Getting Sick of Guys With Plastic Pistols...

[Triathloncoach]

If one is looking for a gun with character, I understand the appeal of old school guns. I have them. Their cool factor is undeniable. But if one is looking for a self defense weapon, it is difficult to understand how people choose to ignore the vast number of military and LE Agencies who trust the lives of those who serve to polymer pistols.

Objectively, my Glock 19 &/or 29 beat my 66-2 Snubby every time as a self defense tool. Furthermore, I prefer my LCP to a JFrame snubby. Easier to carry, more rounds.

But carry whatever feels best to you.

 

[ladder13]

FIFY. You're comparison implies the polymers can't perform as well.

No one's ever died from being shot with a polymer gun.

 

[medic15al]

If one is looking for a gun with character, I understand the appeal of old school guns. I have them. Their cool factor is undeniable. But if one is looking for a self defense weapon, it is difficult to understand how people choose to ignore the vast number of military and LE Agencies who trust the lives of those who serve to polymer pistols.

Objectively, my Glock 19 &/or 29 beat my 66-2 Snubby every time as a self defense tool. Furthermore, I prefer my LCP to a JFrame snubby. Easier to carry, more rounds.

But carry whatever feels best to you.

The military and agencies get the lowest bidder most often.

 

[bananaman]

...calling my S&W 659/5906 or 645 "boat anchors."

We're living in a world where S&W is making guns that have little appeal to those who like craftsmanship and beauty. I let many a fine specimen fall through my fingers because I figured I could always get another one down the line.

Not so!

Yeah, if you like plastic pistols, I imagine heavier guns might be somewhat problematic, but what a world of contradictions! Both Ruger and S&W are adding so much weight to .357s and other revolvers (putting heavy underlugs that make them great range guns, but who wants to carry 'em?) while Glock, Smith and others are producing ugly striker-fired pistols that rarely call from one's safe to be admired. They do the job well enough, but since when does one sit back and enjoy the beauty and craftsmanship of a hammer or pair of pliers?



I've yet to tire of my S&W stainless guns, but I still admire their beauty and craftsmanship. I fear future generations may either lose their appreciation of such guns, in which case the 2nd Amendment may become a dead letter, or in the event they gain an appreciation of the gun itself, that the price of once-great firearms will be so great that no one will be able to afford them. If things continue on this way, can you imagine how expensive a Smith 659 or 5906 might cost if they go the way of the Colt 1911s? I don't think S&W could make a gun like the 659 without charging $800+ for them.



Whatever happens, plastic's here to stay. I just wish those who love plastic pistols would show some appreciation for these great guns of steel and wood. They're much greater than the tanks they think they are. And I've yet to see an engraved plastic pistol.

Wonder why that is?

People that think plastic pistols are wonderful don't bother me. I have had some, but got rid of my last 1 over a year ago. The more they buy might mean more heavy metal guns up for grabs. It means nothing to me if they do not like what I shoot. Bob

 

[Kiwi cop]

No, but if you had one in good running condition with body intact, I'd take it off your hands.

tell me, which do you prefer?

or

First thought: Any chance you can drop one of the top three cars off at Houston airport in early October and pick it up mid November?

Second thought: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada without air con????? And what about blue tooth for the phone/music/GPS? Mmmmm.......

I love my Springfield .45 and Kimber Stainless II 9mm1911's and can carry either on the range all day. But at the end of the day it is a relief to take the belt, holster and mag pouches off.

I'm not a fan of the G17 I carry on duty, but when I carry (last week was a prime example) it is not as heavy after a 9 - 10 hr shift as my beautiful stainless 1911's, although that could be as a result fo how we carry (duty belt connected to bottom of stab prof vest, weight supported by shoulders/back compared to tightening trouser belt a notch and attaching duty belt to trousers with keepers).

So, horses for courses. For fun and appreciation, classic cars and guns. For utility, those ugly but efficient plastic fantastics.

