[10-Ring]

I see threads of guns that have shot 1,500,000,000 hand load, HOT magnum rounds and still going strong and you read about guys who shoot guns on a regular basis or use it for work & are shocked that a spring breaks after 2 mags :confused: of ammo.
***? These things won't last forever....or should they? :scrutiny: What should one expect as an avg. life for a modern handgun?

[jibjab]

1.5 billion :confused: wow thats a lot.

[10-Ring]

Yeah, maybe I took a little poetic license :evil:

[Jerry Morris]

A quality handgun should last your entire lifetime, assuming you take proper care of it.

Defects are possible with ANY maker and should be allowed for. It is one reason my primary defensive handgun has a near matching mate. Both are 1991A1 .45s.

Only the very casual and uniniated will trust a handgun without a 500 round break in period. Other than this, I put no stress on large expenditures of ammunition. A few thousand, or a million, what ever floats your boat. This assumes the user is young enough to put that much range time in.

True non-gunnies will not apply the proper care and exercise of logic in ownership and use. Pick your pistol and learn it well. You will then be at least partially ready if the time of need ever rises for you.

All of the caliber, velocity and power factor rages are a waste of time. Get a reasonable defensive pistol, learn to shoot well. Putting the bullet where it is needed and when it is needed is the major art form. 19 time out of 20, this will do. Hey, gambling runs in my blood, 19 to 20 is good odds. There is no such thing as a sure thing, excepting we are all gonna die, sooner, or later.

Jerry

[plateshooter]

From my personal experience, I have a Ruger MKII that I bought in the early 1980s that has at least 100,000 rounds of 22 rimfire through it. The only problem with it is when I take the bolt out, the firing pin retainer now falls out of the bolt. Otherwise, it shoots as good as when I bought it. I also have a Ruger P95 with 15000+ rounds through it. Mostly Wolf and reloads. Still shoots well with no problems. I also have a popular pocket pistol that had the hammer spring break with less than 50 rounds through it. The mfg of the pistol sent me the parts to repair it right away, but it just goes to show ya.

[mnrivrat]

It's a machine . Prone to the stresses and wear that comes with usage. So how long ? - depends on how much use, how much abuse, and how well it's maintained.

Most quality guns will last the average shooter a lifetime and keep on going. I have never worn a gun out . I'll bet there's shooters who have though.

[armoredman]

How long? I have a 1920 Ishevsk Mosin Nagant 91/30, rearsenalled by the Russians, don't know when, and it works just fine. I keep it clean, and do not abuse it with hot heavy handloads. It's the same age as my respected stepfather, WWII veteran.
My Enfield was made in 1943, as well as my Mosin M38, and both of them are in fine shape. The Yugo SKS is from 1969, and going like gangbusters.
Properly cared for arms will last longer than you will. I hope my son will pass on my CZ PO1 to his son, many moons from now, if the Demonrats and LIEberal leftists don't succeed in melting them all down to make cutesy paperweights in novelty shops.

[brickeyee]

1866 Trapdoor Spinrgfield in .50-70 Government still going strong.
450 grains drops deer darn near instantly.

Model 1911 hanging around still works just fine.

I have also shot out barrels of longer range varmint rifles within 4000 rounds.
Accuracy goes bad, barrel retired.

[nero45acp]

Until the next time that the dems get control of both the executive and legislative branches....:uhoh:



nero

[M2 Carbine]

How long do you expect your guns to last?
---------------------------------------

A lot longer than me.

[Smith357]

I have a few over 100 years old that are regular shooters, and will be shooting long after I am gone.

[115grfmj]

Thats why I bought a S&W 686
and a Ruger Single Six SS:D

[Peter M. Eick]

With reasonable loads.....

I expect a Revolver to go between 50 and 100K rounds. I have one at 45k rounds that has seen the service center 3 times but upon reflection I think it was all my fault.

I expect a mild semi-auto to go between 50 and 100K rounds with minimal maintenence. Mild means 380 auto, 45 acp or 9mm in a full size frame.

I expect a hot semi-auto (10mm or 40 or 357 sig) to go between 20 and 50k rounds. I have one 40 that is just shy of 10k rounds that is starting to show terminal peening. I can see the end of the gun coming.

[MatthewVanitas]

Thats why I bought a S&W 686
and a Ruger Single Six SS

Considering that there are original SAAs that shoot fine from the 1870s, I can't imagine how long a stainless-steel revo, chambered for the easygoing .22LR, will last.

