Wood isn't exactly a "for all the ages" material either. And yet there are wooden parts for all kinds of old stuff still around, even on firearms. I have no doubt that a polymer pistol frame or rifle stock with proper care will last every bit as long as the stock on a 1903A1.
Polymer in collection?
- Thread starter Firepower!
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Blue Grass
New member
I don't collect for future value. All my fire arms are working shooters. Is there any evidence that shows polymer guns will break down in a certain length of time? I've read that plastic water bottles will take 400 years to break down. If plastic guns will last that long,why should we care? We will break down and decompose a long time before that. Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. Plastic to jellied dinosaurs.
Huntergirl
New member
I do have some collectable guns, that I'm holding till retirement, then sell. Others are my shooters. The only poly I have is an XD45 and a Walther P99. They happen to be my current favorites.
Technology is progressing too fast for much of anything to be considered valuable for its longevity in the distant future. When I was a photographer I had fine, Leica and Nikon cameras that are now obsolete, and of little or no value. Black powder weapons made in the black powder era are now obsolete, and have value because so few of them survived, and are associated with a special history of our nation.
In not too many decades gunpowder will be obsolete and people will lose interest in the obsolete guns that shot bullets with it. Plastic pistols will have collectors value only if few of them survive.
The material used in the frames of the "plastic" frames could last for many decades. But it is likely at some point to catastrophically fail on short notice, if its essential oils degenerate. Who knows when and how that will occur. It is inevitable.
I believe that the older, more astutely and masterfully made Smith and Wesson revolvers will retain considerable value, as they are now no longer made. What Smith and Wesson is making now is certainly not nearly as well crafted. The obsolete calibers are already collectors items.
Some Rugers and Colts will share that distinction; but overall I believe the mass-produced, modern "plastic" framed handguns will not be highly sought after. They are not designed to be classics or treasures. Like all modern weapons of the military and police, they are designed to be used up and replaced.
In not too many decades gunpowder will be obsolete and people will lose interest in the obsolete guns that shot bullets with it. Plastic pistols will have collectors value only if few of them survive.
The material used in the frames of the "plastic" frames could last for many decades. But it is likely at some point to catastrophically fail on short notice, if its essential oils degenerate. Who knows when and how that will occur. It is inevitable.
I believe that the older, more astutely and masterfully made Smith and Wesson revolvers will retain considerable value, as they are now no longer made. What Smith and Wesson is making now is certainly not nearly as well crafted. The obsolete calibers are already collectors items.
Some Rugers and Colts will share that distinction; but overall I believe the mass-produced, modern "plastic" framed handguns will not be highly sought after. They are not designed to be classics or treasures. Like all modern weapons of the military and police, they are designed to be used up and replaced.
Plastic pows
If you want a collectible hang on to it for a long time, maybe 2 generations, don't use it and keep all the original packaging, I'm sure you'll find one basket case (in the future) similar to us that would really want it and pay dearly for it....just because...maybe even on ebay?
no?
If you want a collectible hang on to it for a long time, maybe 2 generations, don't use it and keep all the original packaging, I'm sure you'll find one basket case (in the future) similar to us that would really want it and pay dearly for it....just because...maybe even on ebay?
no?
Coltman 77
New member
I Just Love Handguns - Steel and Polymer
I've always been very partial to rich, deeply blued steel and walnut handguns which comprises most of my collection.
On the other hand, within the past year I've picked up two polymer sidearms -- a Walther PPS 9mm, which my wife carries concealed and a S&W M&P 9 for a range and truck gun.
I'll have to admit that these polymer pistols are accurate, reliable and easy to disassemble for cleaning.
I've been very impressed with both the PPS and the M&P.
As an avid collector and shooter, I'd say that polymer pistols do have a place in a well rounded collection.
I've always been very partial to rich, deeply blued steel and walnut handguns which comprises most of my collection.
On the other hand, within the past year I've picked up two polymer sidearms -- a Walther PPS 9mm, which my wife carries concealed and a S&W M&P 9 for a range and truck gun.
I'll have to admit that these polymer pistols are accurate, reliable and easy to disassemble for cleaning.
I've been very impressed with both the PPS and the M&P.
As an avid collector and shooter, I'd say that polymer pistols do have a place in a well rounded collection.
Yankee Traveler
New member
Hmm..But steel is a type of metal. Aluminum is a type of metal, as is gold and so on...
But polymer is a chain of monomers...but which type of monomer? Vinyl chloride, vinyl flouride, vinyl acetate? In other words, another word for plastic.
Yankee Traveler
New member
But I digress, I don't think Poly's are collectible, but they are good for the collection. If they are useable when pased on...so be it.
I have some of my dads craftsmans and some of my grandads craftsmans as well. If they fit the need they are used. If they get stripped out, they'll get replaced.
I think thats what they would have done...
I have some of my dads craftsmans and some of my grandads craftsmans as well. If they fit the need they are used. If they get stripped out, they'll get replaced.
I think thats what they would have done...
I'm sure at some date in the not too distant future, there will be those who will specialize in collecting plastic guns, for example, Glocks, and will want to have a complete set of everything Glock makes or made. From a historical point of view, I see nothing wrong with that; In fact, I think it would be very educational to see something like it.
At some time, as technology advances, they may even become collectible as being representative of a bygone era when guns were still made of plastic and not "pressed fiberboard" (for example).
From a practical viewpoint, however, there are no really significant events or epochs associated with plastic guns as opposed to, say, Winchesters, which, right or wrong, are invariably associated with "The Old West," or 1911s which are associated with any number of wars that this country has fought.
For a gun to become "collectible," it has to have some history or "romance" involved with it. Plastic guns were developed as a manufacturing/cost expedient, and, as such, most likely will never have any significant collectibility any more than a garden variety Model 10 Smith & Wesson will.
At some time, as technology advances, they may even become collectible as being representative of a bygone era when guns were still made of plastic and not "pressed fiberboard" (for example).
From a practical viewpoint, however, there are no really significant events or epochs associated with plastic guns as opposed to, say, Winchesters, which, right or wrong, are invariably associated with "The Old West," or 1911s which are associated with any number of wars that this country has fought.
For a gun to become "collectible," it has to have some history or "romance" involved with it. Plastic guns were developed as a manufacturing/cost expedient, and, as such, most likely will never have any significant collectibility any more than a garden variety Model 10 Smith & Wesson will.