Will MIM rust?

[XavierBreath]

I'm planning on sending off a stainless SW1911 for customization at Clark's.

I have never liked the two toned look of the pistol, and I want it to come back entirely bead blasted. Rather than replace the grip safety, thumb safety, plunger tube and mag release, can they simply be bead blasted to match the rest of the pistol without creating a corrosion problem? I am making the assumption they are MIM parts. They may be cast.


Does anyone know if they will rust/corrode as a result?

 

[Onmilo]

MiM will rust.
You may consider replacing these parts with stainless steel parts before sending the gun for bead blasting. HTH

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Shouldn't grip safety's be fitted? If I were spending the bucks to have Clark's custom do some finish work, I'd also ask them their advice about the non-stainless parts that will be exposed to the elements. Not that you couldn't have a grip safety fitted after your finish work. Still, verify from Smitty, which parts can have the finish removed without corrosion issues.

-Steve

 

[XavierBreath]

I'm interested in using the original parts that are already fitted, but simply bead blasting the entire pistol when the work is completed. If I were going to refit small parts I would continue the search for a pistol that had matching small parts and simply trade the SW1911 off. Replacing these parts makes the job a "no-deal".

 

[Old Fuff]

I believe that S&W buys most if not all of those components you listed, and they might tell what their sources are.

The smaller parts are likely MIM, but the grip safety might be an investment casting.

If the base metal in the MIM parts is a stainless alloy I'd just leave them alone, or as you mentioned - bead-blast them. If they are not stainless I'd bead-blast them and then have them flash chrome plated.

 

[1911Tuner]

Rusty MIM

If it has iron in it...it can rust. Will it rust? Probably not, unless you store it dry for a couple years. I've got machined steel sears and disconnects that I've prepped and polished, and left in the white for several years. They haven't rusted yet. The fastest way to rust a steel part is to lay it on cloth or foam...something that wicks moisture and holds it...and leave it there for a few weeks. Won't take long.

 

[highhawk]

Gun grips etc.

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