Polymer80 Compact (glock19)

[fivefive6]

Hello everyone,
Ive been around for a while but finally decided to make an account and start contributing
My question to you all is, do you see a benefit to building a Polymer80 compact over just buying a regular glock 19? 80% lower and Final Product Video. The main drawback I am seeing is that it would be more expensive to make your own than to buy a factory glock.. thoughts? Is it even worth the hassle?

[Mountain Max]

Building your own gun from 80% is fun (at least in my opinion). You gain more familiarity with your weapon which is never a bad thing. These builds can be more expensive than buying an off the shelf glock so its up to you. I suppose if youre on a tight budget just go the premade route. If you build before summer 2018, you wont have to register your PF940C so long as you engrave it pursuant to federal regs. search the forums for more info.

[003]

I see no benefit in building an 80%, unless it is for the personal enjoyment of working with your hands and the feeling of accomplishment. I suspect the cost is very close and you will have no warranty or other protection.

Lastly, given the draconian laws here in California, why risk creating an issue.

My opinion only, and I suspect many here would say it is worth exactly what you paid for it.

[Victor346]

You won't save any money from finishing any 80% yourself. You'll actually spend more money because you'll have to invest in the proper tools like a jig, dremel, files, drill bits, drill, etc.

The value in these is for your own personal enjoyment and for having a non registered firearm. Part of this is also researching and learning how to build it and learning about the PCs that need to be followed.

Personally, I love taking things apart and putting them back together to learn how they work so for me it's personal enjoyment, albeit an expensive hobby.

[wpage]

There is no benefit in going the poly 80 route. Unless you want to throw away a few hundred and frustrate yourself with a inferior product.

[Strykeback]

There is no benefit in going the poly 80 route. Unless you want to throw away a few hundred and frustrate yourself with a inferior product.

How would you rank it inferior? People are paying 2 grand for custom glocks where the upper is chopped and chiseled and lightened. Then you've got guys shelling out 3 to 500 just to have the grip straightened, slimmed down and stippled. This covers at least the bottom end for most. And fixes the biggest issue I have with glocks. The grip angle.

If you are the type that is going to spend 200 swapping out the trigger and mag release and all the lower bits like I did with my 30sf then you already ahead there with this kit.

The biggest downside is being in California and not sure the legalities on 80s for very long especially when an engraved metal plate will have to be embedded into your polymer lower or the possibilities of such a demand.

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[fivefive6]

You won't save any money from finishing any 80% yourself. You'll actually spend more money because you'll have to invest in the proper tools like a jig, dremel, files, drill bits, drill, etc.

The value in these is for your own personal enjoyment and for having a non registered firearm. Part of this is also researching and learning how to build it and learning about the PCs that need to be followed.

Personally, I love taking things apart and putting them back together to learn how they work so for me it's personal enjoyment, albeit an expensive hobby.

How would you rank it inferior? People are paying 2 grand for custom glocks where the upper is chopped and chiseled and lightened. Then you've got guys shelling out 3 to 500 just to have the grip straightened, slimmed down and stippled. This covers at least the bottom end for most. And fixes the biggest issue I have with glocks. The grip angle.

If you are the type that is going to spend 200 swapping out the trigger and mag release and all the lower bits like I did with my 30sf then you already ahead there with this kit.

The biggest downside is being in California and not sure the legalities on 80s for very long especially when an engraved metal plate will have to be embedded into your polymer lower or the possibilities of such a demand.

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This is actually a good point I didnt think of.. while it may be more expensive i guess you wouldnt be paying for something like a factory trigger that you are just going to take out anyway.. SO fun and ability to build what you want from the get go i guess

[Quiet]

Keep in mind that in CA...

Any handgun made in CA must comply with CA unsafe handgun laws.

If you are making this into a semi-auto pistol; it will need a magazine disconnect mechanism (MDM), chamber load indicator (CLI), and microstamping array (MSA) in order for it to be CA legal.

If your are not incorporating a MDM, CLI, and MSA into your pistol; then in order to be CA legal it must be made into a dimensionally compliant bolt-action single-shot pistol or dimensionally complaint break-top single-shot pistol.

Starting 01-01-2017, because of part of CA's "home built firearm" laws going into effect, once it is made into a SSE2 pistol it may not be legal to make it into another type of handgun.

Under CA's "home built firearms" laws, firearms with polymer frame/receiver must have a 3.7oz metal serial number plate embedded into the frame/receiver in such a way that removal will significantly damage or destroy the frame/receiver.

Starting 07-01-2018, all unmarked "home built firearm" must have CA DOJ approved markings.

Starting 01-01-2019, unmarked "home built firearms" will be illegal to possess.

[BigPimping]

Let Gaston sell you a proven and superior product. Instead of a home-brew.

[Strykeback]

It's a plastic gun. Do you realize the massive markup on a glock. It'd not a stainless gun like a Sig. Not much to mess up with the off the shelf drop in parts.

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[BigPimping]

It's a plastic gun. Do you realize the massive markup on a glock. It'd not a stainless gun like a Sig. Not much to mess up with the off the shelf drop in parts.

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A Glock is a $500.00 gun in a fair market. And they work flawlessly. granted a Sig is nicer to hold and the workmanship is spot on.

[relatively-anonymous]

I'm planning on building a Polymer80 compact just because I want the full experience of building one from scratch and the freedom to experiment with modifications, custom detailing, and just the practice without worrying about destroying my "real glock."

I somehow permanently damage the Glock's frame and need a new one, that's a "new handgun purchase" to replace complete with a 30 day lock and a 10 day waiting period. Since I'm not exactly "flush with guns" it'd be missed. If I put a stippling, undercut, or something else on a Polymer80 that I absolutely hate, I can have a "good as new" fix for $150 off-the-shelf with no paperwork.

[relatively-anonymous]

If you are making this into a semi-auto pistol; it will need a magazine disconnect mechanism (MDM), chamber load indicator (CLI), and microstamping array (MSA) in order for it to be CA legal.

If your are not incorporating a MDM, CLI, and MSA into your pistol; then in order to be CA legal it must be made into a dimensionally compliant bolt-action single-shot pistol or dimensionally complaint break-top single-shot pistol.

I thought these regs were applied to buying/selling/transferring, not possession for personal use only.

[Quiet]

I thought these regs were applied to buying/selling/transferring, not possession for personal use only.

Applies to all handguns made in CA.

[moonshade0227]

If you build before summer 2018, you wont have to register your PF940C so long as you engrave it pursuant to federal regs. search the forums for more info.

Anyone wants to build a firearm should take their own risk.

I think the new law is still in the gray zone. I almost went through all the discussion I can find. None of them have a crystal clear conclusion on how to make it legal. Part of the problem is the feasibility of the new law.


Further reading:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1279180