quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:
Good friend who's been shooting 3-gun for a long time cracked his slide at 600K+ rounds. G17 Gen 2, his "baby". Sent it to Glock, they replaced the complete slide at no cost.

So the steel failed before the polymer? That's a good testament to the polymer.

I saw this posted on a Facebook group. Even this isn't a big deal with the relatively cheap/easy grip module replacements on the newer polymer SIGs. I just disassembled and cleaned my P365 for the first time yesterday. I was pretty impressed with its construction. I really like how the slide rides on those large steel rails.

That Glock just needs a little grip trimming and it will be quite the carry piece.

The bakelite grips I've seen on WW II era P.38 pistols still seem serviceable. I'm not worried about the polymer used in today's handguns.

I'm not worried about polymer frames either, but I would just note that the grips on a handgun don't have to deal with the stress that a frame has to handle.

My Nylon 66 from the mid 60s is still going......the original plastic fantastic?

And don’t forget the commercials 10ish years ago showing empty plastic bottles and the caption “Forever In A Landfill...”

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I'm not worried about polymer frames either, but I would just note that the grips on a handgun don't have to deal with the stress that a frame has to handle.

Actually, they do. The slide on a polymer framed pistol rides on steel inserts which are embedded into the polymer frame. The gripes on a P.38 pistol wrap around the steel frame. Same difference.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I'm not worried about polymer frames either, but I would just note that the grips on a handgun don't have to deal with the stress that a frame has to handle.

Actually, they do. The slide on a polymer framed pistol rides on steel inserts which are embedded into the polymer frame. The gripes on a P.38 pistol wrap around the steel frame. Same difference.

Not really, the steel frame takes the stress - not so much the grips.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I'm not worried about polymer frames either, but I would just note that the grips on a handgun don't have to deal with the stress that a frame has to handle.

Actually, they do. The slide on a polymer framed pistol rides on steel inserts which are embedded into the polymer frame. The gripes on a P.38 pistol wrap around the steel frame. Same difference.

Not really, the steel frame takes the stress - not so much the grips.

And you a polymer framed pistol the steel tab inserts take the stress.

Photoman, Leave a new Glock and a new high end 1911 outside for 6 months with the slide and magazine beside them and let us know what happens.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I'm not worried about polymer frames either, but I would just note that the grips on a handgun don't have to deal with the stress that a frame has to handle.

Actually, they do. The slide on a polymer framed pistol rides on steel inserts which are embedded into the polymer frame. The gripes on a P.38 pistol wrap around the steel frame. Same difference.

Not really, the steel frame takes the stress - not so much the grips.

And you a polymer framed pistol the steel tab inserts take the stress.

The steel tabs are up in the rail area. The discussion was regarding the grip area.

I suppose it won't survive the eventual entropic death of the universe?

quote:

Originally posted by Oat_Action_Man:
I suppose it won't survive the eventual entropic death of the universe?

No it will survive just fine, right alongside roaches. However The Creator will be so flummoxed at how such a wholly imperfect species as humans could conceive and make a material that will outlast time itself.

-MG

Plastic: is made from a wide variety of formulas/material. Some will last a very, very long time with just some shrinkage, others not exposed to UV will become very brittle or turn to powder when handled. Bakelite from WW II does shrink (pistol grips, stocks). But I have found/seen Bakelite insulators etc from the early 1900's that were still very functional. Quality of material is the key!

Firearm-grade plastic does last longer than many car dashboards.