Just wondering. I dislike shooting poly framed handguns. It’s not that I distrust them (Lord knows they’ve proven exceptionally durable and are light and easy to carry).
I just don’t like shooting them. For some reason, I can feel a reverberation that is transmitted through the frame. In some cases, firing them is downright painful for me.
The three most recent poly frame pistols I’ve had the (dis)pleasure of shooting are the Glock 17, S&W M&P 9mm Compact, and one of the Kahr 9mms. I just did not like shooting any of them. I shot them all using proper (although more than likely not perfect) technique/grip.
Anybody else this way? Should I try a different caliber?
(Or I may just be pretty f***ed up on my own…I even prefer revolvers to autos:D)
if you prefer revolvers to autos, for some odd reason, its no surprise you don’t like to shoot poly guns. the highest bore axis you’re gonna get are revolvers, the lowest are poly guns… totally different beasts.
i suspect you’re allowing biases influence your opinion… perhaps you should try some self-evaluations in the form of competition or professional training. nothing shows you what is and isn’t G2G like a high intensity match or class.
Give the full size M&P’s a shot (no pun intended. ). I found the M&P 40 to be the softest shooting 40 there is among the poly framed handguns. I’m pretty sure the M&P9 FS will be super soft. Have you fired a full size XD?
M&P- I’m trying to get a chance to shoot a 9mm FS M&P. No rental ranges in my area. I have heard that they are some of the softer shooting poly guns.
I haven’t tried the XD, but I have a friend that has a .45 version…now, if I could find a box of .45ACP to try it out with…
you should try some self-evaluations in the form of competition or professional training. nothing shows you what is and isn’t G2G like a high intensity match or class.
Unfortunatly, I am not able to attend matches (none around here + no time) and the only opportunity I’m going to have to take some time off for training would likely be next year sometime- I’m balls to the wall with studying and work right now. It is a priority, though, to get some good training in as soon as I am able.
Sounds like you simply have a preference. Considering the G17 is so widely used by some serious scalp takers, I’m inclined to give the G17(19’s), and the HK’s, and the M&P’s, respect. If you aren’t comfortable with them, you’re not comfortable with them. Love my HK USP .45 & USP Compact, looking to buy a G17. But, what feels great to me may not feel great to you. All I can say is give them a serious trial run with multiple sessions.
The G17 is definitley out of the picture for me. Good gun on it’s own, and many like/love it, it and me just don’t get along, at all. The Glock grip feels awkward and blocky in my hand.
The HK pistols are something else I’m looking to try…
I would say that I dont love the 17/22 full size frame…until you draw it from a holster. I used to be a die hard SIG guy. I despised glocks when I first started shooting but the more I shot them, the more I liked them. I find that the 19/23 glocks fit my hand like a glove and I will never sell my 19…ever! I would say give the previously mentioned guns (glock, m&p,etc.) in additional sizes/frames a try before you write polymer guns off completely.
nothing wrong with liking revolvers, I am dead on with even my snub nose revolver, OK with my HK45c it’s my first poly gun and yea I don’t like that I don’t shoot it as well, my gun instructor goes let me see that thing, pops 3 bullets in and made 1/2 inch group at 15 yards, goes nope gun is fine it’s you. I vow to tame this beast and improve my skills, maybe you just don’t like the feel of poly.
I’m in the same boat as the OP. I have had a Glock 21, a HK USP45, and a Springer XD45. Sold two of them, still have the XD for bedside duty. Have shot the M&P and the Kahrs also. I just can’t get excited about any of them. I shoot them okay, but not nearly as well as a 1911.
Glocks are funky to me as well. I have not owned one because of the the way the recoil feels and the stock trigger makes my finger hurt after a mag or two. HK USP was similar. I had an XDsc and it was alright. The Kahr CW9 that I shot was comfortable.
A lot of my dislike for the polymer guns changed when I picked up a M&P 40 recently. I am really liking this gun. It’s accurate, comfortable, and I don’t get the flexing feeling when I shoot it.
I am not a revolver fan but I have seen guys that can run the pants off of them so it can be a platform that you could definitely learn.
I still like a 1911 the best. Yep, I’m still clinging.
I LOVE my 1911’s, my Revolvers and my HP’s. I clean, hold them, look at them and lust over them! But I shoot the G17 better than any of my 70+ other handguns. But I carry a 1911 or g30. Why because I like them!
