1911 MIM Disconnector Failure

[DT Guy]

Well, today this happened:



After field stripping the gun following a range session, looks like the MIM disconnector on my Sig Nightmare Carry has failed. With SIG not willing to send a shipping label (even though the gun and part are under warranty), looks like I'll be buying and installing a bar stock disconnector, and was wondering if anyone has any preferences? The EGW 'ball head' part looks good, and EGW doesn't make anything half-baked, but is there any better part I should look at?

Thanks,

Larry

 

[AZAndy]

I wasn't aware that Sig used MIM parts. That's a real shame, and doubly so that they won't take care of it for you.

 

[Shaq]

Today, manufacturers will do whatever is cheaper. Most manufacturers use MIM parts, unless their prices are really high. Is Sig saying THEY have to install the replacement part for liability reasons or are they saying they won't do anything?

 

[AZAndy]

Most manufacturers use MIM parts, unless their prices are really high.

That pistol has an MSRP of $1244. Not Wilson or Cabot territory, but not cheap-part-land either. Shame on 'em.

 

[DT Guy]

Today, manufacturers will do whatever is cheaper. Most manufacturers use MIM parts, unless their prices are really high. Is Sig saying THEY have to install the replacement part for liability reasons /QUOTE]

Exactly that; and while I get that, having to pay $55 to get a $25 part replaced doesn't really sit well. I have had better experiences with STI and Kahn, both of whom paid shipping both ways when a gun had an issue.

I understand that any machine can break, but I'm disappointed in SIG'so response, to be honest.

Larry

 

[Maj Dad]

I've slowly gravitated to using EGW parts. Never had any problem with any thing, and they are as high quality as can be had.

 

[Shaq]

That pistol has an MSRP of $1244. Not Wilson or Cabot territory, but not cheap-part-land either. Shame on 'em.

I was referring to $2,500 - $4,000 territory.

 

[JRadice45]

I have two egw disconnectors on two builds, they make a fine product. May as well go with a sear and hammer to complete the set.

 

[DT Guy]

Thanks for the info; ordered the EGW part, and will make plans to replace the rest of the (now-suspect) MIM in the gun.

Also, a bit disappointingly, won't be getting the P320C I'd just decided to buy; too many other companies treat their customers better than SIG to consider giving them any more of my money, to be honest.


Larry

 

[RainDodger]

It is just bizarre that they won't send you a label! I have the "Fastback" version of your pistol and I'm having Sig refinish the slide (Nitron coated). They sent me a label and I didn't even ask for it. Maybe because I'm paying them $$ to do it? I don't know. I would call them back and hope to get a different customer service rep. I talked to "Olivia" and she was extremely nice and extremely helpful. It's the second time I've had to call them and both times it has been a pleasure. Very strange experience you had, especially since a part of the pistol they made, busted on you!

I think you're doing it right though - I would put a solid steel replacement part in also.

 

[jlpskydive]

Do all Sig 1911's have the left rail split like that? All my 1911's have complete rails on both sides.

 

[Panzerschwein]

That's not so good.

Hopefully SIG makes it right for you.

 

[Drail]

Sure looks like monkey metal to me.... jlpskydive - Colt started milling that part out of the frame many years ago because of cracks forming inside the corners. It solved that problem and doesn't weaken the frame in any appreciable way. Some other manufacturers cut them like that now also. I just have to ask - are you one of those guys who jumps out of perfectly good airplanes??? I have always wanted to do that - it's gotta be a hell of a rush.

 

[BBBBill]

Do all Sig 1911's have the left rail split like that? All my 1911's have complete rails on both sides.

Don't know about the SIGs, but all currently manufactured Colts are that way and have been for several years, ever since the first generation Delta Elites started cracking there. Simpler to just machine it through and is of absolutely no consequence as far as strength, durability, or accuracy.

 

[jlpskydive]

Sure looks like monkey metal to me.... jlpskydive - Colt started milling that part out of the frame many years ago because of cracks forming inside the corners. It solved that problem and doesn't weaken the frame in any appreciable way. Some other manufacturers cut them like that now also. I just have to ask - are you one of those guys who jumps out of perfectly good airplanes??? I have always wanted to do that - it's gotta be a hell of a rush.

Thanks all mine are Springfields and just never seen the cutout, makes sense. And yes I have flung myself out of a couple thousand planes. It's pretty friggin fun. I SCUBA also very relaxing.

 

[Drail]

I used to be a ramp dog at the airport in Bloomington Ind.(college town) and every summer we would have teams of jumpers come in and jump into the stadium for big games. We loved those guys. They were all "way out there". Their Tshirts said "There is no such thing as perfectly good airplane". You guys rock.

 

[BBBBill]

A fellow "crazy". I have one closet full of my old parachute rigs including a banana yellow Para Commander. Yeah, I'm that old. Never coud bring myself to get rid of them. My wife used to complain about it, but finally gave up. My last assignment before retirement was at HQ, SOCOM. Ran into one of my old skydiving buddies from the early 80s there. He was commander of the Golden Knights at one point. Among my SCUBA gear I also have enough tanks to outfit a squad.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Sig doesn't want to send a shipping label. Why don't they send the part?

 

[DT Guy]

Sig doesn't want to send a shipping label. Why don't they send the part?

They claimed that because it was beyond a 'field strip' level, there was too much liability...

As a follow-up, after re-contacting them, they let me know they were going to go *way* above and beyond, and let me ship it back to them for only half price. I inquired why I should pay ANY money to repair a part that, without abuse or misuse, had failed in two thousand rounds; they explained that was there policy, and that was it.

I bought an EGW tooled steel disconnector, and the gun seems fine again. I'm planning to replace the (now, suspect) MIM ignition parts with tool steel parts now, though, and won't be purchasing another SIG; S&W, Kahr and STI have all unhesitatingly taken care of issues in the past, and without debate about shipping.

I also zoomed in on that original photo; does that machine work look like 'quality' to you?



Larry

 

[Old Shooter]

My Kel-Tec P-11 and P-32 are better machined than that Sig! Not that I'm bragging on my Kel-Tecs but that is one sorry piece of workmanship.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Quality? Mim failure nope. Also look at the machining at the top of the frame. It looks like the debbil did it. Holy cows but that is very rough.

 

[JRadice45]

That does appear to be a mim failure. The black oxide coating seeped into a crack / void where the disconnector broke.

The machine work does appear a bit sloppy, possibly worn tooling, speed and feed too fast.

 

[VinnAY]

Might as well do an 80 delete while you're in there

 

[BBBBill]

Might as well do an 80 delete while you're in there

Why? There's absolutely nothing wrong with the S80 design. Any competent smith can easily tune it to work with a trigger job and you would never be able to tell the difference.

 

[VinnAY]

So you like extra 80 series parts in there, good for you. Fact is is that they're totally uneeded and complicate the design to little or no benefit.