Stamped vs. Machined

[getitdone1]

We're always hearing how machined gun parts are better. I lean in that direction but I would say stamped, well done, is better than it's often thought to be. I would say there are some great guns with most or all stamped parts.

Your thoughts?

Don

[Pete44ru]

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[jhrosier]

The stamped AKs are said to be more durable than the machined ones.

Jack

[2ndovc]

.

I remember when nobody wante one of those. $200 for one in perfect condition!

jb

[Sixgun]

I do believe the stamped guns shoot just fine---look at the AK or the grease gun, but..............they look and feel junky.

[AJMD429]

Without trying to state the obvious, wouldn't a BIG factor be what the specific part in question IS....?

In my 'vast' experience with guns and other machines, it seems like some things, if stamped out of high-quality, thick-enough, steel, can be pretty tough, and stand up to harsh use (I wonder if maybe some applications better than machined parts?), but other stuff pretty much seems like if they attempt to 'stamp' it, it is misaligned, flimsy, and wears out.

I wonder if some of our machinists (is there such a thing as a 'stampist'? ) here on the forum could say if there are indeed things that actually are better if made using 'stamped' technology, or if the best it can do is be less-expensive, and almost-as-good-as, 'machined' stuff...??????

[mohavesam]

The overlooked issue here is that stamped parts are in actuality parts which were once machined of necessity - and have at some point been engineered to be able to serve their intended purpose and service life as stamped during manufacture!

I doubt anyone wild desire a refrigerator door machined from a solid chunk of metal. Likewise would anyone pay for a semi-auto's magazine machined from a handful of cast/forged steel?

[MrMurphy]

Most stamped stuff works perfectly fine.

In the AK's example, it was designed to be stamped, but Russian metal stamping tech hadn't quite caught up as well as they though, so the first four-five years of AK production was all milled. They then switched as intended to stamped.

The RPK (automatic rifle/machine gun) variant is always milled, due to it getting beat up a lot more in full auto constantly.

The Finns stuck with the milled variant in their rifles, to this day, but the vast majority of the world's 100 million AK's are stamped.

The MP38 turned into the (stamped) MP40, same reason...... as did a lot of other weapons that run fine.

[Old Ironsights]

Hmmmm...

Machined can be interesting...



But Stamped works quite well if done right.

[El Chivo]

having been inside my Winchesters, I can't say I'm a fan of stamped, but other than running a little rough they're ok. I've had things break but doubt if it's because of the type of manufacture.

Hey, once I file down the edges, it's machined, right?

[Old Ironsights]

...Hey, once I file down the edges, it's machined, right?

Yeah... that's it!

A stamped HK G3/91 "flat" is actually being "machined" as it is rolled, welded and trued with a mandrel before being attached to a trigger group, barrel & bolt...

[mikld]

Personally, I believe it's more important what the part(s) made of, rather than how it's formed (cheap, low grade steel vs a quality steel alloy), and of course the application of the part...

[piller]

Wasn't this the reason gun writers hated the Ruger standard Model .22lr pistol when it first came out? Or am I wrong? I seem to remember something about stamped parts in them.

[rossim92]

Look at the ma duece machine gun. Been around a looooooong time in the military. Isn't it basically stamped parts that are riveted together?

[Ben_Rumson]

Don't forget if a part is red hot when it is stamped it's called a forged part & everybody knows forged parts have the best reputation!.....

[MrMurphy]

The M2 is machined.