Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 - The Firearms Forum

aa1911 · 11-30-2012, 10:47 PM

Oh my...

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...ategory_id=559

not sure this is a good thing but interesting none the less...

1LoneWolf75 · 11-30-2012, 10:52 PM

ummmm no thank you. I want my pistols metal. Was only a matter of time.

aa1911 · 11-30-2012, 10:54 PM

I'm on the same opinion of this as plastic AR lowers; this is a gun designed with METAL, you cannot substitute another significantly different material and expect great results.

time will tell but I'll keep my JMB version just the same!

I don't completely knock plastic, there's a Glock on my hip as we speak... but it was designed that way from the get go...

hogger129 · 11-30-2012, 11:13 PM

Wouldn't a polymer gun wear out more quickly with the same amount of usage? Polymer ain't steel after all.

Helix_FR · 11-30-2012, 11:32 PM

Kimber made a poly frame commander sized 1911 for a while, didn't work out too great.

BulletArc47 · 12-01-2012, 03:26 AM

There was thread in the Large-Bore/Small-Bore Rifle/Shotgun forum about polymer AR lowers, and I believe there was some similar caparison drawn. My opinion is the same, polymer is great, IF, the manufacture takes time to use superior polymer materials, and make sure certain aspect of the frame (All slide-to-frame mating surface ) are designed with sufficient tolerances.

Airdale · 12-01-2012, 09:25 AM

sacralege!!!

Double D · 12-01-2012, 11:08 AM

I am sure the poly 1911 will function just fine....but not in my collection.

howlnmad · 12-01-2012, 01:48 PM

That's just WRONG!

mogunner · 12-01-2012, 07:14 PM

About time... now I might consider one.

Hogger, the places where the frame and slide contact each other have metal inserts in them so there's no direct metal to polymer contact.

RJay · 12-01-2012, 08:27 PM

I remember when the Glock came out people were saying it would melt if left in a hot car ( swear to G**, a gun dealer told me that) and would never catch on. If it works and is durable, why not? Trouble is, we are so traditionally married to all steel 1911's, that even if it was the best thing since sliced bread there are those who would never accept it. I don't like Poly guns but I carry one because it is light weight, reliable and it works.

Jim K · 12-01-2012, 09:17 PM

Polymer, like other modern materials, can work very well in guns but IMHO will work best in those guns designed to use it. The Glock is certainly capable of standing up very well, longer than many steel guns, but it is designed to use polymer.

Even allowing that the 1911 was way over-engineered, mainly because Browning had no way to measure materiel strength except to build the gun then shoot the heck out of it. So if a part, say, 1/8" thick failed, he just made it 1/2" thick. But all his work was predicated on the use of the best steel available at the time.

Will a polymer frame 1911 hold up? We shall see.

Jim

gdmoody · 12-01-2012, 09:18 PM

I would try one if the price were right. I have no problems with my plastic AR lower.

lead · 12-02-2012, 09:11 AM

Bul, in Israel, has been making polymer 1911's for years, check the Bul M-5 line. I wouldn't be surprised if this Rock River is actually one of their frames. They seem to hold up, though I have no personal experience with them.
I do know there's no price difference in polymer vs. steel in any I've seen for sale. In fact you can get a basic Rock Island 1911 cheaper then any of the Bul models.
Count me in with the guys who'd rather stick with steel. Nothing wrong with the Polymer frames, just tradition.

2000ShadowACE · 12-04-2012, 06:38 AM

I won't knock the polymer frame until I try one. I have shot some old military issue 1911s that were absolutely junk. they rattled like a coffecan with a few bolts in the bottom when you drew them and they were less accurate than a homemade slingshot.

Double D · 12-04-2012, 06:40 AM

I am not knocking the poly 1911, I just dont want one.

Iron Eagle · 12-05-2012, 06:12 AM

On a different note, has anyone here bought a Rock River Arms in 9mm/.22tcm? That 22tcm is one hot round, out of a 1911 pistol. Over 2000 fps! You can see it on youtube.

