polymer 1911s--plus or minus?
- Thread starter longeyes
- Start date
The only polymer 1911s I have dealt with are the Kimber and the Wilson. I owned the Kimber and just held the Wilson. They both felt like crap in my hand. If someone would put out a 1911 polymer framed single stack with a similar contour as the metal ones, I'd be all over it for the weight savings. Single stack 1911s just feel excellent in my paw whereas the doubles dont fit at all.
The only advice I can offer you is to try holding a few and maybe even shooting a few if you can. I can say in owning a Glock and a 1911 - I prefer the single action trigger of a 1911. I shoot a Glock good but I do so much better with a 1911.
I have a polymer Kimber and I love it. To me it fits great in my hands. The single stacks are too small in my hands but I have found I am in the minority on this, in general. I have found I shoot better with the double stacks too.
I have a polymer Kimber and I love it. To me it fits great in my hands. The single stacks are too small in my hands but I have found I am in the minority on this, in general. I have found I shoot better with the double stacks too.
I have both aluminum-framed (Para) and steel-framed (SA) 1911s, but haven't even held a polymer-framed 1911.
So, lacking experience and admitting my ignorance, it's my understanding that the slides ride on steel inserts in the polymer frames. It seems to me that this design should provide longer service life than softer aluminum-alloy frames, since frame/slide interface is steel-on-steel.
My next 1911 purchase may be one of the dual-stack polymer-framed guns, since they would seem to offer an excellent combination of capacity and light carry weight.
So, lacking experience and admitting my ignorance, it's my understanding that the slides ride on steel inserts in the polymer frames. It seems to me that this design should provide longer service life than softer aluminum-alloy frames, since frame/slide interface is steel-on-steel.
My next 1911 purchase may be one of the dual-stack polymer-framed guns, since they would seem to offer an excellent combination of capacity and light carry weight.
What is this discussion about, whether polymer fits your hands, or whether it holds up as well as/or better to metal frames?
I'm not interested in how good one may feel in your hand because this is a subjective matter based on the size of the individual's hand.
I like polymer because it is stronger than steel, but I also like the solid weight of an all-steel frame. I think that I could depend on either one, although I think that polymer will probably outlast steel.
I'm not interested in how good one may feel in your hand because this is a subjective matter based on the size of the individual's hand.
I like polymer because it is stronger than steel, but I also like the solid weight of an all-steel frame. I think that I could depend on either one, although I think that polymer will probably outlast steel.
My original query really had to do with how intrinsic to the function and feel of the 1911 is all-steel construction. Maybe what I'm asking, and I don't claim to know much about 1911s, is when is a 1911 no longer a 1911, what exactly constitutes what users know and love about a 1911. Does it matter that 80% of the gun is fabricated of polymer? Does that in any way detract from the classic design and operability of the piece? I assume trigger pull is the same but weight, unless compensated for by a more capacious magazine, wouldn't be. I gather from the great reviews of Wilson's KZ-45 that no one's much concerned, but I may be completely wrong. I'm thinking about buying my first 1911 and just wondered if "cutting edge" is worth it. If I'm going to buy a 1911 I want it to have the virtues of a 1911 and I identify that with the original Browning design as manufactured by Colt.
Longeyes, a good 1911 can be made out of plastic, but the problem is that no one is happy to just copy a receiver in polymer. They all want to add this or that, changing the feel and look of the weapon...which is exactly what attracts most people.
As to weight, I doubt seriously that you will even notice. Even a single-stack poly-frame isn't that light. I carry a stainless S&W 686 and three reloads on my duty belt, every day, and don't see how it is cumbersome or bad on the back. You get used to the weight.
Another advantage to the weight is that it can steady you when firing. A bud at work had a shoulder injury that gives him a serious wobble in the iso or weaver stance (18"@25yd is wonderful for him). He carries a glock, but loved how the weight of my SA 1911 slowed his shake and allowed him to tighten the groups.
What's the weight difference between a poly frame and an aluminum one?
As to weight, I doubt seriously that you will even notice. Even a single-stack poly-frame isn't that light. I carry a stainless S&W 686 and three reloads on my duty belt, every day, and don't see how it is cumbersome or bad on the back. You get used to the weight.
Another advantage to the weight is that it can steady you when firing. A bud at work had a shoulder injury that gives him a serious wobble in the iso or weaver stance (18"@25yd is wonderful for him). He carries a glock, but loved how the weight of my SA 1911 slowed his shake and allowed him to tighten the groups.
What's the weight difference between a poly frame and an aluminum one?
ArmySon, are you high?!
