ltwguns.com

Hi Guys,

Just got a new j frame on a good deal and was wondering which parts are MIM and do they really need to be switched out for a good reliable carry piece or is that just bs?

Thanks for any help you can give.

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http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

Hey Rob,

One of my BUGs is a 442 that I just qualified with also. Before that was the second 642. I have neve cared if a gun had MIM as long as the process is done correctly it is perfectly acceptable to me.

Al

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

I agree with Mr. Shear. The quality of the MIM process seems to be more important than the difference between MIM and forged/cast/etc.

None of my J-frames that have MIM parts seem to have problems. Besides, forged J-frame parts are harder to come by than K-L-M frmae parts.

Al I agree, but after a couple long conversations with George Smith on the subject changed my point of view on mim. Yes, when mim is done correctly it is very good and yes there are companies that do mim really well. The problem is that even if you do everything right in the process you still will have a percentage of parts with serious problems. The process itself is very difficult to control.

He showed me microscopic pictures of MIM parts pulled from guns he worked on from very reputable companies that had failed because the parts had had very large voids left in them from the manufacturing process. In other words they were parts were time bombs waiting to go off. That alone is enough to leave me feeling uneasy about trusting my life to mim parts. YMMV.

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"Domari Nolo"

This argument has gone round&round for years and I see no sense in continueing it. We each have our opinions and beliefs.

Dave Sams and I discussed this when I went to a new 442 for a BUG. We are both of the same opinion. MIM is perfectly acceptable.

I for one don't care and will use them. I never had an MIM part break, never!

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Sorry Al I didn't realize that was an sensative subject for you. The original poster asked for advice. I assumed that he wanted pro's and con's. There are two sides to every discussion. Dave Sams is certianly well versed in the art of gunsmithing but it isn't like George Smith, who makes some of the best parts around and is one hell of a smith, just fell off the turnup truck.

BTW, I have never been in an auto accident where I have needed a seatbelt, yet I wear one every day. I have never had a MIM part fail, then again I will never have one fail becuase like wearing my seatbelt I don't want to find out the hard way. Each to their own.....

Reagrds.

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"Domari Nolo"

Not in the least. Sorry it came across that way. I loved MIM parts. I have a lifetime supply. Everyone that wanted "old school steel" parts gave me all their brand spanking new MIM ones. I never had to buy parts.

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Al, I was modify my post when you responded. God bless you. I respect your opinion but flet it was important to give the other side of the ledger so to speak.

BTW any time you want to swap tool steel parts from MIM let me know. I got some laying around.

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"Domari Nolo"

Pete,
Don't give my opinions any weight!
My wife, mother and mother-in-law sure don't! I'm used to it.

To me, MIM opinions are like caliber wars and gun brand loyalties. It pays sometimes to just be happy with your choices and leave everyone else to theirs.

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

Hi Al,

Sorry it took me so long to respond but I was really enjoing the back and fourth between you guys. It reminded me of the 9mm vs. 45 debate back in the 1980s.

you also answered my next question which is does anyone have any experineces with Dave Sams. i see you do and it has been positive. I think i may take a drive out and have him make my new bug. can you post a thread on you bug and what he did to if, and some pics would be nice if you can swing it.

Hope to see you soon.


rob

_________________
http://www.landsharkleather.com/
Building Hand Crafted Leather for the 1911 Platform

Hi Rob,

Yes, I am fortunate enough to call Dave a friend. In fact I was at the shop last Monday.

I only had him look at and go over my 442. Witherspoon had some extensive work done like a gold dot front sight and trigger / reliability job, oversize cylinder bolt stop, to his 642.

Al

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"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge

i'm thinking about buying a "j frame" smith 642...or whatever the all stainless model # is...so i'm trying to understand what's up with all the talk about 38, 38+p, 357 and each of their pro's and cons. now, throw in the mix this stuff about "MIM". what the heck is MIM and do i need to be concerned with this as i weigh my choices for a new snubbie to throw in my pocket for every day/everywhere carry. see, i got a new sig p226 and have found it to be bigger and heavier than what i'm comfy carrying every day. hence, the j frame consideration. is there another model i should be considering besides the 642?

p.s. i am very partial to an all blued finish but not sure there is such a smith (nib) that fills the ccw need for personal defense. any thoughts?

Well, everyone here thinks I'm nuts for not caring about MIM(injection molding process of steel powders). I have used MIM parts for years with none of the "catastrophes" everyone else seems to abhore the parts for. Like I said, I have bins of replacement parts.

The 642 is S&Ws aluminum Airweight snubbie, silver finish with stainles cylinder/barrel. The 442 is the blackened model, same gun, aluminum frame. The 640 would be all stainless and heavier. Too heavy for pocket carry. Scandiums are 340 and 342 I believe and much light but too much recoil for real world use in my opinion.

I use the 442 now. It is rated 38+p and I use Federal Personal Defense Hydra Shoks 38+p. They shoot point of aim, mild recoil, good follow up shots.

On duty(and off) its a SIG229 357, the 442 and a Seecamp LWS32.

_________________
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
Calvin Coolidge