One works (Glock) and the other usually doesn't and ends up as a thread with someone asking how to make it work.

Get the Glock 17. You'll be glad you did. If the grip angle is bothering you, then a Glock probably isn't for you.

 

A statement with broad strokes. People on this forum are fond of saying you only hear about the troubles, not the successes and this is no different however here I've learned to expect the cliche responses about the clones from the purists who go for "Glock Perfection".
Between this and other gun forums the common issues about P80 problems are builders not taking the time to learn (tons of YouTube videos) and follow directions/suggestions. I screwed up one frame yet quickly and easily made many more that have never experienced a failure. Great shooters and I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them for SD

 

I would look at the finished Poly 80 products, the PFS9 and PFC9.

 

Depends on your skill level with building the Polymer80. I built two, and both work. Well, one works to a degree (a 17) in that it only wants FMJ. JHP causes malfunctions and isn't incredibly reliable. The other (23 in .40/9mm) takes whatever I put into it from two calibers.

Given the current parts shortage, you will probably be better served just getting a factory Glock of some kind rather than trying to go the build route.

 

I have a guy that supervises me as I build my ghost guns and he doesn't seem to get Poly 80 thing right. Buy the 17 and don’t worry about a thing.

 

I have a guy that builds my AR ghost guns.

You know that's not kosher, right?

 

The atf is now following this thread

 

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Actually, he supervises my work on his equipment. He’s retired LEO and is 100% legal in EVERYTHING he does. If the speed limit is 35 mph then he goes 35. My point is he puts together guns from scrap and parts but has trouble getting the Poly 80 totally right. Thanks for pointing out my poorly worded statement.

Supervising your work on his equipment still isn't kosher.

 

Poly 80 compared to Glock is like buying a phony Rolex. It may look like a defensive handgun, but a poly 80 is a range toy at best. I suspect that if it weren’t for prohibited buyers, they wouldn’t be able to sell enough of them to stay afloat.

 

I suspect you are wrong. There are many veterans on MGB forums, and we are not criminals. We enjoy and embraced our RIGHTS! I welcome you to check out the forum because we are likely the major hub for builds.

 

Another thing to look at is cost, and actually, a Polymer80 can end up costing as much as a factory Glock. Both of mine were over $700. You can get a brand new Glock for less than that. I have seen a couple of people try to go the route of building one as their first "Glock" and the results usually weren't all that good.

 

I have both and recommend an actual factory Glock for your first one. And yes I have seen plenty of people that have issues building a P80. Now all of the P80 pistols I have built work just as well as my OEM Glocks. But I am also a tool and die maker and gunsmith. To me the Polymer 80 frames are for those that are interested in building and tinkering their own firearms. For simplicity and reliability stick with Glock for the first one.

That being said, I do trust my P80 builds as much as my Glock pistols.

 

I have both and can offer first hand experience in building 80% Glock builds.

1. Always start with Glock internal parts in your upper and lower parts. It easier to problem solve if you have a problem.

2. Always fit the parts to the lower frame. You will need to adjust the rails, after drilling your pin holes.

3. The right equipment matters. Fyi - A dremel work station is the key to perfect pin holes.

4. You can build EXACTLY what you want because your skill level increases with every build.

5. Check out Marine Gun Builder on Youtube and their forum. If you have questions about building and there are many discount codes on the forum. First time quality is real. Here are a couple pics of my builds.

 

Thank you very much, your post was very informative.

 

Ghost gun =

I can do things, maybe
I have something the "man" cant track, maybe
Draw attention to myself in a grey area
Get on a list you really don't want to be on
Poke the hornets nest and see what happens
Drive up the price of OEM factory parts for legit owners
Complain that Glock X does not work only to admit its a Poly80
Blur the crap out of legal lines that has let us build uppers all day long with no legal issues
- yeah how is this going to work out? Going to enjoy filling out FFL forms for an upper now?

The list can go on and on.

While I am a 2a supporter, the ghost gun thing is NOT where i would draw a battle line.

 

Does this include AR builds? How about 1911 builds? Not sure how people can claim 2A support, but have conditions on that support.

 

The problem 100% here are criminals. Law abiding citizens are perfectly within the law in excercising their RKBA by building/assembling a homemade firearm. Americans have been doing it since colonial times. A few criminals are acquiring 80% builds and circumventing the legal process of obtaining a firearm and gives politicians an excuse to come after them.

People also keep overlooking the fact that the majority of criminals do not get their weapons from 80% builds. Yes, examples exist but they are not as widespread as some would have us believe. Regulating 80% lowers is a complete waste of time and energy that will accomplish absolutely nothing outside of further restricting the 2A for law abiding citizens.

 

Thing Maybe I should make clear.
I have myself defence gun(s).. 1 for open carry and one for concealed carry.
They both have server me well for years and I have developed exceptional point shooting technique with both.
I drill constantly from holster to target with both. The open carry, literally wore out and got another one.
35 + years of training with open and 10 plus years with the concealed. I would be stupid to change up now Especially since both these guns have proved effective. In the sense of I walked away from a bad situation effective.

