[mnrivrat]

Break In ??
I have heard several references to breaking in a new gun in order to have it function correctly. Is it just me ? or do others feel that you shouldn't have to mess with a gun that is new, in order to get it to function correctly. I'm not talking about smoothness of function , simply does it - or does it not do what it is suppose to do out of the box ?
I personaly don't believe in having to break in a gun in order to have it function properly . Like most mechanical devices , a gun should perhaps become smoother in function as the early stages of wear create a more polished surface for their mating parts to slide against. Typically I have always stripped a new gun purchase and performed the finishing and polishing by hand in order to start out with a smoother functioning firearm.
For those who lack the knowledge to do this to their new out the box firearm, I would say they still have a right to expect the darn thing to function properly. If it doesn't function correctly when first taken from the box it is (in my opinion) in need of gunsmithing services - not break in !

:scrutiny:

[MrAcheson]

Should a gun function properly out of the box? Yeah. Will it always? No. It stinks, but frankly new cars and many other machines are like this as well. Parts need to "wear" in and once they do things get better.

[TrapperReady]

I'm on the 12-Step Program:

1) Open box
2) Remove shotgun
3) Disassemble
4) Clean
5) Lightly lube (especially the choke tube threads)
6) Reassemble
7) Function check
8) Peruse manual to discover any operating quirks
9) Take it out for a few rounds of sporting clays
10) Clean it again
11) Look at it for a while
12) Rearrange everything in the safe to cram it in there

IMO, guns (just like most anything else) should function properly from the get-go. If not, then they need to be repaired/replaced.

I've got a 1922 Model 12 which is just about right. Everything else needs a little more "break-in". ;)

[C.R.Sam]

I'm with mnrivrat on this one.

New from the box...
If it doesn't function properly;
It is broken.

My money, I expect full function.

Sadly, in these days we are paying more for less quality.

Sam

[Hkmp5sd]

If I buy something NEW and it doesn't function properly out of the box, it goes back for exchange/refund. Not just guns, either.

If a dealer has a gun that has some small problem, new or used, he tells me about it up front and is willing to knock some $$$ off the price, I will consider it.

[Dave McCracken]

New break action doubles and singles may need a little working back and forth to ease the opening and closing thereof. New autos may need a couple hundred rounds before they'll cycle with the lightest loads. Even 870s need a few rounds to smooth up.

Other than that, the things oughta work right off the shelf.BA/UU/R is the best breakin....

[sm]

Gun should function from get go. I paid for a functioning gun--which means I didn't sign on as beta tester. On a platform I may read manual and do an inspect to familarize myself ( Kinda what Trapper Ready mentioned). A platform I know, I should be able to use it once the wrapping and box set aside.

Recall a few years back, (oops '82-'83), New Citori 3 bbl set, smooth as silk from get go...hard part -which bbl to shoot first. Been others, but these were from awhile back. Of new , NEF 20 ga. youth single shot...who would have thought so...

[Tom Held]

For whatever it means, two years I took a brand new Ruger 20 bore right out of the box on a dove shoot in Argentina. Put a little oil in strategic areas and fired 1500 rounds in six hours with it. Not a single misfunction. Probably fired 4000 rounds over a four day period. One misfire due to the primer. Guess that's a good way to break it in.

Tom Held