Hand gun "Break in"

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RTFM

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OK we all have read PLUSES and MINUS threads on rifle break in.
Is there such a thing as pistol break in?

Reason I ask, I'm on the cusp of my very first NEW IN BOX gun.
(yup shooting 20 years and I'm about to purchase my very first new gun!)

This will be either a S&W 642 (.38sp) or a S&W M&P340 (.357/.38) J frame.

Any wizdom on pistol break in (of any size actually not just the little J frames)?


RTFM
 
I won't carry a semi CCW till I have 1,000 of ball and 200 of the HP I'm carrying.

I expect no more than 1 failure out of 1,000.
 
Nomad, 2nd. Understood. But this is a revolver. But I agree with you, all gas operated guns need to be thoroughly tested and personally proven before it is considered good to go.
waynedm. The food court is that way >>>>>> Back to your mall ninja post besides panda express
Please if you don't have any constructive input, pertinent to the thread, don't reply just to pad your post count.


Again. My question pertains to actual pistol break in.
Is there any thought to break in procedures like a rifle?


RTFM
 
The only thing I did when I bought my 642 was clean it before shooting it. Then I took it to the range to make sure it functioned like I expected; although you don't worry about revolvers having failures to feed or extract, you do need to make sure that the cylinder is timed correctly. I wouldn't carry any gun without putting some rounds through it at the range, if for no other reason than so I know what to expect.

But if it works fine at the first trip (and you shoot enough rounds so you're satisfied), then you don't really need to do any other break in on a revolver. Over time the trigger will likely smooth out, but I'd probably just dry fire it for those purposes (they aren't THAT pleasant to shoot).
 
RTFM,

I'm not sure you need to do anything more than fire a couple of 100's rounds through it. I have 300-500 rounds through my 642 and the trigger is finally feeling the sweet spot. Other than trigger pull there's nothing I can think of that will help to "break in" a revolver.

also, I would pass on the 340unless you've shot it and like it. Go to teh 642 Club thread and read the last few posts on the difference in recoil with the .38's and .357's.
 
waynedm. The food court is that way >>>>>> Back to your mall ninja post besides panda express
Please if you don't have any constructive input, pertinent to the thread, don't reply just to pad your post count.
Click to expand...


Don't mind me, just dropping by to pad my post count.


Sheesh.
 
HAHAHA

OK so the consensus s rifles worry about barrel break in.
Pistols make sure they function.


PAD.


RTFM
 
This mostly applies to semi-auto pistols but can apply to revolvers as well.

Most guns are lubed for shipping NOT shooting. Disassemble, inspect, clean, re-lube. This initial inspection is important, I've found a distressing amount of items that would have led to long term issues had I not caught them immediately.

I then run about 200 rounds, disassemble and clean again. This time I'm paying attention to wear spots or any issues (FTF or FTE) that may have come up. I usually wind up doing a very light touch up polishing of various contact points if they already show wear (Dremel tool with felt tips and jewelers rouge...easy does it) then a good cleaning to get the grit out and re-lube for use.

Others who have shot my irons compliment me on how nicely they run so it seems to work.

Oh and loading and then unloading the magazines a few times seems to help things a lot as well. I don't know if that breaks the springs in or settles parts or what but it seems to reduce initial feed issues on most automatics.
 
I think after about 500 rounds you can get a feel of how reliable the gun is going to be
 
Whatever you do, make sure you're serious on any threads RTFM posts. He's an internet forum god. I mean, can you imagine the accuracy gained from 'proper' barrel break-in on a 2" gun? He better run at least 10,000 rounds through that [revolver] to make sure it doesn't have any FTE or FTF or something.

The only thing I did when I bought my 642 was clean it before shooting it. Then I took it to the range to make sure it functioned like I expected; although you don't worry about revolvers having failures to feed or extract
Click to expand...

Wow, that's pretty much exactly what I said, but I got jumped all over for it.

I never should have attempted to make a post on this thread. I have learned my lesson.
 
Go ahead and clean it, then shoot a hundred rounds out of it. It's a revolver, so you are checking for burrs and binding problems. If nothing noticeable, then you're good to go.
 
