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MIM
- Thread starter cobraman
- Start date
singleshot
New member
Excuse me, but have you ever personally seen a MIM part break?
There are 13 MIM parts in most full size Kimbers. These include: both safeties, slide stop, sights, sear, hammer disconnector, hammer strut, firing pin, firing pin stop, ejector and plunger tube (I think).
The great advantage of MIM is that it produces parts that are virtually ready to use as they come out of the oven (with the exception of finishing or heat treat). The cost is a tiny fraction of what it would be if made from bar stock, forgings, or investment casting. I'm sure the manufacturers margins are good, but I think it helps hold down retail too.
But there are many other guns that use MIM parts and we never hear gripes about them.
You're absolutely right that any part can break, but I've never seen any _real_ evidence that MIM parts fail at a higher rate. In my personal experience I've had three forged Colt slide stops break vs. none for the Kimber.
There are 13 MIM parts in most full size Kimbers. These include: both safeties, slide stop, sights, sear, hammer disconnector, hammer strut, firing pin, firing pin stop, ejector and plunger tube (I think).
The great advantage of MIM is that it produces parts that are virtually ready to use as they come out of the oven (with the exception of finishing or heat treat). The cost is a tiny fraction of what it would be if made from bar stock, forgings, or investment casting. I'm sure the manufacturers margins are good, but I think it helps hold down retail too.
But there are many other guns that use MIM parts and we never hear gripes about them.
You're absolutely right that any part can break, but I've never seen any _real_ evidence that MIM parts fail at a higher rate. In my personal experience I've had three forged Colt slide stops break vs. none for the Kimber.
railroader
New member
I have one of the early kimbers made in oregon. I have put thousands and thousands of rounds through it. No problems with any breakage of any type. Still runs like a top. I saw no need to change any parts, still don't. Great gun just like it is from the factory.
Check out this site, it explains the MIM process www.megamet.com/tut.html
I have personally seen most every part break on every kind of gun...LOL. After all, I make ammo (and shoot IPSC)!
...barrels, slides, frames, sights, slide stops, scopes, comps, grips, hammers, triggers, safeties, springs, guide rods, etc...but I don't know specifically if any parts were MIM.
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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
...barrels, slides, frames, sights, slide stops, scopes, comps, grips, hammers, triggers, safeties, springs, guide rods, etc...but I don't know specifically if any parts were MIM.
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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
singleshot
New member
Thanks weshoot2- my whole point is that gunshop disinformation gets started because somebody's buddy said that someone else told him that something was awful. It really bugs me to hear stuff like that repeated unless the person has direct experience or evidence- otherwise it's harsay and ought to be inadmissible.
I have studied mim processes a little and believe it would take microscopic examination by a real metallurgist to tell the difference. It's interesting too that the MIM process was actually invented right after WWII and Remington built a line in the 60s (I'm not precisely sure of the date). Everyone seems to think that MIM is some new, unproven, technology and that isn't correct. MIM parts have been used in guns for decades, but if Kimber hadn't told everyone they were using MIM parts would anyone have ever known?
I'd also be interested to know if you keep round counts on your function test guns and repairs made.
thanks.
I have studied mim processes a little and believe it would take microscopic examination by a real metallurgist to tell the difference. It's interesting too that the MIM process was actually invented right after WWII and Remington built a line in the 60s (I'm not precisely sure of the date). Everyone seems to think that MIM is some new, unproven, technology and that isn't correct. MIM parts have been used in guns for decades, but if Kimber hadn't told everyone they were using MIM parts would anyone have ever known?
I'd also be interested to know if you keep round counts on your function test guns and repairs made.
thanks.
I personally have no "issues" with the MIM parts in my Kimber but, for discussion's sake, here's a dissenting view by respected 1911 'smith Brian Bilby www.1911custom.com
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>...However the biggest flaw present in these guns is the use of MIM parts for some of the major stress bearing parts. MIM is OK for disconnectors, mag catches and other small parts that do not take a lot of impact or wear on them, but unfortunately several parts on these guns do have the MIM parts where they should not. This opinion is shared by most of the major pistolsmiths in the country also. Parts I speak of include-The slide stops, which have a tendency not to lock back after awhile. [/quote]
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>...However the biggest flaw present in these guns is the use of MIM parts for some of the major stress bearing parts. MIM is OK for disconnectors, mag catches and other small parts that do not take a lot of impact or wear on them, but unfortunately several parts on these guns do have the MIM parts where they should not. This opinion is shared by most of the major pistolsmiths in the country also. Parts I speak of include-The slide stops, which have a tendency not to lock back after awhile. [/quote]