MIM parts have been providing long service life in industrial applications much more severe than firearms for decades. I am sure they'll be fine.
Robert
Robert
Is MIM getting over it's stigma?
- Thread starter sceva
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Let's go back to the past where we fought over MIM, Pinned and recessed, the hillary hole and plastic. Pretty much everything has died down except an occasional hole rant or a plastic vs steel screed.
After close to 15 years here, I see a subtle shift to more important things, like fiber,colon health, various body part replacement parts; rants against AI and 3D printing of ghost guns. What about S&W's FPC vs Kel Tec? Is the new Python better than the old one.
If we ain't ranting, grousing or fighting about such things we ain't happy.
After close to 15 years here, I see a subtle shift to more important things, like fiber,colon health, various body part replacement parts; rants against AI and 3D printing of ghost guns. What about S&W's FPC vs Kel Tec? Is the new Python better than the old one.
If we ain't ranting, grousing or fighting about such things we ain't happy.
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Taurus was an early adopter in implementing MIM in firearms. Now it supplies MIM parts to all sorts of industries.
Metal Injection Molding Allows Gun Manufacturer To Aim High
OP
I agree that the S&W MIM hammers / triggers do not look as nice as the forged/machined color case hardened ones but the appear to be working very well.
As for internal parts and lets talk 1911's, Sear, Extractor, Firing pin stop etc; they are not visible once assembled and if they work I am ok with it. As for the visible ones, Slide stop or safety; I looked over the ones on my Springfield and yes you can see the parting lines if you look closely but it's not obvious and I have no issues with them. Yes; Kimber had some issues that poisoned the well so to speak on MIM. Even though they have seemingly been resolved the stigma remains. Ed Brown says replace all the MIM parts but he is in the parts selling business. Wilson sells and uses MIM parts, Les Baer uses some MIM parts, Colt, S&W, Springfield, Kimber, uses MIM and at least Springfield has a lifetime warranty. I have come to the conclusion that it is much ado about nothing.
I will not sweat the MIM. if they break (rare and doubtful) Springfield will replace them. I may put a few spare parts aside over time; another recoil spring, a Firing pin but I am in no rush to do this and it will be mostly done if / when I come across a great deal.
625-7
Member
My 625-7 and p85 are holding up just fine. The 625 is my dependable MIM bear gun. Just in case the subject comes up
But would anyone want MIM parts in their bear gun?
John
John
There is, nor was there any problem with MIM parts. So many things are made using MIM
The problem was the internet, someone posted an issue and off it went. Same as the IL.
The problem was the internet, someone posted an issue and off it went. Same as the IL.
THE PILGRIM
Member
LVSteve
Member
OP
MIM : Metal Injection Molding, Powdered Metal of the correct alloy is mixed with a polymer and injected into a precision mold. The resultant part is oversized and after removal from the mold goes thru various processes that remove the polymer and does other things that result in a part that is net size, heat treatable and has 95% - 100% density (few if any internal voids) The process is very precise, controllable and cuts machining costs immensely.
For those who think forging and bar stock are always superior I will state that they can and do have inclusions, forging laps and seams, cracks, cold shuts etc. That is why parts used in critical areas often have the raw material as well as finished parts tested by Magnetic particle inspection, eddy current, Ultrasonic inspection, x-rays, Fluorescent penetrant inspection and other non-destructive methods.
A homogenous steel part from Barstock or a forging is not always superior and MIM parts are not usually junk. They are just another way to allow companies keep their costs down so they can sell at a price that is competitive. If one wants to spend money to replace all the MIM parts go ahead but you may be removing perfectly good parts and you won't nesessarily have significantly better parts
MIM? Don't know enough to have an opinion. But MIM on S&W revolvers mostly comes on newer guns, which require replacement of the storage safety device.
Plastic? Mostly against it, but decades ago, I preferred (and still prefer) Colt plastic (Nylon?) mainspring housings for the 1911, because they can't rust on the inside.
