[Grayrock]

Anticipating a new .45 in the near future. Is there any "best " way to break it in as it will probably be NIB? Buy a couple of boxes of cheapie ammo and let 'er rip? How many rounds would be considered normal to break in a new weapon? As far as testing for the most accurate load, what is your favorite procedure? Get a wide assortment of bullets, then shoot 1 type, clean, shoot another type, clean, etc? Or should I clean between each shot? each mag? not clean? what about letting the gun cool off? How long, if at all?

[1911Tuner]

First...detail strip it and flush it out with carb cleaner. Advance
Auto's Next generation is good. If you can't do it, pay a smith
20 bucks for the job. Good money spent. Re-oil it and
reassemble .
Tip:
See if the smith will teach you how to detail strip it. After a little
practice, it can be stripped and reassembled in about 5 minutes...
a little longer if you have a Series 80 Colt or Series 2 Kimber,
and it impresses the young lads at the range.

Next, buy a 4-ounce tub of J&B bore cleaner and a small bottle
of CLP Breakfree. Mix the CLP and the J&B until it makes a
slurry that will just sag on the tip of a screwdriver, but not drip off.
Total cost...about 7 bucks. Mix it thoroughly...no lumps.

Liberally coat the upper and lower lugs, the sides of the barrel
at the chamber...the link...the slidestop crosspin...the disconnector track, and the frame rails. Leave the bushing
and barrel in, but remove the recoil system, guide rod and
all. Hand-cycle the pistol 200 times and flush out the goop
with some carburetor cleaner. Put just a little in the frame
rails and go shoot the pistol about 200 times. Flush it out
again...clean it...re-oil it, and it will feel like it's running on
buttered glass.

Happy shootin!
Tuner