Investment cast, machined from bar stock, forged, which is better?

[His lordship.]

I bought a Rock Island Armoury 1911 a few weeks ago, shoots very well, reliable and accurate.  Not bad for a $435.00 pistol compared to a Wilson or a Kimber.  It is appearantly made out of investment casting, Wilson says in their catalog that they do their frames with precision CNC machining. 

I also have 4 Rugers, which I believe are made out of investment castings, and I have heard that Sako uses a cast bolt.  Since Rugers and Sakos are known for being strong guns, Sakos are not cheap either, and especially the fact that Rugers are stronger than Smith and Wessons.  What is the advantage of investment casts, machined from bar stock, forged, etc. in regards to being strong, good longevity and not just cost issues?  Would a cast pistol last quite awhile, and a machined pistol just unecessary cost?

Thanks.
 

[gunnut69]

I really doubt the methodology of manufacture has a lot to do with it. The Rugers are brutally strong and seem to last well. Forgings are supposed to give the best tensile strength as the grain in the steel is aligned better. I've never seen anything to prove there was any differences.

[Keith L]

I agree with Gunnut.  Any of the mentioned methods can produce strong, long lasting parts.  And any done incorrectly can make junk.  A wise gun maker isn't at the edge of serviceability with their methods or products anyway.  The discussion is largely immaterial.  Lots of product is advertised as machined from solid billet stock, but in reality it is functionally no better than forged or cast then machined.  Any precision fit parts need final machining no matter how the blank was made.

[wtroger]

Investment casting reduces the machine costs and time invovled in maching. The really work is done to make the model part that the form is made from nearly perfect so as not much more man polishing is needed when the parts come out of the molds. Investment casting also allows for intricate designes to be made that couldn't or would be very difficult and cost;y to make on a machine, There strength is very high because they haven't been forged remember forged parts in firearms are heat treated after they are forged to bring the strength back up in the parts.