Glocks are funky to me as well. I have not owned one because of the the way the recoil feels and the stock trigger makes my finger hurt after a mag or two. HK USP was similar. I had an XDsc and it was alright. The Kahr CW9 that I shot was comfortable.
A lot of my dislike for the polymer guns changed when I picked up a M&P 40 recently. I am really liking this gun. It’s accurate, comfortable, and I don’t get the flexing feeling when I shoot it.
I am not a revolver fan but I have seen guys that can run the pants off of them so it can be a platform that you could definitely learn.
I still like a 1911 the best. Yep, I’m still clinging.
1911- yeah, I like a 1911 too. But the reliability issues that many see worries me. A lot. What about the S&W 1911s (the plainer ones)?
I’m definitely going to take a serious look and evaluation of the S&W M&P (but most likely in 9mm).
I still cling to the 1911 because I don’t see the issues but I am pretty good about maintaining them and run good stuff from Baer and Dan Wesson. I have a pre-series II Kimber that has treated me very well. Good magazines with good springs are critical.
The newer polymer guns have improved extractors and the way they are setup don’t require the maintenance, especially with the cleaner and softer shooting 9mm.
On edit: I went with 40 for a couple reasons, the main one being that I pin shoot and 9mm will not take them down like a 40.
You know what you like and you know what works for you nothing wrong with that at all. Personally I love my plastic wonder 9’s but there are plenty of non polymer pistols out there that work great and would serve you well, especially if you are more comfortable shooting it. As long as you can find something that you are comfortable with that is reliable I wouldn’t worry about shooting the latest and greatest polymer framed guns.
Unless you are “issued” a pistol and “need to” become proficient with it I would not fight your body’s natural mechanics and personal preferences. So you like shooting non polymer framed guns…no sweat, Sig, Beretta, S&W’s, HK, etc all make something that suits your preferences.
My take on this is that if you are forced into a gun fight you should be fighting the enemy not your gear so choose what works for you, especially if you have the freedom to (agency / dep policies) etc. If you shoot exponentially better with a revolver and are a private citizen living a primarily low risk life I don’t think there is anything “wrong” with carrying a wheel gun, especially if that is the gun that you practice most with and gives that extra little bit of confidence in the face of adversity (I’ll take as much of that as I can get ;)).
Don’t feel like you “need” to jump on the polymer wonder band wagon. Pick your pistol poison then shoot the piss out of it
That’s pretty much my thought. One of my problems, however, is budget limitation. The poly pistols (with, somewhat, the exception of HK) are pretty much more in line with my budget than metal frame pistols, although I will spend a little more for a metal framed pistol.
I’m giving SIG a good lookover now. Are there any sites selling SIG CPO pistols? New SIGs are a bit rich for my blood and I worry about their QC these days. (it would have been nice to have turned 21 a few years ago and gotten choice pick on the CPO and police refurbs)
Are there any pistols I’m overlooking as far as metal frame pistols go?
My previous plan was to buy a Ruger SP-101, but I’d like to go with a semi-auto. A 1911 feels excellent in my hands (like for everybody else) but I’m not quite ready to jump on the .45ACP bandwagon and it’s associated costs of ammunition (and scaricity, now), nor can I really shell out the bucks for a quality 1911 (for that price, I could get a SIG and sleep easier)
Seems like you are like some folks who are stuck in their ways, and snarl at any weapon not steel and wood, just like my father. He was a 1911 guy to the grave, but after spending an afternoon with me with all my plastic fantastics, including my AR, he relented and actually enjoyed shooting them, but wouldn’t trade his 1911, or other weapons, for anything. I had an old S&W 6906 that I had for years and shot very well, but finally gave it to a female friend as a gift, then went all out for the M&P line. If going that route, go for the Full Sized models. Nothing wrong sticking with metal framed pistols/revolvers, as long as it’s reliable and your proficient with it, in the end, who gives a rat’s ass.
I LOVE my polymer pistols - M&P40, XDm40, P99 9mm - and plan on adding more but I won’t lie and deny that the gun I’m most accurate with is my all-steel Jericho 941 9mm - been very reliable to boot. At about 600 bucks new I think it’s a great deal for a metal-frame pistol. CZ USA’s prices are in that range too for their all-steel guns. If you really must have a steel-frame pistol then I think you should give them a look.
). I found the M&P 40 to be the softest shooting 40 there is among the poly framed handguns. I’m pretty sure the M&P9 FS will be super soft. Have you fired a full size XD?
