It wasn't too many years ago that any kind of laboratory-made substance on a firearm was looked on with considerable disdain. Now, to be fair, plastic-like materials (hard rubber, gutta-percha, bakelite, celluloid) had been successfully used on rifles and handguns as far back as the 19th century. But it really wasn't until Remington came out with its keen Model 600 rifle, sporting a plastic ventilated rib and some other bits and pieces, that the buying public softened a little and realized that perhaps it was time to update its concept of firearms fabrication.

New developments in polymers made it possible to produce even more stress-bearing parts on firearms, and when Glock introduced its polymer-framed Model 17 auto to the U.S. in 1985, acceptance became pretty much universal.

At first touted by an ignorant (or biased) press as being undetectable during airport security checks, it soon became evident that these new wonder-autos were as traceable as any ordinary gun. Not only that, they were great pistols and were soon adopted by many police forces throughout the country.

The rest, as they say, is history. Polymer on all kinds of high-end guns has become de rigueur, and there are few makers who don't use it to a lesser or greater degree on most of their products.

Here, then, is a rundown on all of the current polymers on the market. Calibers, sizes, types and configurations all vary widely, and it's safe to say that there is a plastic auto out there that will satisfy just about any need. Let's take a look at the lineup.

Charles Daly
You've got to give it to Charles Daly. The company has taken its M-5 1911-A1 in just about every direction possible, from hideout to IPSC. The high-capacity Government Model-style autos are built in Israel and have tapered bull barrels and other such amenities as high-rise ambidextrous extended beavertail safeties. Finishes are your basic matte blue with some bright stainless highlights, and calibers include 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

Charles Daly M-5 Ultra-X Compact

The smallest of the batch, the polymer-frame M-5 Ultra X Compact, measures a tad under seven inches overall with a 3 1/7-inch barrel. There are also midsize Commander versions, standard models with 5-inch barrels and the classy M-5 IPSC with adjustable sights and other competition goodies. In addition, the company's got the Czech-made polymer-framed ZDA, a DA number in 9mm and .40 S&W. www.charlesdaly.com

CZ 100

CZ USA
Before and during World War II the Czechoslovakian firm Ceska Zbrojovka came out with some of the best pocket pistols in the world. The company continued the tradition through the Cold War era, and today the firm CZ-USA (the American importer) is offering an extensive line of service-caliber autos--including one polymer model, the CZ 100 B. Calibers are 9mm Parabellum and .40 S&W. This striker-fired, double-action-only 10-shooter has a black frame, firing-pin safety and loaded-chamber indicator. Barrel length is just under 4 inches, and overall length runs about seven inches. www.cz-usa.com

EAA Witness (full size)

European American Armory
EAA is justly proud of its Tanfoglio-designed Witness line of auto pistols. Though also available with a steel frame, the P series is pure polymer and comes in three versions--Compact, Carry and Full Size. Magazine capacities vary from 18 to eight, depending upon model and caliber. Compacts are in 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Carry models chamber either 10mm or .45 ACP, and Full Size models handle 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. As per the style of the day, all are double action. www.eaacorp.com

Glock
Well, here's where it all really started, and as might be expected, Glock has not been content to just rest on its laurels, currently offering one of the largest lines of polymer pistols extant. As well as its polymer frames, one of the Glock trademarks is the smooth, positive "Safe-Action," offering the best compromise between single and double action. The guns also have three independent safeties--a trigger safety, firing-pin safety and drop safety. Lest you think all of this complicates the mechanism, rest assured that Glocks are among the simplest autos on the market to operate.

Glock 37 .45 GAP

There are a whole bunch of different models in calibers 9mm Parabellum, 10mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .357 SIG and .380. Of course, the signature Model 17 remains a company staple, but there are now all sorts of others, from subcompacts to IPSC-class pistols. Magazine capacities vary with caliber. If you can't find something to suit your fancy from Glock's extensive lineup, then you're really not trying very hard. www.glock.com