User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 2:54:40 PM EDT
[#1]
I have a Remington Nylon 77, which is 45 years old. Good as it ever was, though it hasn't seen as much use in the last 3 or 4 decades as it did in the 1st.
It hasn't seen a whole lot of long term exposure to the Sun, either. At 59, I am not worried about the longevity of any quality item I purchase which has plastic parts. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 3:01:04 PM EDT
[#2]
I know Glocks have been in use for MANY years. Maybe Graco and Eddie Bauer should look in to that plastics technology.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 3:02:52 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I know Glocks have been in use for MANY years. Maybe Graco and Eddie Bauer should look in to that plastics technology. There are expiration dates on bottled water |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 3:19:15 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
While reading and following another thread about a cracked MBUS after a drop on the floor I had remembered what my wife had gone through with finding a used car seat for our newly born grandchild. We knew we didn't want to spend a lot on a new one since it would only be used occasionally but finding one without an expired expiration date was a must. An expiration date on a child restraint was something nobody thought of years ago but now with space age plastics, it is still posted on all seats sold which takes me back to the MBUS sights and all the other plastics in our guns. They are left in extreme heat, extreme cold and knocked around and abused year after year yet we don't think of how brittle these can become. Now if anyone wants to say that the plastics used in our gun parts are far more durable than the plastic used in child restraints then maybe we should be sharing the recipe to these manufacturers. DO these plastics become more brittle, weaken over age? Should it be a concern? Discuss. I hate it the way people use this term. The space age was the 1950s and 1960s... space age technology is over 50 years old 
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 3:19:20 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Discuss. Discuss what? That there are different formulas of polymers for different applications and different price structures? I would hope everyone already understands that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 3:31:01 PM EDT
[#6]
IMO yes polymers become more brittle over time exposed to weather and high heat/rapid high heat/cooling cycles. For a disposable magazine who gives a shit. By the time your pmag wets the bed you will have gotten your 10 bucks worth and thousands and thousands of rounds out of it assuming it wasn't dropped on concrete while loaded daily.
I've already broken an MBUS, so I will not be buying any again for a defensive rifle. Stocks and pistol grips aren't exposed to much heat so no problem there for me. For a part where I have an option between polymer and steel & aluminum, such as MBUS or Matech/KAC, I'll take the steel & aluminum every time. But as stated since mags are disposable, I don't see them as falling under this rule of thumb for me. Just my opinion that won't change, YMMV. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 3:45:12 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Discuss what? That there are different formulas of polymers for different applications and different price structures? I would hope everyone already understands that. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Discuss. Discuss what? That there are different formulas of polymers for different applications and different price structures? I would hope everyone already understands that. Having a bad day? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 5:32:51 PM EDT
[#8]
The expiration date is for the foam in the car seat, that's what a child safety seat certified firefighter told me.
As it ages, it deteriorates, and no longer performs as designed. If plastic deteriorates that badly, I guess my 2008 Walther PPS should get put in the garbage with all those original M16s and SP01s. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 5:40:53 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The expiration date is for the foam in the car seat, that's what a child safety seat certified firefighter told me. As it ages, it deteriorates, and no longer performs as designed. If plastic deteriorates that badly, I guess my 2008 Walther PPS should get put in the garbage with all those original M16s and SP01s. This last part doesn't make a whole lot of sense as the A1's only have plastic stocks, grips, and handguards. Most of the original A1 stocks and handguards I come across are beat. The teeth where the triangle handguards meet are always broken off, and most of the original A1 stocks are cracked. Is that a big deal? No. You can either find a new old set in good shape that was cared for, and take care of them, or buy reproduction plastics (who's resins are higher quality these days) |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 5:57:36 PM EDT
[#10]
Though the German military is very concerned about it right now, I really am not. Plastics have proven themselves.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 7:44:45 PM EDT
[#11]
I have 1995 chevy truck and the ashtrays, glove box and small items are starting to give way. All my AR parts seem to be holding up pretty good, even my nylon 66. I have a landscape business and see deterioration in all my tools after about 5 years. Have not had any problems with my 03 or garand yet. HAHA
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 7:56:20 PM EDT
[#12]
Im just going to say I would so totally buy a magpul car seat
