Investment Casting

[OnTheSide]

I watched Ruger's investment casting process on one of the gun shows I watch (need to get a life). I thought it was pretty cool, but I guess this method of making guns is a negative to some.

Here's a writeup from G&A. If it's old I apologize...I bought the gun before I researched it, not like me.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/the-ruger-sr1911-review/

 

[Sugar River]

Having spent some time in the Newport plant and having seen the numerous parts being cast which will end up in non-Ruger firearms, this subject always makes me chuckle. If some folks only knew how or where some of the parts in their favorite (insert name of gun) were made............ too funny.

But the real looniest of the casting naysayers are those who use to crow about the quality forgings used in their S&W, while decrying those "pot metal" Rugers. And now that Smythe is using plastic and MIM parts, one wonders how they're rationalizing it all in their own minds. Wow! and too funny.

Pete

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

Folks who debunk Ruger castings are generally ignorant of the process and the strength attributes.

And yes, if they knew just how many manufacturers utilize castings from Pinetree, they might be surprised.

 

[modrifle3]

Super strong casting, I just wish they finished their parts a bit smoother. My Remington 1911 also uses a cast frame.

 

[mattsbox99]

Most of Ruger's firearms have been around a long time, please feel free to tell me which ones have issues with the casting? I'll give you a hint, it starts with the letter z. Of course there are a few isolated incidents, like any manufacturer is going to have. Also, the vast majority of 1911s have cast frames, and one of the most respected names in 1911s uses Pine Tree Castings.

 

[modrifle3]

I don't think there are any cases of the casting being bad, but over the years there have been issues with critical parts of the semi autos not being properly heat treated. As a result some p series and Sr series guns display excessive wear after very little use. Usually slide and barrel contact areas.

 

[jeffnles1]

There will always be guys who think anything other than a craftsman with a leather apron sitting in a dimly lit workshop hand filing a frame out of a solid block of steel is somehow of lower quality.

I love a fine handcrafted piece of machinery. However, I can't really afford it and I don't believe form and function are significantly better with one or the other.

Jeff

 

[mohavesam]

For the record, the turbine blades spinning at 30,000 RPM in a 2400 degree gas stream in the airliner you just flew on are castings. OMG!!!

Forgings vs castings vs MIM vs compound casting discussions are folly to a non-mettallurgist. I've been in the industry for 35 years and don't know half as much as most. I can quote ASME specs and hold my own in a room full of chemistry specialists, but I don't lose a bit of sleep wondering if the gun I shoot, the steering mechanism on my roadster, or the hinges on my front door are cast or forged.

Once I leaned to live with the fact that "Everything is guaranteed until it breaks", life became much more palatable.

 

[OnTheSide]

Thanks for the reply Mohavesam. BTW, nice looking Pit in your profile picture. I have a blue nose I got from the pound. The sweetest animal I have ever had...but expensive. Two knee operations so far. The vet tells me it's a problem with the breed.

 

[Imissedagain]

I believe the Ruger #1 Tropical has an investment cast receiver. For 30+ years the rifle has handled all .458 WM loads with a solid feel. Thought about it before I bought it but after the first bang, never thought about it again. Sure wish they made an affordable double.

 

[mohavesam]

Thanks for the reply Mohavesam. BTW, nice looking Pit in your profile picture. I have a blue nose I got from the pound. The sweetest animal I have ever had...but expensive. Two knee operations so far. The vet tells me it's a problem with the breed.

He's a throw-away pup. Literally. Some motherless lowlife moved out and left him locked in the garage when he was about a two pounds old, and my son rescued him. Goofiest dog I've ever had but as gentle & snuggly as any. He sleeps covered in cats. We had to list him as a beagle-mix for insurance purposes... And he doesn't care about MIM vs castings vs forgings either!

 

[OnTheSide]

Mine is a goof-ball and a bed hog. They found her walking the streets in the hood. My wife fell in love and brought her home just in time. Pits last 24 hours at the pound. I'd post a picture if I could figure out how to do it.

 

[TexasFats]

Nothing wrong with a good investment casting. IIRC, even some custom shops use cast parts. If I'm not mistaken, Caspian's 1911 frames are cast. I would rather have a good investment casting than some of the MIM garbage parts that go on some guns.

 

[Richbaker]

Nothing wrong with a good investment casting. IIRC, even some custom shops use cast parts. If I'm not mistaken, Caspian's 1911 frames are cast. I would rather have a good investment casting than some of the MIM garbage parts that go on some guns.

IIRC, Caspians are cast by Pine Tree..... aka: Sturm Ruger and Co. 8)