"The weight 'advantage' is basically a marketing too. By adding extra .45 ACP rounds to the hi caps, the weight becomes close to a standard 1911." ArmySon
I explained this to you months ago, and you didn't listen then. You just told me to tell that to Wilson, since that is what they put in their literature. I guess it must be right then. DO THE MATH!!!
If a full size 1911 weighs 38 oz, and weighs 44 oz loaded, then those 8 bullets weigh 6oz. 6/8 = .75 oz. So each bullet weighs three fourths of an ounce. If the KZ45 holds TWO extra rounds, then it adds 1.5 ounces more to the empty weight of the gun than an 8 shot model. If the empty KZ45 weighs 31 ounces, then that tells me that the LOADED KZ weighs 31 + 7.5 oz = 38.5 ounces. That doesn't sound like a marketing ploy to me. That sounds like a gun that weighs 5.5 ounces less than a standard 1911, while holding 2 extra rounds.
"The weight 'advantage' is basically a marketing too. By adding extra .45 ACP rounds to the hi caps, the weight becomes close to a standard 1911." ArmySon
I explained this to you months ago, and you didn't listen then. You just told me to tell that to Wilson, since that is what they put in their literature. I guess it must be right then. DO THE MATH!!!
If a full size 1911 weighs 38 oz, and weighs 44 oz loaded, then those 8 bullets weigh 6oz. 6/8 = .75 oz. So each bullet weighs three fourths of an ounce. If the KZ45 holds TWO extra rounds, then it adds 1.5 ounces more to the empty weight of the gun than an 8 shot model. If the empty KZ45 weighs 31 ounces, then that tells me that the LOADED KZ weighs 31 + 7.5 oz = 38.5 ounces. That doesn't sound like a marketing ploy to me. That sounds like a gun that weighs 5.5 ounces less than a standard 1911, while holding 2 extra rounds.
VictorLouis
New member
There must be a misprint
in the Wilson catalog. I have handled a KZ right next to their steel pistols at a show. There's no way it weighs anywhere near close to that of a steel gun.
in the Wilson catalog. I have handled a KZ right next to their steel pistols at a show. There's no way it weighs anywhere near close to that of a steel gun.
P
PreserveFreedom
Guest
If it feels good in your hand, one advantage of polymer is that it won't be painful to grab if you are out in the sun for a while. Any hikers, bikers, or boaters out here? 
I have a Kimber double stack poly.
The plus's; A few extra rounds w/o the extended mag. Don't have to worry about finish, as much.
Minus's; $100 for a full cap mag (non-standard). The Kimber poly does not allow for custom grips. The weight distribution of the weapon changes noticeably as you empty the mag (more muzzle flip.)
Son Tau is correct wrt fully loaded weight. 13/14 rounds is just as heavy as 7 rounds in a govt model, via the palm of the hand method of measurement.
Marty
The plus's; A few extra rounds w/o the extended mag. Don't have to worry about finish, as much.
Minus's; $100 for a full cap mag (non-standard). The Kimber poly does not allow for custom grips. The weight distribution of the weapon changes noticeably as you empty the mag (more muzzle flip.)
Son Tau is correct wrt fully loaded weight. 13/14 rounds is just as heavy as 7 rounds in a govt model, via the palm of the hand method of measurement.
Marty
WHY?
Ok, you have a 1911, polymer frame. Added capacity? Not really, 10 rounds max...you can get single stack 10 roundser. Cost savings? Not really. You can find NICE 1911's out there for less. Cool? Maybe. Then you have to worry about buying new mags because the single stack ones you already have won't work and the standard 10 rounders for it are tough to find. Solution to a non existent problem in my book. Stay traditional w/ your 1911's!
Ok, you have a 1911, polymer frame. Added capacity? Not really, 10 rounds max...you can get single stack 10 roundser. Cost savings? Not really. You can find NICE 1911's out there for less. Cool? Maybe. Then you have to worry about buying new mags because the single stack ones you already have won't work and the standard 10 rounders for it are tough to find. Solution to a non existent problem in my book. Stay traditional w/ your 1911's!
Sounds like a good trade-off IMO. I haven't had the opportunity to actually see much less hold and shoot one of the new polymer 1911's that are available. Being the type who was reluctant to ever owning a polymer gun in the first place, (I was also leary of aluminum frames at one time)I don't see myself replacing any of my "all steel" 1911's in the near future. I'll leave the polymer frame role to my Glocks. They've been at it longer.
Rick
williamcrane
New member
I'm with captainhoek. BTW, captain, have you recovered from space madness yet?