Third Generation silver/black components

[stockcarver]

I own or have owned several 3rd generation compacts, namely 4013, 3913, CS9and CS45. Some have had silver triggers and hammers, some were black. I have been told that the early production runs were silver, the later runs were black. Are silver components SS or alum alloy. I have also been told that the black components were cast metal, thus less expensive to manufacture. I hope someone out there can set me straight on this.

 

[jr19703]

Black parts are MIM, metal injected molded. Silver parts (hammer and trigger) are carbon steel flash chromed.

 

[handgunner356]

Some guns in the '94-95 range also used blued steel hammer and triggers.

 

[KurtC]

'90-94 carbon steel (flash chromed on the SS models)
'94-98 (approx) carbon steel for all models
'98 > MIM for all models except PC guns

 

[Fastbolt]

There were still some blued carbon steel machined hammers available as parts after the introduction of the MIM hammers and the flash chromed hammers were no longer available. I ended up with some when making some parts orders. I was told they were primarily being used on the Value Line guns at that time.

The easiest way to tell the difference is that a blued (or flash chromed) machined steel hammer has flat sides and the MIM hammer has tub-shaped depressions in the sides.

The MIM hammers are more uniform in finish and smoothness than the machined hammers. I've seen any number of machined hammers over the years where the cutters weren't terribly sharp and the rounded belly of the hammer (where the sear nose rides during the DA trigger stroke) looked like an uneven shale outcropping.

 

[stockcarver]

Thanks fellows, your replys have help solve the mystery of silver verus black components.

 

[goldenlight]

The easiest way to tell the difference is that a blued (or flash chromed) machined steel hammer has flat sides and the MIM hammer has tub-shaped depressions in the sides.

I have a 6906 with the blue hammer and trigger.

Would the 6906 hammer, if it's MIM, have the depressions in the sides of the hammer?

I'm curious because the blued hammer on my 6906 doesn't have the depressions on it, and it has the 'cuts' on the top of the hammer, which the 469 had.

I always assumed that my 6906 had a Model 469 hammer on it, because of the cuts on the top of the bobbed hammer.

The 6906's I've seen with the silver hammers didn't have the cuts on the top of the hammer, IIRC.

Thanks.

 

[Dueeast]

My 4053, which I bought nib (1993) has a silver trigger and a black hammer.......go figure.

 

[novalty]

Does anyone know if there is a replacement flash chromed slide release for the 3rd Gen 45's? I'd like to change the MIM one on my 4566TSW with a flash chromed one so it matches my 5906.

 

[Fastbolt]

Slide stop levers and manual safety assemblies are available in plain finish (as well as black) if you call and ask for one. (They aren't flash chromed.)

 

[dacoontz]

'90-94 carbon steel (flash chromed on the SS models)
'94-98 (approx) carbon steel for all models
'98 > MIM for all models except PC guns

So the 1086 I just bought (production 91-92) must not have the original trigger and hammer since they are the black MIM. Correct?

 

[snw19_357]

They're MIM and not just blued steel? I didn't think any of the 10xx series had MIM parts.

 

[dacoontz]

They're MIM and not just blued steel? I didn't think any of the 10xx series had MIM parts.

You know, I am not sure. I will have to take a closer look when I get home.