Do Modern Semi Autos Need a Function Break-in?

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munk

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Do modern semi auto handguns still need a function break in? I had a discussion about this with a couple gunny friends of mine. They both asserted today a semi auto handgun does not need a break-in, and would be concerned if a new gun from a modern manufacturer had a hiccup with function. They no longer expect this. They think something might be wrong if it happens, a stovepipe or stoppage.

I'd like to know if this is true.

thank you very much.

munk
 
First thing you want to do is clean the gun because it's usually full of oil from the factory. After that, take it out and shoot it with any brass case ammo and not wolf ammo. I find that any new gun trigger will get smoother and lighter after a few hundred rounds.
 
You can't lump them all together as “modern semi autos”. Some will benefit from a break in period, while some won't need any break in at all. Some are practically unfinished, needing both a break in and a little minor buffing to work correctly. Others, even some of the more expensive autos will need to not only be broken in but are likely to need some adjustments and fine tuning before you really get your moneys worth.

The one pistol that I own that really needed to be broken in is my PPK, I know there are other guns that need the same thing but as I don't own any of them I'll let those that do call them out.
 
When I initially purchased my HK USP45, I was told to use better quality FMJ ammo (no Wolf, no CCI, no +P, etc) for the first 500 rounds to help break the weapon in properly.

That info did not come via HK, but rather through a veteran HK dealer and user.

I did as instructed, and about 18,000 rnds later....still never a hiccup and nothing but 100% reliability.
 
I don't know that it's strictly necessary for every gun, but I do know that Kahr flat out tells it's customers that they need a 200 round break-in. Unless something is obviously wrong, I don't personally worry much about occasional failures in a new gun until about 200 or so rounds have been run through it.
 
My Kimber Ultra Carry 2 also came with instructions that the gun should have a couple hundred rounds through it to break it in. I would not trust ANY gun until I had shot it enought to satisfy me that it was 100% dependable.
 
All my "bottomfeeders" get a cleaning and lubing before going to the Range for "Breaking In".

My "Break In" consist of 500 rounds of whatever is handy and then 200 rounds of my "Carry Ammo". If I have a "malfunction" while testing the "Carry Ammo" I solve the problem that caused the malfunction and then start again with my "Carry Ammo" at Round 1.

After the 500 rounds it gets cleaned and oiled before the 200 round "test" with "Carry Ammo". Usually it gets cleaned/oiled every 100-150 rounds during the "Break In". The "Carry Ammo" test must be completed with no cleaning or oiling.

I do this because I want to KNOW that my gun is reliable. There are no excuses, it must function 100%.

BikerRN
 
When I initially purchased my HK USP45, I was told to use better quality FMJ ammo (no Wolf, no CCI, no +P, etc) for the first 500 rounds to help break the weapon in properly.

That info did not come via HK, but rather through a veteran HK dealer and user.
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Switch HK with SIG and thats what I was told, still in that period though...gotta shoot more! :evil:
 
My thoughts are that if it doesn't work out of the box, after cleaning and lube, then it's not right. A firearm is one device that should work right from the start.
Just my opinion.
 
No, absolutely no in my experience with SIGs, HKs, Glocks, BHPs, CZs, Rugers, Berettas.
Even a break in period will not improve some Tanfoglios, some 1911 brands, some SW autos in my experience.

Regards.
 
yup

no doubt in my mind, the more rounds through the gun, the better it gets. My 2 kahrs never needed any break in rounds, oiled the slide and barrel and fired away. As of this day I have had zero malfunctions out of either one of them. That to me bodes well for the firearm and also the ammo that i shoot. both have performed as designed. to go bang every time.
 
for me it's not so much a break in, as a reliability and accuracy check.
I'll shoot it enough that I feel comfortable with it and trust it.
If I don't get to that place I trade it off.

AFS
 
Do modern semi auto handguns still need a function break in?
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Do they? Yes, some do. Should they? No, absolutely not.

I test my guns for at least 100 rounds before trusting them for defensive use. However, the owner of a new pistol shouldn't have to shoot X number of rounds to break a pistol in before he can begin his own reliability testing.
 
Do modern semi auto handguns still need a function break in? I had a discussion about this with a couple gunny friends of mine. They both asserted today a semi auto handgun does not need a break-in, and would be concerned if a new gun from a modern manufacturer had a hiccup with function. They no longer expect this.
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I think that if you shoot enough to rightly satisfy youself that you gun is reliable, you've shot it enough to count as a break in.

So, no, you probably don't want to count on a gun you just bought.
 
for me it's not so much a break in, as a reliability and accuracy check.
I'll shoot it enough that I feel comfortable with it and trust it.
Click to expand...
Good way to look at it.
 
Unless your friends are mechanical engineers, they are not qualified to answer this.

All mechanical parts are manufactured to meet certain specifications, but they all still have a "tolerance" -which is the +/- difference from nominal. Because of this tolerance and the differences which do come up upon the fitting of two parts, there needs to be some initial break-in of all mechanically moving parts.

Most of the high-volume gun manufacturers (Glock, S&W etc.) will only fire 1-5 rounds to 'proof' a new gun while higher-end and semi custom gunmakers such as SIG or Wilson Combat may fire a few dozen rounds to 'proof' theirs. Neither of these can be considered a break-in of the gun.
 
Yes. Just about every gun out there will have its maker saying 200 rounds is needed before you know if a failure is just a break-in issue or if it is a "service needed" issue. Even if it runs 100% out of the box, things like trigger pull generally improve as round count climbs.

There's no way I'd trust a gun with my life before a couple hundred rounds pass down the pipe- it takes that long before you know if something is going to break due to defect. If a new car has something go wrong in the first 500 miles, it is an inconvenience. If a new gun goes wrong when you need it, it's your hide.
 
"This new gun you sold me doesn't run. I'd like to return it."
"Run 500 rounds through it to break it in."
"OK."
(later)
"Still doesn't run. I'd like to return it."
"I can't take that gun back, it's used!"
"...!"
"...but I do know a gunsmith that will clear those problems right up..."
 
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