Everything You Wanted To Know About MIM Parts

[kev74]

This is a neat article that explains a lot about MIM gun parts.

All About MIM – Part One – RevolverGuy.Com

revolverguy.com

 

[kev74]

Part 2

All About MIM–Part Two – RevolverGuy.Com

revolverguy.com

Part 3

All About MIM–Part Three – RevolverGuy.Com

revolverguy.com

 

[Podmonkey]

I've never had an issue with MIM parts. Glock has been using MIM parts successfully for a long time now. Done properly the MIM process can yield parts that are very consistent in dimensions and specs which aid designs calling for exacting tolerances. Tight tolerances mean good fit and finish, consistent part dimensions allow a tight fitment without undue friction which means no sacrifice in reliable function.
QC is the most important thing. Stamped parts are a thing born of cost cutting but with high QC can yield items of excellent quality as the Germans demonstrated..........until wartime exigencies intruded. The West German P226s used stamped steel for the slide with welded on nose cap but the execution was so good those early SIGs are still considered the best examples of the type, over the following examples using the supposedly superior process of machined forgings.
The use of metal castings is typically considered the mark of substandard quality in firearms- except in the case of Ruger whose firearms are often considered to be the leader in robustness and durability. Ruger has an excellent casting process and good QC that enables this.
It's not about the manufacturing method or the materials. It is about the engineering. MIM is a fascinating process and is frankly the mark of advanced industrial capability.

 

[Saltwater60]

My guns work just fine. Some are MIM for sure. I’m sure there is a “better” process but as stated it’s probably overboard. Neat article. I did t read the entire thing but would like to at some point

 

[FRANKIE]

Well ..
Like it or not, kind of the way it is. Vehicles, aviation, it’s everywhere. And apparently there doing a good job at it. I doubt we’ll stop driving and flying. But you still could choose a Dan Wesson (in the firearm arena of course)

 

[oc shooter]

would rather not have them but it is what it is truly dislike cast parts but it seems as though it's getting harder to get away from them

 

[togmaster]

Metal 3D printed parts will be the next progression. No tooling required.

 

[Podmonkey]

Metal 3D printed parts will be the next progression. No tooling required.

Additive manufacturing is not very scaleable. For low production runs 3D printing will be as big a boon as CNC machining has been. For high volume continuous production MIM is that future.

 

[kev74]

If they can start 3D printing the metal molds for MIM, they'll have the best of both worlds - quick development and easy changes as well as quick and cheap manufacturing.