Are polymer frames really more durable than auminum frames?
- Thread starter Irfan
- Start date
Aluminum is known to crack after a certain number of work cycles, it`s just a property of the material. Steel is much less prone to this and must be overstressed for this to become a problem. Thermo mold polymers used in gun construction do have some flex to them which should be a good thing but do not confuse low cost thermo mold plastics used in gun frames with carbon boron epoxy,carbon fiber/graphite structures used in high performance aircraft! High speed aircraft experience terrific heat at speed throughout their structure and as good as polymer gun frames are they`d all be reduced to a smear on the side of the plane at say mach 2.5. Many portions (leading edges etc.) of fighter aircraft and such actually get too hot for aluminum as well so Ti is generally substituted although a few planes like the Mig 25 actually used steel. This being said I`ll take most polymer guns over a comparable aluminum framed one for long term longevity. Marcus
Wild Romanian
Moderator
Are polymer frames really more durable than auminum
Kevin Some do, some do not. The Ruger had no steel or carbide buttons , the slide rides on the poymer frame. The glock and the Walther p99 have carbide buttons, the new gun the Hs2000 i am told has half the frame with no steel inserts and the other half with them. W.R.
Kevin Some do, some do not. The Ruger had no steel or carbide buttons , the slide rides on the poymer frame. The glock and the Walther p99 have carbide buttons, the new gun the Hs2000 i am told has half the frame with no steel inserts and the other half with them. W.R.
Polymers tend to hold up better in the long haul. They also are less of a corrosion problem because most of the gun can't corrode.
Aluminum is less corrosive yet more prone to cracking than steel and the reason it is used is for weight reduction. So along came polymers and now we get both benefits.
Several people have commented on the time they spent in the millitary in jungle territory. They had several different pistols they used and when they were issued the Glock most were very impressed with it's ability to fight the elements.
Many people said they could keep a Glock working with very little effort and they would not rust if cared for. They are part metal!! The all metal guns were a nightmare for these guys to keep functioning well. Many had failures and constant maintenance to keep working.
I see most of these guns as good in most environments. If you want one you can drag through the mud ect.. and then run it under tap water and call it clean. Get a GLOCK!!
I like steel and plastic is a cheaper gun to produce, but if it didn't improve the guns abilities most would go back to steel.
I just don't see the fact that, it is cheaper to produce, as any reason to look down on plastic. It has proven itself and fills it's need well. It solves many of the problems most guns have fought with for years.
It usually isn't pretty but function is a guns best attribute!! Well for me and most!!
Aluminum is less corrosive yet more prone to cracking than steel and the reason it is used is for weight reduction. So along came polymers and now we get both benefits.
Several people have commented on the time they spent in the millitary in jungle territory. They had several different pistols they used and when they were issued the Glock most were very impressed with it's ability to fight the elements.
Many people said they could keep a Glock working with very little effort and they would not rust if cared for. They are part metal!! The all metal guns were a nightmare for these guys to keep functioning well. Many had failures and constant maintenance to keep working.
I see most of these guns as good in most environments. If you want one you can drag through the mud ect.. and then run it under tap water and call it clean. Get a GLOCK!!
I like steel and plastic is a cheaper gun to produce, but if it didn't improve the guns abilities most would go back to steel.
I just don't see the fact that, it is cheaper to produce, as any reason to look down on plastic. It has proven itself and fills it's need well. It solves many of the problems most guns have fought with for years.
It usually isn't pretty but function is a guns best attribute!! Well for me and most!!
I've never noticed any wear on my polymer frames, but have noticed wear on my Ruger P-frame & my Paraordnance P-13.
My experience in SE Asia is that Glock (G17) is immensly popular w/military & civilian (Thailand), I've also noticed great popularity with S&W 9mm in stainless. Haven't noticed much in aluminum frames.
My experience in SE Asia is that Glock (G17) is immensly popular w/military & civilian (Thailand), I've also noticed great popularity with S&W 9mm in stainless. Haven't noticed much in aluminum frames.
I wonder if perhaps you are really asking about the relative merits of the Beretta aluminum framed gun versus the advantages of the polymer framed Glocks?
I know, that's pretty perceptive of me--perhaps I'm psychic.
I'd go with the Glock myself--but I have a Beretta too...
I know, that's pretty perceptive of me--perhaps I'm psychic.
I'd go with the Glock myself--but I have a Beretta too...
Teufelhunden
New member
I've got a P94 in .40 with about 3400 rounds through it. The only thing I've noticed is that the top of the slide rails are kinda shiny, but there is no structural wear and tear.
-Teuf
It all depends upon application. Alum.frames seems to work just fine in .22 LR guns, many centerfire pistols and even, some revolvers, if I recall it correctly. Polymer frames are used in centerfire pistols, but never saw anybody trying to use polymer for full powered rifles or revlovers. Steel can handle anything, from .22 LR to 18" battleship main guns. If one looks at mechanical properties ultimate/yield/fatique strength of typical polymer used for frames, these numbers are below similar properties for aluminum and on average, 7 times below numbers for even the low-grade steel...However, alum frames can be easily damaged if droped, and alum. alloys are not know to provide good wear resistance where pure friction wear is present. On the other hand, there are some alum. alloys with
silicone, which are super tough, but it's a hell to machine those...
What I'm saying is go with all steel guns and don't worry about nothing.
silicone, which are super tough, but it's a hell to machine those...
What I'm saying is go with all steel guns and don't worry about nothing.
juliet charley
New member
I'd have to go back and do some research, but it seems I read than when the CHP (California Highway Patrol) tested the Glock 22/23 that the frames of both pistols cracked--Glock later added a steel pin for reinforcement to all except his 9 mm models.
Wasn't there a problem with the early Glocks "flexing" much that it caused some reliability problems? Wasn't there a major retrofit of all Glocks to fix this and new frame (second generation?) designed to overcome it?
Wasn't there a problem with the early Glocks "flexing" much that it caused some reliability problems? Wasn't there a major retrofit of all Glocks to fix this and new frame (second generation?) designed to overcome it?