Polymer frame. However I disagree with your premise that Glocks aren't for beginners, or that they are any more susceptible to limp wristing than any other polymer semi-auto.

The hotter the ammunition, the less susceptible to limp wristing the Glock becomes.

 

To ensure the impulse of the slide moving during recoil (as designed), requires that the frame has some minimal amount of mass, or that the shooter has the ability to hold the weapon frame somewhat ridged against the recoiling mass of the slide. The less mass in the frame, the more rigidity required in the shooter's grip/arm.

The more of the recoil that is absorbed by the movement of the frame (impulse not absorbed by the grip/arm) in addition to the slide movement, the less there is to move the slide sufficiently to allow proper cycling. If both frame and slide move under recoil the same amount, the gun will not cycle.

This lighter the pistol (less mass), the more rigidity required from the shooter to ensure proper cycling of the slide.

The movement of the arm/grip of the shooter is integrating the impulse of the pistol firing. This integration of the impulse, can result in a longer duration impulse of significantly lower amplitude (while still having the same "area under the curve") that it may not overcome the spring constant of the recoil spring assembly.

Disclaimer:
People vary. I have tried to limp wrist my G27 by holding it and firing it with only three fingers. I was not able to cause any problems (damn near dropped the gun though). I am not recoil sensitive either.

 

I've tried to limp wrist several XDs, M&Ps, Ruger P345 and P95, SP2022 as well as Glocks. I even shot a few sideways and none of them jammed. Note, first time I tried shooting a gun sideways I barely aimed and got a bullseye at 15 yards. Don't ask me how it happened. :rofl:

 

Dare I say it? .......... Because they're not really all that perfect?

 

I never seen Glock malfunction caused by that even in the hands of complete newbies. I guess I never came across anybody who was not able to hold their pistol. Just behave like normal human do, hold on to that thing and you should be fine.

 

Thats strange. I have smaller than normal wrists and arthritis in them. I have owned 3 Glocks and although in the case of the G30 it really hurt my wrist and forearm to shoot I only remember one jam which I attributed to bad ammo.

I saw one guy at a Gun show explaining his G19 was jamming. He was a big guy with big wrists obviously a Gun person and they were saying he was limp wristing it. HMMMMMM

 

The RSA is strong and not tolerant to a very wide range of power.

 

because 17lb recoil spring.

 

I've never understood the limp-wristing thing, myself. One of my daughters was a very petite 90 pound 13 year old, the first time she shot my Glock 19. She's never had a problem. Prior to that, all she had ever shot was a .22 revolver and a 1911 .22.

 

Glocks aren't susceptible, they are a machines that need to be used properly to function is all.

 

Low-mass gun and heavy recoil spring make it more difficult/important to transfer energy from recoil to slide. More susceptible does not necessarily mean there will be problems, though. You could be right at the limit and not know it.

Glocks don't like ammo power to be too low. So for example, if you're shooting Minor power ammo weak-hand, recoil spring energy is way more critical than if you're shooting 145PF ammo freestyle.

Whatever the purpose of your gun, it should be set up to run reliably in all reasonably foreseeable situations. Sometimes that means not using OE parts.

 

I've shot all manner of handguns since the late 1950's.

For many years I held the guns with a light, somewhat relaxed grip. No trouble what so ever.
I never heard of "limp wristing" until Glock came along.

My Wife was also a shooter since about 1960. (She could outshoot everyone we ever shot with.

My Wife hated the G17. When the first thing a Glock "expert" tried to tell her how to adapt her grip to shoot Glocks, She said,
I've been shooting guns for forty years. I am not about to adapt to this thing. A good gun is made for the shooter, not the other way around.

I used to recommend Glocks to shooters that for one reason or the other was not going to put in the effort to be much of a shooter.
No more. Too much trouble.
I will not recommend a Glock to anyone.

Every Glock/owner, except one recently, that has shot on my range has had problems.

