MIM Parts

[BruceM]

MIM is a cost cutting measure that profits the manufacturer. Nothing more. And when it breaks it looks exactly like cheap pot metal.

The part itself is actually more expensive on a piece by piece basis. The savings are in diminished hand fitting. It makes zero sense to utilize a more expensive part which still requires extensive hand fitting and is a little more difficult to work with.

I recall that the absence of MIM parts was a selling point in S&W Performance Center ads. Back before the "Performance Center" was just another assembly line in the main factory.

When I see Wilson Combat or Les Baer putting it in their guns then perhaps I will reconsider. But I don't consider or value, the opinions of fanboys.

I recall no such reference by anybody other than Dan Wesson. Wilson Combat made a line of MIM components and used same in some guns for a few years and then discontinued them. I suspect that they were not selling well in their market slot and a number of their more enlightened prospective customers complained.

The folks who occupy that market share your misinformation and these builders all hand fit oversized parts to fit on a one on one basis. This is the exact opposite of the manufacturing goals which call for the use of MIM parts. In essence, it's all about what the builder is used to and comfortable with plus what the prospective buyer expects at those guns' price point ie: extensive hand fitting of forged and barstock parts.

It should be noted that Smith & Wesson professional shooters such as Jerry Miculek and Judy Golob use guns with MIM parts in competition.

As far as your comments concerning "fanboys", the conventional wisdom regarding those who utter said comments is that ignorance is bliss!

Bruce

 

[ladder13]

FWIW ... (what you paid for it ) ... I've been using MIM 3rd gen parts since I was introduced in them toward the end of the 90's, and typically found them to exhibit better, tighter tolerances than the same forged or cast steel parts.

Also, in my '05 vintage SW1911SC 5", the only part that "failed" after several years was a plunger tube (staking let go), which isn't a MIM part.

I'm a long time 1911 owner/shooter (and went through the Colt Model O Pistol armorer class), so I'm somewhat fussy about the quality of the parts that go in my 1911's.

Now, just like when we're talking machined forged & cast parts, where the quality of forged and cast may run the gamut of quality being anywhere from not-so-good to great, the same might be said of MIM. Also, in addition to the quality of the MIM material, there's the quality of the MIM molds to consider.

That's why we were told (in a late 90's armorer class) that S&W wisely decided to select and own the MIM molds used to make their parts, even when they're made by an out-sourced "MIM house" vendor, so they can have control over the quality of the molds, themselves.

I won't name the gun company involved, but some years ago I remember hearing how one gun company once took bids for MIM parts for their branded pistols, and when they got bids for the work, decided to use a vendor that offered a less expensive bid.

Nuff said about this from someone who knows, and has no axe to grind.

 

[Tom S.]

When fire was invented, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up raw meat.".
When huts came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my cave.".
When horseless carriages came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my horse.".
When electric lights came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my gas lights.".
When washing machines came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my rocks.".
When vacuum machines came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my broom.".
When stainless steel came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my chrome moly.".
When bottled beer came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my draft.".
When canned beer came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my bottled beer.".

I could go on all day, but I won't as you get the idea.

Some just can't live with progress.

 

[BruceM]

When fire was invented, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up raw meat.".
When huts came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my cave.".
When horseless carriages came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my horse.".
When electric lights came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my gas lights.".
When washing machines came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my rocks.".
When vacuum machines came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my broom.".
When stainless steel came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my chrome moly.".
When bottled beer came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my draft.".
When canned beer came out, it was "I'll be damned if I'll give up my bottled beer.".

Roger that!!

The flush toilet, investment casting and unibody will NEVER work and we never landed on the moon in 1969.

Bruce