The end of the Steel Pistol?

[Silversmok3]

I have determined that my shooting style favors metal-framed guns, and as such ive turned away from the polymer frame offerings of today.

But it seems the modern new gun case doesn't have a great variety of non-1911 metal frame semi autos anymore.This isn't all bad, as thanks to Gunbroker im looking at a 9mm 2nd gen Smith to add to the collection, but it makes one wonder whether the steel frame handgun is going the way of the 8-Track.

What do you experienced shooters think?Will polymer guns rule the new gun case for all time, or is the metal handgun going to stage a comeback?

 

[jamesk1989]

I am no experienced shooter but I too, prefer the look, feel, and shooting characteristics of steel pistols. I believe that with the advent of Glock, a good number of gun manufacturers have focused their attention to polymer frames. I'm guessing this is due to the changing preferences of police departments.
I sure do hope metal handguns make a comeback soon.

 

[amazingflapjack]

There is a pretty good crop of S&W 2nd and 3rd gen "real" metal pistols for sale out there now, police trade ins, etc, and has been for a while. The wise grasshopper will be salting them away for the future. I recently bought a 4506, and I have been watching for another, and some of them are auctioning at the 800.00 level and more, depending on the gun. I know that there are a bunch of guys on here that really kick around what I call low prices on all kinds of guns, and they also regard Gunbroker as a fantassy land as far as prices are concerned, but when a gun is out there for a week or two, for thousands of buyers to look at-ask questions, and do reasearch about, the winning bid on that gun would be about the best guage of "market value" that could possibly be obtained(?) in my view. How would you find a more accurate way to ascertain the most that someone would pay, weighted against the least a seller would accept for an item-regardless of what it is? These 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen guns are already a hot item. I have seen mod 59's-nice ones-at 650.00 recently. If you get one of those in like new condition, I don't know what newer gun of its type would best it? Flapjack.

 

[Chuck Jones]

Go 3rd gen.

I never could shoot the 2nd gen guns that well. The 3rd gen guns came about because refinement was needed, particularly with respect to sights and ergonomics.

/c

 

[bpeddicord]

I like my Glocks and my M&P 9 MMs, but I tend to use them mostly for IDPA. I like the weight and feel of my 4" model 686, 66, and model 10 revolvers and my all steel 1911s on my side. I have carried all steel guns for 45 years and the weight has never bothered me. There is comfort in feeling the weight of a good all steel gun under my jacket.

 

[Silversmok3]

Go 3rd gen.

I never could shoot the 2nd gen guns that well. The 3rd gen guns came about because refinement was needed, particularly with respect to sights and ergonomics.

/c

Good point.And the third gen is prettier.....

I wanted a 2nd gen because far as I can tell they're more affordable...and I honestly cant stand waiting haha.In fact the inspiration for this post came about when I stopped by my local independent gun dealer on the hunt for a 5906 and instead saw polymer paradise in the case.

 

[Slyk54]

I am old enough (like many others on this forum, I am sure) to remember a time when there were no polymer firearms- blue steel, walnut, (and rosewood, and other exotic woods) were the order of the day.

I was at a gun show this last weekend, and couldn't help noticing how many tables were in the majority occupied by the more modern polymer-based guns- I actually thought about some of the older handguns I didn't see for sale and the list was pretty extensive.

I for one prefer my 2" model 10 and Colt Cobra (which is actually a metal alloy, btw but it does have wood grips

 

[Maximumbob54]

They can make a whoooooole bunch of poly frames before they can finish milling one steel or even alloy frame. And that makes for a fat bottom line.

 

[Smith357]

Steel non-1911 guns are still out there, with plenty on the used market and new in the higher end market. CZ 75- Browning HP - Sig

 

[RSBH44]

Good points all. unfortunately I don't see a resurgence in steel/alloy frame pistols at least not in the near future. Maximumbob54 maks the best point for that. Not only that though, as mentioned above very many if not most LE agencies are adopting the polymer gun and most of the younger generation shooters that I talk to favor them as well.

