[Nalapombu]

Hey all.

I just learned about these Polymer 80 “kits” where you can build your own Glock-like pistol in several variations. I thought they were only doable in g19 size, but I was told that they can be done even in the size of the g43 or g26. Is that right?

Anyway, I understand the desire to do one. I have wanted to do the same thing but in a 1911 for a long time now. I think it would be an interesting build and fun to do.

What I’m wondering is whether or not there is any money savings compared to buying a new Glock. Let’s say I want to buy a Polymer 80 and do it as a g43. I use quality parts, but no race stuff. Just standard Glock parts that maximize function and reliability. After I finish the g43 build, how much will I have in it? I know whether or not there is any savings over simply buying a new g43 is not a concern of most that do these projects. I’m just curious.

If you did a g26 or g43 build with the Polymer 80 kits and standard parts, about how much will you have in your pistol when done?

Thanks for the help.

 

[R*E]

I looked into it as a fun thing to do but the cost is quite a bit more than buying a complete Glock. I didn’t bother after doing the math.

 

['Ol Grandad]

If you're going to build a Gucci GLOCK, yes. If you're looking for a cheaper GLOCK, no.

 

[Macc283]

No not really

 

[R.B. Riddick]

Hey all.

I just learned about these Polymer 80 “kits” where you can build your own Glock-like pistol in several variations. I thought they were only doable in g19 size, but I was told that they can be done even in the size of the g43 or g26. Is that right?

Anyway, I understand the desire to do one. I have wanted to do the same thing but in a 1911 for a long time now. I think it would be an interesting build and fun to do.

What I’m wondering is whether or not there is any money savings compared to buying a new Glock. Let’s say I want to buy a Polymer 80 and do it as a g43. I use quality parts, but no race stuff. Just standard Glock parts that maximize function and reliability. After I finish the g43 build, how much will I have in it? I know whether or not there is any savings over simply buying a new g43 is not a concern of most that do these projects. I’m just curious.

If you did a g26 or g43 build with the Polymer 80 kits and standard parts, about how much will you have in your pistol when done?

Thanks for the help.

initially, building P80s were affordable because a complete Glock upper sold for $250-$300 and Glock lower part kits were $50. It was common to see builds around $500. Current basic builds are about $800 (assuming you are using OEM parts) because a complete Glock upper is $400 > and lower part kits are about $150 on Ebay.

Most builders are not building to save money, but enjoy tinkering and building exactly what they want. You will not save money by building vs buying a Glock.

Also, if you do not have the necessary skills, knowledge, or tools your “build” could become an expensive paper weight.

 

[CBennett]

No, not really its not like in the old days you could save $$ by building your own AR or something...then it changed to you could pretty much buy a pre made AR and get one for the same or cheaper..so its not like that.

 

[DirectDrive]

No, not a cheap, beat the system thing.
And then add in that there's no Glock OEM small parts available right now.
I built a G19 clone at the front end of the craze when OEM parts were plentiful.
If you build one with the aftermarket small parts kit you will probably have issues.

 

[wild cat mccane]

The unanimous answer here is no.

You also aren't technically "building" like people call it. If I strip apart a Sig P365 to MCarbo springs in, I literally take most stuff apart on the P365. Did I build a P365? No.

Is your retail higher? No.

Is your customer support higher or even to a stock gun? No.

So what is their intended purpose? Evade registration. I own hundreds of registered, NICS background checked firearms.

Guess who I think has a problem with a registered/NICS check gun? A bad guy who shouldn't have one. You might have a build gun, you might be against someone checking your criminal record, and you may also not be a bad guy. But you have to be pretty myopic to think that's the end of the conversation.

 

[akpls]

I've done several. Maybe the first couple when parts weren't so expensive cost a bit less but not lately. Saving money or hiding from the gov wasn't really the point in doing them for me anyway. I just like putting things together and seeing what I can make work. Kind of like a kid with Legos! [emoji28]

 

[DrewBone]

...

