MIM Parts Breakage

[The Wiry Irishman]

I had about 6000 rounds through my Kimber Custom II before I turned it into a .22 bullseye gun. It had no parts breakages, and it had gone 5600+ rounds since its last malfunction.

At 6000 rounds through my Les Baer, I had broken both a barrel link pin and a slide stop, both of which are either forged or bar stock.

MIM isn't a necessarily a death sentence for the longevity of your parts, provided its done right. And forged and bar stock parts aren't invincible either.

 

[1911Tuner]

At 6000 rounds through my Les Baer, I had broken both a barrel link pin and a slide stop, both of which are either forged or bar stock.

That's an indication that the barrel was stopping on the link instead of the vertical impact surface. If the slidestop was under enough strain to break the crosspin, it's surprising that it didn't pull the lower lug loose from the barrel.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

The crosspin didn't break, the little nubbin that is pushed up by the follower broke. The gun still worked, it just wouldn't lock back on an empty mag.

I don't know why the link pin broke. The gun showed even wear at the time, wear on the vertical impact face, etc. From the look of the break in the pin, it may have been a propagating crack that caused a catastrophic failure. I don't really know. I've had ~7000 rounds through the gun after installing the new link pin myself (so no 1911 expert refitting something, etc) and wear is still even everywhere. Might have just been a bad part.

 

[1911Tuner]

Still the matter of the link pin. Not only is it well-supported, it's under very little stress in a correctly functioning pistol. If it breaks...somethin' ain't right with the gun.

 

[Zach S]

to those who have seen or experienced safeties breaking--do you think there's any correlation with the shooter resting the shooting thumb on the safety while shooting?

IME, no.

I shoot high thumb, have four Kimbers, and haven't had anything break.

 

[harmon rabb]

there's nothing wrong with MIM. some VERY high dollar components for various industrial applications are made by MIM.

the issue is whether or not the MIM is done properly seems like some of the companies being complained about on here are cheaping out and not doing it 'right.'

 

[Carl Levitian]

Three and a half years ago I bought a new 10 shot 617 Smith and Wesson. Being a .22, and being retired, it gets shot once a week and sometimes twice. My better half and I go to the range every week and shoot. Our ammo consumption is about a 550 round bulk box of Federals every week. So far with many tens of thousands of rounds, there has been no problem with my 617.

 

[BlayGlock]

I originally started this thread becuase when you bring up a 1911 some people inevitably eventually go "Brand X has MIM (barf smiley). I will never use MIM in my guns that is why youy must buy Brand Y (rock out smiley), cause MIM fails all the time ect. ect."

I wanted to see if it had real merit, that MIM does indeed break all the time or if they were just being a doofus. Im gonna say they are being a doofus.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[HisSoldier]

HisSoldier, I can understand the sentiment...but most modern guns have some MIM in them. Some...like Kimber...have a lot. If the stuff is made of good material with a sharp eye on quality control during the manufacturing process, it can be quite good. The prices would be out the roof without it. Bottom line...Love it or hate it. It's here to stay.

I really don't mind paying for a well made gun, I love my RIA because even though it is filled with MIM it didn't cost much, and doesn't owe me much. I'm probably going to buy a new Dan Wesson even though it costs more than I've ever paid for any gun, because the ones I have (Old price) are so well made.

The whole manufacturing industry in this country is between a rock and a hard place, on one side the rock is artificially high wages in this country, and on the other is extreme government regulation. Those who support workplace organization or who vote for big government types deserve the crud coming out of our factories.

I'm thankful that so many aftermarket suppliers make high quality parts for the 1911, with other designs,,well, good luck!

But just for the record, it's not the reliability of MIM that offends me, it's the sneakiness of it, it's like Colt sending out 1911's with plastic main spring housings.

I hate what's happening to my country! Work ethic, pride in quality made parts, no substitutions for the bottom dollar. What happened?

Change happens, and some change is bad.