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 8:18:33 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Im just going to say I would so totally buy a magpul car seat Or be a real snob with HK on the headrest. LOL |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/3/2015 8:24:31 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have 1995 chevy truck and the ashtrays, glove box and small items are starting to give way. All my AR parts seem to be holding up pretty good, even my nylon 66. I have a landscape business and see deterioration in all my tools after about 5 years. Have not had any problems with my 03 or garand yet. HAHA UV rays are the real killers of plastic. That's why you see such deterioration in vehicles and your tools that are exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. Most any gun or part just isn't going to see that same abuse. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 2:16:04 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Having a bad day? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Discuss. Discuss what? That there are different formulas of polymers for different applications and different price structures? I would hope everyone already understands that. Having a bad day? Probably not. Stickman's correct here. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 2:18:42 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This last part doesn't make a whole lot of sense as the A1's only have plastic stocks, grips, and handguards. Most of the original A1 stocks and handguards I come across are beat. The teeth where the triangle handguards meet are always broken off, and most of the original A1 stocks are cracked. Is that a big deal? No. You can either find a new old set in good shape that was cared for, and take care of them, or buy reproduction plastics (who's resins are higher quality these days) Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The expiration date is for the foam in the car seat, that's what a child safety seat certified firefighter told me. As it ages, it deteriorates, and no longer performs as designed. If plastic deteriorates that badly, I guess my 2008 Walther PPS should get put in the garbage with all those original M16s and SP01s. This last part doesn't make a whole lot of sense as the A1's only have plastic stocks, grips, and handguards. Most of the original A1 stocks and handguards I come across are beat. The teeth where the triangle handguards meet are always broken off, and most of the original A1 stocks are cracked. Is that a big deal? No. You can either find a new old set in good shape that was cared for, and take care of them, or buy reproduction plastics (who's resins are higher quality these days) The plastics used for the A1s were always kind of relatively weak. It ptobably doesn't have a lot to do with any aging. That's why they changed the plastics when the A2 was designed. The A2's plastics are leaps and bounds more durable than those used with the A1. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 2:21:59 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
There are expiration dates on bottled water Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I know Glocks have been in use for MANY years. Maybe Graco and Eddie Bauer should look in to that plastics technology. There are expiration dates on bottled water That's due to the taste that the water takes on. Not because the bottle is going to self destruct. Think of the date as more of a "best by" whatever date. You can safely drink the water long after the date on the bottle. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 8:06:29 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Probably not. Stickman's correct here. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Discuss. Discuss what? That there are different formulas of polymers for different applications and different price structures? I would hope everyone already understands that. Having a bad day? Probably not. Stickman's correct here. He is correct, but sort of missed my point and chose to try to end my thread with his arrogance, and I know that comes with post count and popularity with most on here. Anyway this is a discussion forum and I got that out of this thread regardless. Have a good day and Happy 4th! |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 9:32:42 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I know Glocks have been in use for MANY years. Maybe Graco and Eddie Bauer should look in to that plastics technology. Kid seats only need to last a few years. Why make the product more expensive? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 9:50:28 AM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Kid seats only need to last a few years. Why make the product more expensive? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I know Glocks have been in use for MANY years. Maybe Graco and Eddie Bauer should look in to that plastics technology. Kid seats only need to last a few years. Why make the product more expensive? Problem is that people sell them used on Craigslist and yard sales and getting used longer than intended, some in auto accidents which poses more risk. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 10:13:55 AM EDT
[#21]
My plastic credit cards have an expiration date on them...
I don't worry about plastics, the first generation Glocks are running just fine. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 10:34:19 AM EDT
[#22]
This is a topic for GD.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 10:37:18 AM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Anyway this is a discussion forum and I got that out of this thread regardless. I'd assume you're talking about polymers used in firearms? Even that subject is slippery. Glocks speak for themselves. Thirty years and counting, so far they appear to be holding up just fine. Ruger's fiber-filled nylon is still going strong. My 1972 HK VP70-Z is built on an injection molded, random glass fiber filled polyamide frame (nylon 6/6-6), and it still works as well as the day I bought it (still has the thousand-pound trigger pull too ). I've never boiled the frame. There's no reason polymer-framed pistols shouldn't last as long as their metal ancestors,... as long as you don't torture them by constantly leaving them on dashboards, etc. to be embrittled, faded, and just plain destroyed by UV light. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 11:09:29 AM EDT
[#24]
My Police trade in Glock was made in the early 90s and it still runs like a champ
Receiver looks the same as the day I bought it. Free |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 11:31:28 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
... as long as you don't torture them by constantly leaving them on dashboards, etc. to be embrittled, faded, and just plain destroyed by UV light. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Anyway this is a discussion forum and I got that out of this thread regardless. Well you did get an idea what I was talking about. You are saying that they can be damaged by the elements and there are weapons left in trunks and passenger compartment where they are subject to sun and heat. I'm just trying to get an idea on some peoples thought on this. Sorry if wasn't as straight forward as I could have been. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 11:37:54 AM EDT
[#26]
I don't trust plastic iron sights, nor are they nearly as compact and easy to dial as metallic sights.