I was a licenced gun smith Remington certified. In rifle smithing (not just an armorer). In school I build my own rifle from raw materials. No longer have a lathe or mill but still have the skills. I no longer practice as a profession but still enjoy tinkering.



I am not getting this for self defence. I will never be depending on this gun for my life.
Strictly a plinker.

Second... It will be a build. Or a repair. Whether on a 80% poly frame. A completed, serialized poly frame, or a serialized Glock19 frame.
Most all of my guns are builds or were unsafe, non, or improper, working guns. Or just gave up on by someone else,when I got them.

 

I am a blank slate, as far as anything Glock. My limited experience is holding a 17 and not liking how it felt in my hand. Kinda funky geometry.
I am a fairly good fabricator and rifle smith so not afraid of a build.

Was just wandering, those who have both.
Besides the "ghost gun" thing.
What are the pluses and minuses between the Glock and the Poly 80?
Why one over the other?

If you want to tinker then the poly80 is a good way to go. However, don't expect the price to be lower overall nor the reliability to be on par with Glocks.

Having owned Glocks and dealing with their excellent customer service, I would only do Glocks

 

Oh I can guarantee that my P80 builds are just as reliable as a store bought Glock. But I do have the experience as a tool and die maker and gun smith and can build what I want from nothing more than a blue print. I also take my time to make that everything is 100% correct and first time quality with all my builds wether they are P80's 1911's or AR's.

 

I have been of the opinion, for several years, that to flaunt our right to build guns will put the gun community at risk for strong reaction. For folks to just go about their business making their personal guns, instead of the "get-in-your-face" about it, would have been the smartest long term strategy. Instead, we've now gotten the same harsh reaction that the Texas group got when a few dozen showed up at a Starbucks with their ARs to force the point about open carry. One more nail on the coffin for use by the anti-gunners and more importantly, those sitting on the fence that go over to the wrong side.

Many say it's OK to be gay, trans, etc. just don't shove your views down my throat. Well that's what's happened to gun building. Because it's legal and a right, it's been shoved down people's throats forcefully. We may be right but lose the the battle. It never had to be this way.

 

This guy gets it. It isn’t that banning the home building of firearms is the RIGHT thing to do, it’s just that people have become so vocal about it that they have attracted the kind of attention that is going to result in legislative action. I blame it mostly on the fact that guns have become “cool”. They are a trend among the “look at me” folks in society who feel compelled to share photo/video documentation of their entire lives on YouTube and the Book of feces. Back in the day, it was a smaller knit community.

I see a lot of the newest generation of gun owners the same way folks in places like Texas and Florida see new residents from California and New York. Quality over quantity is the way to happiness.

 

Built 2, both are super reliable with no issues ever.

 

I am a blank slate, as far as anything Glock. My limited experience is holding a 17 and not liking how it felt in my hand. Kinda funky geometry.
I am a fairly good fabricator and rifle smith so not afraid of a build.

Was just wandering, those who have both.
Besides the "ghost gun" thing.
What are the pluses and minuses between the Glock and the Poly 80?
Why one over the other?

I scanned the comments and didn’t see anyone actually answer your questions:

I’ve never built a Polymer80 80% frame but I’ve purchased many Polmer80 100% frames in both Compact (Glock 19) and Full (Glock 17).

The Polymer80 frames are only for Gen 3 (or Gen 2) parts and slides, so that is a drawback if Gen 4 parts is what you have excess of.

The ergonomics of the Polymer80 frames is much better for me than Glock OEM frames.

Aftermarket parts that may work 100% in Glock OEM frames may not work 100% in Polymer80 frames at all or without nudging or modifying. Using all Glock OEM parts in Polymer80 frames is usually the best bet first and then sub parts after that as a reference if things stop working.

Polymer80 frames don’t fit in most Glock holsters, especially if it’s an all Kydex holster.

Even on 100% Polymer80 frames, the pin holes are usually really tight and a pain to install or remove compared to an OEM Glock frame.

I’ve found that my Polymer80 setups require a break in period (just a box or two) whereas my Glocks usually just run unhindered right out of the box. With the Polymer80, I’ve experienced sluggish slide movement and FTE and being out of battery ever few rounds until that first box or two and then after that, on all of my P80’s, the guns just run.

At the end of the day I trust my Glock OEM handguns but I prefer to carry and shoot my Polymer80 handguns as I trust those as well.

Once again, my Polymer80 frames are 100% frames and I didn’t manufacture any of them. I had purchased a Polymer80 80% frame once and then I never felt like building it, so I returned it and started just buying 100% Polymer80 frames.

 

Not all true:

If the pin holes are drilled correctly with the correct tools (Dremel workstation, Brad Point dremel bits, and a drop of mineral oil) your pin holes will fit correctly without banging them in.


Strike 80 compacts will fit in most kydex holsters and so will SS80 frames (G43 clone).

These holsters are interchangable.

Blue - Knightfall holster
Black - We The People holster

You can build Gen 3, 4, 5 compacts on Strike 80 frames with a few modifications. However, new builders should start with Gen 3s.

Finally, Freedom Wolf 80% frames are designed for Gen 3 and 4 builds (and maybe Gen 5).

