Poly 1911

[cruzans]

Has anyone heard anything yet on new Rock River Polymer 1911's ? They look interesting. I'm sure half will say neat, a tupperware 1911 and half will say crap, they can't mess with a 1911 - lol.
Looks like msrp around $800 so retail ? . Price to me makes it very interesting !

http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/rock...-polymer-1911/

[Python73]

Not sure I get the point of this. For that money you can have a SW1911E or for a bit less a Ruger. Since when is plastic > $$ than metal? Frankly, if I want a plastic gun I'd just buy a Glock for half that price.

[renalp]

My first thought: If this is the answer... what was the question?

Second thought: The report I read was vague as to whether $800 was the MSRP or expected selling price (of course, if it's in limited supply, they may be the same). Price is a big issue here: if it streets for closer to $600 in sufficient quantities, it could be an alternative to the unobtainable SR1911. But it its sells for $800... like Python said, you can get a good 1911 or a good plastic gun for much less. At that price point, the RRA would have to be a really good 1911 AND a really good polymer gun, or it will be a novelty item.

Third thought, at a purely technical level: Many poly guns are designed to run relatively loose, because of the larger manufacturing and thermal tolerances of plastic. But 1911 fans tend to like a tight slide-to-frame fit. I wonder if RRA is using a metals sub frame or something to make up the difference.

Final thought: Could the poly option finally put the forged vs. cast debate to rest???

Nah.

[knight0334]

They aren't the first to make a poly 1911. There have been others.

Springfield even made a hi-cap poly 1911 a few years ago.

More power to them if they want to make them. Having the option of a poly platform is nice for those in the market for a 1911.

[harold63]

Having the option of a poly platform is nice for those in the market for a 1911.

no doubt. If someone could make a titanium slide to match the light frame, it could make for a really nice, lightweight, full size pistol.

[Asmodeus6]

no doubt. If someone could make a titanium slide to match the light frame, it could make for a really nice, lightweight, full size pistol.

Not going to work like you think it will. Even as a full size pistol, it's going to be like setting off a round of .45 ACP in a Sig P238.

To compensate for the reduced mass of the slide the recoil springs are going to be absolutely ridiculous as well.

[39flathead]

I can't see the reasoning, nor the price point.


I'll pass.

[Sparxfly72]

I can't see the reasoning, nor the price point.


I'll pass.

^^^^^this^^^^^

[harold63]

Not going to work like you think it will. Even as a full size pistol, it's going to be like setting off a round of .45 ACP in a Sig P238.

To compensate for the reduced mass of the slide the recoil springs are going to be absolutely ridiculous as well.

I see your point, but it isn't as if it .44 mag or something. With all the light weight polymer .45's out there, I think it is perfectly feesible, except titanium isn't the cheapest metal around. A progressive recoil spring, maybe? Ah, it's just speculation, but food for thought.

[Asmodeus6]

Glock uses an unnecessarily beefy slide. So do most of them. The grip weighs nothing and the slide 8/10 what the "gun weighs". My FNP is the same deal. Grip weighs next to nothing. The slide, half a metric fuck ton.

I just think if there was an easy way to do it, we would have pistols with carbon fiber or composite slides.

I just think it would turn a 5" .45 into a 2" .357 mag. Or maybe a scandium 2" .38+P.
instead of the big slow push we're all accustomed too.

And make all remedial action type things a chore.

That said, with what some of the custom 1911's run these days ... the slide should be titanium. Or platinum... and come with a complimentary night in Vegas with a $500/hr "escort".