Plastic/polymer slide cover - what is the purpose?

[ryker]

Why does the five-seven have a slide cover? My only thought is that it is cheaper to toss on a piece of plastic than it it so stamp/engrave the metal?

I know it doesn't add much weight but it appears to offer no advantage other than cost savings or cosmetic?

[tqtran]

How about no need to refinish the metal slide undereneither over time?
or extra protection from holsters or the elements?
Just replace the plastic slide cover.

I think of it as an extra layer of protection to the metal slide it covers.

[Mt Vernon 5.56]

My suspicion is that the lightweight slide is a necessary component of the FsN's delayed-blowback mechanism.

[ryker]

Seams like the extra weight is a disadvantge. Which is why some autos have slide cutout to reduce the weight to stay on target on fast fire drills. Of course the plastic weight is minimal.

[FNTech1]

My suspicion, is that it really does not matter, as long as it works. And it does. Think about it......but not too long.

[The Outrage]

Maybe you're thinking of it the wrong way. Perhaps it's a plastic slide with a metal liner, rather than a metal slide with plastic shielding.

[tqtran]

Maybe you're thinking of it the wrong way. Perhaps it's a plastic slide with a metal liner, rather than a metal slide with plastic shielding.

Take your slide cover off and you'll see that its a metal slide and a poly cover.

[jhs27275]

Perhaps it's a plastic slide with a metal liner, rather than a metal slide with plastic shielding.

You've never looked and checked?

[ryker]

Of course as currently designed the metal slide would look crazy witout the cover due to the size difference. The cover fills in the gaps. Seams all cosmetic and cost savings.

[The Outrage]

Perhaps it's a plastic slide with a metal liner, rather than a metal slide with plastic shielding.

You've never looked and checked?

I'm saying the difference is conceptual. I don't consider the slide "plastic" nor "metal". It's a hybrid of the two. I'm all for cutting weight. I think FNH used as much plastic as they could to keep the weight down. The metal portion is out of necessity rather than beauty.