Ruger MIM. When?

[mec]

My SP/GP 100 revolvers have been around for a couple of decades. Recently, I picked up a new SP101 4.2" barrel and noticed the MIM Trigger and hammer and the modification of the ejector star.
When did this happen? Does it extend to the other Ruger DA revolvers?

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I did not know that Ruger had started using MIM parts.

I did a quick google search on 'Ruger MIM' and found this discussion.

Check out what DPris has to say on the subject.

https://rugerforum.net/ruger-double-action/106966-when-did-ruger-switch-forged-steel-mim-parts.html

 

[mec]

Thanks for the Link. Great information. When MIM first hit or became known, it was because Kimber was using it for 1911 lockwork and hyping the precision with minimum fitting it afforded those parts. There were words that MIM was not quite as strong (tough?) as forged but it was greeted as a major advance untl such things as MIM extractors and other parts started breaking. When I got my Smith 617, I noticed that the parts looked "different" and seemed to have been made on a casting tree like the old plastic model airplane parts. Nevermind, I used that smooth and extremely accurate .22 to majorly explore double action shooting and never had a problem.
The 4.2 SP101 I just got is very smooth and I saw no reason to spring-kit the trigger pull. Accurate too.
I've seen the thing about the grips before and I am fortunate that my Ruger DA's have the original Bill Ruger/BMW dashboard design that handles recoil so well.

 

[Jim Watson]

I did not know that Ruger had started using MIM parts.
Check out what DPris has to say on the subject.
https://rugerforum.net/ruger-double-action/106966-when-did-ruger-switch-forged-steel-mim-parts.html

And that was five years ago.

It would be interesting to see a picture of a MIMed Ruger's internals vs previous cast and finish machined.
You have shown how S&W lockwork was redesigned for MIM. You can't readily mold slots and holes, so parts assemble by setting into recesses.

I wonder where US gun-MIM comes from these days.
Have Ruger and Smith tooled up for the new process, contract with a domestic molder, or order in from Indo-MIM, who used to advertise in American gunzines?

 

[mec]

If you start the hammer back on the above 4.2 bbl you can see the recesses. The first time I saw it was on my 617. I wrote S&W and the very informative dude replied " It's just a different way of making parts. "

 

[Jonesy814]

Ruger started using mim parts around 2012

 

[Varminterror]

2011/2012 was when the SP101 hammers and triggers went MIM. I bought two Talo SP101’s in early 2012, both proofed late 2011, one has MIM, one does not.

There may have been some companies which have failed at MIM parts design and integration, but Ruger has not been one of them. Any whining you might hear about MIM parts in Ruger revolvers is exactly that - whining. The spurs are actually less aggressive and don’t need deburring and radiusing to avoid cutting your finger during an SA stroke, and the aesthetic is very nice. Sure, there are some weight reducing pockets in the internals which aren’t as fetching to the eye as the old flat stock hammers, but we’re talking about a sub-$600 revolver with prove durability, even using MIM parts.

The intent at the time was to roll out MIM upgrades to other models within a couple of years, confirmed by Ruger for the GP100, but I don’t believe we’ve seen that come to fruition.

 

[Master Blaster]

https://www.pim-international.com/pratt-whitney-purepower-jet-engines-feature-mim-and-am-parts/

 

[Jim Watson]

There are multiple grades of MIM from Indo-MIM et al. I doubt guns are getting aircraft quality materials.

 

[ATLDave]

They're not getting aeronautical-grade non-MIM parts, either.

If firearms were held to aeronautical tolerances, they'd cost about 10x more.

 

[huntsman]

https://www.pim-international.com/pratt-whitney-purepower-jet-engines-feature-mim-and-am-parts/

In my experience the critical components (fans,vanes) were titanium, inconel and monel. Which is what I worked with as a machinist in the 80’s.

while I not surprised MIM is being used and with the addition of 3D printing continue I would argue that like the gun industry they are doing it to cut costs.