I, too, thought this way once; now I own several "plastic" pistols. I carry a handgun every day for one reason or another and find the lighter weight of a polymer framed pistol to be a great blessing. Comparably sized guns have the polymers being nearly half a pound lighter for the same calibers. This adds up over the course of a day if you are standing or walking for a large part of it. Polymers are also much more resistant to sweat and other environmental problems than blued guns (I know there is stainless steel but I have had two of them develop pitting from moisture). Plus cleaning is easier, I just toss mine in a vat of cleaner (it is approximately one gallon in size and can hold up to two guns) and let soak. A couple hours later I blow it out with compressed air and then oil the metal parts. kWith a steel gun I have to remove the stocks as the wood or often the plastic is not compatable with this solution. here a polymer has another advantage, in the winter it can get well below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and a plastic gun does not seem to get as cold nor does it stay cold as long as an all metal gun. That is a very important factor at times.
Overall I find traditional steel to be more pleasing to the aesthetics but from a purely practical standpoint, polymer guns have many advantages.
Overall I find traditional steel to be more pleasing to the aesthetics but from a purely practical standpoint, polymer guns have many advantages.