 

[scatterguy]

S&W may have all but pulled the plug on steel/alloy frames but many of their competitors have not. Beretta, CZ and Sig are the first ones that come to my mind. I really love my 3rd gens and prefer to buy them because they are such a bargain right now. However, if they become too pricey in the coming years, I will smile as I shoot the ones I own and purchase non-poly guns from companies savy enough to still make them.

 

[quneur]

I feel metal guns are for the collector crowd. Polymer are utilitarian. Personally, metal guns have more personality. Sorta like cars, a Honda will get you where you want to go but an old '69 muscle car has more personality.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I feel metal guns are for the collector crowd. Polymer are utilitarian. Personally, metal guns have more personality. Sorta like cars, a Honda will get you where you want to go but an old '69 muscle car has more personality.

Agree with you on your comment about personality but not the total analogy about muscle cars. I knid of feel like the 3rd gens are like a newer Corvette, M3 or Porsche- lots of performance, solid engineering and the best materials.

As other posters have mentioned, S&W may have turned a deaf ear on their customers' needs and demands (except the WVSP evidently yelled loud enough that they were hear) but many others haven't.

Modern metal framed non-1911 sales are surging at SIG, Beretta, Browning, CZ, and others. And 1911 sales are also surging- I think part of it is from new shooters that tried Polymer and are now moving up to a higher quality or aspirational pistol.

 

[Engine 21]

I'm "old school" - I only shoot steel. Plastic is for squirt guns. That said - if John Wayne and Steve McQueen were still around would you want to meet up with them carrying a plastic gun? And then have Duke look you in the eye and say - "What the heXX is wrong with you? Why, that thing there is for little kids."

McQueen would just look and shake his head.

 

[XAVMECH]

My Glock and M&P pistols have come and gone. I carried my Glock for years, the M&P stayed only a brief while. I'm gaining some ground in gathering 3rd GEN pistols, and really enjoy them. Metal and Wood seems to have some kind of hold on me. Much of which is likely the fact that the first guns I shot as a youngster and in the military were of that construction. I respect the technology of the new generation of pistols BUT my Kimber Ultra Carry and S&W 39-2 will probably be the last guns I'd ever part with.

 

[18DAI]

Hopefully with S&W stock still tanking, they will be bought out by a gun company. Then maybe we will get some more nice 3rd generation pistols.

If anyone there now was a gun guy, the Melonite integral rail 4566TSW's would be in the catalog and available to the public.

No matter, they made a ton of very nice handguns in the past and I satisfy myself buying those. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Chuck Jones]

Back in the day I knew a guy that worked at Glock who told me the factory sold a stripped frame to employees for $11.

I'd bet half of their cost was government mandated records keeping and clerical overhead.

/c

 

[tatwell2]

I prefer metal frame guns also. In fact, not that it's important just personal opinion, I've never liked the feel of the polymer guns. Could be because I'm an old guy, but guns and steel go together for me. I have a 92fs, a 1911, and a 4046 that I bought last year. The 4046 was my first 3rd gen. S&W, and it is my favorite CWP pistol.I even like the DAO. I have been following the prices of the 3rd gen. Smiths, and I do believe that if one likes these guns that it would be wise to start accumulating them. I intend to obtain one of each model eventually. If you look at one of the auction sites you can find them at almost any price, and it isn't too hard to find some NIB models. Also, local gun shops get them in on trades from time to time, and some of these can be real bargains. Just my two cents worth.

 

[sniper47]

I love the 2nd and 3rd gens for sure and my SIGs and Berettas, but my carry gun is a SW99-40. Compact enough for CC, light in weight and accurate. A "plastic" gun. Hope you guys don't hold it against me.

 

[Titegroups]

I think they both will survive, plastic guns are cheap to produce and have advantages overs metal guns, lightweight and corrosion resistant, with CNC mills metal guns now are much less labor intensive to produce so those will stay also but demand premium prices, the "classic" revolvers for example. We have they best of both worlds.