Polymer vs Steel frame...which do you prefer? - Page 2

volkstrm · October 1, 2015, 01:27 AM

I go with steel. Steel is real. To me polymer frame guns just don't feel like a real gun to me & you pay for the lighter weight in recoil also.

JimmyR · October 1, 2015, 01:47 AM

To me, it's not even close. I'd rather own a metal frame gun to a polymer gun any day of the week for any application.

Semiauto or revolver, bedside or concealed carry, it's steel.

The only polymer gun I really like is my Kahr CW9. For some reason, I think about trading it, and then decide not to. It's a great shooter, and a great size for deep carry.

Everything else I carry is steel frame.

erknjerk · October 1, 2015, 02:38 AM

I have poly, steel, and alloy. Love them all, prefer metal. My the main carry pieces are a CZ P07, CZ PCR, and a Sig P220 Elite Dark with aluminum grips.

JDBerg · October 1, 2015, 06:52 AM

No preference, own both, like both, depends on the gun.

Independent George · October 1, 2015, 06:54 AM

Yeah, I should have added the same caveat so many others did - while I prefer metal frames, I have nothig against polymer. My primary carry gun is a Kahr PM9, and my next few guns are all likely to be polymer as well. It's a very practical and versatile material.

Jack Falcon · October 1, 2015, 07:07 AM

I voted steel. Nothing like a good ol' sig by my bedside!

Hunter2678 · October 1, 2015, 07:10 AM

I like both as they each have their advantages. I own both sigs and glocks...but from a utilitarian POV, poly does it for me at the end of the day. If I lose a glock or damage it badly I wont lose much sleep over it. Cant say that about my all metal sigs

BoogieMan · October 1, 2015, 07:29 AM

I think this comes down to why you like guns to begin with. Some of us enjoy the finer points of a firearm. Fit,finish, colors, craftsmanship. Others view it as a tool to do a job and nothing more.
Polymer guns function well and are reasonably accurate, they do the job they are intended to do.
A $500 Glock is produced for about $30, a $1000 1911 is produced for about $150. Steel gun will begin to side in value after its initial loss and will eventually be worth as much or more than its original price. A polymer gun will be ground up and recycled after its life span is over.
Personally I dont own any polymer and likely never will.

marine6680 · October 1, 2015, 07:32 AM

What about an option for those who might like alloy frames best... Or a option for those who have no preference?

I fall into the latter camp... I don't care one way or another, I just like them all.

Someone voted steel and mentioned Sig... Most of their frames are alloy. They do make a couple steel versions though.

flphotog · October 1, 2015, 07:49 AM

You should have had a "both" selection. I like both and carry what ever works best for me at the time.

osbornk · October 1, 2015, 07:51 AM

I voted steel but I don't really care. I have 3 polymer, two steel, one aluminum and one pot metal. They all work fine.

TunnelRat · October 1, 2015, 08:15 AM

I think the poll results here are interesting. If gun sales went according to this poll, then gun sales in this country would be radically different.

BarryLee · October 1, 2015, 08:36 AM

Quote:

If gun sales went according to this poll, then gun sales in this country would be radically different.

Yes, but I suspect the taste on this site leans a little more toward the classic which for many is all metal frames. Many first time buyers today simply walk in and ask for a “GLOCK FORTY” or something similar. Also, many new designs feature polymer frames, so even those who might prefer metal go with polymer to get a specific new design.

TunnelRat · October 1, 2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Also, many new designs feature polymer frames, so even those who might prefer metal go with polymer to get a specific new design.

That's a good point.

I guess for me personally I see no downside to polymer functionally. Do I prefer the "feel" of metal? Yea, but I also like wood/G10 grips and not too many polymer pistols allow that. I have never noticed a dramatic difference in recoil, at least in 9mm and 45 ACP, for pistols of the comparative size. People always say the weight of all steel "handles recoil" better, but it is also completely rigid whereas I have found polymer frames to flex and absorb some of that recoil. I have an HK 45c that shoots as softly as 1911s I have used, despite being both smaller and much lighter.

I think "prefer" is also a vague term. In terms of what? Aesthetics, "feel", function? And even then different firearms are used for range, home defense, carry, or all of those combined.

Lastly I don't think too many of us here have owned two identical pistols in terms of dimensions and shape but with one having a metal frame and the other a polymer frame. The vast majority of pistols are one material or the other. I believe that the preference of frame material has more to do with the design and shape of the frame/grip for many people than the material itself, and because those factors are inseparable in many cases we focus more on the material than the form.

2ndsojourn · October 1, 2015, 09:57 AM

I voted steel, but I have one poly gun that I like, a Glock 19. And that'll be it. For now anyway.

I have a preference for old fashioned quality, fit & finish that the plastic guns don't seem to have. Also, I'm good with alloy framed guns but that was omitted rom the poll.