I have a stainless Bearcat (even simpler than the Single Six), and I like to imagine that it'll last a couple centuries.

-MV

[taliv]

isn't the "service life" on an AR15 only around 25k rounds? (not that people pitch them in the trash when they pass that mark or anything...)

[.45&TKD]

isn't the "service life" on an AR15 only around 25k rounds?

Maybe, if full auto. I'd like to hear other opinions about semi-auto.

[PX15]

I'm a senior citizen well on my voyage to the magic "three score and ten"..

Therefore I expect ALL of my guns to outlast this tired old frame.

Even this one:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_5833.jpg

I think the little Galesi is also well on it's "journey of life" too! :D

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[.45&TKD]

"three score and ten"..

For those of us who do not speak "Lincolnese", how old is this?

[PX15]

.45&KTD:

Sorry.

I was referring to the time allotted man as mentioned in the King James version of the Bible..

I believe a "score" is 20 years, so "three score and ten" should be 70.

I'm going on 64, so if my firearms last another 6-7 years anything after that will be gravy.. (If you indeed consider the 3 score and 10 deal...)

Selah..

:D

J. Pomeroy

[Troutman]

I expect mine to last until I drop dead. After that, don't care, how long it lasts.

[MountainBear]

The gun itself I expect to last longer thatn I'll own it. Some of the guns I shoot often, I expect to have to replace parts (mags, barrels in extreme cases). I hope most still exist after any kids I ever have have shot the hell out of them as well...

[moxie]

how good it was made to begin with, how hard it's used, and how well it's maintained. Assuming it's not a total piece of junk such as a Jennings or RG .22, a gun will last forever if you take care of it. If you use it hard then it will require more care, more parts replacement and adjustment at some point. At some theoretical point the question is asked if it's really the original gun. Sort of like my grandfather's hammer. He had the same hammer for 50 years, changed the handle once and the head once. My father changed the handle once but used it for 30 years. I inherited that hammer 15 years ago and have changed the head once. I love my grandfather's hammer and will never give it up.

[Stevie-Ray]

Welp, my Ruger RST-6 has well over 100,000 rounds through it and I'd say my Colt Mark IV has the same, though it digested mostly 185 gr handloads. Nothing was ever replaced due to breakage on either gun. 12 lb Wolff spring on the Mark is even still on there for the 185s. There was a 15 lber and even a 10 at different times, but that's all that is changed, and that due to load.

Hopefully they'll outlast me, (2 score and 10:D) but if not, well we'll just repair them.

Some of my guns have only hundreds of rounds, if that, through them.

[sig228]

Your pistol license EXPIRED over 37 years ago. :eek: Its probably time to renew.

[ETXhiker]

Throughout my life, I've inherited guns, bought used guns and generally thought they were good for several generations of ownership with proper care. Honestly, I've never had a gun break. If I buy a gun and it doesn't hold up reasonably, even after I'm gone, I'm gonna come back and haunt the manufacturer...

[pete f]

Depends on the gun. depends on the chambering. I have a 6mm x 284 that needs a new barrel about every 1200 rounds. Just too hot, fabulous shooter when it is ready. Also have a 6.5x 284 in a cooper, getting close to two thousand rounds, still will shoot about .3 all day long. IF i can lay off the caffiene before I start shooting.

I have a couple of 1911's that have way over 100,000 rounds. I know a couple of guys I trust who say they have near or over a million rounds through 1100 remingtons. They shoot three, four nights week. Maybe four strings each, that starts to add up pretty fast.

[TimboKhan]

haha, "lincolnese"....

I seriously expect my guns to outlast me. Yes, they are mechanical objects subject to breakage and failure, but they are also relatively simple mechanical objects, especially as compared to a car, or a space shuttle, or a dishwasher.

[Run&Shoot]

Long enough for the next revolution, I hope! :cool:

[44AMP]

These are the determening factors. I have some huns pushing 100 years old that are in as good condition mechanically (not finish) as the day they came out of the factory. These guns don't get used alot, or very hard, by my choice.

Parts break, springs wear out, even barrels. So what. You may get 250K miles on your car, but not on the original tires, belts, etc.

I would figure that as long as the gun lasts 3 to 4 times it's cost in ammo, you didn't get cheated. Most will go a whole lot longer than that with proper care. There is some adjustment that out to be made for high performance pieces. The stresses are higher, and the machine will wear faster. Just as the top auto racers rebuild or replace engines between races, a high performance gun will not last as many rounds before something needs attention.

