Polymer vrs steel

lindalecowboy

I'm new at the gun business and have desire to carry a .45 cal on a daily basis. Should I get polymer or steel? If I'm not going to shoot a ton of rounds but just stay current, is there any difference in the two?

thanks for the advice.

Maalox

Welcome to the forum. This should get good:-)

Edit: I'm a polymer kind of guy and am partial to the springfield XD line. I also like "plastic" cars [:D]

Mr. Gunz

Polymer is lighter and flexes when shot so there is less recoil...also no rust and usally the gun thats polymer is very reliable (Glock, H&K, Tarus 24/7 etc...)


Steel is just the backwards...heavier, more recoil (i should say more direct) but relaiblity all depends on the gun....

The # of rounds dont really matter...10 or 10,000

perry shooter

As Maalox stated this might get Good because many people have their opinion. I am OLD as well as OLD-SCHOOL I don't Like plastic GUNS OR CARS and unless I missed something in Physics class given the same cartridge 45ACP the lighter the pistol the more felt recoil .EDIT [:0][:0] Maalox Was /is right [:p]Lets also see what is the best brand of PICK-UP and what state has the best BarBecue and just to finish Is WD40 a good gun oil.[}:)][}:)][:o)][:o)]

Grunt2

Real men don't eat quiche, wear plastic watches or buy plastic handguns...Steel is the only way to go...I have owned both and will never carry another non-steel handgun. As for the recoil...? I'm not sure where Mr. Gunz got his info...But the more the handgun weighs, the grip angle to bore alignment and caliber are the only factors that effect felt recoil..My duty (and often CCW) weapon is a custom 1911 that weighs in at 3.5 pounds..! Some getting used to but a flawless shooter..

Cyclonus

I dunno my MP40 is polymer and I think its one of the worst recoil guns I have (feels like some hits the barrel with a sledge when shot)

Wehrmacht_45

Simple! Just buy the gun that fits you best. Look at the standards of both the Glock and the 1911. Both are well proven, accurate, and durable. They do have their idiosyncrasies, but if you take care of the gun then they will both serve well. Sometimes the gun choses the owner more than the owner choses the gun.

CapnMidnight

I to am old school, if you want to carry a 45acp, buy a 1911 style pistol, if you don't feel safe with one cocked and locked you probably doen't have any business carying a gun. But, the alternitive is a Sig Saur type d.a. s.a auto, decocker, carry one in the pipe with the hammer down if it makes you feel better. The MOST important aspect is RELIABLITY.
W.D.

Wolf.

--
If you are going to carry a weapon there's only a few questions you need to get the right answers to:

---What is the reliability reputation of the gun. That is, does it have a reputation for quality issues, gross inaccuracy, breaking often, being picky about the brands of ammo it will digest without feeding/firing issues, or being infamous for mis-feeding and firing for no apparant reason)?

---Does it fit your hand (i.e. does it fit you)? This is very important!

---Does the gun meet your concealability requirements?

---Are you confident and comfortable with the caliber of the weapon you chose(.45acp, 10mm/.40, 9mm, .380acp, .32acp, .22, etc.)? This one oughtta be a no-brainer.

---Are you confident and comfortable with the gun itself being steel vs. plastic, the size, the profile, etc.)?

What else? Those are the things that would be important to me, anyway.

lindalecowboy

One other thing I would add that I didn't indicate originally. I've had a CHL (concealed handgun license) for 18 months and have been carrying a slim 9 mm S&W model 909 that fits my hand very well, shot a 249 out of 250 in qualifying for my CHL, conceals easily and has never jammed to date. I'm not a total rookie in the shooting/carrying of a pistol. My question is concerning the durability and reliability of a polymer pistol since I'm considering a Springfield XD while moving up to a .45 acp. I want to have the option of a higher caliber choice and know a steel is the better choice to have to pass down to my grandson years from now but as for carrying NOW, easier, lighter, etc., is obvious, just looking for the EXPERTS opinion on the long term issues relative to a polymer versus steel. I also agree if you are averse to carrying locked and cocked, you don't really want a weapon ready to use. thanks for all the input, just please keep it coming. I truly appreciate the wisdom and experience of those who know so much more than I do, especially when it comes to firearms.

dcs shooters

If someone is uncomfortable carrying a 1911 cocked and locked, look at the Para LDA'S. I sure like mine, and took my CCW class with it. I carry it when a 45 is called for [;)]