Why no polymer .22s?

RX-79G · August 17, 2014, 10:08 PM

Sure, there are plenty of polymer frame .22s, but aside from this crap, there aren't any that use the material more fully anymore:

Many years ago, the Ramline Extractor/MRI Mountain Eagle used steel bolts and barrel liners in otherwise plastic guns. I was looking at the alloy barrel 22/45 Rugers the other day and was reminded that the only steel you really need is the barrel, bolt, hammer and small parts.

Aside from being able to offer a very cheap but entirely reliable and accurate .22 from polymer, you could also completely enclose the bolt, like the Zip junk does.

I'm really surprised Ruger hasn't done this, yet. That polyurethane stuff they made the P95 out of - rails and all - would be perfect.

Ciener has been making 15 round plastic .22 mags for decades, too.

ttarp · August 17, 2014, 10:42 PM

The Olympic Arms rendition of the Whitney Wolverine is mostly plastic, is that along the lines of what your thinking?

RX-79G · August 17, 2014, 11:26 PM

The upper is alloy, like the Ruger Lite. But it is along the right lines since it doesn't have a slide.

I guess I'd like to see a one piece polymer .22 - everything internal with a minimum of parts and stuff sticking out. I don't see any reason you couldn't duplicate a Ruger 22/45 for reliability and accuracy, and cost would be really low because of the simplified design. The Rugers are built like they are because that's the easiest way of making metal pistol. Plastic opens up the possibility of more complex internal shapes with no extra hardware.

Nothing really wrong with other designs, but an internal steel bolt in a polymer receiver would be the most durable.

marine6680 · August 18, 2014, 06:36 PM

It might be the bulk that holds it back from being done.

Polymer is strong, but can be overly flexible, you may need to add bulk to stiffen it up or get the strength you need.

Just look at the pistol you gave as an example... its huge in odd places.

Onward Allusion · August 18, 2014, 09:15 PM

Oh boy. I had an Exactor. Great concept, but somehow a staggered 22 LR magazine doesn't function well. I never was able to go through a full mag w/o a problem.

There are plenty of poly 22LR semi's. Ruger SR22 and the Beretta comes to mind. Ones with just a liner for the barrel, not too common.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 19, 2014, 10:06 AM

:cough: :cough: Ruger 22/45 :Cough: :cough:

RX-79G · August 19, 2014, 10:08 AM

Please read the OP.

aarondhgraham · August 19, 2014, 10:21 AM

Ruger SR-22,,,

The new S&W M&P 22 Compact.

They are some more,,,
I'm just too lazy to look them up.

Aarond

.

RX-79G · August 19, 2014, 12:03 PM

People are also "too lazy" to read more than the title before responding, it seems.

TunnelRat · August 19, 2014, 12:11 PM

Would you even need the whole barrel to be metal, or could you get away with a metal lining inside of a polymer shell?

Edit: I see the MRI you posted beat me to it. Seems like something that would be right up Kel Tec's alley.

aarondhgraham · August 19, 2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Would you even need the whole barrel to be metal, or could you get away with a metal lining inside of a polymer shell?

That's what the barrel for my Beretta NEOS Carbine Kit is made of,,,
And I believe quite a few aftermarket barrels for Rugers,,,
Are made of carbon fiber with a metal liner.

I almost forgot,,,
The frame of the NEOS pistols are polymer.

Aarond

.

Uncle Malice · August 19, 2014, 02:34 PM

Not a 22lr, but the Kel Tec PLR 30 is mostly polymer.

Photo courtesy of TTAG

RX-79G · August 19, 2014, 02:39 PM

Very good, Malice. Exactly what I'm talking about.

But I would like to see one where everything is enclosed, like on the Zip. Just shaped like a gun.

TunnelRat · August 19, 2014, 03:11 PM

The good ole PMR. I remembered that but didn't bring it up because of the 22 magnum aspect. come to think of it, you'd think they're release a LR version of it too. They're fun to shoot, though not always reliable. Nice fireball too

.

