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Kimber 1911s: Which Parts are MIM?
- Thread starter Anthony
- Start date
if i forget something someone chime in please,
extractor
ejector
hammer
sear
grip safety
barrel bushing
thumb safety
disconnector (not sure)
msh is plastic
slide stop
sights?
failures are not common but there are occurances in some specific parts.
the slide stop, and barrel bushing being the most common.
some have even had the thumb safety break off on them.
hope this helps.
k.s.
extractor
ejector
hammer
sear
grip safety
barrel bushing
thumb safety
disconnector (not sure)
msh is plastic
slide stop
sights?
failures are not common but there are occurances in some specific parts.
the slide stop, and barrel bushing being the most common.
some have even had the thumb safety break off on them.
hope this helps.
k.s.
Rickmeister
New member
MIM parts are not a bad thing per se; and, as KShaft said, there are quite a few of them in a Kimber pistol. But keeping those parts workable---if that's your main concern---requires more than a little effort.
I have never had any trouble with my MIM parts. Then again, I pamper my gun a lot, cleaning and oiling it with a frequency that is borderline sinful. My guess is that most MIM breakages that have been reported here are the result of parts being unable to move when they should (e.g., a barrel that is not properly lubed on the outside may cause the bushing to rub against it, snag, and break when the slide moves back). Keeping it clean and oiled all the time will insure safe passage. And if that is the case, then keeping all of the parts clean and oiled means keeping them workable, means keeping them in one piece.
Safe shooting!
I have never had any trouble with my MIM parts. Then again, I pamper my gun a lot, cleaning and oiling it with a frequency that is borderline sinful. My guess is that most MIM breakages that have been reported here are the result of parts being unable to move when they should (e.g., a barrel that is not properly lubed on the outside may cause the bushing to rub against it, snag, and break when the slide moves back). Keeping it clean and oiled all the time will insure safe passage. And if that is the case, then keeping all of the parts clean and oiled means keeping them workable, means keeping them in one piece.
Safe shooting!
WHAT DO KIMBER AND CRAFTSMAN TOOLS HAVE IN COMMON?
1. They both make a lot of things(barrel bushings, sockets, ratchets, wrenches and safeties, among other things) using Metal Injection Molding technology.
2. They both have very good warranties and customer service.
A question for you folks out there that know more about this than I do, who else uses what MIM parts for what firearms?
Kimber is one of my favorites and a goodly number of them have survived my ham fisted clumsiness, shade tree mechanicing, field expedient engineering and exploratory tinkering. My only criticism of the Kimber is that triggers are not as nice, usually, as more expensive custom guns. Wilson and Baer come to mind. However for the huge difference in price, I will gladly spend the extra money to get the trigger tweaked.
Jay
1. They both make a lot of things(barrel bushings, sockets, ratchets, wrenches and safeties, among other things) using Metal Injection Molding technology.
2. They both have very good warranties and customer service.
A question for you folks out there that know more about this than I do, who else uses what MIM parts for what firearms?
Kimber is one of my favorites and a goodly number of them have survived my ham fisted clumsiness, shade tree mechanicing, field expedient engineering and exploratory tinkering. My only criticism of the Kimber is that triggers are not as nice, usually, as more expensive custom guns. Wilson and Baer come to mind. However for the huge difference in price, I will gladly spend the extra money to get the trigger tweaked.
Jay
Yes, and Kimber and Craftsman also replace lots of broken ones with their excellent customer service. I love Craftsman rachets and wrenches, but if they break I can cuss, throw it, get another one, finish the job and return the casualty later. If my sear or extractor breaks then I'm the casualty and all the customer service in the world matters naught. I would rather have a gunsmith that called me an idiot ten different ways and kept my gun for 6 months every 50,000 rounds than to interface often with someone's excellent customer reps becasue it FTf'd AGAIN!
Someone ranted on this recently and I agree whole-heartedly.
Someone ranted on this recently and I agree whole-heartedly.
Kentucky Rifle
New member
KShaft...
Good Grief!
I had no idea that there were that many things made of that MIM stuff in a Kimber! I have heard that you can request an inexpensive "upgrade" (it seems strange that Kimber would call it an "upgrade", if the MIM is just as good) when you order your new Kimber and have all milled parts instead of the MIM stuff. Do you know if that's true?
In addition, I've heard a few people say that they'd RATHER have MIM parts. The reason is they always come out so perfect. Looks like it a perfectly milled part. (Even though it's not.)
KR
Good Grief!
I had no idea that there were that many things made of that MIM stuff in a Kimber! I have heard that you can request an inexpensive "upgrade" (it seems strange that Kimber would call it an "upgrade", if the MIM is just as good) when you order your new Kimber and have all milled parts instead of the MIM stuff. Do you know if that's true?
In addition, I've heard a few people say that they'd RATHER have MIM parts. The reason is they always come out so perfect. Looks like it a perfectly milled part. (Even though it's not.)
KR
I think the main reason for MIM parts breaking is when air is trapped inside of the metal when it's being molded.Just about every commercial 1911 handgun has many or most of its internal in MIM.It's saves us quite a bit of $$.MIM parts are just fine for target and plinking but I would not trust my life to them.I replaced all MIM parts and installed tool steel parts on my carry gun.