Update is a little tongue in cheek.
I was recently browsing for something or other and came across all the threads from some years back where the question of polymer longevity came up. Not durability mind you, longevity of the material structure. We all know by now that just about any half ass made polymer frame can handle like a jillion rounds with basic parts changes generally speaking.
At any rate since I saw these threads I started thinking to myself I have been in this game for a while, I have never really paid much attention to it as I have steel and walnut too, but I have my fair share of tactical Tupperware as well. I figured I see what I had as far as age goes.
The four oldest pieces of gun plastic I have are as follows.
A Sauer 1913 pistol that dates back to at least WWII as that is where my great uncle got it. The gun is missing some parts and doesn't work and the overall finish is fairly rough but the plastic grip panels (whatever they are made out of) Look damn near factory new.
A Manurhin Walther PP that is probably a 60s era gun. Now this gun hasn't seen much use and its gorgeous and again the plastic grip panels and magazine extension (brown in color) look factory new.
A couple of Bushmaster rifles from the early 2000s. All the hand guards etc. again factory new.
Now my oldest polymer firearm, an early Walther P99 that is is not that old but since I got curious I checked and it is going on 15 years. It is the "Titanium" slide (two tone) model. The slide is all scratched to hell, the barrel hood has some finish missing. Nothing horrible but she's seem some use. The polymer frame............factory new. Polymer sights........factory new.
I also have Glocks and what not but they are all newer.
I guess I have both never paid polymer degradation much mind....yet always assumed they would have a fairly short life span. (100 years or less)
At any rate I figured I would share my findings. After looking at the condition of the, I am sure fairly low tech, "plastic" (Bakelite?????) on the 1913 grips I am now wondering if these things won't last a hell of a long time if kept out of the sun or extreme elements. (basically cared for, like you would any gun)
Anyway just thought I would share, since after going down the rabbit hole of those old posts and totally forgetting what I was looking for in the first place......I figured I would take everybody along for the ride.
I was recently browsing for something or other and came across all the threads from some years back where the question of polymer longevity came up. Not durability mind you, longevity of the material structure. We all know by now that just about any half ass made polymer frame can handle like a jillion rounds with basic parts changes generally speaking.
At any rate since I saw these threads I started thinking to myself I have been in this game for a while, I have never really paid much attention to it as I have steel and walnut too, but I have my fair share of tactical Tupperware as well. I figured I see what I had as far as age goes.
The four oldest pieces of gun plastic I have are as follows.
A Sauer 1913 pistol that dates back to at least WWII as that is where my great uncle got it. The gun is missing some parts and doesn't work and the overall finish is fairly rough but the plastic grip panels (whatever they are made out of) Look damn near factory new.
A Manurhin Walther PP that is probably a 60s era gun. Now this gun hasn't seen much use and its gorgeous and again the plastic grip panels and magazine extension (brown in color) look factory new.
A couple of Bushmaster rifles from the early 2000s. All the hand guards etc. again factory new.
Now my oldest polymer firearm, an early Walther P99 that is is not that old but since I got curious I checked and it is going on 15 years. It is the "Titanium" slide (two tone) model. The slide is all scratched to hell, the barrel hood has some finish missing. Nothing horrible but she's seem some use. The polymer frame............factory new. Polymer sights........factory new.
I also have Glocks and what not but they are all newer.
I guess I have both never paid polymer degradation much mind....yet always assumed they would have a fairly short life span. (100 years or less)
At any rate I figured I would share my findings. After looking at the condition of the, I am sure fairly low tech, "plastic" (Bakelite?????) on the 1913 grips I am now wondering if these things won't last a hell of a long time if kept out of the sun or extreme elements. (basically cared for, like you would any gun)
Anyway just thought I would share, since after going down the rabbit hole of those old posts and totally forgetting what I was looking for in the first place......I figured I would take everybody along for the ride.