The problems with MIM parts in guns boils down to choosing some arts that are incompatible with MIM (Colt extractors come to mind)and bad manufacturing processes that stem from going wih the lowest bidder. Not all MIM is equal. Most manufacturers have figured that out now and it is a pretty well settled debate. Do I like MIM? No. Does it work? Yes.
Curious as to what parts are MIM on a Springfield Mil-Spec. Wondering if there are any particular parts I should look at or keep an eye on, or look to replace. TIA
MIM is Metal Injection Moulding. I't a step up in the "sintered metal" process of producing a part that is close to if not dimensionally correct without extra machining. It works like this; powdered metal (or metals if you want an alloy) and an adhesive medium are pumped into a mould and heated under pressure until a bonding occurs, and the adhesive cooks out, leaving you with a "finished ...
New to the 1911 game and have been warned about MIM parts. I have a Springfield operator. What parts should I really be watching and/or replacing?
I understand the concern about MIM parts. Over the past couple decades, I've owned various manufacturer's guns with MIM parts. No MIM part ever caused an issue...
MIM seems to work best on small, (short length) low stress parts. You will note that Colt only uses MIM on four small parts - the mag catch and lock, disconnector and sear - and has a nearly 0 % failure rate - on these parts. How much of this is the size and geometry of the part vs. a well done MIM process is hard to say.