The minor weight savings is not good enough to justify using a big over-sized component because plastic has to be made stupid large and thick in order to equal the strength of metal. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 11:59:03 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Well you did get an idea what I was talking about. You are saying that they can be damaged by the elements and there are weapons left in trunks and passenger compartment where they are subject to sun and heat. I'm just trying to get an idea on some peoples thought on this. Sorry if wasn't as straight forward as I could have been. Imagine leaving a Glock frame, and a Colt 1911 frame under salt-water for a year. Imagine machining a barrel out of HDPE (a nightmare I have to constantly deal with for prototypes  ). Even if the barrel didn't fail on the first shot, imagine TEN TIMES as much thermal expansion. There's really no correct answer to the "steel vs aluminum vs polymer" conundrum. Choosing the right material for a specific application is an art, and it only gets more difficult with every advancement in ANY material. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 12:00:43 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I don't trust plastic iron sights, nor are they nearly as compact and easy to dial as metallic sights. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 12:49:00 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Problem is that people sell them used on Craigslist and yard sales and getting used longer than intended, some in auto accidents which poses more risk. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I know Glocks have been in use for MANY years. Maybe Graco and Eddie Bauer should look in to that plastics technology. Kid seats only need to last a few years. Why make the product more expensive? Problem is that people sell them used on Craigslist and yard sales and getting used longer than intended, some in auto accidents which poses more risk. Which is why they have expiration dates. Are people willing to pay more so that the 3rd owner who buys it in a yard sale gets more use out of it? |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 12:50:59 PM EDT
[#30]
My 23 year old Glock 23 has somehow managed to survive.
I have a Honda lawnmower with a plastic deck
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 1:03:21 PM EDT
[#31]
I had a couple old camaros and an 85 Corvette. Now those could have used a Glock interior.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 1:22:57 PM EDT
[#32]
I know there have been a number of multi-decade Glock wring-outs, where writers have kept track of the round counts into the hundreds of thousands (replacing some small parts and springs), left them in salt water for months, buried them, etc
But I think what would've been an interesting test would be to have a dewatt Glock frame and put it up some high window in somewhere that gets constant sun and see how it holds up to decades of UV wear. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 3:56:16 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I know there have been a number of multi-decade Glock wring-outs, where writers have kept track of the round counts into the hundreds of thousands (replacing some small parts and springs), left them in salt water for months, buried them, etc But I think what would've been an interesting test would be to have a dewatt Glock frame and put it up some high window in somewhere that gets constant sun and see how it holds up to decades of UV wear. Since glass filters out most UV, it would need to be in direct sunlight. The modern "engineering" type glass reinforced plastics are both harder and stronger then the older types. Where a metal part will bend or break, a plastic part will often flex and return to usable shape. Plus, plastic won't rust, which in a back up sight for an AR would be a real advantage where maintenance of things like back up sights is often missed. As above, using the best material for the job is the critical decision. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 5:35:47 PM EDT
[#34]
We use UV additives quite a bit for companies whose products will spend a lot of time ouy in the sun. A lot of companies probably don't use UV because once you start adding more and more additives the costs goes up.it can also affect surface appearance.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/4/2015 5:50:18 PM EDT
[#35]
Vehicle dashboards and headlight/taillight covers are near the top of the list for most durable plastics, that's about the most harsh environment you can put a plastic in, and they don't crack like the dashboards of the 90s and before.
It may be more about the coating life than the actual plastic, but vehicles have the most vibrations/bumps, and extreme temp swings, from +150 (inside vehicle) to -20 around here. Anything going into a car, especially electronics, doesn't last long if it isn't built right. Keeping UV away from plastic is important, all that white "chalk" on your exterior plastics/rubber is just broken down plastic from UV, same with headlight lenses. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
