Getting Sick of Guys With Plastic Pistols...

[Old Arkansawyer]

No plastic guns for me. I guess if someone gave me one, I would keep it until I could trade it off. But, plastic vs metal, semi vs revolver, it's the same reason there is always more than one horse in a race, we all have an opinion.

 

[shocker]

"Marian, a gun is just a tool...."
See, I quoted a movie Western so that ends all debate.
Semiautos? Plastic wins.

 

[mikem]

You would think with CRC, precision casting, ect that some nice
Pistols and revolvers could be made at a reasonable price. The
most over looked type of handguns are field guns.

Okay. What's a handgun "field gun?"

Can you give a few examples?

Thanks.

 

[vortex360]

I find it comical when a striker fired pistol is said to have "a good trigger."

They do whether you like it or not. I am much safer out on the street with my Springfield XD Mod 2 striker-fired 45 than with my 1911. The striker-fired weapons fire extremely fast and a volley of shots can be fired faster than the 1911. High capacity mags make it safer also. The Mod 2 is surprisingly more accurate than my 1911, again safer in a gunfight. Additionally there is no safety so you don't have to be concerned about disengaging the safety. It is pull and shoot, simple.

 

[Laketime]

This generation cannot be blamed for the poly guns.In fact it was our generation that dropped a lot of revolvers for the wonder nines in the mid 1980's. The reason current shooter are not fans of craftsmanship is because there is none that is at least affordable to many younger shooters. Myself.. I'm tired of searching gun shops for decent used revolvers.I don't have enough patients to do gun auctions.I have more 1911's then I need.Plastic very well could be my next purchase since Rossi handguns are no longer sold in the US.

 

[Stargater]

I'm glad there are no engraved plastic pistols. Engraving is gaudy on any pistol. Looks good on a hunting shotgun or rifle, though.

Men have been engraving their arms for generations, all the way back to Achilles and perhaps before. Virgil even describes (with 20/20 hindsight) the arms and shield of Aeneas, forged by Vulcan himself, who also created Achilles' armor.



I can't help it. I love engraved arms, but not for using. For collecting. But some guns lend themselves to it more than others. If I ever got a shot at a mint S&W 66-no dash, I certainly wouldn't engrave it as it's a work of beauty in itself.

I'm currently up to two dozen of these fine examples of true craftsmanship. I even carry a 3rd gen. While my appreciation for these beauties is higher than most, I'm also only 34, so there is hope for future generations to appreciate them.

Hate to break this to you, but when you hit 65 (like me), you're suddenly going to sit up in bed one night and realize, "Oh, sheeeeit...I'm not gonna be able to take 'em with me when I go!" (It's going to happen pretty quickly, turning 65 that is.) Ten years go pretty quickly as you get older. Then who are you going to leave 'em to? Some kid who's going to sell your Model 5906 so he can get a Glock? Heaven forbid!

The movie SNEAKERS featured a S&W 659.

Most people here tend to like their 5906s and there's nothing wrong with that. You like your 3rd gen and that's fine, but the later models with the black hammers and triggers have little appeal to me. And few people hear sing the praises of the 2nd gen pistols, which is a pity because the old 659s are actually more desirable than the 5906s as far as I'm concerned. I have a nice 5906 and wouldn't trade it for a 659, but only because I have two 659s and wouldn't trade either of 'em for a 5906. I see a lot of 659s on television and in movies, and that because they're beautiful. I have a 3906 and love it, but if someone offered me a 639 for it, I'd trade it in a heartbeat!

 

[BC38]

IMO plastic has its place - I own 4 poly-framed bottom feeders.
They are good utilitarian tools - SD carry guns.

BUT, the all metal guns are the ones I love - either steel or even alloys.
I'm a glass half full guy, so the more that the younger set turn their up noses at the metal frames in favor of plastic, the more of the classic all-metal guns there are available for me to buy - and at reduced prices too!

They get what they want and I do too. WIN-WIN!

 

[scoobysnacker]

I'd say that yes, all guns are both tools and 'art' to us. Otherwise, why, if you already have a couple functional, capable weapons, would you want more? I've never thought "man, I can never have enough ratchets. I need them in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drives, in chrome, black, and stainless. With backups for each. And examples of each of the major brands, as well as some of the hard-to-get ones".

Re my car analogy- the cars I showed in the 2nd option (with the Glocks) were inexpensive, widely praised as reliable, had good gas mileage, and otherwise served to fulfill most of the major daily purpose of a vehicle. They'd run forever if you just did basic maintenance, and you could get parts and stuff anywhere. Someone posted an alternate response and mentioned 'performance'. If you absolutely NEEDED a car, you'd be far better served with one of those.

