MIM parts - What's the real story?

My new Model 25, Mountain Gun, in 45 Colt, has MIM parts from what my dealer tells me. Well, one of the things that sold me on this gun was it's action.

I've got a number of guns that have been slicked up by very competant 'smiths. They run from nice to "Orgasmic" in the way they feel. One day some years ago I decided to have my M66 slicked up by one of the guys rated as one of the best in the business. I sent it off and eagerly awaited it's return. When it came back, it fit into the "Orgasmic" category.

Well, much to my surprise, this new M25 that I bought a few weeks ago was just as nice as my M66. Gentlemen, the action on this gun is flat out wonderful. Now, as for the MIM parts, well, I tend to go along with allowing new technology, that's done correctly, into the arena.

I've worked in the electronics industry, both military and civilian for almost 50 years. I've seen a lot of technology come and go. One of the ones that came and stayed is printed circuit boards. You want to talk about controversy, well, it's been surrounding this technology in Spades for years. And, no matter what the nay-sayers have to say about it, they're totally wrong when it done correctly. They're totally right when it's done wrong. Which is the same thing we have with the MIM parts.

I trust S&W to do it right. The fact that all of the various organizations that have been mentioned ordered other than MIM parts, only means that there are most likely a bunch of "old farts", like many of us here, still hanging on to old ideas. It's worked well for years, so why change. It's the way we've always done it and it's worked "OK". Why change, things are still working? I think you all get my drift here.

Like MIM, buy it. Don't, don't buy it. No problem. No skin off of anyone's nose. S&W won't go broke on your decision. Your grandkids will most likely laugh about their dear old grandfather's "quaint" ideas. Mine already do with me!

Take Care, God Bless, And WATCH Your Back!
 
What are the MIM Parts in S&W Revolvers?

What Parts exactly on a S&W Revolver are MIM? And if one wanted to replace then with forged aftermarket parts where would one find such parts?

As an old M1911 guy I had issues with MIM parts. in high stress areas they did not work well (extractors). In the M1911 Forum they list all the Colt MIM parts and these are easily replaced by forged or bar stock aftermarket parts.

Perhaps a similar list of those MIM parts and possible replacement sources would be of help to anyone who would want to replace them.

Thank you

Nico
 
Hammer, trigger, rebound slide all appear to be MIM at the moment.
Finding forged replacements that will work may be problematical.
Denis
 
S&W Newbie

Hello S&W forum. I took an interest in handguns and target shooting only about three months ago, so any opinions on building a little collection of target guns would be appreciated.
I purchased a 617 with a 6" barrel and am now having trigger work done to make Double Action possible. I have my eyes on a new Model 27. I was told that I woild not like the large frame.
Any comments. My other S&W is an M&P9Pro.
Thanks for reading.
 
Made in USA

I own several S&W handguns, most of which are from decades past. Love the design and quality of the older guns.

I do own one modern gun with the MIM parts & lock that everybody loves.

We are fortunate to be able to choose what we like.

Cost cutting is never a good thing, but sometimes it is what is necessary in order to keep a company operating in the USA by creating processes that are more efficient and parts that cost less.

I'd rather buy the older guns, but I'm not against purchasing a gun just because it is a newer model. Better the MIM parts than a gun made in Spain or Turkey.
 
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I have been following this thread from the get-go. Few have listed their own catastrophic failures due to MIM parts. Can anyone list their failures due to MIM parts?

I truly am happy to read the accounts of those on this forum that do 'smith their own and for others. One learns alot from their experience. I do suspect that this thread is like that on the dreaded lock, lotsa speculation that will be repeated so often that it will be viewed as gospel.
 
Dpris said:
Hammer, trigger, rebound slide all appear to be MIM at the moment.
Finding forged replacements that will work may be problematical.
Denis
Click to expand...
I think the firing pin, cylinder stop and the cylinder release are MIM too.
 
Another issue with MIM is its inability to be worked or polished after it is cast.

This casting process is a plus for a manufacturer but it comes at an expense to the customer.

I could be mistaken here, so please feel free to speak on this issue.
 
luangtom said:
I have been following this thread from the get-go. Few have listed their own catastrophic failures due to MIM parts. Can anyone list their failures due to MIM parts?

I truly am happy to read the accounts of those on this forum that do 'smith their own and for others. One learns alot from their experience. I do suspect that this thread is like that on the dreaded lock, lotsa speculation that will be repeated so often that it will be viewed as gospel.
Click to expand...

The only verifiable string of failures from MIM I ever heard of are some extractors used in 1911's, and that was early on. I believe that was due to poor quality control.
 
I have to admit that while I think the lock is seriously ugly and could be done hidden and the MIM parts lack any visual appeal they have all stood up just fine under a lot of lead leaving the barrel of my 629. I'm pretty sure that magnum would wear me out before I wear it out. But then I'm not hammering silhouette ammo out of it either. Nor am I making home brew +P .44 magnum either.
 