RJay · 12-05-2012, 07:06 PM

.22 TCM, 1911 platform, with a 9MM barrel thrown in . Had to look it up. I've pretty much talked may self out buying a new gun, but this concept might be fun. Ammo is being made in the states and Cheaper Than Dirt is going to carry it. I wonder how accurate it is going to be. Veddy interesting Dr. Watson. It uses a 40 grain .223 size bullet, no reason it can't be reloaded, bottle neck cartridges work in a auto, Hmmm, I wonder, since I don't have a 9MM on a 1911 platform.

fyrfghter1983 · 12-08-2012, 08:00 PM

I love my RRA1911 but it will be a cold day in hell before I get a plastic one.

Big Chevy · 12-08-2012, 08:53 PM

I don't have a problem with polymer, just don't want it for my 1911.

LRChops · 01-09-2013, 03:21 AM

If you want a polymer, buy a Glock, FN, XD, or whatever is designed and engineered specifically for the application. The 1911 was never intended for Polymer. I predict failure, unless they sell them for $200 or less!

rogertc1 · 01-13-2013, 02:27 PM

There have been poly 1911's for years. i have a Kimber. Uses a Bul poly hi-cap reciever (Isreal)

11-30-2012, 10:47 PM	#1
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,113	Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 Oh my... http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.c...ategory_id=559 not sure this is a good thing but interesting none the less... __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do." -->

11-30-2012, 10:52 PM	#2
1LoneWolf75 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Humboldt KS Posts: 590	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 ummmm no thank you. I want my pistols metal. Was only a matter of time. __________________ They can have my guns when they pry them from my cold, dead hands!!! "Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who are not." - Thomas Jefferson "I've seen the system fall apart from the rules and all our presidents lie"--"Soul Survive"- Asphalt Ballethttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6DgVrYWw00

11-30-2012, 10:54 PM	#3
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,113	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I'm on the same opinion of this as plastic AR lowers; this is a gun designed with METAL, you cannot substitute another significantly different material and expect great results. time will tell but I'll keep my JMB version just the same! I don't completely knock plastic, there's a Glock on my hip as we speak... but it was designed that way from the get go... __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

11-30-2012, 11:13 PM	#4
hogger129 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,064	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 Wouldn't a polymer gun wear out more quickly with the same amount of usage? Polymer ain't steel after all. __________________ Samuel Adams once said, "among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can."

11-30-2012, 11:32 PM	#5
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,618	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 Kimber made a poly frame commander sized 1911 for a while, didn't work out too great. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

12-01-2012, 03:26 AM	#6
BulletArc47 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 259	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 There was thread in the Large-Bore/Small-Bore Rifle/Shotgun forum about polymer AR lowers, and I believe there was some similar caparison drawn. My opinion is the same, polymer is great, IF, the manufacture takes time to use superior polymer materials, and make sure certain aspect of the frame (All slide-to-frame mating surface ) are designed with sufficient tolerances. __________________ “Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty’s teeth.” – George Washington If you are not free to choose wrongly and irresponsibly, you are not free at all. – Jacob Hornberger (1995) “Among the many misdeeds of British rule in India, history will look upon the act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest.” – Mahatma Mohandas K. Gandhi

12-01-2012, 09:25 AM	#7
Airdale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: N.W. Arkansas Contributor Posts: 750	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 sacralege!!!

12-01-2012, 11:08 AM	#8
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,062	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I am sure the poly 1911 will function just fine....but not in my collection. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

12-01-2012, 01:48 PM	#9
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,566	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 That's just WRONG! __________________

12-01-2012, 07:14 PM	#10
mogunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Eastern Missouri Posts: 1,026	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 About time... now I might consider one. Hogger, the places where the frame and slide contact each other have metal inserts in them so there's no direct metal to polymer contact.

