Polymer pistol frame flex vs metal frames

[Darklyte27]

So I started out with a M&P, then got a RIA 1911, and recently a sig 2022.

My observations are that the poly pistols seem to be not as accurate for me. My groups with the poly pistols are not as tight as the 1911 and my senses tell me because of the frame flex or plastic to metal gap causes ever so slight movements therefore the round tends to go slightly off point of aim.

This past weekend while testing out the 2022 for the first time, the same thing was happening to my friend who was shooting pistols for the 2nd time of his life.

anyone else experience this or can relate?

[gorenut]

I think the trigger would have a greater affect on the user's accuracy before any frame flex would come into play. Even after the trigger, there are more factors before frame-flex such as ergonomics, sights,barrel length/sight radius, etc come into play.

I shoot Sig Pros better than any of the P-Series Sigs I've handled. I equate that to just the overall ergos and trigger working better for me.

1911 triggers are definitely some of the best though. Hard to make a direct comparison.

[IPSICK]

Better comparison would be a SiG Pro vs. a SiG P229.

[5.56Geo]

The bullet has hit the target long before the frame starts to flex. It's the trigger pull that is causing you to go slightly off point of aim.

[sigfan91]

Better comparison would be a SiG Pro vs. a SiG P229.

Nah, the two have completely different trigger feel. That can pull someone off the mark. I simply could not get used to the trigger of a Sig Pro.

Weight could also be an issue. Metal guns are slightly heavier, sometimes a lot heavier. Heavier guns are more steady, resulting in more accuracy.

Of course the ergos and how the shooter feels with each particular gun is the most important.

Frame flexing is probably way down on the list of reasons that could cause a pistol to be inaccurate.

[JeremyS]

With most handguns, the bullet has left the barrel before the slide actually starts to move backwards and certainly well before any frame flexing. By the time the muzzle actually starts moving upwards due to recoil at all, the bullet is well on its way or even at the target already. You could fire a gun that's just balanced on a table and has nothing holding it still at all, and it should still hit where it is aimed.

The CZ SP-01 Phantom, which is a polymer frame, is just as accurate of a gun as the SP-01, which is all steel. American Rifleman tested it a couple of months ago and the average group size was well under 1" at 25 yards after 15, 5-shot groups.

Weight is probably the reason you're not as accurate, due to anticipating the recoil more in the lighter gun (gripping tighter as you pull the trigger, pushing/jerking the gun right as you expect it to fire, etc.)


Here's your frame flex...

[Saym14]

trigger pull.