Apparently I hit a sore spot with waynedm

waynedm
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Join Date: 02-23-07
Posts: 72 Uh huh

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Listen, *******. I said what I said because I don't subscribe to any of that barrel break in procedure for handguns. Rifles, maybe.

What I said was the way I do it. If you want to sit around and bean count and worry about copper buildup in machining imperfections because you think it'll effect the accuracy (which 99.99% of people won't notice) then fine.

About your mall ninja comment, I guarantee I know more about firearms than you do, so you can shut the **** right up about acting pretentious about the subject. If you knew as much as you thought you did you wouldn't asked such an inane question.

Your grammar could also use some work.

Maybe before you jump down somebody's back about something you could ask yourself if they meant it in jest. If you ask a serious question about something you'll get a serious response.

Chill the **** out, internet tough guy.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the freindly PM
 
You know RTFM, I'm not a mod, but I would be willing to be a mod would say

"you two should take your argument to PM, and keep it off the public boards"

Which is what waynedm did. And you proceeded to take it BACK into the public by posting his private message for all to see. That's real adult of you.


waynedm, if people are going to act childish and make rude comments to you, you don't need to continue the cycle by reciprocating. Just ignore it. It's just the interweb, and it's only one anonymous guy's opinion. Responding to a childish comment with a childish comment just make you both guilty.


As for the actual thread, I don't own any revolvers and don't know jack about them. I'm just padding my post count :neener:
 
If you are carrying a semi-auto it is a good idea to run at least 2-300 rounds of ammo just to break in the gun and plan on 100 rounds or so of your carry ammo. At least you can break in the slide/frame fit and the trigger assembly will smooth out. Also, if you have adjustable sights or even just sights with a drift adjustment for windage you can start to regulate them and also see where your point of elevation is hitting in relation to your eyes.

In a revolver, breakin is just a touch different. You will want to see the timing of the cylinder and wear in the trigger assembly as above. In snubnoses especially, it is good to see where the sights are regulated for. I had a snubnose older Smith that I was using a light target load for with a light bullet and it was hitting nowhere near POA. I switched to a 158 gr. LSWC and it is an absolute dream to shoot (heavier bullets will generally raise point of impact). Can outshoot one or two longer barrel revolvers and automatics that other friends shoot.

This is just what I have learned to do with the guns I have. I shoot them a little to break them in without breaking the bank in very expensive ammo. I usually shoot my ammo in batches of 100-200 rounds before cleaning.

As always your mileage may vary and this is a free opinion. :) Have fun getting to know whatever pistol you buy.
 
If you can shoot 200 rounds out the box with out a hiccup, I trust it. Then a thorough cleaning and it's straight to the hip.
All my guns get the same treatment 200 out the box or I cant trust it.
 
I went through my first real break-in recently. USually, it has been just to shoot the first 1k rounds & be a happy camper. I guess that's why they call them break in periods :scrutiny:
As for j-frames - you should be fine! Get your self several 100 rounds of ammo, shoot & be happy ;)
 
I found that scrubbing the bore out with a mild rubbing compound made my 45 much easier to clean. Initially, I just put about 100-200 rounds of UMC Ball through it. It took forever to get the bore clean and free of powder and copper residue using hoppes and copper remover.

I read of the rubbing compound/bore paste scrubbing in a rifle break in thread and decided to give it a try. Well worth the effort and all my firearms now receive this treatment when I first get them, new or not. I used some Meguiars medium cut that I used on some jeep painting projects. Most have been spanking new though, so lots of black crud comes out of them, even after the initial swabbing of the bore with Hoppes and a bronze brush and patches. I run a total of 5-10 patches soaked in the compound until they quit coming out black. Each patch gets worked over good, a cleaning patch is then run through it, then another compound coated patch follows.

It's easiest with semi pistols because you can work with just the barrel and keep the rest of the pistol away from the rubbing compound which could mar the finish if you are not careful.

This has paid big dividends in how much time I spend cleaning up after a range session. It went from nearly an hour per pistol to about half that, probably less depending on my anal retentive tendecies at the time.
 
Take it out of the box...admire briefly, take apart, clean, oil, etc...
shoot until you are tired...repeat process:D
 
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