Gun or ammo problem?

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:25 pm

greener wrote:Just can't get a warm-fuzzy for tupperware, eh?

Me, neither. If they quit making all-metal guns, I'll just switch to throwing hatchets and chainsaws.............

bigfatdave · Post by **bigfatdave** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:56 pm

Oh come on!

If you want to criticize the durability of polymer frames for centerfire guns that's one thing, but it is just silly to worry about polymer in a rimfire.
I think the stresses developed in a rimfire pistol are within the design tolerances for a polymer frame, if they're marginal for large centerfire guns.

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 10:06 pm

I didn't single out rimfires for my reply. I meant ANY gun. I've had large centerfires in the past, and may again in the future. I just don't like plastic in guns. A buddy carries a Kel-Tec P3-AT, and the frame looks like it needs a shave, all fuzzy. Ugly and cheap looking. If there are any nice 50 year old guns in 2060, they will be the metal ones.

Same way about modern cars. They have soda can sheet metal, Rubbermaid bumpers and plastic head lights. Remember when you could sit on the hood at a drive-in? Remember drive-ins? Maybe flimsy hoods are what killed drive-ins..........

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 11:23 pm

wow, didn't mean to start the steel v. plastic wars.

Although I prefer steel I certainly can tolerate plastic. Of course, 10 years in college studying chemistry and 20 years as a polymer chemist might have some influence on that opinion.

bigfatdave · Post by **bigfatdave** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 4:17 pm

ruger22 wrote:If there are any nice 50 year old guns in 2060, they will be the metal ones.

No, they will be the 50 year old ones, the same as now.
Just because you see one 50-year-old gun NOW doesn't mean that all guns like it stood the test of time. There are plenty of junked steel-frame guns in the last 50 years, and the failures we see of polymer frames don't seem to be polymer-based in many cases.
Add in that you can swap out a polymer frame easily (that Kel-Tec, for example could have a new "grip" AKA polymer housing on in ~10 minutes) while a cracked steel frame is a game-ender for that gun and the utility of polymer should be obvious.

greener · Post by **greener** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 4:40 pm

bigfatdave wrote:
ruger22 wrote:If there are any nice 50 year old guns in 2060, they will be the metal ones.
No, they will be the 50 year old ones, the same as now.
Just because you see one 50-year-old gun NOW doesn't mean that all guns like it stood the test of time. There are plenty of junked steel-frame guns in the last 50 years, and the failures we see of polymer frames don't seem to be polymer-based in many cases.
Add in that you can swap out a polymer frame easily (that Kel-Tec, for example could have a new "grip" AKA polymer housing on in ~10 minutes) while a cracked steel frame is a game-ender for that gun and the utility of polymer should be obvious.

I don't know that a cracked frame is necessarily a game ender. Some, I believe, can be repaired.

Any of the reasonably well-made guns, be they polymer or steel, should look pretty good at 50 assuming they are reasonably well cared for. Heck, see some not-well-made guns that hung around for more than 50 years.

I shudder to think about it, but my Walther P22 could be hanging around in 2060. Won't look as good as my Smith M19 with the nice, deep bluing and finish.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 6:09 pm

Don't think this one is quite 50 yet but it still works well. Is Nylon considered a polymer?

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:40 pm

greener wrote:wow, didn't mean to start the steel v. plastic wars.

No war, just a friendly exchange of opinions....

I guess plastic is okay, but I just greatly prefer metal. I'm not even wild about all the aluminum alloy frames used. I would have much more faith in the lifespan of, say, an all stainless S&W Chief's Special, than I would the Airweight model.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:48 pm

ruger22 wrote:
greener wrote:wow, didn't mean to start the steel v. plastic wars.
No war, just a friendly exchange of opinions....

I guess plastic is okay, but I just greatly prefer metal. I'm not even wild about all the aluminum alloy frames used. I would have much more faith in the lifespan of, say, an all stainless S&W Chief's Special, than I would the Airweight model.

I much prefer the Smith 422 Airweight in .38 plus P which is now my daily carry, getting too old to lug the SA Micro with the aluminum frame anymore.

greener · Post by **greener** » Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:40 am

bearandoldman wrote:
ruger22 wrote:
greener wrote:wow, didn't mean to start the steel v. plastic wars.
No war, just a friendly exchange of opinions....

I guess plastic is okay, but I just greatly prefer metal. I'm not even wild about all the aluminum alloy frames used. I would have much more faith in the lifespan of, say, an all stainless S&W Chief's Special, than I would the Airweight model.
I much prefer the Smith 422 Airweight in .38 plus P which is now my daily carry, getting too old to lug the SA Micro with the aluminum frame anymore.

The J-frames do make concealed carrying easier.