How long do polymer framed pistols last?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Stupid,

From what I've read, the addition of carbon black to the Glock frame material provides enough UV resistance a Glock frame will be virtually unaffected after 100 years of sunlight exposure.

As far as moisture, isn't it a bit twisted to tout steel over plastic due to plastic's "sensitivity to moisture." ;)

Internet search confirms that Nylon 6 won't melt until it gets up around 430F (around 220C). I don't think I can hold onto a gun frame that is 200 degrees F, let alone 430 degrees, but I'll keep it in mind! :D
 
In about 30 years we will see many 50 year old polymer pistols still shooting strong. A thread like this will no longer be relevant.
 
Hk

I would like to see a torture test just like what they did to M9 - 5000 rounds a group, 15000 total.
Click to expand...

According to these people here, USP passed that silly test without a problem. Let lodge a bullet and fire it up like they did to the USP here and I'd be interested to find out what happens to the beretta.
 
Jonathan to anwsear your question about plastic pistols, Glock :barf: has one out there that has well over 500,000 rounds thru it. HK started the trend back in the late 1960's, so I would say at least 30+ years and still counting!

HK original combat plastic!
 
Though I prefer the steel or steel / aluminum guns, I do have a Keltec P-11.
I kept this one after being asked to "tear it up" . I kept this one for a 'niche' gun after the T&E. I really did try to tear this one up. Best I figure ~ 20k rds thru this one. I recently put 2k rds in two days time thru it.

It is simply a tool that fills a niche. I inspect and maintain. At some point - same as I would with a steel, or steel/ aluminum firearm, either get it fixed or render it unable to be used so as to not cause injury , harm or worse to myself or another.

I don't worry about it. I just take the responsiblity to inspect and maintain.
 
I dont think durability is ever going to be an issue. I think its longevity that is at question. I have several firearms that are over 100 years old and near mint or at least in lightly used condition. I have platic and polymer objects that I have had for several decades that have all but crumbled in my hands when I used them (none firearms). That being said I dont think you will see many original polymer framed guns in antique collections being fired unless they replicate the frame as a replacement part way into the future.
 
Plastics 1st came into wide use around WW-2. There are still plastic items from that era that are usable. Put a plastic pistol on the roof of your house where it is exposed to direct sunlight all day, every day and it may fall apart before a steel gun rusts. But my guns aren't stored in direct sunlight.
 
Lifetime of plastic gun?

I am not a Plastic authority, but I have a deep seated hatred of anything made of it. In answer to your question, how long should your, soon to arrive, plastic Glock last? my guesstimate, based on the badly disintegrating plastic siding on my house, The completely disintegrated plastic horse fence around the horse farm next door, the clouded over headlight lenses on my camper, I wouldn't suggest using your glock in daylight, but since you state that you will be satisfied with a twenty year life span for it, I think that if you keep it in a temperature, controlled, moisture, controlled environment, away from your pets, and the critters outdoors, Solvents, certain kinds of oils, and grease, and excessive firing, and pray for it, you just might get the twenty years use that you claim that you will be satisfied with.
Chubbo
 
Eleven year old thread brought back to life.

But the thread is about longevity, and they were talking about 20 year old Glocks back then. Now those pistols are 30 years old.

So, anyone have a progress report? How are those old Glocks doing?
 
I think if the guns are kept in the conditions that thoughtful owners keep their guns, the "plastic" will last several lifetimes. They would go to pot pretty quickly if left out in the humidity and sunlight but they will still last longer than the rusting metal ones.
 
Interesting thread, even if it was revived from 2005. My issue isn't if my XD9 and XD40 will still be around and/or too degraded to be functional in another 20 years, but currently at age 62, will I be?
 
Another 10 years has passed since the plastic pistols hit the market and failures appear to be just as common now as they were 10 years ago (not many). I would think well used police trade-ins would start to see degradation much quicker than average given they are exposed to the elements on a daily basis but I haven't ever heard of any problems.
 
Degradation will occur over time.
The only question is how soon.
It can be accelerated by exposure to sunlight & chemicals, but it'll happen just sitting, eventually.
Denis
 
Degradation will occur over time.
Click to expand...

That is true of every thing on earth and certainly both metal and plastic guns. A few famous long term, high round count tests of many different polymer framed pistols has put to bed the question "will they last?" There is no doubt.

Do most metal pistols last 100,000 rounds? I don't recall reading about tests of that many rounds in metal.
 
Old argument & I'll get out of this one by saying yes- they'll "last", but they won't retain structural integrity over several lifetimes & those polyframes won't remain functional as long as steel frames.

They have not been around long enough to answer the question.
Check back in another 50 years & the answer will be more valid. :)

Round count is not the issue.
Denis
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top