have a couple of plastic guns and my biggest worry is damaging them with solvents. If I can't find Birchwood Casey "Plastic Safe" I use electronic PCB cleaner.

 

[Walker45]

I think fire, is probably more a concern for polymer weapons than some fungus made in a laboratory.