Plastic part survey....

Dave McC · December 14, 2000, 02:06 PM

Upon introspection, I realize my loathing for plastic parts may be unfounded. Has anyone had any of the plastic parts on the 870 fail? How about other shotguns, tho I admit I have little knowledge of what,if any parts are synthetic on a 500, a Defender, 37 or any other commonly used shotgun.

I'm sitting here with a Zytel handle on my last resort folding knife. There's a recoil buffer in my GM, and all those hulls I feed through my pet 870s are plastic also. These are good uses of a superior material for certain tasks.

Am I being less than fair?

Thanks...

dZ · December 14, 2000, 02:42 PM

let me see if there is any plastic on my Benelli Nova...
Hey, the whole darn gun is plastic!

http://www.benelliusa.com/nova/
http://www.vaapensport.com/ebennova.html
http://www.benelliusa.com/showimage/...gi?novaca2.jpg

Other than having to worry about sliding it across a pool of burning gasoline, IMHO the plastic frame with internal metal bracing is a well executed concept on the Nova.

It is a very strong system

Plastic can be engineered today, to out perform many other materials.

I do worry about embrittlement over time, but that maybe a left over fear from old school plastics.

dZ

bobstreit · December 14, 2000, 02:48 PM

I have to say, I have not had problem with the plastic parts, but my brother-in-law has. Particularily the cap that is at the end of the spring where the shells go in. For some reason it turned up in there and it woulnd't push his shells through. Sorry , not real experienced with the names of these parts, but I thought it might be something of interest

Bud1 · December 14, 2000, 04:50 PM

I had the platic safety button on a Mossberg 500 split in half and fall off. I fabricated a replacement out of the base of one of my son's plastic toy soldiers.

The gun now has a "tactical green" safety.

Kingcreek · December 14, 2000, 07:55 PM

I also had a mossberg 500 plastic safety go to pieces on me.
I replaced the part, immediately sold the gun, and bought an 870. That was 12-15 years ago. They don't get a second chance with me.

swampgator · December 14, 2000, 10:51 PM

Dave,

Got the email, thanks. Never had any problems with the plastic safety on any of the 4 Mossys, nor with the trigger guard.

Gator

JK · December 14, 2000, 11:40 PM

Brownells (www.brownells.com) sells a metal safety button for the Mossberg. Beats the heck out of the stock plastic one. John K.

Dave McC · December 15, 2000, 06:36 AM

Thanks for the responses,guys.

Gator, hope it helped you and yours.

Bob, that's the mag follower. Several after market firms sell a metal one for maybe $10.

BTW, my bird 870 does have a plastic follower. Since it's not a HD tool,small matter.I'll pick up a metal one someday.

No trigger assemblies of plastic, tho. Buying or building older 870s does have advantages.

I've heard of Mossy safeties busting. That's one of the things that started me on this thread.

dZ, sliding one of my 870s across a pool of burning gas probably isn't going to do much good either(G).

Fatcat · December 15, 2000, 06:27 PM

The plastic follower was the first thing to be replaced on me 870.. I don't really like the plastic trigger guard, but I can live with it for now. Hasn't caused any trouble yet.

Eric of IN · December 16, 2000, 01:24 AM

The only plastic parts on my Ithica Model 37 are the butt plate, and the bead site. I'll let you know if they give me any trouble.
Eric

December 14, 2000, 10:51 PM	#6
swampgator Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Gatorville, Florida Posts: 619	Dave, Got the email, thanks. Never had any problems with the plastic safety on any of the 4 Mossys, nor with the trigger guard. Gator __________________ www.afn.org/~guns

December 14, 2000, 11:40 PM	#7
JK Member Join Date: October 27, 2000 Posts: 75	Brownells (www.brownells.com) sells a metal safety button for the Mossberg. Beats the heck out of the stock plastic one. John K. __________________ Fight Crime-Shoot Back

December 15, 2000, 06:27 PM	#9
Fatcat Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Location: Rockaway Beach, OR Posts: 376	The plastic follower was the first thing to be replaced on me 870.. I don't really like the plastic trigger guard, but I can live with it for now. Hasn't caused any trouble yet. __________________ Patrick J. Sullivan :: [email protected] "When I whet my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold in judgement, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me."

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December 14, 2000, 02:06 PM	#1
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Upon introspection, I realize my loathing for plastic parts may be unfounded. Has anyone had any of the plastic parts on the 870 fail? How about other shotguns, tho I admit I have little knowledge of what,if any parts are synthetic on a 500, a Defender, 37 or any other commonly used shotgun. I'm sitting here with a Zytel handle on my last resort folding knife. There's a recoil buffer in my GM, and all those hulls I feed through my pet 870s are plastic also. These are good uses of a superior material for certain tasks. Am I being less than fair? Thanks...

December 14, 2000, 02:42 PM	#2
dZ Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	let me see if there is any plastic on my Benelli Nova... Hey, the whole darn gun is plastic! http://www.benelliusa.com/nova/ http://www.vaapensport.com/ebennova.html http://www.benelliusa.com/showimage/...gi?novaca2.jpg Other than having to worry about sliding it across a pool of burning gasoline, IMHO the plastic frame with internal metal bracing is a well executed concept on the Nova. It is a very strong system Plastic can be engineered today, to out perform many other materials. I do worry about embrittlement over time, but that maybe a left over fear from old school plastics. dZ

December 14, 2000, 02:48 PM	#3
bobstreit Member Join Date: December 4, 2000 Posts: 21	I have to say, I have not had problem with the plastic parts, but my brother-in-law has. Particularily the cap that is at the end of the spring where the shells go in. For some reason it turned up in there and it woulnd't push his shells through. Sorry , not real experienced with the names of these parts, but I thought it might be something of interest

December 14, 2000, 04:50 PM	#4
Bud1 Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Posts: 194	I had the platic safety button on a Mossberg 500 split in half and fall off. I fabricated a replacement out of the base of one of my son's plastic toy soldiers. The gun now has a "tactical green" safety.

December 14, 2000, 07:55 PM	#5
Kingcreek Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: rural Illinois Posts: 590	I also had a mossberg 500 plastic safety go to pieces on me. I replaced the part, immediately sold the gun, and bought an 870. That was 12-15 years ago. They don't get a second chance with me.

December 15, 2000, 06:36 AM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Thanks for the responses,guys. Gator, hope it helped you and yours. Bob, that's the mag follower. Several after market firms sell a metal one for maybe $10. BTW, my bird 870 does have a plastic follower. Since it's not a HD tool,small matter.I'll pick up a metal one someday. No trigger assemblies of plastic, tho. Buying or building older 870s does have advantages. I've heard of Mossy safeties busting. That's one of the things that started me on this thread. dZ, sliding one of my 870s across a pool of burning gas probably isn't going to do much good either(G).

December 16, 2000, 01:24 AM	#10
Eric of IN Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2000 Posts: 425	The only plastic parts on my Ithica Model 37 are the butt plate, and the bead site. I'll let you know if they give me any trouble. Eric