Glock locking block: Is it an MIM component?

[Gun Slinger]

After viewing another thread on this site that dealt with MIM (Metal Injection Molded) components and their presence in firearms, I began to consider my Glocks (17s and 19s) from a new perspective.

Obviously, the slide is a CNC milled component, the barrel is cold hammer forged and the vast majority (trigger bar, connector, slide stop, slide lock, etc.) of the internals appear to be stampings/pressings.

However, the locking block appears to be neither a stamped nor milled component and I can only theorize that it is most likely either a cast or MIM component.

Since MIM became available in the early 1990's, does anyone here know for certain if the Glock locking block is a cast or MIM produced component and if so, when the process began to be employed for the manufacture of the locking block?

 

[rcmodel]

I thought Elves in the Austrian Alps, using elf magic to Perfection, conjured them up out of meteorite fragments?



Sorry, De Debbel made me do it!

rcmodel

 

[Gun Slinger]

ha ha ha. Very funny....

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It is highly improbable that this part is cast or MIM, but only destructive testing by a metallurgist could say for sure. I've shot my own - a G19 - pretty extensively over the 10 years I've owned it and there is utterly no sign of wear on it, if it is any help.

 

[Gun Slinger]

It is highly improbable that this part is cast or MIM, but only destructive testing by a metallurgist could say for sure. I've shot my own - a G19 - pretty extensively over the 10 years I've owned it and there is utterly no sign of wear on it, if it is any help.

The Lone Haranguer,

I am not disagreeing with your suggestion that the locking block is manufactured by neither of these processes since my experience matches yours in terms of the long term durability of the same part on my Glock 17s and 19s but, what makes you think this to be the case?

 

[M203Sniper]

It has a seam = must be cast.

G19 review

The locking block, which engages a 45-degree camming surface on the barrel's lower lug, appears to be the Glock's only investment casting. It's retained in the frame by the same steel axis pin that holds the trigger and slide stop.

 

[Gun Slinger]

M203Sniper,

Thanks!

I have been looking for this information for about a week and a half and figured that someone "out there" had to know the answer and if I posted on this forum I'd get my answer. Additionally, I'd like to thank you for the supporting link for the information. You know, I've probably looked at that seam about a hundred times and never thought about its origin once.

You da man!

 

[fastbolt]

Whenever I've asked this question of someone from Glock I've been told that it's a cast part. No big deal.

 

[Gun Slinger]

fastbolt,

Yeah, I should've thought to call the manufacturer about this.

I did so today and was told the same thing that you were told.

Eh, mystery solved.

 

[Soybomb]

I thought Elves in the Austrian Alps, using elf magic to Perfection, conjured them up out of meteorite fragments?

I heard it was forged in the fires of mount doom.

 

[Gun Slinger]

I heard it was forged in the fires of mount doom.

Comedians abound in these parts, huh?

 

[Matt-J2]

Actually, I have it from a very reliable source that at one point Odin, Jesus, Allah and Buddha all had a meeting. After the coffee, donuts, and brief arguments, they enjoyed a pedicure together. Well, they tended to get a bit rowdy at this point, as maple bars are well known to have intoxicating effects in deities, and so the toenail clippings hit the floor instead of the wastebasket. These clippings merged themselves together, and a black, bricklike object is what resulted.
Gaston found this object while sweeping up a few hours later, and the Glock 17 was born, or rather, copied and marketed.



What? At least I waited until the question was answered!

 

[33-805]

The part is obviously cast of purest mithril and should never give you cause for anxiety due to this fact.

 

[Disaster]

As you know by now it is cast. But, for future reference, forgings can have seams too....look at a hammer for example. Forging seams occur when two near shape anvils crash together on a part and material rises up between. In most cases the seam is machined off...but not always.

 

[Gun Slinger]

Matt,

Yep...at least you waited until after the question was answered.

Disaster,

I was not aware that forgings could have seams either. I learn something new every day. Nice to know that my Glock's block is cast and up to the task that it was designed for.