Polymer80 style Glock frames

[JohnRippert]

I had picked up a Gen3 Glock 19 just before the election "just in case". I figured I could always sell it down the road later on. Never been a fan of the Glock grip angle or the feel of the grip. Great guns other than that. Then along comes the Polymer80 craze and all of the sudden I can get a "Glock" with a 1911 grip angle and no finger grips.

A couple months ago AIM Surplus had serialized P80 style frames for the Glock 19 on sale for $45. Figured I could not lose at that price, so I got one. Yesterday my LPK for the frame came in so I put it together. Everything feel right now and when I present the pistol the sights line up properly and not pointed up high as they do with a stock Glock. The only caveat I have to report is that Magpul magazines do not drop free when ejected. All the different Glock magazines I have, which includes Korean 17 and 33 round as well as OEM G19 magazines drop free just fine.

So, this adds a second "Glock" to my stable to go along with the Glock pattern 9mm AR pistol and GGP17. I will probably build up a slide for this one and put the G19 back together to be sold off.



SGT19

GGP17 with +5 extension to hold 22rd

 

[mikerjf]

I’m considering their G21 frame with the G30 butt length.

 

[Puller]

It looks pretty good, although with a little training with real Glocks you could have saved some money. I shoot both 1911's and Glocks regularly and I don't get the "grips not right" thing.

 

[LVSteve]

I picked up a Rock Island Armory STK100 a few weeks ago very cheap. It fixes the two main Glock complaints by having a metal frame and a better grip angle. Don't know when I'll get a chance to shoot it as there are other guns ahead of it in the line.

 

[JohnRippert]

It looks pretty good, although with a little training with real Glocks you could have saved some money. I shoot both 1911's and Glocks regularly and I don't get the "grips not right" thing.

I understand. There are people out there like you that are not bothered at all by the difference. There are also people like me that for whatever reason have issues with it. I personally think that it is more about the finger grips on the frames than anything else. But, I do have the issue where a 1911 grip angle on any handgun presents perfectly for me with the sights lined up. Glocks and others with more angle to the grip present with the front sight far higher than the rear.

 

[Puller]

I understand. There are people out there like you that are not bothered at all by the difference. There are also people like me that for whatever reason have issues with it. I personally think that it is more about the finger grips on the frames than anything else. But, I do have the issue where a 1911 grip angle on any handgun presents perfectly for me with the sights lined up. Glocks and others with more angle to the grip present with the front sight far higher than the rear.

I’m curious, do you have grip angle challenges or difficulties when you transition from 1911’s to revolvers, or what about from say a S&W K-frame to a Single Action Army which have different grip angles?

 

[JohnRippert]

I’m curious, do you have grip angle challenges or difficulties when you transition from 1911’s to revolvers, or what about from say a S&W K-frame to a Single Action Army which have different grip angles?

Pretty much all my defensive semi-auto handguns have 1911 grip angles. My J-frame and K-frame revolvers that I use the most all present just like a 1911 will with the grips I have on them. My Colt SAA is pretty much a range only gun so I do not remember exactly how it presents.

 

[Bill Lear]

It looks pretty good, although with a little training with real Glocks you could have saved some money. I shoot both 1911's and Glocks regularly and I don't get the "grips not right" thing.

Because the OEM Glock grip shape and texture is less ergonomic than the Poly80 version.
The Poly80 has much better grip stippling, allows the hand to fit higher up the back-strap, has a better recess under the trigger guard.
When you "grab" a Poly80 frame it "grabs you back" - that's how coarse is the factory molded grip texture.
When you "grab" an OEM Glock frame it feels slick, slippery, indistinct, ambiguous and requires frequent hand adjustment during shooting.
Grip tape or texture modification notwithstanding, the OEM Glock frame is NOT as well-designed to the human hand.

I happen to own both - every model Glock, and every model Poly80 "Glock pattern" pistol.

If Glock would "introduce" what is essentially the Poly80 frame in their "next gen" sales would go through the roof.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I know a number of highly skilled shooters who shoot both Glock and 1911s. About half can transition seamlessly between the two, with the other half needing a few draw and present reps before being able to quickly find their front sight.

Grip feel is highly individual and subjective.

 

[petepeterson]

Pretty much all my defensive semi-auto handguns have 1911 grip angles. My J-frame and K-frame revolvers that I use the most all present just like a 1911 will with the grips I have on them. My Colt SAA is pretty much a range only gun so I do not remember exactly how it presents.

I have to "push" the muzzle of a Glock down to line the sights up. I can't think of any of my other handguns that I have to do this with. They're great guns, but it's noticeable enough to me to wonder if it would cost me any time on the first shot. Probably more mental.

 

[TheTinMan]

An interesting build is a Polymer 80 19-long slide. G-19 frame built to accept G-17 slide.

I’ve never understood the “big grip short barrel” craze. However, I do like the opposite. For example, I really like a 9mm 1911 in CCO format. That’s an Officer frame with a 4” or 4.25” barrel.

 

[LVSteve]

An interesting build is a Polymer 80 19-long slide. G-19 frame built to accept G-17 slide.

I’ve never understood the “big grip short barrel” craze. However, I do like the opposite. For example, I really like a 9mm 1911 in CCO format. That’s an Officer frame with a 4” or 4.25” barrel.

I'm with you on that one. I nearly bought one of those short gripped, XD 45 Tacticals that CDNN were selling a few years back. Eventually I decided there was no way I was going to carry a gun that fat so I went with the regular grip in the end for better magazine availability.

 

[Muley Gil]

When it comes to concealed carry, the size and shape of the butt is more important than the length of the barrel.

 

[Puller]

{snip} Grip tape or texture modification notwithstanding, the OEM Glock frame is NOT as well-designed to the human hand.

I appreciate your opinion on the Glock frame design, it's just not one that I share.

When I see posts and hear people pontificate at the range about various grip angles (not just Glocks) not being right for their hand and they can't instinctively shoot the gun, it's often deduced that they are just not adaptive shooters. I suspect if someone has been shooting 1911's for decades and then picks up a S&W revolver they could likely have the same issue, which is easily remedied with training.

 

[TheTinMan]

I appreciate your opinion on the Glock frame design, it's just not one that I share.

When I see posts and hear people pontificate at the range about various grip angles (not just Glocks) not being right for their hand and they can't instinctively shoot the gun, it's often deduced that they are just not adaptive shooters. I suspect if someone has been shooting 1911's for decades and then picks up a S&W revolver they could likely have the same issue, which is easily remedied with training.

Watching someone shoot a Model P / Peacemaker / 1873 SAA for the first time almost always provides entertainment. I’m glad there’s no video of my recent introduction but if there were, I d share it with you guys. It feels so weird yet points and shoots more naturally than anything else I’ve ever handled. Can’t explain it.