Practical firearms discussion: Non-polymer-framed handguns

With the introduction of the Glock series of semi-automatic handguns, and the revelation that polymer compounds served just as well as metals such as steel and aluminum for the construction of a reliable and durable firearms frame, more and more manufacturers have been following suit and introducing their own polymer-frames semi-automatic handgun designs. They offer lighter weight, superior corrosion resistance, greater ease of manufacture, and reduced cost.

Despite all of this, metal-framed semi-automatic handguns do not appear to be going anywhere, and continue to remain popular enough with the public to supply a demand for their construction and sale, despite the increased weight, the risk of corrosion, and higher manufacturing costs associated with machining metal rather than simply molding polymer.

What models of semi-automatic handguns non-polymer frames are still regarded as being the most popular with the united states public, and why?

 

The ubiquitous 1911 and clones and improved versions.
The Browning Highpower was another.
Various clones of CZ handguns by various manufacturers, those are the top 3 for me.

 

I love the 1911 and the Browning Hi-Power. The CZ family of pistols is finely made and has a deserved reputation for reliable function.

I had a love affair going at one time with the HK P7 series; one of the most accurate pistol platforms I've ever tried.

New kid on the block is the Hudson H9. Seriously thinking about trying to get my mitts on one.

 

Here in SW Ohio-the three top steel shooters all use CZ steel frame stock autos.

 

Probably the 1911 style guns. They are distinctly American, and there is a lot of history with the 1911.

I carried a well-worn government issue 1911 when I was in the Military Police in the 70s. I always kinda wondered what its history was. WW2? Korea? Viet Nam? Who knows?

 

The 1911 dates back before WW-1 however I know personally of it's use in every conflict from WW-ll until replaced by the sucky M-9 as the issue sidearm.

 

At one point ParaOrdnance introduced the double column 1911, and I thought it was the Cats ### !!!

I had one made up in a Commander size, as a replacement for a single column 1911, in addition to my LE approved service Revolver a S&W model 10 in .38 special.
Several S&W model 36 as well.

13 + 1 !!!!! v 6 shots, or in addition to 6 shots, other response LE units were already carrying approved 1911s at that time.

 

I think he might have been referring to his specific gun’s provenance. I had a LE MK III that I confiscated from my Grand Da from it’s hiding place in his shop...so I knew it’s entire Provenance back to 1916. I had a couple German WWII pieces (a PPK and a P38 - poor condition/never shot it), and an early Henry I wondered about.
I just finished trying to substantiate an excellent condition 1911 with holster a friend inherited whose Grand Da claimed to have carried under Black Jack pursuing Pancho Villa back in 1916. Right serial number range and he did serve in that action, but as far as we got with proof of story.
I am always on the quest for guns that were part of history, but sadly, my finances don’t support my interest and all my others interests and familial obligations at the same time. But, if I found the right piece, who knows, it might infect my soul as many GCAs are convinced happens and I might procure the finances... the ghost in the gun.

 

The serial number will tell when it was made, not it's Service History though.

I had a Remington Rand that saw service during WW-ll, the Man that carried it sold it to Me, the Manufacture date was 1934, it was U.S. Property marked and a plain parkerized version Government Model.

I knew the man for many years and he was of great reputation.

It had all matching serial numbers, even on the barrel, and when I was forced to sell it, I sold it for quite a bit more than I paid for it for several reasons

A very desirable gun, better than
90 % !!!

 

+ on the ParaOrdnance. I got one of the P13s as soon as they became available. I had been considering getting a conversion kit back in early 80’s, but when they offered it as as the real deal, I couldn’t resist. By luck, it turned to be one the most accurate 1911s I shot out of the box, despite being at the edge for my hand size, but, it was a double stack .45. I did ultimately have to do a bit of work on it to make it run reliably, but then kept it until 2015. It was my bedstand gun all those years. A judge in Cincy now carries it.

 

Sigs and CZ would be my guess.

 

Re 1911, Yep.... 1916 and delivered to US army, but no info on unit... that would require getting armory records. My friend is corresponding with folks on the military side of things; supposedly, the records on his Grand Da should still exist, but unknown if they would include any record of weapons he was issued.

Well, gee, says the GCA expert, that makes it a 1916 not a 1911, and an assault military weapon to boot.

 

The 1911, Browning, CZ pistols... I am partial to the Mateba Unica 6 semi-auto revolvers... I have the .357 and .44 versions, I'm still looking for the .454 version.

If you've never heard of the Mateba look it up, a 127 grain jacketed hollow points that I loaded hot, feels like a .38 wadcutter through a S&W model 10. Warning though, you have to change springs if you want to shoot .38's, they won't cycle.

I'm also wanting the AF2011 double barrel .45 acp. But that is about $5k.

 

That model, 1911 will always be the designation for me.
And the Devil take anyone purposely misnaming a classic like the 1911.

 

Nice, Safe Queens,
But not real World applicable for every day carry.

 

In My own opinion, and not fact, just an opinion only,
After having carried a 1911 style handgun, a series 70 Colt Commander, .45 acp
I prefer the consistency of the single action trigger and the heavier weight for better consistent shooting, frankly with extra magazines, I was never faced with a capacity problem, far too easy to drop an empty magazine in a defensive situation and load a loaded magazine and hit the slide release and keep on shooting.

Later on, I did go for a Custom 13 round ParaOrdnance P-13, and that was a true knee jerk reaction......

 

Agreed on both.

 

It's very applicable for real World carry in Alaska bear and moose country.

 

As far as the Browning Hi-Power in my opinion, it was the first so called "high capacity" totally modern contemporary handgun when introduced, it completely left other designs in the dust.
I used them in various assignments when that is what was available, presently, the current BHP suffers from a magazine disconnect, and a few things that result in a dragging grinding trigger.

The best BHP I ever had was a WW-ll vintage with Waffenproofs, Bomb Ordnance stamps, a Nazi marked gun, still had a heavy trigger.....
I left it all Original and sold it.
Otherwise, they need work and springs.

 

Be my guest.

Not for Me.

 

Give the GCAs time and they will give the 1911 a demonizing moniker to scare the liberal come-alongs.
I can’t wait to see what they will come up with...

 

1911s, hi-powers, the CZs in a number of flavors, the old S&Ws, the Beretta 92s ,Sigs, traditional walthers

 

I'd say all of them.
Polymer is great for a number of things; so is steel.
Sometimes, weight is an asset and there are enough stories about someone's dog eating their Glock that people pass on polymer.

Personally, I have both.

 

Either a 1911, Hi Power or CZ, would be your go to's for steel guns.


I've got a Jericho in steel and I frankly love it. I put nasty reloads bought at the gun show through it until my hands hurt and its yet to jam. I've owned it for 4 years now.

 

I"m sure the 1911 is by far the most popular. CZ, Beretta, Sig and H&K come to mind. However, a dark horse has to be the Bersa. Even the gang banger crowd has discovered the Bersa.