[Marshall]

Taken care of properly, after I am gone, there's no reason they shouldn't last another lifetime.

[AirForceShooter]

Ask my Granddaughter in 20 or 50 years.

AFS

[Ala Dan]

ask my 2 year old grand-daughter in 'bout 50 years or so~!:cool: :D

[AirForceShooter]

my grand daughter is 10 weeks old.

AFS

[tubeshooter]

I don't get to shoot nearly as much as I'd like, so it's probably a non-issue for me. This is kinda good in a way, because I can shoot as much as I feel like when I can and not feel like I'm over-stressing my guns. If I lived out in the country like where Grandma is, it still probably wouldn't be an issue but I'd probably have a *lot* more miles on both the SKS and my .22 rifles. I'm sure I would at least think about it more.


Just the same, I make it a point not to use much wire brush on the .22 rifle barrels. I don't know what's appropriate; some people swear by not using them at all. I'm thinking around 2000 rounds. I'd be interested to hear what others think is a good number (or never, if applicable). Maybe I should find an alternative to the brush.

Anyway, that's the only thing the even remotely resembles what I worry about as far as breaking/wearing out my stuff. I don't have anything that I "baby" either, it can all see use as far as I'm concerned. Like I said, I don't get much opportunity to actually shoot.

[EDIT: If we're talking specifically handguns, in addition to being a nice piece I expressly got the SP-101 so I wouldn't put too much hurt on my .38 snub practicing. So I guess that counts, as far as at least considering wear/breakage. But the .38 is all steel, so I'm still not what you would call worried about it.]

[Michael Courtney]

Until Jesus returns.

If my heirs and other future owners care for them properly, most of my rifles and revolvers will easily last that long.

Semi-auto handguns require more care and upkeep, replacing springs, mostly, but other parts will also wear out. Availabiility of parts and competent gunsmithing will probably be the lifetime limiting factor here.

The other thing that drives guns to an early grave is obsolescence of the cartridge. I think that my guns in .308, .223, 30-06, 44 magnum, and 22LR are pretty safe. But who knows whether the .357 Sig and 25-06 will still be available 100 years from now? And if the technology shifts quickly away from cartridge arms altogether in favor of a new, high-tech weapon for deadly action at a distance, all guns could be in danger from neglect by future generations who fail to appreciate the older technology.

But a quality gun should last for as long as a person is inclined to care for it.

Michael Courtney

[TestPilot]

For a pistol,no less than 30,000 rounds,which means it should last a lot longer than that.
I hope them to be built to withstand around 50,000 rounds. I've mentioned 30,000 because I estimate that during 10 year use a pistol would fire around 24,000 round for regular practice.

I'd expect more with a rifle,which is less restricted in size and bulk.

[Geronimo45]

Longer than I will. It's composed of interchangeable parts... I'm not.

[45auto]

Depends on how many rounds you shoot, how "hot" the rounds are and, of course, whether the gun is easily rebuildable.

And, I think, there is a point where rebuilding certain guns is close to the cost
of a new one, then it's not economically feasible. You may still rebuild for a variety of reasons.

[mpmarty]

I don't think you can wear out a 22 rimfire EXCEPT by cleaning it.

My all steel 10mm Witness should last my lifetime twice over
My poly framed guns, probably not so long.

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't think you can wear out a 22 rimfire EXCEPT by cleaning it.

Amen, brother! That's why I use spray cleaners on my .22s, and not all that often at that.

The Holy Grail, my Colt Woodsman, was made in 1938 and I have shot 1 3/4" groups at 25 yards with Wal-Mart bulk pack Remingtons, and a modified Weaver grip with that gun. My Colt Officer's Model Target revolver is the same age and almost as accurate. I don't intend to ruin either of those guns by over-cleanoing.

[ronto]

My 2 Ruger revolvers will easily last my lifetime and probably my grandkids lifetime if they take care of them like I do.

[Guncrazy45]

...how long we can keep liberal Democrats and RINOs in check.

Hopefully, all our guns will last long after November, or even 2008.

[Robbot]

I have a Hammerli Walther Olympia pistol that I bought new in 1953, it has well over 200,000 rounds through it. A high-Standard Supermatic Citation with the 10" Bbl. that I got in 1958 when they first came out and it has well over 200,000 rds. also. The spare firing pin that came with the Hammerli has never been in the gun. Have never replaced a single part in either one.
They will last as long as you take care of them (100-200 years?)