Why do poly guns suck to shoot

[FruitCake]

I've shot quite a few poly guns and they've all suck including my Glocks. They are very reliable but I still hate the way they feel even in 9mm. I've had all steel guns only in 9mm and loved the way they felt almost no recoil at all.

I think I'm gonna buy me a Smith wesson Model 59 in 9mm because their seems to be a surplus of them. Do you guys recommend a Model 59.
Thanks

 

[atblis]

They don't. It's all in your head.

 

[LiveLife]

 

[9mmforMe]

I love my poly guns...they feel very right to my hand and shoot softly, if not softer than many all steel guns I've experienced.

The S&W that you speak of is a good pistol, so I've heard.

 

[Sam1911]

Probably lack of experience with them. When you run a particular platform a lot (or even a little, but if it's all you're used to), other things won't feel as comfortable/natural in your hands.

Plenty of folks run lots of polymer framed guns VERY fast and with very good accuracy. If you have the desire to, you can become one of them. If you don't want to -- you won't, and they'll continue to "suck."

Sometimes the difference between "This is the gun I can shoot the fastest and most accurately" and "I just like this one better" is something you have to decide to accept.

 

[tpelle]

First off, most follow the Glock "formula" of being semi-DA and striker fired. That trigger pull feels "funny" to me, as it's not short and crisp like a SA pistol, but not long and draggy like a DA revolver. I do, however, feel that the Glock has a very nice, short, trigger reset so it's possible to fire rapid double taps. The Springfield Armory XD, on the other hand, has an awful trigger reset by comparison.

The geometry of their short-recoil system is also wrong, in that they typically require very little slide movement (a short-short-recoil system?) to get the barrel to unlock. A 1911, for instance, requires a relatively longer slide movement to unlock the barrel. In order to accomplish this they have a relatively heavy slide, depending on slide inertia to delay and slow down the movement.

Secondly, the balance is all wrong. That aforementioned big ol' heavy slide mounted on top of a featherweight frame upsets the balance, as all of the weight is high over your hand. I think that this makes recoil harder to control.

JMHO.

 

[Sam1911]

That trigger pull feels "funny" to me, as it's not short and crisp like a SA pistol, but not long and draggy like a DA revolver.

Each of the major polymer designs (Glock, xD/xDM, and M&P) have available aftermarket parts which can make the trigger-pull feel just about as good as a pretty decent 1911.

Maybe not as perfect as a highly tuned bullseye/race 1911, but a solid combat gun with a crisp 3-5 lb pull and short reset.

If you WANT it to be good, it CAN be good.

 

[snooperman]

If you like all-steel guns -Go for it, but I do not share your opinion...

of Polymer frame guns. In fact I can shoot my Glock 17 as good as my Colt 1911. I also like the Ruger SR9 that I bought recently as well as the Ruger 38 special LCR and can shoot them very well, Thank you.

 

[harmon rabb]

The recoil thing is in your head. Poly guns tend to pass less recoil on to the user.

 

[FruitCake]

I do have the G17 and the G30 that kicks like a mule. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. I think I'm gonna buy a all steel gun again and compare them at the range together. Its been about 2 years since I've had an all steel gun.

 

[SpentCasing]

Glocks feel like toys to me. Im want to give M&P some more time but I cant seem to get used to those either. Beretta PX4 I shoot best with and feels good but its got looks only a mother could love.

 

[Zak Smith]

It's a user problem.

At the RM3G World Championships a few weeks ago, I watched a friend shoot to 3rd overall in the tactical division with a stock gen 2 Glock 17.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

They just don't float with some people I was shooting poly before steal but now that I have switched I won't go back, maybe it's just user preference.

 

[distra]

They don't. Sounds like a user issue to me. My Glocks and M&Ps are a joy to shoot. A G17 and G30 kicking like a mule? Are you using full power loads or +P+? My 17 and 30 both have little recoil, I shoot 124 gr 9mm at just over 1000FPS and 230gr 45 right at 800FPS and neither have a kick. My son has even shot my 17 with these loads. Not sure what you're doing wrong, but something ain't right.

 

[towboat_er]

You will probably enjoy the S&W 59. Great guns.

 

[tpelle]

The recoil thing is in your head. Poly guns tend to pass less recoil on to the user.

It's not the actual recoil, but the overall movement that the gun undergoes. It may be in my head, but it's there nonetheless.

I have a Glock 21 that I've shot a lot, and can actually shoot it pretty accurately and rapidly. But I just don't like the feel of it. And it's not because of the size - I have big hands and can shoot the G21 with the index finger of my support hand in front of the trigger guard. But it just doesn't feel as good to me as my old Series-80 Colt.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Each of the major polymer designs (Glock, xD/xDM, and M&P) have available aftermarket parts which can make the trigger-pull feel just about as good as a pretty decent 1911.

You mean each of the major polymer striker fired guns.

Don't forget the FNP/FNX, Sig Pro 2022, H&K USP/P30/HS2000, Berretta Px4 Storm, Ruger P series...well there are a bunch more too.

 

[Fishbed77]

Sounds like the OP has never shot a Walther P99.

Don't let your opinion of all polymer pistols be soured by Glocks and M&Ps.

 

[1SOW]

Sam 1911 states it best.

If you were "raised on Glocks", an all steel pistol might feel like a brick and not 'point' naturally, but weight does mitigate recoil/flip.

If I'm not mistaken, Glock won the USPSA Nationals earlier this year.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Much like people, their personal opinions differ

This is rather titled as yet ANOTHER caliber war, yet another metal vs. poly

I'd rather you list the desirable attributes you want, then I'm sure you will get pages of suggestions of what will fill your bill.

 

[FruitCake]

I think any poly 45 has a lot of kick compared to a all steel 45.
If anybody says otherwise they are in denial and do not want to admit it because they are afraid of what some members here might say.

I have the Glock 45 and have had it for a while and the recoil sucks. The G17 on the other hand is not too bad.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I'm not sure why you started this thread if you seem to already have made up your mind.

If you want to start a thread recommending an all-steel pistol, go ahead.

Otherwise, this thread serves little purpose other than to rile up those who don't agree with you.