August 17, 2014, 10:08 PM	#1
RX-79G Junior member Join Date: October 27, 2013 Posts: 1,139	Why no polymer .22s? Sure, there are plenty of polymer frame .22s, but aside from this crap, there aren't any that use the material more fully anymore: Many years ago, the Ramline Extractor/MRI Mountain Eagle used steel bolts and barrel liners in otherwise plastic guns. I was looking at the alloy barrel 22/45 Rugers the other day and was reminded that the only steel you really need is the barrel, bolt, hammer and small parts. Aside from being able to offer a very cheap but entirely reliable and accurate .22 from polymer, you could also completely enclose the bolt, like the Zip junk does. I'm really surprised Ruger hasn't done this, yet. That polyurethane stuff they made the P95 out of - rails and all - would be perfect. Ciener has been making 15 round plastic .22 mags for decades, too. Last edited by RX-79G; August 18, 2014 at 01:23 PM.

August 18, 2014, 09:15 PM	#5
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Oh boy. I had an Exactor. Great concept, but somehow a staggered 22 LR magazine doesn't function well. I never was able to go through a full mag w/o a problem. There are plenty of poly 22LR semi's. Ruger SR22 and the Beretta comes to mind. Ones with just a liner for the barrel, not too common. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

August 19, 2014, 10:21 AM	#8
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Ruger SR-22,,, Ruger SR-22,,, The new S&W M&P 22 Compact. They are some more,,, I'm just too lazy to look them up. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

August 19, 2014, 12:11 PM	#10
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	Would you even need the whole barrel to be metal, or could you get away with a metal lining inside of a polymer shell? Edit: I see the MRI you posted beat me to it. Seems like something that would be right up Kel Tec's alley. __________________ 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 Last edited by TunnelRat; August 19, 2014 at 12:36 PM.

August 19, 2014, 02:34 PM	#12
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	Not a 22lr, but the Kel Tec PLR 30 is mostly polymer. Photo courtesy of TTAG __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

August 17, 2014, 10:42 PM	#2
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	The Olympic Arms rendition of the Whitney Wolverine is mostly plastic, is that along the lines of what your thinking?

August 17, 2014, 11:26 PM	#3
RX-79G Junior member Join Date: October 27, 2013 Posts: 1,139	The upper is alloy, like the Ruger Lite. But it is along the right lines since it doesn't have a slide. I guess I'd like to see a one piece polymer .22 - everything internal with a minimum of parts and stuff sticking out. I don't see any reason you couldn't duplicate a Ruger 22/45 for reliability and accuracy, and cost would be really low because of the simplified design. The Rugers are built like they are because that's the easiest way of making metal pistol. Plastic opens up the possibility of more complex internal shapes with no extra hardware. Nothing really wrong with other designs, but an internal steel bolt in a polymer receiver would be the most durable.

August 18, 2014, 06:36 PM	#4
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	It might be the bulk that holds it back from being done. Polymer is strong, but can be overly flexible, you may need to add bulk to stiffen it up or get the strength you need. Just look at the pistol you gave as an example... its huge in odd places.

August 19, 2014, 10:06 AM	#6
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	:cough: :cough: Ruger 22/45 :Cough: :cough:

August 19, 2014, 10:08 AM	#7
RX-79G Junior member Join Date: October 27, 2013 Posts: 1,139	Please read the OP.

August 19, 2014, 12:03 PM	#9
RX-79G Junior member Join Date: October 27, 2013 Posts: 1,139	People are also "too lazy" to read more than the title before responding, it seems.

August 19, 2014, 02:39 PM	#13
RX-79G Junior member Join Date: October 27, 2013 Posts: 1,139	Very good, Malice. Exactly what I'm talking about. But I would like to see one where everything is enclosed, like on the Zip. Just shaped like a gun.

August 19, 2014, 03:11 PM	#14
TunnelRat Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2011 Posts: 12,212	The good ole PMR. I remembered that but didn't bring it up because of the 22 magnum aspect. come to think of it, you'd think they're release a LR version of it too. They're fun to shoot, though not always reliable. Nice fireball too . __________________ 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