Polymer handguns

[Ranger99]

When I was younger, it wasn't
too uncommon to need to bash
a suspect that was gaining the
advantage with the gun you had
in hand so you wouldn't end up
flag draped

Does anybody know of an instance
where an officer used a polymer
service gun to bash a fighting suspect
to keep from being overwhelmed?
Or a military situation?

If so,  how did it hold up?

[Dee]

I knew one older officer that used a nickel plated combat commander more for a club than a firearm. Maybe because his shooting sucked.
Ive seen Smith revolvers used for clubs that were left inoperable with everything from barrels bent at the frame,  cylinder cranes warped beyond repair, and trigger guard crushed to the point of actually pulling the trigger causing a discharge.
Criminals are ruthlessly stupid.

If I had ever had an officer use a loaded pistol for a club, I would have sent him to the house, and fought for his firing.
If the  fight was that desperate, just shoot the suspect. It  would be safer for everyone in the general area, and easier to explain.
Such things were, and are done,  out of ignorance.
So,  I guess I can't answer your question to the polymer question.

[Ranger99]

Not condoning the practice unless
necessary
I was talking to an older friend that
was in whatever the airforce calls their
MP's. He was saying they had a
long wooden baton like most all police
used to have, and a 1911 and cuffs.
He was mentioning the officer in
charge of all of them pretty much
forbade them to use their pistols
even at their own peril and they
were discouraged to use their sticks.
He was saying that there were a
good many that got a close up of
a 1911 to calm them down.
Then we were speculating whether
or not a plastic gun would hold up
to that kind of abuse like an old
45 would
I've also handled an old New Service
with a bent up trigger guard that
had most likely been used for
similar duty