Why no polymer .22s?

R

RX-79G

Moderator
Sure, there are plenty of polymer frame .22s, but aside from this crap, there aren't any that use the material more fully anymore:
zipwhatcando3.jpg


Many years ago, the Ramline Extractor/MRI Mountain Eagle used steel bolts and barrel liners in otherwise plastic guns. I was looking at the alloy barrel 22/45 Rugers the other day and was reminded that the only steel you really need is the barrel, bolt, hammer and small parts.
picture%20243.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg


Aside from being able to offer a very cheap but entirely reliable and accurate .22 from polymer, you could also completely enclose the bolt, like the Zip junk does.

I'm really surprised Ruger hasn't done this, yet. That polyurethane stuff they made the P95 out of - rails and all - would be perfect.

Ciener has been making 15 round plastic .22 mags for decades, too.
 
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The Olympic Arms rendition of the Whitney Wolverine is mostly plastic, is that along the lines of what your thinking?
 
The upper is alloy, like the Ruger Lite. But it is along the right lines since it doesn't have a slide.

I guess I'd like to see a one piece polymer .22 - everything internal with a minimum of parts and stuff sticking out. I don't see any reason you couldn't duplicate a Ruger 22/45 for reliability and accuracy, and cost would be really low because of the simplified design. The Rugers are built like they are because that's the easiest way of making metal pistol. Plastic opens up the possibility of more complex internal shapes with no extra hardware.

Nothing really wrong with other designs, but an internal steel bolt in a polymer receiver would be the most durable.
 
It might be the bulk that holds it back from being done.


Polymer is strong, but can be overly flexible, you may need to add bulk to stiffen it up or get the strength you need.


Just look at the pistol you gave as an example... its huge in odd places.
 
Oh boy. I had an Exactor. Great concept, but somehow a staggered 22 LR magazine doesn't function well. I never was able to go through a full mag w/o a problem.

There are plenty of poly 22LR semi's. Ruger SR22 and the Beretta comes to mind. Ones with just a liner for the barrel, not too common.
 
Would you even need the whole barrel to be metal, or could you get away with a metal lining inside of a polymer shell?

Edit: I see the MRI you posted beat me to it. Seems like something that would be right up Kel Tec's alley.
 
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Hello TunnelRat,,,

Would you even need the whole barrel to be metal, or could you get away with a metal lining inside of a polymer shell?
Click to expand...

That's what the barrel for my Beretta NEOS Carbine Kit is made of,,,
And I believe quite a few aftermarket barrels for Rugers,,,
Are made of carbon fiber with a metal liner.

140102-NEOS_CasedSet-LR.jpg


I almost forgot,,,
The frame of the NEOS pistols are polymer.

Aarond

.
 
Very good, Malice. Exactly what I'm talking about.

But I would like to see one where everything is enclosed, like on the Zip. Just shaped like a gun.
 
The good ole PMR. I remembered that but didn't bring it up because of the 22 magnum aspect. come to think of it, you'd think they're release a LR version of it too. They're fun to shoot, though not always reliable. Nice fireball too ;).
 
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