Polymer 80, why now?

[WestKentucky]

I have seen a bunch of threads recently talking about polymer80 pistols. I don’t really understand the rationale now. It is as cheap or cheaper to just buy the model of Glock you want to imitate, and the guns are not under threat of being made contraband in most places. Mag limits and bans might be part of what I’m seeing though. I have built 80% AR and I understand the fun factor but I just don’t understand the current draw to the lego-Glock as I have heard it called. I think I would like to build one, which I think is why I notice the threads, but between THR and a couple other sites I seem to be seeing more and more of these guns and more custom slides than ever before.

 

[armoredman]

Possibly the same as people who still build ARs instead of buying one of the incredibly cheap ones flooding the market - because it's fun. Why not? I have no interest myself, but a lot of people really enjoy them.

 

[Elkins45]

Having a gun that's not on a 4473 seems to be most of the appeal.

 

[lysanderxiii]

Why is there a fabric department in Walmart with patterns for clothing? A few aisles over you could buy it cheaper.

Why is there a kit car market?

Why are there magazine and books all about making your own furniture?

It's fun to make your own stuff....

(a lack of a 4473 has little to do with it in reality)

 

[rskent]

Personal satisfaction of making your own stuff.

 

[Elkins45]

(a lack of a 4473 has little to do with it in reality)

Sure. People get a real sense of personal satisfaction from trimming two plastic tabs and drilling three holes.

 

[WestKentucky]

Sure. People get a real sense of personal satisfaction from trimming two plastic tabs and drilling three holes.

I can kinda see people getting satisfaction in stippling if they don’t want to wreck a serialized frame. Beyond that, the novelty still escapes me. And I agree, there’s not a whole lot to do on a polymer80 frame, so it’s not like a 80% AR where you are really finishing out a lot of work on a forging.

 

[rbernie]

You can also assemble a Glock pattern pistol in a configuration not supported by the factory. If you wanted, for example, a Glock with a 1911 grip angle – a Polymer80 or similar home built is an attractive option.

 

[Elkins45]

You can also assemble a Glock pattern pistol in a configuration not supported by the factory. If you wanted, for example, a Glock with a 1911 grip angle – a Polymer80 or similar home built is an attractive option.

I can see that, but I would worry that changing the grip angle would change the dynamics of feeding from the magazine.

 

[mgmorden]

There are various reasons, but the reason they pique my interest is just that I like projects. It's a little embarassing to admit, but sometimes I enjoy tinkering with guns more than I do shooting them. When I buy used guns I often look for guns that I can get for a bit cheaper because they have some issues. I then have a project to "fix them up". Like armoredman mentioned above, despite them being pretty cheap, I've got 4 AR's now and have built all of them from parts because it's just fun.

 

[WestKentucky]

One thing I would consider, is if polymer80 would make Glock type pistols that would take other mags. Grip angle is a good example of things to change, but I would also like for one to take mags for something like a 1911 where you could go slim grip instead of fat grip. Glock slide, 9mm 1911 mag sounds like a winner.

 

[rskent]

Sure. People get a real sense of personal satisfaction from trimming two plastic tabs and drilling three holes.

And maybe collecting all the bits, then getting it running.

 

[Elkins45]

And maybe collecting all the bits, then getting it running.

I can find a good used G17 or G19 on Armslist for $425 any day of the week. Unlike building an AR it ends up costing more to collect all the bits. By the time you pay $100+ for the frame, 150 for the slide, 70 for the slide completion parts, 80 for a decent used Glock barrel and 50 for the frame parts it ends up costing more...and you still need a set of sights.

I would just rather buy a like new G17 and tinker with it. Or buy a complete gun and also a Polymer 80 to screw around with. But when I’ve looked they always seem to cost at least $130.

Edit: in searching for prices I did find one big plus for a P80 lower, and that’s the absence of finger grooves. I don’t like the finger groves at all.