But as my question asked, which one do you want and prefer?

 

[rifmon]

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.

I admit I fit the description of one who is not paying attention to cars as a car enthusiast. I just am commenting on the average costly cars I see in the supermarket and office parking lots, sitting next to the average economy car. To me they look too similar. When I was young, an expensive car looked more expensive than a less expensive car. Maybe what I'm seeing is the result of cars being designed to reduce drag and therefore producing the same boring shape. While I'm not into cars as I am firearms, I do appreciate vintage cars with character vs the bubbles on wheels we see today.

But if I were into cars I would more aware of the cars you're referring to.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

Hate to break this to you, but when you hit 65 (like me), you're suddenly going to sit up in bed one night and realize, "Oh, sheeeeit...I'm not gonna be able to take 'em with me when I go!" (It's going to happen pretty quickly, turning 65 that is.) Ten years go pretty quickly as you get older. Then who are you going to leave 'em to? Some kid who's going to sell your Model 5906 so he can get a Glock? Heaven forbid!

Man... Way to ruin my day! Haha! You make a great point. Perhaps I'll start selling them off when I reach your age. Since I don't plan on having kids myself, I honestly have no clue who I'd leave them to. Most likely my much younger brother-in-law who, fortunately, would probably sell them to get Sigs and not Glocks! You've really left me a lot to think about here, sir.

 

[mbliss57]

Metal guns have a chance to make a real comeback because Plastic guns are going to have a real falling out!
My theory relies on our ecological friends who are banning plastic like crazy here in UK and Europe. Many stores will no longer sell plastic grocery bags, Starbucks is banning plastic straws in the USA too. With a little push from some energetic "Save the Planet" groups we could probably get a plastic gun ban campaign going in no time!! Then metal guns would have to be produced. What a world!

 

[DisVietVet]

I was at the range yesterday with the wife. She was shooting the S&W 1911 and I had the plastic fantastic. I've worked on it for a while and finally have it shooting fairly well. Regardless of that, the wife got tired and I finally got to shoot my favorite. What I like about the all metal guns is how they feel and by that I am not talking about weight or balance. I am talking about how you can feel the mechanical movement of the gun parts. The trigger pull, the actual firing of the bullet, the slide as it comes back ejecting the spent casing, the slide moving forward as it chambers another round. I love that. I love to hear the action as it works, the clack of metal as it moves and locks. It is something that the plastic fantastic lacks to me. The 1911 may be clunky and chunky and isn't the smoothest action for a semi-automatic but it has a character that is unique.

Well, that's my opinion. I may be wrong.

 

[El Biblioitecario]

I don't particularly like plastic pistols but in the Age of the Slob the wise vendor offers a product with mass appeal.

 

[peterGun]

Metal guns have a chance to make a real comeback because Plastic guns are going to have a real falling out!

My theory relies on our ecological friends who are banning plastic like crazy here in UK and Europe. Many stores will no longer sell plastic grocery bags, Starbucks is banning plastic straws in the USA too. With a little push from some energetic "Save the Planet" groups we could probably get a plastic gun ban campaign going in no time!! Then metal guns would have to be produced. What a world!

Do you think manufacturers will make steel guns or will it be left to what's already made?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MidWesternBoy]

I have love for innovation and engineering as much as craftsmanship and aesthetics. I vividly remember when the Glock was a new revolution and am still fascinated by firearms design of all types.
I've never owned a polymer handgun but I have shot many over the last 25+ years.
No doubt they are fantastic feats of engineering and most are excellent tools.
Been eyeing that new M&P 3.6" compact.
Also the Sig P365 feels great in hand. Haven't shot one yet but it may end up as my wife's new carry gun if the teething issues get resolved.

 

[TAROMAN]

First time I shot a CZ75 was the end of 3rd gen S&Ws for me.

 

[Badgerboy1]

I have many guns, steel and polymer...they each have a soul, and I love them all.

 

[ladder13]

First time I shot a CZ75 was the end of 3rd gen S&Ws for me.

My CZ75D Compact just vaulted to the head of my 9's.

 

[milton6x]

plastic

Plastic is for knobs , you can quote me on this . Pass it on and stop the cheaponing of of something America does best .

 

[regalsc]

Plastic guns are practical price wise a machined alloy frame is much more costly. They have been proven to be reliable & accurate. They can last a long time with normal maintenance. With all the attributes that they have I have still not been able to force myself to purchase one yet. When I decided I thought I needed a high capacity gun for bought a Sig p226 legion SAO. It's reliable,accurate but to me it's ugly as hell. Even with the alloy frame loaded with 19 rounds it's fairly heavy.