The MIM parts "WON'T" wear as fast as the forged parts, #1 reason the forged "ISN'T" as true as the MIM parts, not as square or flat. SO the forged will wear faster than the MIM. The old S&W will take a beating and so the same for the new, but if the guns are used the same amount the forged parts will be replaced first. You take a tire that is round will last longer than a square tire will :D .
 
Count me in the "old fart" category. I like, and try to accumulate whenever possible, the older Smith and Wessons. But you know what? All those old pretty revolvers mostly just sit in the safe, get looked at and polished a lot, and get shot just a little. What do I have in my front pocket right now, and just about any time I'm wearing pants?
A 642-1. Horror of horrors. MIM parts. Modern. Bad trigger pull. Lasered logo. Blasted finish. Blah, blah, blah.
I'm not willing to take it apart for liability reasons, so I just dry fired it about 1000 times before I ever took it to the range, and the action improved very nicely. Very nicely indeed. I fired 100 rounds for reliability and it worked 100%. Tested with my self defense load (Speer 135 gr GDHP +P short barrel) and it hits dead on at 10 yards. Accurate as hell for a lightweight DAO. My only modification is a set of Spegel boot grips. I've had it a couple of years now, and the finish is getting shiny in places, and it smells like a sweaty pocket, but it has earned its place right next to me for a long time to come. I even bought myself a spare just in case anything happens to this one. It might not be the epitome of the gunmaker's craft, but it works, and I'm willing to trust it with my life.
Modern Smith and Wessons aren't art any more, but they are still very good tools. Some of us old farts just need to change the way we look at them, that's all.
 
I think you have something, the old Smith are a art, where the new is more of a working gun type.
 
So true, +1 for that......my older S&W's for the most part are just pieces of art I like to have, I mean what's cooler than a Model 29, 581, old M&P,....... I still shoot them but I bought a 64-7 and a 10-14 with the express purpose of being high-volume shooters. I love to shoot 4" fixed sight K-frames but didn't want to beat up my older ones. The MIM guns are just fine, they shoot great and the 64-7 has quite a few rounds on it and is still tight.

But......don't let the secret out that MIM part S&W's are just fine if not better than the "good old ones", remember........they are crap and will wear out after 200 rounds and people should keep overpaying the inflated prices for the much better old ones;) I am trying to pick up a used 686+ and a 64-8 and don't want the prices to go up!
 
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luangtom said:
Few have listed their own catastrophic failures due to MIM parts. Can anyone list their failures due to MIM parts?
Click to expand...

I had a firing pin splinter (chip 1/3 off) after about 60 rounds in my 500 Mag. I don't know if it is a MIM part, but I suspect it may have been.
 
The only issue I have with MIM parts is that they discolor. The beavertail safety, slide release, and thumb safety on my SS Kimber are all MIM. No issue as far as them doing what they're supposed to do but they do discolor. At first I thought the parts were silver painted as it started turning black in the contact areas. It turned out to be some form of tarnish as I could remove some of it with Flitz, The parts of course became shiny. IMO it looks real cheapo but heck its on a shooter and it does work. I've built many 1911 guns in the past using forged as well as cast parts and they all looked and wore like SS, where as the metal properties of MIM takes on a different appearance...well in SS anyway.
 
MIM parts will knock up your sister. MIM parts will steal your lunch from the employee fridge. MIM parts drive without their lights on, then you flash them- so they follow you home. MIM parts use up all the hot water before you get your shower. MIM parts are hanging out with your wife- on girls night out. MIM parts excepted your mail delivered to the wrong address and never told you about it. MIM parts hid your car keys for no less than three hours and forty seven minutes. That night, years back, at Prom, when you were in the bathroom- MIM parts was dancing with your girl friend. MIM parts told you he'd help you move- but then never showed up. That hair you found on your cheeseburger- it was MIM parts. When you thought you forgot to clear the cookies on your computer only to have your wife screaming at you when she opened up the history when checking her Facebook account- it was MIM parts.

C77
 
Centurian77 said:
MIM parts will knock up your sister. MIM parts will steal your lunch from the employee fridge. MIM parts drive without their lights on, then you flash them- so they follow you home. MIM parts use up all the hot water before you get your shower. MIM parts are hanging out with your wife- on girls night out. MIM parts excepted your mail delivered to the wrong address and never told you about it. MIM parts hid your car keys for no less than three hours and forty seven minutes. That night, years back, at Prom, when you were in the bathroom- MIM parts was dancing with your girl friend. MIM parts told you he'd help you move- but then never showed up. That hair you found on your cheeseburger- it was MIM parts. When you thought you forgot to clear the cookies on your computer only to have your wife screaming at you when she opened up the history when checking her Facebook account- it was MIM parts.

C77
Click to expand...

We hear you - and your point IS? :D :D :D
 
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