"George, I do know that Colt parts do not have the serious reliability problems that are
common on Kimber, etc."
I agree Sir. They are hi quality MIM parts. I just wanted to keep it strait that they are mim parts used and have been for years.
" I also know that there are three different companies that MIM
for the gun industry - and only one of them is considered "high quality" output by Chip
McCormick, the "guru" of MIM."
Kimber MFG bought a mim company that was in fl I am told. they had some growing pains probably.
If Colt was using mim in the early 80's I suspect that colt is the guru of mim.
" Also, I believe Colt does machine some parts from conventional steel castings - more of a
known, believable quality, I would think. Is it possible that that is what you are seeing
reference mold marks, etc?"
Mim is Metal injection molding. they squirt the parts like in plastic and Cook the parts.
Many Co. do it well. Baretta MIM's there transfer bar. The interesting thing is they shrink when they cook em. the Baretta transfer bar iirc shrinks over 3/8" in the process. That is some good work to controal that. Unit cost after the mold is made and consitantcy is the good stuff. the strength is not on par with your forging and bar stock work. Another co has problems with the sear only touching on one side of the hammer. the parts are moving around a LOT when cooking.
" What I reported is what I understand from talking with Colt,
in reference to what current manufacturing methods they are using on the production
line right now. I do not claim to know if they have ever used MIM, I did not ask about
that. They do acknowledge that they use it currently for the grip safety and the safety
lock."
I do not wish do make a big deal of this, you seem Like a Very knowledgable guy! I have not taken a 6 month old colt appart so I can not say one this week is mim. I can say a couple year old colt will have a MIM mag catch disc sear... in the gun. (the marks are like the ones in a Modle kit we would build. they are the ejector pins to knock the part out of the mold. (take your guns appart, you can see for yourself. Please question this)
"At any rate, in twenty six years I have seen very few factory Colt parts failures -
whatever technology they are using, works. It could be that their manufacturing specs
just result in very reliable parts - and that is, after all, what we are all interested in."
Again I agree. one sear in 15 years is not too shabby! I have a failed mag catch and other parts in my personal collection. but Yes the colt stuff is good. Now to make a bushing out of MIM I would not want that.
"And although the concept of MIM makes me uneasy, if it can be made in such a way AND
PROVEN to be as reliable as the older methods - then I could probably accept it. If Colt
has already "quietly" achieved this, maintaining it's reputation all the while for good parts,
(and Kimber certainly has not) more power to them. It would be ironic if Colt was the one
who proved MIM could be done right, given that it is necessary for Kimber's exisence -
and causes them such grief! Perhaps we can get some additional comment from other
knowledgeable posters."
And risk flogging from the Kimber contingant?
Thanks for your reply Col. I have seen your posts before and you are a good guy!
Did you know the early 1911 they extruded the sear? Immagine a 6' long sear. they sliced it up. I think they used 1080 so they could be plenty hard. How can we Make a good gun and reliable and maintain quality, that is the question.
Warmly, Col. Colt
geo ><>