Recently a woman practicing for her CHL couldn't get through a magazine with her husband's G17.
I loaned her a Beretta 92. She fired hundreds of rounds with not a problem.

I find that Glock owners sometimes have selective memories.
I'll see a fellow having trouble with his Glock. A couple months later he will be bragging how he's shot thousands of rounds through the gun and it's never malfunctioned once.

If I point out the Glock malfunctioning a couple months ago he's as likely to say, Oh, that was my fault, I was limp wristing. :supergrin:

 

My wife had never shot a firearm of any kind until she shot my 26 a month or so ago. No malfunctions at all.

 

I've shot all manner of handguns since the late 1950's.

For many years I held the guns with a light, somewhat relaxed grip. No trouble what so ever.
I never heard of "limp wristing" until Glock came along.

My Wife was also a shooter since about 1960. (She could outshoot everyone we ever shot with.

My Wife hated the G17. When the first thing a Glock "expert" tried to tell her how to adapt her grip to shoot Glocks, She said,
I've been shooting guns for forty years. I am not about to adapt to this thing. A good gun is made for the shooter, not the other way around.

I used to recommend Glocks to shooters that for one reason or the other was not going to put in the effort to be much of a shooter.
No more. Too much trouble.
I will not recommend a Glock to anyone.

Every Glock/owner, except one recently, that has shot on my range has had problems.

Recently a woman practicing for her CHL couldn't get through a magazine with her husband's G17.
I loaned her a Beretta 92. She fired hundreds of rounds with not a problem.

I find that Glock owners sometimes have selective memories.
I'll see a fellow having trouble with his Glock. A couple months later he will be bragging how he's shot thousands of rounds through the gun and it's never malfunctioned once.

If I point out the Glock malfunctioning a couple months ago he's as likely to say, Oh, that was my fault, I was limp wristing. :supergrin:

I'm not all that far behind you on the years, but my wife has been shooting just for the last few years. Her favorite of all my Glocks in my G17 Gen 4. The only issue she's ever had with it is the slide locking back after the 17 round. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I have never met a human being that has experience a single issue, so I don't think the issues are as common as some are lead to believe. To be perfectly honest, I don't have problems with any of my guns, regardless of brand. They just work.

 

The only problems I have had with my Glock 26 or any of my other guns has been ammo related. Cheap *** Monarch ammo.

 

because 17lb recoil spring.

They are tuned towards self defense/military ammo and to last a long time with such ammo.

 

Revolvers for beginners and those that are not "into guns"

 

I am sort of in the middle. My guess is part of it is because there are alot of Glocks out there there are more total problems because there are more of them out there Because of the popularity I also guess that it may be a more popular choice for people getting their first gun. I also have to guess that an aluminum or steel frame pistol may be a better choice as a first gun.

On the other hand I have seen a fair number of new shooters do fine with a Glock although there were competent trainers present.

 

I've tried to get every one I've had to malfunction with "limp wristing" never has happend.

 

Sounds like the problem is with the shooter or some very weak ammo, I to have tried to limp wrist a Glock a few times but it still functioned perfectly!

 

I think the G42 issues have blown this myth to new highs.......

 

If your semi pistol will function with a limp wrist, what is the slide doing to the frame when you hold it correctly?

 

I have trouble with the 30 round mags FTF

 

My fiancée has trouble with Glocks. She cant grasp the grips strong enough because of problems with her hands and the guns have FTF issues. Its the same as if she was limp wristing it.

 

Before the lady shooting her husband's G17, I think the last case of limp wristing I saw was a woman in a local women's shooting league.
She was shooting her SIG P238.
I asked her if she would like to try the Glock 42.

The gun jammed feeding several times.
I told her to tighten up her grip.
She did and fired several more, trouble free, magazines.

I learned later there was a general dislike for Glocks among those women shooters.
The ones I'm friends with carry 9mm Shields, or Ruger LC9's.