Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. - The Firearms Forum

PlayboyPenguin · 02-26-2010, 01:46 AM

Recently I had decided that polymer was so much better for concealed carry. I prefer stainless steel guns but the lighter nature and often slimmer profile of the polymer guns just made them the way to go.

Keep in mind, I made this decision back when I was predominantly carrying OWB in a belt slide style holster. Heavier, thicker guns just tended to sag and prove hard to conceal without a big lump.

Right around the time I started carrying polymer pistols I finally started carrying IWB and bought a good belt. Since then I have not even really tried to carry an all steel gun.

Tonight I decided to leave my regular Kahr PM40 at home and carry my new-to-me, slightly larger, all-steel Kahr K40 instead. I weighed both guns and the K40 was about 10oz heavier and it is a bit taller and longer. To my surprise I hardly noticed any difference at all despite the added size and weight. It seems the IWB method of carry and a good belt really make the difference much less noticeable than it was when I was carrying OWB.

I might just have to rethink the polymer carry gun thing.

mncarpenter · 02-26-2010, 03:39 AM

I carry a CZ P01 or a Stoeger Cougar IWB,neither which are pocket pistols and both are 9mm,steel/alloy. Don't even know they are there in a Crossbreed Supertuck,well I know they are there but not uncomfortable at all.

hogger129 · 02-26-2010, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayboyPenguin

Recently I had decided that polymer was so much better for concealed carry. I prefer stainless steel guns but the lighter nature and often slimmer profile of the polymer guns just made them the way to go.

Keep in mind, I made this decision back when I was predominantly carrying OWB in a belt slide style holster. Heavier, thicker guns just tended to sag and prove hard to conceal without a big lump.

Right around the time I started carrying polymer pistols I finally started carrying IWB and bought a good belt. Since then I have not even really tried to carry an all steel gun.

Tonight I decided to leave my regular Kahr PM40 at home and carry my new-to-me, slightly larger, all-steel Kahr K40 instead. I weighed both guns and the K40 was about 10oz heavier and it is a bit taller and longer. To my surprise I hardly noticed any difference at all despite the added size and weight. It seems the IWB method of carry and a good belt really make the difference much less noticeable than it was when I was carrying OWB.

I might just have to rethink the polymer carry gun thing.

I don't think all polymer guns are slimmer. The 1911 is a steel frame and is pretty slim. I tried out some different old belts my dad had and found one that holds my 1911 in the IWB holster I have.

PlayboyPenguin · 02-26-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogger129

I don't think all polymer guns are slimmer. The 1911 is a steel frame and is pretty slim. I tried out some different old belts my dad had and found one that holds my 1911 in the IWB holster I have.

The slimmest guns made are polymer. The reason is the grips are molded into the frame. Even the thinnest grips on a 1911 make it wider than a Kahr polymer or Walther PPS.

copenhagen · 02-26-2010, 01:46 PM

PBP, weren't you on TFL?

WILD CAT · 03-04-2010, 03:12 PM

I'm not an expert on polymer firearms, but somehow I imagine that manufacturing costs a lot less than all steel guns. Being an old timer I'm used to all steel and find them more balanced than polymer framed. What do you think?

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 03-04-2010, 06:27 PM

I don't care, really, I just adjust.

CampingJosh · 03-04-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILD CAT

I'm not an expert on polymer firearms, but somehow I imagine that manufacturing costs a lot less than all steel guns. Being an old timer I'm used to all steel and find them more balanced than polymer framed. What do you think?

I've shot some polymer guns that felt way off balance, yes, but I've also shot some steel ones that were the same way. I've also shot some made of each material that felt like an extension of my hand.

The material means a whole lot less than the engineers.

wpage · 03-05-2010, 05:08 AM

Every gun is somewhat unique in many ways.

carver · 03-05-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayboyPenguin

Tonight I decided to leave my regular Kahr PM40 at home and carry my new-to-me, slightly larger, all-steel Kahr K40 instead. I weighed both guns and the K40 was about 10oz heavier and it is a bit taller and longer. To my surprise I hardly noticed any difference at all despite the added size and weight. It seems the IWB method of carry and a good belt really make the difference much less noticeable than it was when I was carrying OWB.

I might just have to rethink the polymer carry gun thing.

It doesn't matter what you carry, or what you put it in, if your set up is not right it will not be comfortable for long. A good, heavy, wide belt makes a lot of difference, and a mag holster on the opisite hip helps to balance out the weight. I carry a 1911A every time I leave the house, with a double mag holster. Sometimes I'm gone all day. A lot of the time I don't even know it's there.

cluznar · 04-26-2012, 02:36 PM

Whichever feels good in your hand. Most guns are a combo of metal and polymer now-a-days.

I carry a Ruger SR9c and luv it.

Also have a Stoeger Cougar compact and it is excellent.

SR9c is part polymer

Cougar is all metal

02-26-2010, 01:46 AM	#1
PlayboyPenguin Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3	Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. Recently I had decided that polymer was so much better for concealed carry. I prefer stainless steel guns but the lighter nature and often slimmer profile of the polymer guns just made them the way to go. Keep in mind, I made this decision back when I was predominantly carrying OWB in a belt slide style holster. Heavier, thicker guns just tended to sag and prove hard to conceal without a big lump. Right around the time I started carrying polymer pistols I finally started carrying IWB and bought a good belt. Since then I have not even really tried to carry an all steel gun. Tonight I decided to leave my regular Kahr PM40 at home and carry my new-to-me, slightly larger, all-steel Kahr K40 instead. I weighed both guns and the K40 was about 10oz heavier and it is a bit taller and longer. To my surprise I hardly noticed any difference at all despite the added size and weight. It seems the IWB method of carry and a good belt really make the difference much less noticeable than it was when I was carrying OWB. I might just have to rethink the polymer carry gun thing. -->

02-26-2010, 03:39 AM	#2
mncarpenter V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 479	Re: Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. I carry a CZ P01 or a Stoeger Cougar IWB,neither which are pocket pistols and both are 9mm,steel/alloy. Don't even know they are there in a Crossbreed Supertuck,well I know they are there but not uncomfortable at all. __________________ *"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."- Ronald Reagan* *"Remember to have your democrats neutered or spayed" -Ann Coulter*

02-26-2010, 01:46 PM	#5
copenhagen Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 40	Re: Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. PBP, weren't you on TFL? __________________ 'We need to reassert our sovereignty. The 10th amendment says that the powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people...Here in S.C. we know a little bit about that….' Russ Cassell

03-04-2010, 03:12 PM	#6
WILD CAT V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 107	Re: Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. I'm not an expert on polymer firearms, but somehow I imagine that manufacturing costs a lot less than all steel guns. Being an old timer I'm used to all steel and find them more balanced than polymer framed. What do you think?

03-04-2010, 06:27 PM	#7
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,832	Re: Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. I don't care, really, I just adjust.

03-05-2010, 05:08 AM	#9
wpage Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,471	Re: Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. Every gun is somewhat unique in many ways. __________________ "You shall recieve power" Acts 1:8 W

04-26-2012, 02:36 PM	#11
cluznar Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 70	Re: Polymer or steel for CC? Carry method does matter. Whichever feels good in your hand. Most guns are a combo of metal and polymer now-a-days. I carry a Ruger SR9c and luv it. Also have a Stoeger Cougar compact and it is excellent. SR9c is part polymer Cougar is all metal