 

Any sources for a Glock frame out there or is it just cheaper to buy a used Leo gun to use the frame From?

 

Gunbroker sales OEM Glock frames and complete Glocks. Not sure if you can still find “cheaper used LEO guns”, but I would use Gunbroker first because they generally have the firearm you want.

 

I suggest neither; don't be a sheep. There are many different handguns available from many different manufacturers that are proven reliable designs that offer better ergonomics and can often be purchased at a better price point.

 

I am a blank slate, as far as anything Glock. My limited experience is holding a 17 and not liking how it felt in my hand. Kinda funky geometry.
I am a fairly good fabricator and rifle smith so not afraid of a build.

Was just wandering, those who have both.
Besides the "ghost gun" thing.
What are the pluses and minuses between the Glock and the Poly 80?
Why one over the other?

Wow. Ok.

OP: “What are the pluses and minuses between the Glock and the Poly 80?
Why one over the other?”

Complete context matters.

Do you really believe he was askjng question about a factory completed P80 or an 80% P80?

 

There's a new aluminum frame striker fire that takes Glock mags coming. Might be worth waiting on.

Rock Island Armory Rolls Out The STK100, Their First Ever Striker Fired Pistol - The Truth About Guns

From Rock Island Armory . . . Rock Island Armory has announced the addition of a striker-fired pistol to its long line of 2021 product introductions. The STK100 features a solid frame that gives shooters the advantages of metal for the price of polymer. It comes with an aluminum grip to make it...

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

 

Metal aftermarket Glock clone frames are probably going to be the next industry ‘innovation’ to flood the market. They would have to be 100% and serialized though, can see the demand for 80% Aluminum . Gotta thank Sig for that with the AXG.

As far as this RIA concoction goes, it looks interesting.

 

Got that G 23 . With some extra parts.
Traded for an old bow.
Took the stuff to a gun smith - Glock Smith. He helped me sort thru it.
After inspection and some swapping, with him, looks like I am building a complete lower for a G19.
So I guess I am now officially a Glock owner. At least lower half a G19, a set of sights, and a 9mm magazine.
I am into this thing for a total of like 90 bucks.
So far........
Thank you fellows for the info, and even the side tracks, the helped me to decide to, trade for the mess o parts, go to a knowledgeable gunsmith, and get the parts and guidance I needed to get started.

 

Got that G 23 . With some extra parts.
Traded for an old bow.
Took the stuff to a gun smith - Glock Smith. He helped me sort thru it.
After inspection and some swapping, with him, looks like I am building a complete lower for a G19.
So I guess I am now officially a Glock owner. At least lower half a G19, a set of sights, and a 9mm magazine.
I am into this thing for a total of like 90 bucks.
So far........
Thank you fellows for the info, and even the side tracks, the helped me to decide to, trade for the mess o parts, go to a knowledgeable gunsmith, and get the parts and guidance I needed to get started.

Since the original owner of the Glock (that you mentioned earlier), why not contact Glock about getting the gripframe replaced?????

Glock (in the past) has replaced the frame for around $100.00, and sometimes, free-of-charge, depending on what the issue is/was.

 

The Glock was an LEO buy. The 2nd owner, not the brightest, did some really unkosher stuff to the frame. Grinding stippling, soaking in acetone and spraying rubber tool coating on it. Also ground on the Barrel ramp in a bad way.When it cracked because of his mods. He cut it into 3 pieces and was going to sell the rest of the stuff on Ebay.
I came along and bought the leftovers. Doubt Glock would have warrentied that, I did not even get the serialized frame. Just the parts from it.

Maybe I should have been more descriptive but just did not think it was important, or appropriate as the thread was about differences and I did not want to derail it any more then it already had been.

 

A buddy of mine has built a boatload of them. Every time I see him, he is telling me about another problem with his latest P80 build and how he just can’t get it to run right. I guess it’s fun for him but I’ll just buy a stock Glock and mod it a bit to my liking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

Well got my bottom end together. Went with a P-80 frame. Put the donor parts in it. And the parts he traded me.
Was going to drop it off but could not go get it the same day. Gets a little sticky puting a home built lower in the books, also what can and can not be done by a non owner to it after varies by the constantly changing interpretation of the ATF....so..
We decided what we would do, was bring it to the range. With me standing there. Him look at it, then me throw a slide, and my mag on it and pop off. Ran 25 rounds federal American 9 mm thru it no issues, changed slide and mag. Ran 25 rounds American 40 Caliber thru it, no problems. Said I did good work. Was a great experience.
Then he tried to sell me the LEO parts, 9 mm slide assembly, but I just did not have the 400 bucks right now. Was a fair price so I may hit him up later.
Bonus connection. He took a look at some laminating, floating, bending and wood work I done for a friend on his sported Mauser. I may be getting some stock work and bedding jobs thrown my way. Could help pay for both those slide assemblies real quick.

 

Congratulations on your first build.

You can add a serial number to your frame, if you are uncomfortable not having one. Several builders are using dremels and salt water etching with vinyl stencils of their chosen serial info.

See below. There is also a link on that website that contains a video on how to etch.

Stencils