grendelbane
Member
The discussion concerning MIM parts in 1911 type pistols has been both spirited and extensive. Lots of good information and speculation from several people who I won't take time to name. You know who they are.
What is the situation with the AR-15 and its various clones? What parts are made with MIM technology? Have their been any issues with these parts.
The 1911 and the AR15 have quite a bit in common. Both are military designs. Both were at the leading edge of the technology curve when they were introduced. Both have been cloned, copied, modified, hot-rodded, rechambered, used and abused.
Both were originally produced with forgings. Both are now also produced with castings. The 1911 actually used polymer parts before the AR-15.
The reason I ask is that my Colt Sporter Lightweight doubled on me. I bought large pin parts at the gun show last weekend. (At a nice premium, thanks Colt!). The hammer looks like MIM, as it has been described by Tuner. The trigger displays a mild seam line, indicating it was cast.
I will have to cut the hammer to 9mm dimensions. I have done this before on a Bushmaster. I don't think this will cause any issues.
On the bright side, I cleaned out an old desk drawer recently, and found a plastic bag with several 1911 parts I had forgotten about, including two extractors! Memory barely seems to indicate that I must have acquired these in the mid-80's, so I am going to assume that they are older than that, and not MIM. It makes me feel old before my time to have old parts that are considered superior to new parts.
What is the situation with the AR-15 and its various clones? What parts are made with MIM technology? Have their been any issues with these parts.
The 1911 and the AR15 have quite a bit in common. Both are military designs. Both were at the leading edge of the technology curve when they were introduced. Both have been cloned, copied, modified, hot-rodded, rechambered, used and abused.
Both were originally produced with forgings. Both are now also produced with castings. The 1911 actually used polymer parts before the AR-15.
The reason I ask is that my Colt Sporter Lightweight doubled on me. I bought large pin parts at the gun show last weekend. (At a nice premium, thanks Colt!). The hammer looks like MIM, as it has been described by Tuner. The trigger displays a mild seam line, indicating it was cast.
I will have to cut the hammer to 9mm dimensions. I have done this before on a Bushmaster. I don't think this will cause any issues.
On the bright side, I cleaned out an old desk drawer recently, and found a plastic bag with several 1911 parts I had forgotten about, including two extractors! Memory barely seems to indicate that I must have acquired these in the mid-80's, so I am going to assume that they are older than that, and not MIM. It makes me feel old before my time to have old parts that are considered superior to new parts.