Plastic? Mostly against it, but decades ago, I preferred (and still prefer) Colt plastic (Nylon?) mainspring housings for the 1911, because they can't rust on the inside.
Well, a breath of fresh air from the daily coffee, 9 v 45, USPS threads.
Well… we haven’t had a broccoli thread in a while
No breakage in any of mine. Forged looks better but MIM has been working just as well.
SnidelyWhiplash
Member
Like forgings and castings…there’s good forging and bad forging…good castings and bad castings…the same goes for MIM.
Parts of the landing gear on Navy jets are MIM…and they take a lot stresses and perform quite well.
Nothing wrong with good MIM.
Parts of the landing gear on Navy jets are MIM…and they take a lot stresses and perform quite well.
Nothing wrong with good MIM.
I have had forged pieces break on a 1972 Colt 1911 Combat Commander... lower barrel lug came off... had C&S put in a new Bar-Sto barrel... but have not had any MIM parts break... even on my Taurus pistols (PT1911S, PT99, PT111 G2...)
does that make Taurus better than Colt.. nope.. a sample of 1 means nothing.
does that make Taurus better than Colt.. nope.. a sample of 1 means nothing.
I'll say that I prefer forged parts and wood stocks. Just because I like older stuff; stuff "they don't make anymore." No quarrel with MIM reliability, I just like the aesthetics of old. Look at the fonts used for rollmarks 100 years ago. Pretty cool in my book. They don't do that much anymore either. Not only the old fonts with nifty serifs, but they don't rollmark as much either.
When I look at the stamped metal parts in some of my plastic pistols, then MIM isn't quite so jarring. But they work, and work well. Plastic pistols you say???? Yeah, I relish blue and walnut, but IMNHO plastic pistols have their place, stamped parts and all.
Sharpen the pitchforks and light the torches! Come and get me. I'm that guy covered with tar and feathers.
When I look at the stamped metal parts in some of my plastic pistols, then MIM isn't quite so jarring. But they work, and work well. Plastic pistols you say???? Yeah, I relish blue and walnut, but IMNHO plastic pistols have their place, stamped parts and all.
Sharpen the pitchforks and light the torches! Come and get me. I'm that guy covered with tar and feathers.
OP
I hear you; about the only thing I would say differently is Steel and Wood (or other natural) over Blue and walnut. There are some awfully nice stainless or nickel ones out there and lots of other good looking wood.
My Son-in-Law likes the polymer ones, light and compact but they just doesn't do much for me. I hand him a vintage K-Masterpiece, my Model 41 or my 1911 and the first thing he says it "It's heavy"
I used to be a MIM snob. Wanted nothing to do with it. Especially for 1911’s.
Twenty years ago it was obvious that some manufacturers had not yet mastered the process.
I have owned many guns since them. Some of them with MIM parts. I had no problems.
Considering cost, I see no reason to buy a 1911 with MIM parts.
I guess now I’m a 1911 snob.
Twenty years ago it was obvious that some manufacturers had not yet mastered the process.
I have owned many guns since them. Some of them with MIM parts. I had no problems.
Considering cost, I see no reason to buy a 1911 with MIM parts.
I guess now I’m a 1911 snob.
Autonomous
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On the 1911 forums the MIM Luddites and scared old wimmen brigade predictably comes out in force pronouncing how they will never trust their life to MIM.
It is sad and amusing all at once.
It seems to be true, as stated upstream, that Kimber poisoned the well with the cheapest low quality MIM they could find. No amount of logic or examples of MIM in aerospace, automotive, recreational, medical equipment, etc. can break their unshakable faith in MIM's diabolical and uncanny mission to fail when fighting off cannibals, grizzlies and cane toads.
It is sad and amusing all at once.
It seems to be true, as stated upstream, that Kimber poisoned the well with the cheapest low quality MIM they could find. No amount of logic or examples of MIM in aerospace, automotive, recreational, medical equipment, etc. can break their unshakable faith in MIM's diabolical and uncanny mission to fail when fighting off cannibals, grizzlies and cane toads.
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