9x18_Walther · October 1, 2015, 10:01 AM

Simple answer. I love the feel and history of steel pistols.

If I ever need to carry a pistol, it would be polymer.

rt11002003 · October 1, 2015, 11:54 AM

Can't say I prefer either. In general, I seem to shoot more accurately with the heavier steel pistols. But, not always; several of my "plastic" guns are very, very accurate, as good as steel ones.

Big Shrek · October 1, 2015, 09:22 PM

Steel or Plastic?? or Alloys??

Some for the style...lot of good to be said for Lugers and 3rd Gen S&W's

Some are great tools...Glock 20sf makes a nice hunting sidearm w/ a 9" Lone Wolf barrel!

Some for fun...I can think of no better way to absolutely waste ammo than a good .22

Some for CC...starting to find that a good rotation of pistols is a nice thing...

The only downside of plastic that I see is longevity...eventually they will degrade to uselessness.
Just the nature of the beast...the only question is exactly how long these new plastics will last??

jmr40 · October 1, 2015, 09:35 PM

I like the classic steel 1911 and BHP designs for range use. In the real world I'll take plastic every time. Almost any of the plastic guns provide the weight reduction of aluminum, but with far better durability, longevity, and better prices.

I've never cared for any of the aluminum framed guns all that much although I have some. They are simply tools that don't look or feel any better than plastic. Neither fish nor fowl.

sigarms228 · October 1, 2015, 09:53 PM

Well based on what I actually OWN it would go like this:

1. Poly frame
2. Aluminum alloy frame
3. Steel frame

6 out of the last 7 pistols I have bought have been poly frame.

I love them all.

Ernest T · October 2, 2015, 07:37 AM

Steel for the range
Polymer to lug around

guambra2001 · October 2, 2015, 09:36 AM

As others mentioned, Poly for CCW/OC and steel for range duties.

TailGator · October 2, 2015, 02:51 PM

Yes

**44 AMP** · October 2, 2015, 10:22 PM

I voted steel, and the single polymer frame "pistol" I own is an old TEC-9 (bought to help a friend who needed some cash, ages ago). The frame is cracked in two places, almost meeting, and would snap if I twisted it just a little bit. NOT a serviceable gun.

I don't have any of the "combat Tupperware" (I do like that name, though), not because of the poly frames, but because all the designs either lack the features I like, or have features I strongly DISLIKE.

I have shot several, GLocks included, and don't care for them at all. I wouldn't have a Glock, even if it had a steel frame.

Its a personal thing. The guns I have, have served me well over my lifetime, and I see no point to shooting something I don't like just because someone else loves it.

Candor · October 2, 2015, 10:47 PM

It depends on the situation but if I was forced to pick one it would be the steel/alloy. There's no comparison for me as far as the tactile connection to an all metal gun but of course there is more to it than that.

View Poll Results: Polymer or Steel?
Polymer	36	26.28%
Steel	101	73.72%
Voters: 137. You may not vote on this poll

October 1, 2015, 06:52 AM	#29
JDBerg Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2015 Location: PA Posts: 1,835	No preference, own both, like both, depends on the gun. __________________ Words to Live By: Before You Pray - Believe; Before You Speak - Listen; Before You Spend - Earn; Before You Write - Think; Before You Quit - Try; Before You Die - Live

October 1, 2015, 07:29 AM	#33
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I think this comes down to why you like guns to begin with. Some of us enjoy the finer points of a firearm. Fit,finish, colors, craftsmanship. Others view it as a tool to do a job and nothing more. Polymer guns function well and are reasonably accurate, they do the job they are intended to do. A $500 Glock is produced for about $30, a $1000 1911 is produced for about $150. Steel gun will begin to side in value after its initial loss and will eventually be worth as much or more than its original price. A polymer gun will be ground up and recycled after its life span is over. Personally I dont own any polymer and likely never will. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

October 1, 2015, 07:49 AM	#35
flphotog Member Join Date: April 15, 2013 Posts: 50	You should have had a "both" selection. I like both and carry what ever works best for me at the time. __________________ Member: COTEP CBOB0772, NRA, Florida Carry, GOA, http://guntipsandtalk.com

October 1, 2015, 08:15 AM	#37
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,214	I think the poll results here are interesting. If gun sales went according to this poll, then gun sales in this country would be radically different. __________________ Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness

October 1, 2015, 01:27 AM	#26
volkstrm Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2007 Posts: 222	I go with steel. Steel is real. To me polymer frame guns just don't feel like a real gun to me & you pay for the lighter weight in recoil also.

October 1, 2015, 02:38 AM	#28
erknjerk Junior Member Join Date: March 30, 2012 Posts: 7	I have poly, steel, and alloy. Love them all, prefer metal. My the main carry pieces are a CZ P07, CZ PCR, and a Sig P220 Elite Dark with aluminum grips.

