cost vs. machined today's cost?

TOGGLELOCK · 12-20-2003, 08:23 AM

I heard that current CNC machinery would turn out Lugers at a reasonable and affordable cost. The extensive machining operations used to produce the parts would not be a problem for CNC machinery and do so at a very inexpensive cost. I just wonder why the manufacturers are so heavily relying on Cast parts for their guns? I have seen firearms components produced with Tolerances of a Micro inch .0274 from slide to slide. Now that's accuracy!

riffraff · 12-20-2003, 04:32 PM

Yes, but remember, that CNC machinery is pretty darn expensive too! Mike

Johnny C. Kitchens · 12-20-2003, 09:11 PM

The parts are not just cast, they are investment cast. When it comes to complex part design, investment casting wins the price war and have proven to be superior in strength. Ruger has been investment casting for over 40 years. Even Weatherby knew a good thing when he saw it. The other problem with CNC machining, is that guns need strength in certain ways. To get that strength, you need a forging or investment casting. With the forging, you can then send it to the CNC machine to get the finished size. I read an article recently, that Mauser used investment casting to keep the price of the Luger down during their 70's production...

TOGGLELOCK · 12-22-2003, 12:00 AM

Johnny,
Regarding Investment Casting. Provided the metal treatment meathod is sound. I am very familiar with the process and it is satisfactory. The product is usually pretty darn good with Investment Casting. However, I've seen Induction Forged Steel w/no Re-Melt. The microstructure was incredible. Nothing short of stellar. Diamensions where incredible, so was the fit of the parts.

12-20-2003, 08:23 AM	#1
TOGGLELOCK User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: USA Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	cost vs. machined today's cost? I heard that current CNC machinery would turn out Lugers at a reasonable and affordable cost. The extensive machining operations used to produce the parts would not be a problem for CNC machinery and do so at a very inexpensive cost. I just wonder why the manufacturers are so heavily relying on Cast parts for their guns? I have seen firearms components produced with Tolerances of a Micro inch .0274 from slide to slide. Now that's accuracy!

12-20-2003, 04:32 PM	#2
riffraff User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: central Arkansas Posts: 28 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes, but remember, that CNC machinery is pretty darn expensive too! Mike __________________ Time Warp

12-20-2003, 09:11 PM	#3
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	The parts are not just cast, they are investment cast. When it comes to complex part design, investment casting wins the price war and have proven to be superior in strength. Ruger has been investment casting for over 40 years. Even Weatherby knew a good thing when he saw it. The other problem with CNC machining, is that guns need strength in certain ways. To get that strength, you need a forging or investment casting. With the forging, you can then send it to the CNC machine to get the finished size. I read an article recently, that Mauser used investment casting to keep the price of the Luger down during their 70's production... __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

12-22-2003, 12:00 AM	#4
TOGGLELOCK User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: USA Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Johnny, Regarding Investment Casting. Provided the metal treatment meathod is sound. I am very familiar with the process and it is satisfactory. The product is usually pretty darn good with Investment Casting. However, I've seen Induction Forged Steel w/no Re-Melt. The microstructure was incredible. Nothing short of stellar. Diamensions where incredible, so was the fit of the parts.