I read a lot of these posts and read posters talk a lot about it being critical for lifetime of use to have all metal frame semi-auto pistols. Some say must be stainless, not aluminum. Some say polymer is junk and steel or stainless is only life time gun to buy.
A lot of folks here have a very poor understanding of materials, chemistry, and engineering.
They equate all polymers with plastic grocery bags or inexpensive toys, when in fact many formulations have properties that may be far in excess of what is needed for a very simple machine like a firearm.
When people speak ignorantly about the longevity of polymers, consider the following:
*There are bakelite (an early form of synthetic polymer) products well over 100 years old now that are still in good functioning condition.
*Acrylic and polycarbonate aircraft windows have lasted well over 70 years, and many are subjected to temperatures and pressure changes far in excess to those affecting most polymer firearms components.
*Expose a polymer component and a steel component to prolonged moisture and tell me which has better longetivity. Even one of cheapest polymers (HDPE - used in milk jugs) will last thousands of years buried. No steel firearms will last that long in such conditions.
Polymer is stil sort of an unknown and we know for a fact it is always degrading and does so quicker in heat or UV etc. so even with good care eventually it may get too brittle to be useful.
Except this isn't true.
Various modern polymers have been around for well over 100 years. You are also grouping all polymers together, when in fact, the chemistry and formulations may be very different indeed, with some that are extremely resistant to UV degradation, and some that have better tolerance to heat than some alloys of steel or aluminum. And there is almost no argument that most modern polymers resist degradation due to oxidation from moisture better than steel or aluminum.
Also keep in mind that not everybody who shoots or owns firearms sees them as weapons or tools or martial items in any way. Many folks appreciate them as “kinetic or engineering works of art” if you will and let’s face it the NICEST piece of pragmatic polymer doesn’t hold a candle to even a nicely made Bulgarian Makarov as far as “kinetic art” goes.
Agreed that many folks (myself included) appreciate fine machining in older steel firearms (though a Bulgarian Mak wouldn't necessarily be the first example I'd think of). However, that Bulgarian Makarov has notable polymer parts in its construction as well, in the form of its AG-S4 (similar to bakelite) grips.
Walther is making hay off the steel framed version of their plastic pistol to serve high volume USPSA competitors.
That is true, but is also ignoring that fact that the extra weight of the steel frame (and its ability to mitigate felt recoil better than the lighter polymer frame) is likely far more of a selling point for this firearm than the perceived longetivity of the frame.
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