I know this is mostly a bolt rifle focused URL, but any of you guys done much with the Polymer 80 framed Glock (sort-of) style handguns? One thing I really like is the 1911 grip angle. Half a century of that feel is hard to change from. The other thing, is like a 1911, a basic frame is like a blank canvas; just waiting for me to do my version of the Mona Lisa. Rich
Have completed a couple of them, one '17' size and one '19'. I ,too, prefer the grip angle of the polymer80 frame over the glock, points more naturally, and a noticable reduction in muzzle flip, at least to me. Easy to "machine", too. About a 45 minute job, with nothing more than an old hand-crank drill, end nippers, emory boards, sandpaper, and a dowel of the appropriate size to wrap sandpaper on to clean up the guide rod cut in the frame. Downsides are cost, unless you already have a glock to transfer the internals and top end from (buying a 'complete' kit will put the price into the same range as a glock), and the lack of holsters on the market that will fit the polymer80 frame, since the trigger guard dimensions and form is different from a standard glock.
I have done both versions of the 17 and a 26. They are 100% reliable and I and love them. Even the 26 feels good when shooting which surprised me. The v1.5 was not very comfortable to shoot so I heavily modified the grip removing the "fins". After getting the reduction to the right shape, I used some epoxy to bond silicone carbide powder to the grip instead of grip tape. It is much more durable than tape and looks nicer, IMO. As for holster availability, that is easily remedied with a file and some sandpaper to remove some material from the frame near the muzzle. It can be made to look nice if you take your time and use fine enough sandpaper or polish using a Dremel with the appropriate wheel. All of my builds will fit into a standard Glock holster, now.
One thing I found on my P80 that they dont make mention of during machining is you need to clearance the frame for the striker. Is a small notch about .250" wide and .020-.030 deep. You can see it on an actual glock, but this can cause it to not cycle properly or completely.
Have a Model 22 - .40cal , hat my G/S did a nice trigger job on to get it below 2lbs. , and did some work up in the slide that helped make it cycle smooth as glass . Love my Glock .
Glock holsters are easy for the P80. Three different guys on my local PD, including both armorers, make molded kydex holsters to fit. I have a Viridian Technologies 5XL green dot laser/flashlight combo on one of my 22s, and nobody makes a holster for that, including VT's sister company. By time you add a quality trigger kit, and good sights a factory Glock in any caliber; is a larger investment than building a P80 in the same caliber with the same custom parts. My third one will be a 357 SIG.