October 1, 2015, 06:54 AM	#30
Independent George Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2013 Posts: 573	Yeah, I should have added the same caveat so many others did - while I prefer metal frames, I have nothig against polymer. My primary carry gun is a Kahr PM9, and my next few guns are all likely to be polymer as well. It's a very practical and versatile material.

October 1, 2015, 07:07 AM	#31
Jack Falcon Junior Member Join Date: September 30, 2015 Posts: 8	I voted steel. Nothing like a good ol' sig by my bedside!

October 1, 2015, 07:10 AM	#32
Hunter2678 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 235	I like both as they each have their advantages. I own both sigs and glocks...but from a utilitarian POV, poly does it for me at the end of the day. If I lose a glock or damage it badly I wont lose much sleep over it. Cant say that about my all metal sigs

October 1, 2015, 07:32 AM	#34
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	What about an option for those who might like alloy frames best... Or a option for those who have no preference? I fall into the latter camp... I don't care one way or another, I just like them all. Someone voted steel and mentioned Sig... Most of their frames are alloy. They do make a couple steel versions though.

October 1, 2015, 07:51 AM	#36
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I voted steel but I don't really care. I have 3 polymer, two steel, one aluminum and one pot metal. They all work fine.

October 1, 2015, 09:57 AM	#40
2ndsojourn Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,416	I voted steel, but I have one poly gun that I like, a Glock 19. And that'll be it. For now anyway. I have a preference for old fashioned quality, fit & finish that the plastic guns don't seem to have. Also, I'm good with alloy framed guns but that was omitted rom the poll.

October 1, 2015, 10:01 AM	#41
9x18_Walther Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2015 Posts: 500	Simple answer. I love the feel and history of steel pistols. If I ever need to carry a pistol, it would be polymer.

October 1, 2015, 11:54 AM	#42
rt11002003 Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2014 Posts: 524	Can't say I prefer either. In general, I seem to shoot more accurately with the heavier steel pistols. But, not always; several of my "plastic" guns are very, very accurate, as good as steel ones.

October 1, 2015, 09:22 PM	#43
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Steel or Plastic?? or Alloys?? Some for the style...lot of good to be said for Lugers and 3rd Gen S&W's Some are great tools...Glock 20sf makes a nice hunting sidearm w/ a 9" Lone Wolf barrel! Some for fun...I can think of no better way to absolutely waste ammo than a good .22 Some for CC...starting to find that a good rotation of pistols is a nice thing... The only downside of plastic that I see is longevity...eventually they will degrade to uselessness. Just the nature of the beast...the only question is exactly how long these new plastics will last?? __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool. Last edited by Big Shrek; October 1, 2015 at 10:05 PM.

October 1, 2015, 09:35 PM	#44
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	I like the classic steel 1911 and BHP designs for range use. In the real world I'll take plastic every time. Almost any of the plastic guns provide the weight reduction of aluminum, but with far better durability, longevity, and better prices. I've never cared for any of the aluminum framed guns all that much although I have some. They are simply tools that don't look or feel any better than plastic. Neither fish nor fowl.

October 1, 2015, 09:53 PM	#45
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,766	Well based on what I actually OWN it would go like this: 1. Poly frame 2. Aluminum alloy frame 3. Steel frame 6 out of the last 7 pistols I have bought have been poly frame. I love them all.

October 2, 2015, 07:37 AM	#46
Ernest T Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2015 Posts: 104	Steel for the range Polymer to lug around

October 2, 2015, 09:36 AM	#47
guambra2001 Junior Member Join Date: September 20, 2015 Posts: 7	As others mentioned, Poly for CCW/OC and steel for range duties.

October 2, 2015, 02:51 PM	#48
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	Yes

October 2, 2015, 10:22 PM	#49
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,817	I voted steel, and the single polymer frame "pistol" I own is an old TEC-9 (bought to help a friend who needed some cash, ages ago). The frame is cracked in two places, almost meeting, and would snap if I twisted it just a little bit. NOT a serviceable gun. I don't have any of the "combat Tupperware" (I do like that name, though), not because of the poly frames, but because all the designs either lack the features I like, or have features I strongly DISLIKE. I have shot several, GLocks included, and don't care for them at all. I wouldn't have a Glock, even if it had a steel frame. Its a personal thing. The guns I have, have served me well over my lifetime, and I see no point to shooting something I don't like just because someone else loves it. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 2, 2015, 10:47 PM	#50
Candor Junior Member Join Date: March 31, 2015 Posts: 7	It depends on the situation but if I was forced to pick one it would be the steel/alloy. There's no comparison for me as far as the tactile connection to an all metal gun but of course there is more to it than that.