Do not, will not ever, own a Glock though.

 

[Mister X]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[OLDSTER]

Of all my handguns ( way too many), I own only one "plastic" pistol. And I have to admit I love it

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I have an (original) M&P 9. It is a good gun. I prefer my second and third gens, but there is a place for polymer.

 

[Barrie]

Myself I will take the Camaro with a Tonewanda built BB engine in it plus any of the metal made handguns. Take a slow motion slow motion movie clip of a plastic handgun and you will see a amazing difference in how the sides flap around with the plastic slides. Much more vibration with every round then a all metal made handgun. I for one have seen it. No plastic for me.

 

[bigchuck83]

I like many types of guns, while i generally carry either my Beretta APX or HK45 i am more and more interested in finding a good holster and carrying the 1076 and a couple spare magazines. Might wind up selling off the HK45 and looking for a second S&W 1076, or a model 1086. the weight isn't a bother to me.

 

[JH1951]

OP post:
Getting Sick of Guys With Plastic Pistols...

Yes, and the plastic pistol guys are getting sick of the old geezer who only totes around steel stuff (me).
Plastic is plastic, steel is steel, and apparently never the twain shall meet.... But there is neither Polymer nor Steel, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth, When two strong men stand face to face, tho' they come from the ends of the earth!
My sincere apologies to Rudyard Kipling.

 

[kidcom]

I used to be a Glock nut. At one time I had about 30 of them (different calibers, gen numbers etc.). I woke up one morning and decided as a collector that I had 30 pieces of junk. I dumped the whole works and switched to S&W Model 41s, 46s and 52s. I'm still looking for a fine 952. I have never regretted my decision. However, I have to admit that I still have two plastic toys, which I plan on selling.

 

[BigBoy99]

To me, a S&W handgun has the very deep mirror like bluing and wooden grips. Nothing can beat the quality which each of these blued beauties possess. I have absolutely no desire to get a 3rd. Gen. S&W. I have ventured into the 2nd. Gen. Smith's with my 645 and 659 but they are the only ones and as far as I'm concerned, there nothing which can surpass the 1st. Gen. S&W handguns! Nothing beats a 27, 29, 41, 52, etc.

 

[SATX]

The problem is that you nuts think of handguns as pieces of art instead of the tools they are. You have a problem.

 

[rifmon]

Just a side note here. Looking at the cars above....I think cars a so boring these days. Did you ever notice that the least expensive cars look just as good and similar to the expensive BMW or Mercedes parked next to them? They are all streamlined and BORING! No class whatsoever. And yes, plastic guns are the same. I own 2 plastic guns and carry both of these boring guns so that if I ever need to use them, I will not care if they are taken from me as evidence.

I prefer steel for home defense and range work and drooling haha

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

No, but if you had one in good running condition with body intact, I'd take it off your hands.

tell me, which do you prefer?

or

The pony and the 39.

 

[N4KVE]

A new ZL1 Camaro will TOTALLY outperform even a 69 427 COPO Camaro, & have factory A/C to boot. But the new car is not a classic, even though acceleration, handling, & braking is so much better. There is a place for polymer guns. If you were carrying a nice S&W 645, & had to take care of Homie D. Clown who tried to carjack you coming out of the mall, it would suck to lose the 645 to the police evidence room for a year, even if you did get it back. But I wouldn't lose a moment of sleep if my Walther P99c ended up there. I'd run out the next day, & replace it for $339, brand new. So yes, they do have their place. GARY

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...never trust those plastic gun guys...

 

[Triathloncoach]

I love Rolex Stainless Submariners. But my Timex Ironman makes a lot more sense if I want a watch as a tool.

 

[CalmerThanYou]

Rifmon, if you think today's cars are "boring" you are not paying attention.
The American muscle car is back, better than ever. Take a Hellcat for a spin sometime. There are many new American and Euro offerings that can make a car enthusiasts wallet thin as a wafer.