12-01-2012, 08:27 PM	#11
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I remember when the Glock came out people were saying it would melt if left in a hot car ( swear to G**, a gun dealer told me that) and would never catch on. If it works and is durable, why not? Trouble is, we are so traditionally married to all steel 1911's, that even if it was the best thing since sliced bread there are those who would never accept it. I don't like Poly guns but I carry one because it is light weight, reliable and it works. __________________ RonJames

12-01-2012, 09:17 PM	#12
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 Polymer, like other modern materials, can work very well in guns but IMHO will work best in those guns designed to use it. The Glock is certainly capable of standing up very well, longer than many steel guns, but it is designed to use polymer. Even allowing that the 1911 was way over-engineered, mainly because Browning had no way to measure materiel strength except to build the gun then shoot the heck out of it. So if a part, say, 1/8" thick failed, he just made it 1/2" thick. But all his work was predicated on the use of the best steel available at the time. Will a polymer frame 1911 hold up? We shall see. Jim

12-01-2012, 09:18 PM	#13
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,322	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I would try one if the price were right. I have no problems with my plastic AR lower. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

12-02-2012, 09:11 AM	#14
lead Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,522	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 Bul, in Israel, has been making polymer 1911's for years, check the Bul M-5 line. I wouldn't be surprised if this Rock River is actually one of their frames. They seem to hold up, though I have no personal experience with them. I do know there's no price difference in polymer vs. steel in any I've seen for sale. In fact you can get a basic Rock Island 1911 cheaper then any of the Bul models. Count me in with the guys who'd rather stick with steel. Nothing wrong with the Polymer frames, just tradition. __________________ The best things in life, are not things. Last edited by lead; 12-02-2012 at 09:14 AM..

12-04-2012, 06:38 AM	#15
2000ShadowACE V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Eastern Iowa Posts: 153	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I won't knock the polymer frame until I try one. I have shot some old military issue 1911s that were absolutely junk. they rattled like a coffecan with a few bolts in the bottom when you drew them and they were less accurate than a homemade slingshot.

12-04-2012, 06:40 AM	#16
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,062	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I am not knocking the poly 1911, I just dont want one. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

12-05-2012, 06:12 AM	#17
Iron Eagle Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 654	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 On a different note, has anyone here bought a Rock River Arms in 9mm/.22tcm? That 22tcm is one hot round, out of a 1911 pistol. Over 2000 fps! You can see it on youtube.

12-05-2012, 07:06 PM	#18
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 .22 TCM, 1911 platform, with a 9MM barrel thrown in . Had to look it up. I've pretty much talked may self out buying a new gun, but this concept might be fun. Ammo is being made in the states and Cheaper Than Dirt is going to carry it. I wonder how accurate it is going to be. Veddy interesting Dr. Watson. It uses a 40 grain .223 size bullet, no reason it can't be reloaded, bottle neck cartridges work in a auto, Hmmm, I wonder, since I don't have a 9MM on a 1911 platform. __________________ RonJames

12-08-2012, 08:00 PM	#19
fyrfghter1983 Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 28	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I love my RRA1911 but it will be a cold day in hell before I get a plastic one. __________________ USMC 01-09 "To prohibit a citizen from wearing or carrying a war arm . . . is an unwarranted restriction upon the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of constitutional privilege." [Wilson v. State, 33 Ark. 557, at 560, 34 Am. Rep. 52, at 54 (1878)]

12-08-2012, 08:53 PM	#20
Big Chevy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 345	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 I don't have a problem with polymer, just don't want it for my 1911.

01-09-2013, 03:21 AM	#21
LRChops Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Placer Co Posts: 25	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 If you want a polymer, buy a Glock, FN, XD, or whatever is designed and engineered specifically for the application. The 1911 was never intended for Polymer. I predict failure, unless they sell them for $200 or less!

01-13-2013, 02:27 PM	#22
rogertc1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ioea Posts: 237	Re: Rock River Arms 'Poly' 1911- yep, a plastic 1911 There have been poly 1911's for years. i have a Kimber. Uses a Bul poly hi-cap reciever (Isreal) __________________ It never ceases to amaze me that there is always the one guy urging the others to hurry up and get in the ovens before they upset the Nazis.