Polymer frames and heat

[Arrieta578]

Is is "common" to damage a polymer framed pistol while practicing successive semi-rapid fire shooting drills at the range?

Is anyone aware of any tests done on polymer framed pistols comparing continuous sustained use (fire) and damage to the gun via excessive heat?

Any ideas on how many consecutive rounds would generate enough heat to start causing damage in metal to plastic areas of contact?

Or, is common to generate enough heat through sustained use that certain metal parts of the gun might get hot enough to start "stippling" the inside of the polymer frame in non-desirable places leading to problems down the road.

Thanks in advance for your answers and expertise.

[tbc]

Polymer frames and heat

^^^ you just beat me


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[Lead Waster]

I think that if it were a problem, we'd have heard about it by now.

The barrel gets hot, that's for sure. Then the barrel would have to start heating up the slide, then the slide would heat the slide rail inserts, THEN maybe the plastic gets hot. But, you know, you gotta slow down when you reload, right?

Maybe the Glock 18 with multiple big sticks would have this issue?

But really, I think the engineers would have tested this a looong time ago.

[CK_32]

I've been out in 110 NV heat mid summer and ran fun and gun shooting drills with my buddies on several occasions. The frames were the last of my worries. The slides and heat it self is more of a worry. S*its get hot.

[swifty]

One major brand had issues with their early polymer framed guns in sub-zero temperatures due to shrinkage, but I don't recall any heat related issues.

[riftol]

I think that if it were a problem, we'd have heard about it by now.



But really, I think the engineers would have tested this a looong time ago.

^^^

What he said.

[Condorguns]

I don't think it's possible to damage a gun this way by shooting. I did do a fire appraisal once where the guy had two puddle of glocks in a non fire rated safe. Strangest thing I had seen in a long time.

[Arrieta578]

Thank you for the replies and the links to the video!

So the answer seems to be yes and no. Yes, the gun can get hot enough to melt the polymer parts in the gun (that is damage) and no, that damage will not necessarily stop the gun from functioning.

In the torture test, apparently even the white ring around the Big Dot sight melted. Also, I learned that a Glock does not need a guide rod to function. Apparently, the guide rod just aids in assembly of a stripped down gun. I found some cool pics:

[jyo]

Shot HK poly-pistols A LOT---no heat related issues---actually, no issues at all...

[Arrieta578]

So, here is picture of the inside of the frame on my Kahr P-9. I am wondering if the steel guide rod/and or spring got hot enough to melt part of the polymer frame.

To be honest, I am not even sure if the guide rod/spring actually even contacts the frame. Thoughts?