I own hundreds of registered, NICS background checked firearms.

...

What are these "registered" and "NICS background checked firearms" schemes you're speaking of?

If I didn't know any better, the actions listed above that appear to be a requirement for your firearm purchases seems to have rather begrudgingly affected your opinion on this topic. Just sayin'.

 

[Atomic Punk]

I made a G17 Kinda clone with my 3d printer and a few parts kits.
Came out to about $400.

Did it for fun, and because i could. Still prefer my actual factory glocks.

 

[ranger1968]

No, not really.

But I don't think most of the people doing poly 80's are doing it to save money; I think most of them are doing it as a fun project, with full awareness that it may cost a bit more and will have some bugs to be worked out;

It's not much different from model building or tinkering with cars or hobby wood working, it's about working with your hands and making something that is functional from a bunch of pieces and parts.....

 

[ranger1968]

The unanimous answer here is no.

You also aren't technically "building" like people call it. If I strip apart a Sig P365 to MCarbo springs in, I literally take most stuff apart on the P365. Did I build a P365? No.

Is your retail higher? No.

Is your customer support higher or even to a stock gun? No.

So what is their intended purpose? Evade registration. I own hundreds of registered, NICS background checked firearms.

Guess who I think has a problem with a registered/NICS check gun? A bad guy who shouldn't have one. You might have a build gun, you might be against someone checking your criminal record, and you may also not be a bad guy. But you have to be pretty myopic to think that's the end of the conversation.

That's the way a statist thinks; it's a " I don't mind the government beng in my business becuase I have nothing to hide" mindset that misses the entire point of liberty....

 

[Longbow]

Some get more...headaches!

 

[G29guy06]

initially, building P80s were affordable because a complete Glock upper sold for $250-$300 and Glock lower part kits were $50. It was common to see builds around $500. Current basic builds are about $800 (assuming you are using OEM parts) because a complete Glock upper is $400 > and lower part kits are about $150 on Ebay.

Most builders are not building to save money, but enjoy tinkering and building exactly what they want. You will not save money by building vs buying a Glock.

Also, if you do not have the necessary skills, knowledge, or tools your “build” could become an expensive paper weight.

“an expensive paper weight”

that’s what I call a G42/43 lol

 

[scattershot]

Consider this: when you are finished with your “build”, you have a collection of parts that may or may not work, for more money than you would have spent buying the complete pistol to begin with.

just sayin’

 

[R.B. Riddick]

The unanimous answer here is no.

You also aren't technically "building" like people call it. If I strip apart a Sig P365 to MCarbo springs in, I literally take most stuff apart on the P365. Did I build a P365? No.

Is your retail higher? No.

Is your customer support higher or even to a stock gun? No.

So what is their intended purpose? Evade registration. I own hundreds of registered, NICS background checked firearms.

Guess who I think has a problem with a registered/NICS check gun? A bad guy who shouldn't have one. You might have a build gun, you might be against someone checking your criminal record, and you may also not be a bad guy. But you have to be pretty myopic to think that's the end of the conversation.

I am going to disagree because P80 builds require fitting and leveling rails, drilling perfect holes, and removing/sanding the polymer for the right fit for your build to function correctly. The process is simply not switching or adding parts.

Finally, the builders’ community includes a huge population of military and LEO veteran gun owners, and we are legal gun owners that are exercising our 2A RIGHTS!

 

[Bren]

I looked into it as a fun thing to do but the cost is quite a bit more than buying a complete Glock. I didn’t bother after doing the math.

And, as the many threads in General Glocking show, after spending more than it would cost to buy a real, reliable Glock, you often get a piece of crap that doesn't work.

 

[G29guy06]

And, as the many threads in General Glocking show, after spending more than it would cost to buy a real, reliable Glock, you often get a piece of crap that doesn't work.

C’mon….it’s like building a model

 

[shadowgunner9]

Gray man. John Galt.
Get it?