Captain1201
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Which of these polymer handgun mechanisms appears to be the best, strongest, most durable, most reliable design, etc...?
If you would like to participate by commenting, please indicate your preference for each by replying to this post, and indicate why you believe certain mechanisms appear to be superior compared to others. Each photo is numbered...
The view in each photo looks down upon the polymer frame, into the internal mechanisms of each. The steel or aluminum alloy areas of the mechanisms are circled in white, and the green shaded areas are machined aluminum areas. The Slides are positioned next to the polymer section of the handgun to assist in orientation with respect to the direction the barrel is pointing in each photo.
The Slides are all machined steel, and quality seems relatively uniform between the different brands, so the slide quality with respect to durability, strength, reliability, etc...seems relatively equal to me, and probably not noteworthy with respect to one being better or worse quality than the other.
These photos reveal the internal mechanisms of (8) very popular brands/models, and are submitted with the intent to disclose and discuss the internal workings of these polymer firearms, how much is supported by metal frame work, the various types of frame work that each manufacturer has chosen to incorporate into their respective designs, and whether there is a direct relationship between support of these mechanisms in addition to just using polymer to achieve strength, durability, etc...
It would seem to me that the design of the internal framework would play a considerable roll in the durability of each design, whether a manufacturer is relying mostly on polymer (plastic) for support as the mechanism functions, or whether the manufacturer is incorporating strategically placed metallic support, along with polymer, to achieve strength, durability, reliability, etc...
I will eventually reveal the brand names of each of these designs by number...Some of you will probably be able to guess the different brands names. I ask that you not reveal the brand, but identify your choice by number. That takes some of the bias out of it.
You know, we don't often get to examine the internal workings of these pistols when we're engaged in the process of looking for our best selection when making a purchase. Most of the gun stores just don't do that...So, here are eight different very popular models, all polymer. Hopefully, this may be useful to some in making their selections.
In completing this study, I was surprised by what I saw as a result of my own comparisons, and have concluded which, in my own mind, appears to be the stronger more durable design.
I was, frankly, a little bit shocked by the brand that appears to me to be superior to the others. Actually a couple of them were tied for the top spot.
If you would like to participate by commenting, please indicate your preference for each by replying to this post, and indicate why you believe certain mechanisms appear to be superior compared to others. Each photo is numbered...
The view in each photo looks down upon the polymer frame, into the internal mechanisms of each. The steel or aluminum alloy areas of the mechanisms are circled in white, and the green shaded areas are machined aluminum areas. The Slides are positioned next to the polymer section of the handgun to assist in orientation with respect to the direction the barrel is pointing in each photo.
The Slides are all machined steel, and quality seems relatively uniform between the different brands, so the slide quality with respect to durability, strength, reliability, etc...seems relatively equal to me, and probably not noteworthy with respect to one being better or worse quality than the other.
These photos reveal the internal mechanisms of (8) very popular brands/models, and are submitted with the intent to disclose and discuss the internal workings of these polymer firearms, how much is supported by metal frame work, the various types of frame work that each manufacturer has chosen to incorporate into their respective designs, and whether there is a direct relationship between support of these mechanisms in addition to just using polymer to achieve strength, durability, etc...
It would seem to me that the design of the internal framework would play a considerable roll in the durability of each design, whether a manufacturer is relying mostly on polymer (plastic) for support as the mechanism functions, or whether the manufacturer is incorporating strategically placed metallic support, along with polymer, to achieve strength, durability, reliability, etc...
I will eventually reveal the brand names of each of these designs by number...Some of you will probably be able to guess the different brands names. I ask that you not reveal the brand, but identify your choice by number. That takes some of the bias out of it.
You know, we don't often get to examine the internal workings of these pistols when we're engaged in the process of looking for our best selection when making a purchase. Most of the gun stores just don't do that...So, here are eight different very popular models, all polymer. Hopefully, this may be useful to some in making their selections.
In completing this study, I was surprised by what I saw as a result of my own comparisons, and have concluded which, in my own mind, appears to be the stronger more durable design.
I was, frankly, a little bit shocked by the brand that appears to me to be superior to the others. Actually a couple of them were tied for the top spot.



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